LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1415, 16 April 1912, Page 5

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.

DANK OF NEW ZEALAND DIRECTORS.

Sir. —I was astonished at rending the news (luil Ihe directors ol the liaul; of Xew Zealand had given a donation "f one hundred Kniiieiis 1,. Ihe Xalinniil Art llallcry. I slrmld like In a«li Ihe direc(iirsH- hether {hey hav<. ant done an illegal act. in voting nivay shareholders' monev for a purpose in which shareholders have in. concern. If the sum had been given to some charity or to help the poor, mi except inn would probably have been taken In their gift, although from 11 legal point of view Iheir action would not stand, ,-is several decisions in the Law ('nulls have proved. Hut. why Rive "harpliolders" money to an institution Hut must he looked upon lo some, extent as 11 luxury. If Ihe. directors are so anxious to give away funds, why not distribute a mite to the many ruined shareholders, both in England and New Zealand, who have been brought to tlin verge of starvation in Iheir old age, and who Ikivo had to give up the comforts of a homo in their declining years? Why not give to those many unfortunate shareholders who, lulled 'from suspicion by the. acts and words of former directors, bought shares at a heavy premium, and who, in spite of the. 15 per cent.dividend now paid, are only receiving some 2 per cent., and others 1 per cent., return on their investment? The directors know full well they daro not give to these, unfortunates out of the funds of tho bank, and yet they daro to givo a grant, in aid of an institution which appeals to tho rich and leisured class, and not to (ho poor. Tor how many of the Reserving poor arc seen in nny art gallery? They are more occupied in looking for to-morrow's crust. Sir, it behoves tlio directors of this bank to be just before thev are generous.—l am, etc., WATCHMAN ON TUB WALLS Of

JERICHO,

MINES DEPARTMENT POLICY.

Sir, —Some few months ago, canvassing th'is district before tho recent election, tho Hon. the Minister for Mines, in answer to a question, said: "Tho Parapara syndicate have their last protection; i will grant no further extension." A few days ago this syndicate applied for and wero granted a further period of protection, tho Warden, as>a matter of course, referring the case for tho Minister's decision. Experience- has shown that in New Zealand, to quoto a friend deluded by a promise given by two of tho honourable gentleman's colleagues, a Ministerial promise is of less value than pie-crust. Pie-crust ha.s a certain value; the other has none. But for sheer cynical, indifference to the needs of a district ho represents, and in the interests of tlio country, as a whole, tho Hon. 11. M'lvenzio stands on a pc-dcstal by himself. Collingwood district is stagnating, if not actually going back, and every chance of development is blocked by some strange spell cast by its member. For years the Parapara iron oro deposits have been, held by a handful of speculators, and tho Honourable the Minister for Mines, instoad of enforcing the regulations of his own Department, is, by distorting those out of all reason, doing his utmost to help those speculators to reap a fortune. Then thero are the Boulder Lake water ■rights. Mr. M'Konzie made much, iu his Collingwood 6peech of the Government water power schemes, but doubtless what is not right for the Christchurch City Council, is perfectly right for tho holder of tho Boulder Lake rights. Tho honourable member is, as regards getting grants for roads and bridges, a fair average member, but as for assisting the development of tho district, he is of less use than a block of wood.—l am, etc., A WANDERING JEW.

THE DEFENCE CAMPS.

