The Ashburton Guardian. Magna Est Veritas et Prevalebit. MONDAY, NOVEMBER, 2, 1885. Protection in Disguise.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1315, 2 November 1885, Page 2

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna Est Veritas et Prevalebit. MONDAY, NOVEMBER, 2, 1885. Protection in Disguise.

As a great master of language Sii ‘ Julius Vogel naturally believes in the ) power of words and the efficacy 01 names. One of the secrets of his mar vellous and long sustained popularitj is the care with which he seeks new names for old proceedings, and avoids the use of terms which would bring hi: ■ proposals into their proper category ahd lead us to judge them by old and wel tried standards. When he proposed tc i make New Zealand the greatest country in the world by saddling it with the greatest public debt in proportion to its population, he avoided all the terms that Solomon applied to such proceedings, and called it net borrowing but a “ public works policy.” In his last public utterance —his speech to his constituents on Wednesday evening—he tells us that persons who make use I of the old and well understood terms of Protection and Freetrade, should be prosecuted. He is not the first Protectionist who has desired to be called by some other name. The glorious, unparalleled, undeniable and almost undisputed success of Cobden’s tar seeing, liberal, open-handed, “ live and let live " commercial policy now shines like the sun at noon day, exposing all the shallow artifices of monopoly and dispersing the mists of timid, short sighted, antiquated prejudice. All the old enemies of Freetrade in England have been compelled to give up their cherished theories in the face of such light, and have learned to be ashamed of their old names. With quadrupled trade, quadrupled shipping, quadrupled wealth, with cheap food and douoled

wages the very House of Lords itself would not now dare to lift a voice against “ Freetrade.” Can we wonder that when Sir Julius Vogel tries to use the Protectionists’ cry to conceal the increased taxation that annually grows out of his “ public works policy," he endeavors to hod a term for it that will not associate it with all its past history. We are naturally disappointed to find a speaker of Sir Julius Vogel’s position and with Sir Julius Vogel’s ability descending to use assertions and phrases that are used naturally enough by those who have a selfish object to gain and who are not expected to look far beneath the surface themselves or in any way to enlighten their hearers. He tells us that no country can be great without manufactures, and imputes ihaf it is, therefore, our business to force them on at any cost. We have not the least fear that our population will ever be wanting in the skill, the enterprise, or the industry necessary to establish manufactures whenever circumstances arise to make them desirable and profitable. Tne colony has shown no backwardness in that direction, but we hope the day is yet far distant when New Zealand will become principally a ntanu. factoring country. The greatness of a country is a vague term, and especially vague in Sir Julius Vogel’s phraseology. We are not so anxious about the greatness of New Zealand as we are about the comfort, the sound prosperity, and the happiness of the great mass of its population, and therefore we hope long to see the laboring classes oft he colony

earning higher wages than they can ever' do when engaged in work in which they must compete with the labor market of the world. When we are compelled to make articles to export to other countries, we must either work more skilfully, or work harder, or work at lower wages than the countries to which we send the manufactured article, and, therefore, we hope that our fine climate and virgin soil and mineral wealth will long offer better wages to the toilers of this country than they can ever hope to obtain when called on to compete in the markets of the world with the teeming populations of Europe, Asia and America.

