The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. THURSDAY, OCT. 3, 1907. GERMANY AND AUSTRALIA.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2201, 3 October 1907, Page 2

The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. THURSDAY, OCT. 3, 1907. GERMANY AND AUSTRALIA.

After the numerous and strong protests put forth by British commercial bodies against the increase in the Australian tariff and tlio contention that tho preference accorded to the (manufacturers of the Old Country was really of no value, tlio attitude of Germany on the subject is particularly interesting. Tho ne x duties vero frankly admitted by Sir William Lyno to havo been. devised with a view to tho creation of now industries in tho Commonwealth, but, at tho same time, lio contended tf.at such foreign trade as would continue to be dono despite tlio high tariff, would, becauso of tho preferential clauses, be diverted almost solely to Great Britain. In other words, ho claimed that what English manufacturers lost in one way they would gain in another. This position wa3 strenuously denied, but tho cry that is now raised by German manufacturers is strong ovidenco that Sir William Lyno was correct. Tho big exporting firms in Germany aro calling upon their Government to protest against tho principle of preference. This, of courso, brings up another phaso of tho big question that was first raised when Mr. Joseph Chamberlain aroused England by his groat scheme for preferential trade within tho Empire. Ono of tho chief arguments urged against his proposals was that such aotion would bring about retaliation on tho part of other nations such a 3 tho United States and Germany. This fear, coupled with tho inherited prejudice of tho Britishor for; free trade, prevented action boing taken in the mother Country although the principle lias since been given effect to by Canada and, to a smaller degree, by New Zealand. Now the whole position is likely to bo reviowed once more at tlio request of foreign manufacturers who aro naturally loth to lose tho largo and yearly increasing trado that is being transacted with the Commonwealth.

The probabilities aro against the German protest being sustained. To begin with, the logic is entirely witli the Australians. Tho Germans have for some time been flooding Australia with manufactured products of varied quality at the expense of loor.il industries, yet at the same time, havo not shown the slightest disposition to reciprocate. With the working classes in Germany mutton or beef is practically a luxury and with many tlio only animal food obtainable is horse flesh. This is owing to the fact that tlio flocks and herds of the Fatherland have decreased in recent years whilst population has increased. Yet, despite this meat famine amongst tho masses, tho government persistently refuses to permit Australian, New Zealand or other foreign meat entering tho country. It is true that German manufacturers purchisso a large amount of Australian wool but this is a easo in which tho suppliers havo so marked a control of tho position that in her angriest mood Germany would scarcely consider tho idea of abstaining from tho purchaso of Australian wool. Putting tho matter briefly, a protest from such -a severely protectionist country as Germany under tho circumstances, seems singularly out of place.

Formntionswork on the railway line is complotcd for two milos beyond Pulia, ready for ballasting. Members of file Outer Harbor Committee will meet at tho Farmers Club rooms at 11 a.m. to-morrow.

Mails which were despatched from Wellington via Brindisi on August 23rd. arrived n London on tho morning of Soptomber 30th. Telegraphic work was delayed somewhat yesterday by ft break in the lino south of Woodville, hut at 9.30 p.m. it was reported that normal conditions had been restored.

Tho committee appointed for tho purposo’by tho County and Borough Councils will pay ft visit to V aihiroro on tho 12th inst to. solcct tho site proposed to ho proclaimed as a scenic reservo.

Tho Willoughby-Ward-PaMta Company will appear at His Majesty’s Thcatro on tho 30th and 31st inst., when tho bill will include Mr Hopkinson,” “Tho New Clown, and “tho Man from Mexico.’ As there is £4BOO of the Gisborno Harbor Board’s sinking Hind awaiting investment in tlio 1 üblio Irusteo’s hands, applications for loans will bo received by Mr. H. C. Jac'ksou, local agent for tho Trust Offico.