Sir,—Major Godlcy's reports on various camps which have been held for tho Territorials make ono realise what a diplomat ho is (in fact, it qualifies him as a politician), because every camp so far. has been tho best ono he has ever seen. Now that wo nro approaching tho time for our Easter encampment, let him mako it his duty to see that it' is to be tho best camp ho has seen, not only from tho officers' point of view, but from the Territorials also. Tho enthusiasm of theso encampments, as reported, looks fino in print, but why is the real enthusiasm, us' shown by the Territorials at the camp at Wni-rougoii, not generally reported? For isn't, it a.fact that 400 boys absolutely refused to got up at first bugle, call, and did not stir Until 8 a.m.? Later, the 100 deserted the camp, and when nearly to Dunedin were overtaken by the officers in charge of the camp, who persuaded thorn to return. Further, at the Greatford camp, rumour has it that for threo days the men never, tasted'meat, while officers. were living 011 tho fat of tho land. If this is the. ideal Englishman's camp, it won't suit New Zealanders. We aro used to equality, and, further, wo won't suffer anything in (he shape of making fish of one and flesh of another. Now, as there is' a general camp to bo held nt Easter, the authorities would do well to take a tumble, if they want to foster the enthusiasm they are making such a song about, and not have a repetition of what occurred, as regards the "tucker," at the time of the Duke's visit. Another question I should like to. ask: Are these military instructors within the bounds of duty when they administer a sharp whack with a cane across the back of somo youth every now and ■ again ? Further, on what authority have the instructors to toll the boys that the Germans are coming in five years? For there are not many New Zealanders who will take this treatment, or take forgospel thi"= Inttor a/nf-tnent. —l am., etc., YOUNG NEW ZEALANDER.

DEFENCE PROSECUTIONS,

Sir,—l feel it is owed to truth to reply to your article in this morning's Dominion with reference to a"recent judgment dismissing certain informations laid (it the instance of the Defence authorities. The writer is wrong when he says that "either tho magistrate is at fault or the law," for the alternatives are not exhaustive. There is a third possibility; and that is that the writer has erred in basing his criticism on a grievous misconception of what tho effect of the judgment is. The decision may or may not be right, but there can in any case be no doubt that it is a peculiarly careful and exhaustive one. Possibly the thoroughness of the judgment has puzzled the lay mind. Had you given your readers tho whole of the judgment, as,you certainly in fairness ought to have done, after your appeal to the "logically minded" layman, laymen might possibly have been in a position to tell whether or not tho judgment was "confused." It is not improbable that your logically-minded layman would see little logic and more confusion in a Court of Appeal judgment,* but the fnult would possibly lie not in your Court of Appeal, but in tho ignorance of your layman. Whether or not the effect of a judgment is good or bad is a matter of which the lavman is, of course, the judge, but whether or not the. judgment i.s good in law is a question not even for your "logically minded" layman, but for thoso who know something of the interpretation of statutes and legal principles. It is grotesque to suggest that tho fabric of the new defence system is seriously threatened by (he decision. The offence charged wns simply that the defendants were absent without leave from the camp at Seatoun. Tho penalty pressed for was a conviction currying with it a liability to a fine of five pounds, nnd of necessity | involving disfranchisement nnd dismissal from Government service. Tho decision wns that in the particular caso the military authorities did not have a criminal remedy. The Defence Department is not, however, so very helpless, because- there aro many remedies which the Department ca.n avail itself of, without dragging, a man through the Polico Courts. Criminal proceedings evidently appealed with special force to ihe Department, but even its friends could not accuse it of good judgment in proceeding ngainst Territorials for what the Department has itself defined as mere "breaches of discipline." under :i section which, had it applied, would have imposed such grave, disabilities. ITnd the contention of the authorities been right. Ilion (he authorities could, for tiic slight's , - breach of discipline—say absence from one parade—lnko criminnl proceedings agninst o Territorial, mid have him convicted, fined, disfranchised, nnd dismissed from Government service. The authorities have vtill mil remedies, and can s>til! invoke the Court's aid if necessary, Moreover, the maijistrata did not decide, that ia. an*, ewe srimiual jkq- ;

