Untitled

Gisborne Times, Volume X, Issue 1031, 26 October 1903, Page 3

The Old Ago Pension Act passed by the presont Government of New Zealand, and copied by some of tho Australian colonies, one of the noblest measures introduced by any man for the good of his fellows. It provides for old ago ; for placing men and women, to whom fortune has not been too kind, upon an independent footing for the rest of their days. Such a moasuro most folks would imagine would 'bo treated fairly, that none would try to take advantage of its provisions or attempt to com-

mit a fraud upon tho Department.— Groymouth Star. Perhaps Mr Seddon would not object to being able to fix the prico of bread just before an election. “ A big loaf and a small prico " would not bo at all a bad cry on which to go to the country. But would the bakers roally like being made a part of the Government ‘ mactiine” in this fashion ? And bow would the Government enforce its decree in the event of a baker dociding that ho wa3 unable to sell at the price fixed ? It really looks us if tho bakers were intent on poking fun when they solemnly adopted tho resolution un

ey solemnly adopted the resolution un der discussion. Whether that be the case or not, tho incident affords a powerful commentary upon the methods of the Government. Its inquisitorial interference in overy sphere of human activity, the drastic character of its legislation, and its strong socialistic tendencies lend countenance to this kind of fooling. Whether it will tend to improve our credit at Home or add to our reputation for sanity in the matter of legislation is another matter.— Ghristchuroh Press.

There are no roads into Crown

a,nd Native lands, but there are millions of pounds available for buying up improved estates at fanciful prices. The Main Trunk is rusting and wasting because of missing links that the Government is in no hurry to supply, while dubious areas in tbe hiouth are railwayed it extravagant cost., As it is not said in considering a loan, bow much can we profitably, expend in public works ? so it is never said in considering expenditure, where can we most profitably expend in public works ? For we borrow as we can and we spend in a political, not in a businesslike, manner.—Auckland licrald.

Inglewood is to be lighted hy electricity. The contractor undertakes to supply, the street lights (32-can-dle power), at £4 10s per lamp per annum. For household purposes he is prepared to supply 16 candle-pow-er lights at 25s per annum per light, and eight candle-power lights (suitable for bedroom purposes) at 12s Bd per light per annum., There has been a very good lambing percentage in some parts of the North Island. At the Gwavas Stationjj in I-lawke's Bay, 315 lambs wore docked as the progeny of 255 ewes. Besides these, 50 .were lost during the severe weather. Most of the lambs are already lit for the butcher. In' the Rangitikei, Mr Jas McGregor, of Wangaehu, obtained 120 per cent, of lambs from 500 ewes —this is believed to be a record for the district.

Saturday last was a red-letter day in the history of the Wairoa county (says the Wairoa Guardian), when the second butter factory—and the first in this part of our district—was officially opened with a cerenionv worthy of the occasion, The fact is, to us, highly gratifying, seeing that for several years this journal has been advocating the establishment of the industry in question. True, our main line of argument was for the starting of a co-operative business, but while this has not been accomplished we have reason to feel satisfiod as the factory has fallen into the hands of a capable man .* for at least, three years. By that time those who might have supported a co-operative factory—but did not—will find that our advice was sound. The official opening took place soon after 10 a.m., in the presence of a large number of town and country settlers, all in holiday attire, estimated at over three hundred. Bunting Hying at the factory and on various buildings in town, with the numerous vehicles wending their way to the scene of operations, conveyed the idea that the public were on the way to some festive or sporting gathering. instead of proceeding to witness the opening of a butter factory.

In the Anglican Church in the colonies, the disadvantages of the nte tenure are most apparent in _ eases of incumbents of large town parishes, when, by reason of advancing age, they become unequal to the heavy demands of suoh a charge, the Christchurch Press states. It 1 undesirable, as Bishop Julius sajs, that direct complaint should PC made to the vicar in such a case ; in fact, wc would go further and say that it would in most instances savour of cruelty to do so. Nor would a plan of bringing the matter before the Church authorities be free Horn objection. The liand-working, under paid clergy have already enough to suffer from, and to give facilities to unappreciative, parishioners to be continually bringing them before their official superiors on the ground of some rcaf or fancied “ unsuitability” to their congregation _ would add a new terror to the clerical life. There are malcontents in every parish, and any system which lays it open to them to lodge complaints would be found to have grave drawi backs. Possibly'the Synod may be able to devise some medial way out of the difficulty. It might be arranged, for instance, that a charge ’ should, ipso facto, become vacant ‘ when the vicar attains a certain 'age, 6 . say, 65 years.