IN OTHER CENTRES.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 201, 19 May 1908, Page 8

IN OTHER CENTRES.

(BY TEI.IGUAFH— SrECIAI, CORKBSrOKDISTS.) 9 AUCICLAND. ' , -. < May 18. Speaking at a social at Taupiri on the aims and objects of the -Farmers' Union, Mr. Allen Bell said, lie thought tho. farmers, generally,, throughout tho Dominion had failed to rcaliso tho good work tho Union had done under, adverse conditions. Hitherto, the Union had cschowod politics. Ho was oonvinocd that this disability-would bo removed in tho very near future, and for that they, would liavo to thank tho Auckland Provincial Executive, which had taken a united stand, "and would continue to fight until they had accomplished tho object they had in view, that of strengthening the Union, and making it'a. power in tho hands ,of the farming community. The most important question tho Union had taken m hand was that of laud tenure. The Union was not the advocate of capitalists or holders of largo estates, but they wished to soo every man and every \yoman have the opportunity of acquiring the freehold. China's Awakoning. \ In an address on "The. Awakening of China," at St. David's Church, Ithyber Pass Road, yesterday morning, tho Rev. G. H.. M'Neur,- of tho Canton Village. Mission, sounded a noto of warning. The changes,.he said, which had taken place in China during the past six years wero greater than thoso which had occurred in connection with any other, nation, in the world. China .now had an up-to-dalte army, and was determined upon enlarging and equipping it, in proportion to her population. The people wero being inspired with a new patriotism, as was evidenced first in tho boycott of American and' later of Japanese goods. The Chineso wero now beginning to djscover that tho "open door" policy was a peculiar one, in'that the door , opened ono way only. When China" became modernised the industrial problem which it would'raise would be a tremendous one. Her people oould underlive and-under-sell any other nation. Our/legislation as regards Eastern emigrants would very soon be just worth tho force wo were prepared to put behind it. In conclusion, "the speaker urged the evangelisation of China.

Thermal Activity. - A shock of earthquake was felt in the Rotorua and Whakarowarewa districts about 3.20 a.m. on Friday last, sevoro enough to arouse people from sleep and alarm a few visitors unaccustomed to such manifestations of hidden forces. Slight evidences of 'the ; earth treihor were'noticeable in misplacod 'pictures, etc., but no damage was occasioned. Whether'there was any connection between the earthquako and the famous old. geyser Polmtuor not,"'Pohutu was at all events'in good form, and evinced a desire on Thursday night and morning to show its undiminished power, giving two. fuie displays during the night, and a third about daylight on Friday, while Waikite, not to be outdone, was in vigorous activity nearly all day,' the smaller fry .also performing., HASTINGS. ■' , ■"; ' May. 17. ■ An enthusiastic and'patriotic meeting .was held in tho Princess .Theatro last evening ,for tlio i purposo of raising funds for tbe';cpmp]e--tion of ariflo range.- at Ray's .Hill, fimmilcs from Hastings. The ■ meeting was, addressed by. the Mayor, Mr. A.> .H. Russoll,. Sir." Wm. Russell, Colonel Goring, Dean Smythe,'Rev. J. ;L..'.Kayll,.andMr; G. F. Roach.' All tho speakors appealed' to.vthe ■ ''and loyally of ; tho au'dience/ all- advocated organisation, marksmanship,, and universal training. As a' result of a collection. in.the theatro, tho siim of £110 Ss. 9d. was realised, not including substantial promises. • Reciprocity Between Schools. A practice which ,'is attaining popularity in. Australians for a school'or schools in a certain town to sond flags to a school in a town in tho United Kingdom bearing ; 'thd' samo' name, in connection with' Empire Day,'it is proposed'to, iriaiigu'rate a similar in tho district high school.; , A, British ensign- has been procured,- arid/if "funds 'win', permit, a! New Zealand ensign will be also purchased, ancl both'will be forwarded to the Mayor''-of Hastings (Sussex) .forVtho Hastings. school children. Th'o flags wilV'b'e •accompanied by an address, besides picture post-cards, of'.the .town and district; and it is hoped that'.the courtesy will be reciprocated' by the children of tho English seasido town. It may also lead:to correspondence between the ■ children living- ill .the two placcs, which would have a tendency to;broaden -the vision''of and- cr'eato : a personal interest - between tho'children." at' opposite ends of the.earth I .'-; I '