i'i-mHiilv could not ho Inkon, nfler .1 Torrilnriiil liail hud a proper opportunity If) render his personal service; lull, lie did de<-id« Midi a man win. liml only l.efii Milder an obligriliim Id servo si.inn four mi.ill hi r.milrt not lio convicted, lined, i\npriveil (if his rj K |,| s , ls ( ,| (T (. nr , „,,() liarred (iiivcniMifiil servifi. simply bernuse. he hud been absent witliuiit leave I'rnin ca in p. Thai. I should think, was n decision agreeable In one's s«ro nf justice, mid surely not cale.iilaleil In threaten seriously Hie lalirii; nf our new defence .system.—' I sun, el p., ISOItKIiT KKNXKDY. April ;i. I Imiiiiries made, by a. Dominion - reporter ye.tenl.iy, go to slnnv that, the nliovi> Hlli-'iitiimv linvp 1i1.U,. („• i, r > Imsis ill fad. Nothing 1- known at. headquarters nlimit, liny such incidents as Ihose said to have fer-.urieil at; N'aironif ia, and il: seems incredible that niiylhiiig of the kind could dike pl.u-e r.'itliiiiit becoming known 111 the general public as well as In (he Defence Department'. 'I'ho camp at Wairongoa w.is held several weeks ago. 'i'ho statements ns to insuilicienl food, "whacks with. 11 cane," and instructors saying that the "(I'erninns sire coining" aro'also diseredileil, but if our correspondent: will send particulars, we will i»"iko furl her inquiries. It is admitted that (here is certain (0 be a hitch here, and there when a new system is being inauguralcd, but I lie. general success of the. camp has been repeatedly affirmed, and not. alone by the Defence, authorities. Tho commissariat arrangements at the Trnntham camp of the- . r )th Regiment, which may bo taken as typical, renin lo hove worked extremely well. The men were, divided into squads of eight, and 0110 man from each squadwen!, to the kitchen (0 fetch the, rations, which consisted of a joint nf meat nicely cooked, potatoes, and other vegetables, anil a dish, of pudding. The unused portions of the meat were made up into sausages and meat pies, large numbers of the latter being sold at the canteen.]

RAILWAY MALADMINISTRATION.

ALLEGED GRIEVANCES.

Sir,—lt is becoming more and more evident to the general travelling public that a strong hand is required to galvanise tho present railways management into something liko order and .svste.ni. The policy of "Let things slide" has been responsible for many abuses, which just now aro : permeating the. whole service, but a species of lax management which has becomo worse and worse- is that of traffic both for man and beast. Ono hears complaints every day of trains which seldom run to time; of an insufficiency of passenger accomnioda'tion on various lines; of no method in grappling with special excursion and holiday arrangements; of tho continual- and persistent worry (it almost amounts to persecution) of passengers by inspectors and guards; of incivility and laziness at somo of tho leading North Island stations; of chaotic holiday timc-tablo schedules; and last, but not least, tho nt times miserablo organisation for tho conveyance of stock. The complaints l aro loud, deep, and continuous. It is useless for apologists to proffer tho explanation that they are simply brought into being for the purpose of party ipolitics. The fact remains that tho public is usually a long-suffering ono, which belioves in'giving a Department or organisation a fair chance to prove itself. Tho Ncir Zealand railways has had its chance,' It. has been weighed in' the balance. Jind found wanting, and the',present methods should now be ended or mended. Will tho new Minister, Mr. Myers, rise lo the occasion ?

A crying disgrace to tho service is tho positive disregard of tho timc-tablo scheduled and printed. I travelled up tho Main Trunlc liiie the other day, in a train which, for no apparent reason, was an hour and a quarter lato on its arrival at the sub-terminal station. This is the train, which connects at Marlon with tho 7.10 a.m. train from Palnierston North. Its late' running on- many, and ■ sometimes consecutive, occasions once became .such a scandal as to produce written complaints from angry business men, but np- > parcntly tilings have gono back to tho samo old policy, of drift. Somo weeks ago a train in tho Wairarapa- moved from its first starting station fully half an hour late, and the stationmaster remarked to himself, isotto voce, as ho pulled out his watch, "Half an hour; ah, not so bad." A slow running and inefficient 'train service inevitably reflects itself in the minds and habits of the population which it serves, henco tho complacent fclf-satisfaction of the stationmaster that, on account of nothing in particular, he had started his train half nn hour late. The Wairarapa is absolutely notorious for a train service quite inadequate for the requirements of an important.district, and an industrious population, a service only three minutes faster than it was twenty years ago, and a miserable wreck of what it was ten years ago. Tho stops at some of tho stations aro of an almost appalling nature. Goodness knows what the afternoon passenger train from.Wellington slops for at somo of tho stations.