Temperance Agitation. In our last issue we published a very vigorous letter from the Rev Mr Blake, impugning some remarks we recently made with reference to “ Temperance Agitation.” As a rule Mr Blake is singularly free from the illiberality so often attributed to members of his profession, but, we think, he can hardly have been unprejudiced when selecting passages for quotation from the article to which he takes objection. He asks us to reproduce a sample of the intemperate language employed by Mr Burnett in denouncing anybody, and concludes his protest with the following words :—“ It is matter for general regret that this unoffending stranger should carry away to sister colonies the memory that Ashburton is the only place where be has been charged with platform vices from which he is known to be singularly free.” Now, a casual reader of this letter, one who had not perused our article, would naturally suppose that we had made a violent attack upon the itinerant total abstinence advocate. That we did nothing of the sort will be made clear to any one who takes the trouble to read the remarks referred to. The only reference made to Mr Burnett was contained in the following words :—“ There are many men men of eminence in science, in the professions, in society, and in commerce—who have devoted much earnest, conscientious thought to the question and still take alcoholic drinks in moderation. If it be desired to make abstainers of these men they must be approached with solid sense and arguments; they will not be convinced by the declamatory denunciations we have heard in Ashburton during the last few days, nor will they be carried away by the fervid excitement which an earnest lecturer can produce when addressing a largely sympathetic audience.” While we entertain the highest esteem for Mr Burnett’s zeal and believe him to be actuated by the putest motives, we repeat that his lectures are nothing more than declamatory denunciations, as devoid of logical persuasiveness as they are of oratorical merit. The temperance movement has our fullest sympathy, and we should regret the utterance of a single word that would retard the reformation now in progress, but we are surprised to find a gentleman so cultured, so discriminating, and, usually, so just as Mr Blake, hurrying to impugn a statement with which his intelligence must compel him to agree. We are quite prepared to examine the merits of the temperance question with Mr Blake, although we fear the unanimity of our opinions would make the discussion a very monotonous one, but we are not willing to discuss the demerits of a contemporaneous reformer who has our respect and esteem, but certainly not our entire confidence as a logical exponent of the great cause be has espoused.

Sport and Depression. The success of two New Zealand bred horses at the Victorian Racing Club’s Spring Meeting on Saturday is of colonial importance, and forms the most complete answer that could be furnished to Mr Stout’s recent strictures on horse racing. The Premier in his speech at Dunedin while referring to the present commercial depression, gave it as his opinion that if the present stagnation of trade could rid the colony of racing fixtures, it would be a good thing. One of the greatest obstacles to Mr Stout’s success as a politician is his singular inability to comprehend the rudiments of finance. During the earlier years of his political career, before he recognised his deficiency in this direction, he repeatedly made himself ridiculous by attempting to talk figures, but recently, with a more adequate appreciation of his own powers, he has, whenever possible, avoided the subject. Sometimes, however, his official position compels him to venture an opinion I on public finance. One of these occasions arose at Dunedin, and he, doubtless, felt it his duty to |say something very original.—We admit there are many parasitical surroundings to racing and racecourses that are objectionable and demoralising, but the Premier displays characteristic ignorance when he implies that racing, even with these surroundings, creates commercial depression. Perhaps no other medium circulates money so rapidly as sport. It may not produce wealth, but it certainly distributes it. The Racing Club’s expend all they receive in labor, material, and prizes. The recipients of the prizes expend the major part of their winnings in labor, horse feed, and maintenance of premises; and in these ways nearly all the money invested in horseracing reaches the laborer and producer. It must not be forgotten, either, that a large amount of the capital so invested would, if Mr Stout’s desire were consummated, leave the country. It is not difficult to point to a do?en monied men retained in Zealand by the facilities the cofoqy offers fqr the pursuit of their favorite pastime. We have no desire to excuse the vices of the racecourse; we consider gambling one -»f rka mrtcf eKnmineKlA nircpc rtf nnr

civilization, but it is a fallacy to sup-1 pose it is aggravated by horse racing. 1 We venture to assert that more money | is lost and won over cards, dice, and other games of chance in New island in three months than changes jjands in connection wh*-, racing throughout the year. In countries where racing is unknown, in Spain, Russia, and China, the Soqth American States, gambling is carried on to an extent, and under revolting conditions, which would never be tolerated in this country. The commercial benefits arising from racing we need hardly refer to, it is sufficient to point to the improvement effected in the breed of our horses, to recent ship-

ments to India, and the successes of Nordenteldt and Trenton in Australia. These, surely, are not factors in our long sustained, commercial depression.