Between Napier and Palmerston North tho Wellington-Napier oxpross- is: little better than a passenger goods train, while tho running of the Welliugton-Palmerston evening train from the city out-Herods Herod in its nbsolute disregard .of scheduled time-table conditions. It continually arrives in Palmerston North on hour late, to tho great inconvenience of .passengers. Nearly all the pnssenger-gbods trains on the Wellington and Wanganui sections are always running late. The trouble appears to be that delay is caused through the excess of trucked Roods which hnvo to bo picked up and set down at various stations,, and it seems, that an. improvement might bo made if goods and passenger trains wore, to n considerable extent separated from . each .other.. This is what the public has been demanding now for some time, but tho Railway Department apparently has, steadily set 'its iaeo, against any reform.' There is one thing, however, '■ tho Department should not,do,-and that is give way. to the cry of tho Auckland-nows-paper press for another passenger train service between Auckland, and Wellington. . Except on holiday occasion, tho present service is quite satisfactory when there arc enough cars, but frequently tho car accommodation is put down, although tho lond might not bp near Iho limit. Tho result is a demand for another train, and .the argument is used that Christchurch and Dtmcdin havo an extra service.- 'Through' the system of construction, tho Main-Trunk I'ne now costs .£40,000 per annum more to..;iay its way than it should have done, and the people have-to foot the bill; oni? an extra service at present would cost- a loss of fully another ,£40,000 per annum. This letter is a protest generally, against the methods of the Railway Department, and the Minister is plainly, asked to .grapple with tho wrong-doing which is be/ug perpetrated upon tho public which owns the railways, and to set his house fairly and squarely in order.—l am. etc.,. , HIRAM JONES. Sir,—lf any justification were necessary for a double daily express service between Wellington and Auckland,, surely,it was in evidence during tho Easter' holidays. The attention of tho Railway Department has been repeatedly (Irawii'totho matter, but without result, nml the .public have still to suffer the inconveniences and hardships attendant upon overcrowded trains. Complaints aro rifo on' almost every truin, and the inadequacy of accommodation has reached tho point.of scandal. Doubtless tho extra traffic . r\t holiday (imps aggravates matters, but similar conditions provo.il to a lesser degree at ordinary times. I, unfortunately, am compelled to travel some .100 miles weekly by the Ihiin Trunk expresses, and I write from experience. Apart from tho danger of running these long trains, there is no doubt the trnflic has increased to such an extent, that it is imperative that another regular train should l)o put on at n twelve-hour interval. Mr. Myers stated at Auckland that he has called for a report on the matter, and will afterwards decide whether there is justification for a double daily service. Mcanwhilo we trust ho will see his way to remedy (his very substantial grievance—l am, etc., TRAVELLER.

THE GOVERNOR'S DUTY.

Sir,. —Sir .Toscpli Ward states (hat the Dominion is provided for finance until October, after winch— What ? Alnre borrowiiif!, of course. Xow, I ho prime factors in the downfall of his Government wore recklessness in finance und curolessiioss in administration. What, I should like (o ask is this: Is the entailed remnant of a discredited (toypi'iinu'iit to h<?-allowed.to continue in ollico without meeting Parliament, while the country yets deeper ami deeper in the mire, and the hour approaches for the need for further light will airy borrowing? The people have not w Atos; of MUn >A. $<! }»ts. GpiKSPjafi!

siiwnsaors, and tho country requires that J'orliamriii 1h! assembled to consider wild her I his t.iino on incorruptible ofli.it should mil l«; imidi; lo lmdjiir-l our iiiiiiiiini'lhnds and Riv* iiii opportunity fur Im> <iiu:iiiir:i|{iMii(>nl. of profross mid i!t>vd-upiuc-nt of niir roscmrccs on ccanmiurul lines. Tim "iiinuenduist.s" who persist in deiTyinß Mr. Musscy's poliry us not beingin neenrd with Iho needs of tin* country arc innrp iind imiro foolish iii tho ii.vi! (if iiitellitfi'iit persons. Xever Ijeforo lins- a party put forward 'such h misililc and opiiorliiiic priigriiiiirne as Mr. Miismw h:is siil.iniUed. It cmlirncßS ciirtailincnt by pniper uilininislrution of. the. awful reckless expenditure on inililic works. .Nohoily in the country know.-, bettor than tho'laic Minister' for Public Works tin! manner in which, and for lvlial purpose, Inrgo sums have l>i<oii frittered nwiiy on aeeonnt of voto-ciitcliing public works. Would £3(10,000 u year cover it? DuilMful. Then we liavo'thc f'ivil Service, which is in such a snd, sad state. A commissioner should lit once be appointed to look into the service nnd TP-orgnnisfl il on sensible, liii.iiaiic, and enlightened lines, savinc the country more than another .1:500,0110 a. yejir. Then, again, there, is the. crcnt land question, which has l>ecn uporti'd with for some ten yenrs now. Tons of money has been lost to llio country through lands inisinnnnßcniGut. and a multitude of people also. .Mr. Thomas Jlaokenzio, tho Premier, realises it well, just as ho knows quite well that tho intelligence, of his followers cannot grasp it. Mr. Masfoy's followers are alive, to it, and'for merely this reason alono tho ijovernor should immediately call Parliament together. Wo want the machinery ofGovernment BOt a-going on proper linesland settlement, encouraged. Civil Service remodelled, extravagance cheeked. When this is nil. done a proper prosperity will ensue, living will become easier and less costly, and the people, rationally governed, lnllithon havo an opportunity of rationally considering tho incidence of taxation, -1 am, etc., KEFOHM.

AN UNCIVIL CONDUCTOR

Sir, —I would be pleased if jou would draw attention to the rudeness to ladies of one of the tram conductors. On Tuesday, on the corner of Manners and Wil.lis Streets, :a_ lady with ft baby and small push-cart (closed up) attempted to get ,on a car. Tho conductor rudely rofused to let her ' put it on tho car, although . there were no others on, and told'her she would have to put itoa the next car. Ho then started tho car, leaving'her standing with her baby and pushcart Tho consequence was she bad to wait twenty minutes like that before she could get a suitable car. Tho conductor of 'this car was a gentleman, and courteously assisted her. This is tho third lady with a baby that I know personally has been treated very rudely by one of the conductors. I havo always found and heard most of tho conductors being very courteous to ladies with children, but 1 think these three ladies must havo all met this.one conductor. Hoping the publication of this will check the discourtesy, and make it more pleasant for tlie i ladies. Thanking you for your trouble',—l ani, etc., ■, ■ ■■ CONSTANT TRAVELLER, April 10, 1912. '■ AN IMPROPER POSITION, Sir,—Editors are expected to possess all tho "Wisdom of Solomon, therefore I should like to ask you if the iron. T. Mackenzie has .'acted in a constitutional manner by abrogating to himself the right to form anew Miuistry; and. further, is he acting on the ndyico of his Excellency the Governor, in doing so? If not, is he not acting illegally when usurping the right-to-elect himself Prime Minister with an entirely new Administration, and carry on the affair's of government without such consent, or without possessing the sanction, of .the House of Representatives? Kir, I am just a novice on matters political, , but, as, who.has followed the procedure- of the Ho'ise for many years, it appears to me thoiit. Sir Joseph Ward should havo either tendered the resignation of his 'Ministry or bare continued to hold office until Parliament met in June. By his resignation he has absolved his supporters from their election pledges. In these circumstances, it cannot be said that the present Miuistrr possess tho confidence of the country. Sir. if 1 am right, I think the clectors'ehould offer strenuous opposition to an innovation sp unconstitutional, nnd one which establishes a dangerous precedent that may be quoted and-followed in tho dim future.— 1 am, etc., W. NOHGROVE. ' Whakatane, April 8. - TO'!* , correspondent has confused the position somewhat, but in the main he is right. Tho Mackenzie Government may or may not possess tho confidence of Parliament and the country—wo are confident it does not—but it should, at the earliest possiblo moment, have afforded Parliament an opportunity of expressing .its view on the matter. It has shirked this test. His Excellency tho Governor no doubt accepted tho advice of tho retiring Prime Minister in sending for Mr. Mackenzie ,and requesting him to form a Ministry.]