Dr Leahy, J P., presided at the Resident Magistrate’s Court this morning and dealt with the following cases; —Michael Murphy, for drunkenness, was fined 10s and costs with the alternative of 48 hours imprisonment P. O’Connor, for a similar offence, was fined VOs and co ts with the alternative of 7 days imprisonment. The following are the numbers of entries received for the Dunedin Jockey Olnb’s Spring Meeting :—Grand Stand Handicap, 20 ; Tahuan Park Handicap, 14; Spring Handicap, 18 ; Hunter’s ( 'late, 9 ; President’s Handicap, 17 ; St Andrew’s handicap, 16 ; Hurdle Race, 12 ; Trotting Race, 32. _ Shearing *lll commence at Anama on November 9; at Weaterfield on November 16.

The result* of the principal events decided at the Victorian Racing dab's Spring Meeting on Saturday appear in this issue. The results of the Melbourne Stakes and V. B. 0 Derby we published on Saturday.

Early on Saturday evening an itinerant “ "heap John” took possession of he site in East street usually occupied by the Salvation Army daring their nocturnal demonstrations. About eight o’clock a contingent of the army was marshalled opposite the invader’s stand, and attempted by hideous and varied noises either to oast the intruder or render the prosecution of his business impossible. “ John,” however, remained Inexorable, and above the din of fog horns, kerosene tins and other musical instruments manipula ed by the Salvation choir, his stentorian voice was heard offering a fortune for a shilling or chanting one of the 472 “ highly linstrnctive and entertaining ” songs he promised his audience. After a desultory contest, the Army withdrew to the “ barracks,” and left the enemy in possession of the field. At the Wellington Resident Magistrate’s

Court on Saturday a medical herbalist was charged with a breach of the Printers Registration Act, by disposing of catalogues of herbal medicines without the name of the printer being printed thereon. For the defence it was contended

that the pamphlet was printed in England, and was not subject to the colonial Act, and the Bench taking this view of the matter the information was dismissed —Our attention was called sometime ago to the fact that the hymn books employed by the local contingent of the Salvation Army bear no imprint. The “ Captain ” in charge or Sergeant Felton should attend to this matter. M.• T. s. Weston and Judge Smith, the Law Examiners, have completed their September examinations. The following candidates have passed satisfactorily:— Messrs Hodge, Sinclair, Tylden, Purchase, Gould, Haughcon, Macalister, Mainaby, Hamilton, Outhbertson, Harper, Begg, Gibson, Higgins, Hill, Donnelly, Shackle ton, Mellish, Gotbard, Hutton, and Robinson. Sir Julius Vogel will address a public meeting at Lawrence shortly. There are over 250 entries for the Dog Show to be held in Christchurch during the race weeir. Entries have been received from all parts of the colony. The New Zealand Industrial Exhibition which has been open since August 1 was closed on Saturday evening, when His Excellency the .Governor and the Premier delivered addresses. The fact of an agency being established in Oamaru for the sale of Timaru fl >ur, seems to have wakened np the Oamsru people, and the North Otago Times an* nounoes that three of the Oamaru millers intend fitting up their mills with roller machinery. —Timaru Herald. At about six o'clock yesterday morning the Wairarapa arrived at Gisborne with dense volumes of smoke issuing from about a third of the length of the vessel amid* ships. The steamer sounded signals of distress with her .whistle, and assistance was at once sent from the shore. It was ascertained that about four o’clock the same morning, when a few miles south of Neck Head, an alarm of fire was raised. All the passengers were awakened with the utmost expedition. Some of the cabins were already filled with smoke, and several passengers were nearly suffocated before they could escape. All hurried on deck, through the smoke and fl»mes, taking what clothes and effects they corld catch,