THE DEFENCE ACT

Sir,—Permit me to thank you for your excellent leading article in. to-day's fssuo on the administration of the Defence Act. Your generous praise of the Minister for Defence for liis firmness in the matter is a striking illustration of what I believe to be the general determination of dispeople of New Zealand that this great question shall be kept on a plane ! above party politics. , Your reference (o (be disfranehiscment of youthful defaulters also seems to mo a valuable contribution to the discussion. Perpetual disfrauchisement is indeed too severe a punishment for the default of a lad of eighteen,- acting probably under, the inspiration or even the dictation of his elders. This point is as essential to a fair view cf the case as that 'which I suggested to the Minister for.' Defence' and you approve, viz.:—That this Kind of punishment is weak as a deterrent, because its full import is not at all likely to be appreciated 1 oy a youngster who will in most cases have not given any thought nt all to his privileges and responsibilities as a citizen .in what must appear to him a' quite- remote future. Your valuable- suggestion on the ono.side and the moderate attitude of the Labour Conference on tlio other, combine to suggest that a settlement should be possible which irill .satisfy all reasonable objectors without impairing tho compulsory, principle.—l a'm. etc., A. R. ATKIXSOX. April 12. ' ■ - .

AN EXTRA BURDEN;

Sir,—l noticed in your columns last, week that the City Council have passed a new by-law relating to extra supplies of water. This seems specially dcvgnrtl to put an unfair burden on those ratepayers who have installed "wafcr motors" on' thoir premises to enable them to hose 'their garden's. The by-law states that the accounts for water supplied through tho meters shall be made, up twice yearly,' viz., from April 1 to September SO and from October 1 to March 31. This will have the effect of putting the four summer months, .November to February, when ttio hosing of gardens is mostly done, into one half-yearly period, and most consumers will have to pay excess over and above tho water rates, whilst in the remaining months the consumption is always below the amount of rates tnkins tho price of water at 9d. per ICM gallons, and for which excess 'payments the council propescs to allow no credit.: I submit that this is unfair, , and that there is no good reason to split up tho' year into periods. A yearly' account, say,' closing March 31 is all that is required.; This would save the council the loading of tho meters every month, the .sendin.r out cf monthly accounts, postages, stationery, and clerking, which must absorb a large portion of tho special revenue; collected. If the council nre requiring further income in tho Water Department they ought surely first of all to Fee. that all special services shall'pay the full amount' of 9d. per 1000 gallons. I am creditably informed that tlicro are sotno large consumers who only pay Gil. per 1010 gnl« lons. Then, if that is not sufficient, they should raiso tho prico of water to all special consumers to 10d. or more per 1000 gallons, or ndd a small fraction of a penny in tho pound to the main water, ■ate." 'Any of these menus would be more equitable than putting an extra burden an those ratepayers who, by their green »nd well-kept gardens, add to the amenities of the city.—l mil, etc., RATEPAYER; ■Wellington, April 13.