and remained on desk till arrival in tbs bay. Meantime all the crew had tamed to their allotted stations, to combat the fire which, it was found, had originated in the linen closet. From there it spread along to the ladies’ cabin The fire had a pretty good hold when discovered and despite the utmost efforts to subdue it it tr'veiled aft and spread the whole width of the ship. It worked through into the hold and to the upper deck into the kitchen and rooms adjacent and up through the ventilators. The plates on both aides of the vessel got red hot and part dropped off. The iron ventilators also got red hot. A number of fire ex* tmguishers and hand grenades were taken off from shore to assist in fighting with the fire. Operations were kept up with unabated energv until a quarter to nine, when the chief officer reported it had been got under and t tore was no fear of the loss of the ship. It is computed it will coat at least L 5.000 to refit the vessel. A curious incident recently occurred in

the Parade Qhurch, Shotnoliffe, England. It was found that the church was besieged by various kinds of birds, principally swallows. Every effort was made to dislodge them, but without effect, and at last some soldiers were obliged to tire a volley of blank cartridges, which completely routed them, and the church being soon vacated, the service was held. It was a Frenchman who, contentedly laying his head upon a large stone jar for a pillow, replied to one who inquired if it was not rather hard, “ Not at all, for 1 have stuffed it with hay.” An old back-country farmer, who had given his note in payment for a new patent “ reaper and binder,” came into the bank to pay. “ How does she go J M asked the cashier, as he thumbed tha bills. “ Well, ye see, this tin\e las’ year I sat on the fence with a cigar in my month and an ombrel over me, and watched thirty man a-reaping my fisld. Chis year I reaped it myself, and thirty men set on the fence and watched me.” Why dd American Hop Bitters cure so much ? Because they give good digestion, rich blood, and healthy action of all the organs. See aiirt Now mone? is so scarce it behoves every one to be on the alert and endeavor to mak' e there twenty shillings go as- far as poss Vole One -lance at H. iS. May and Co.’s advertise ment, which appears mc: r columns this evenmg, should convince one and all that the proprietors of T* ie Hall, High street, Chrst church, aVe determined to do their part. The J? r *OSs quoted for the various items are, we believe, lower than on any prcv cus occasion, and should induce all buyers .>f Diap rv and Cloth inijrto piv*

German Syrup.” —No other medicine n he world was ever given such a test of itcurative qualities as Boschee’s German Syrup. f n three years two million four hundred thous Sind small bottles oi this medicine were distributed fret of charge by Druggists in the United States of America to those afflicted with Consumption, Asthma, Croup, severe Coughs. Pneumonia and other diseases of the throat and lungs, giving the afflicted undeniable proof .hat German Syrup will cure them. The result has been that Druggists in every town nd vllage in civilised countries are recommending it to their customers. Go to your Druggist *nd ask what they know about it. Sample Bottles 6d. Regular size as. fid. Three ottMwU relieve any

Service* in connection with the Wesleyan Sunday School anniversary were commenced yesterday, Mr Isitt conducting the morning and evening diets, and -Hev D. Mo 'icDll taking charge of the afternoon gathering. The attendance was remarkably good last night, and Mr isitt’a impressive discourse was listened to with deepest attenti n. Collection* for the day amounted to L 6 2s 9d. The annual tea and pubic meeting will take place tomorrow evening, when, in addition to several speeches on appropriate topics, musical selections will be rendered by the scholars under Mr Ray’s leadership. Holloway’s Pills.—The chiefest wonder of modem times.—This incomparable medicine increases the appetite, strengthens the stomach, cleanses the liver, corrects biliousness, prevents flatulency, purifes the system, invigorates the nerves, and reinstates sound health. The enormous demand for these Pills throughout the globe astonishes everybody, and a single tria convinces the most sceptical that no medicine equals Holloway’s Pills in its ability to remove aU complaints incidental to the human race, They are a blessing to the afflicted, and aboon to all that labour under internal or external disease. The purification of the|blood, removal of all restraint from the secretive organs, and gentle aperitive action are the prolific sources or the extensive curative range of Holloway’s Pills. Advt]