Tho progress being mado by sottiers in tho Motu valley is ovidonced by tho fact that in ono area alone tlioro is 4000 acres of fallen bush, almost ready for burning off. On tlio different sections, which adjoin, this represents tho work of over thirty men. It is intended to liavo a liugo “burn” nbout Christmas timo.

Mr. W. I). Lvsnar, chairman of tho Gisborne Oji Co., leaves to-day for Wellington on his mission to obtain the services, if possible, of Dr. Bell, Government Geologist, for a geological report on tho oil-hearing area. As Mr. T. Adair, secretary of tho Oil Company, is unahlo to make tho trip, it is jirohable that Mr. G. B. Oman, ono of tlio directors, will accompany tlio chairman. Tho Wairoa Mail learns that Mr. J. A. Reading, of Nuhaka, lias just completed a kiln of 9000 bricks for Mr. J. Hunter Brown, of Tuluira. Ho starts next at Mangaono to make 20,000 for various settlers, after which lio lias to mould 11,000 more for Mr. Brown to comploto his contract. Tho bricks turned out aro of a fino deep red color, quito hard, and cut straight.

Mr. Chas. Buscko reports tho sale of Mr. T. Lynch’s Rakauroa property, 2000 acres, to Messrs Briant and McLeod; also, 50 acres, Malcauri flats, to Mr. William Gordon, on account of Mr. George Witters. Mr. Buscko reports a very keen demand for town and suburban properties, and states that during last mouth, no less than £SOOO worth, representing twelve properties, passed through his agency.

We aro pleased to learn from a recent visitor to tho Molinka district that tho natives aro making good progress with tho clearing of their lands. Where last year tauliinau and blackberries flourished, tho land has been cleared and growing crops. The basin on tho right-hand side of tho road past tho settlement presents tlio appearance of a model farm. Besides this, some very good fencing has been done, and the farms generally appear well kept.—Wairoa Mial.

The following cases of infectious diseases wero notified at the Napier office of the Health Department: Enteric fever —Wairoa, 1 case (a native) ; diphtheria—Greenmeadowß, 1 case; Norsewood, 1 case; scarlatina — Niapior, 1 case; Daunevirke, 2 cases; Gisborne, 1 case; consumption—Napier, 2 cases; measles—Napier, 1 case; Gisborne, 3 cases; Hastings, 5 cases; Herbentville, 6 eases; Waipukurau, 3 cases; blood-poisoning— Tolaga Buy, 1 case.

Tho Messrs Fuller and Sons purpose sending out a touring company in tho North Island, and for that purposo have organised a special combination, including Cleopatra (the snake charmer), Bonita (the expert rifle shot), Professor Klau and monkeys, Victor the Great, and Miss L. Wliitefield (a charming soprano). No show is complete without a biograph, so tho animated picturo macliino goes with it. Tho company will play in Gisborno on Wednesday and Thursday, tho 16th and 17th inst.

A company is being promoted in Wairoa for the purpose of trawling out of tho port. Wo understand (states the Mail) that tlio wliolo capital of tho original venture was subscribed in such short order that the promotors are considering a more comprehensive proposal embracing cold storage at Wairoa, and distributing depots at Opoutama, Whakaki, and Mohaka, where, under favourable conditions, fish will be landed direot from tho steamer. A suitable vessel lias been bespoken, and we hope to see her in Wairoa in October. Interested persons may obtain particulars from Mr. Lake Falconer of the Ferry Hotel. Tho plans and specifications of the proposed bridge over the Nuhnka river at Stewart’s Crossing, and which is to be erected by tlio Wairoa County Council, havo been forwarded to the District Road Engineer, Napier, for his approval. The plans as prepared by tho County Engineer (Mr. Reynolds) provide . for three Howe truss spans, eucli span being 96ft 6in. in length, supported on ironbark piers and abutments, and designed to curry a 15-ton traction engine. Tho total length of the bridge is 296 ft., height abovo ordinary low water mark 37ft 9in., width of roadway 12ft. Tlio timber to be used in the structure is ironbark, kauri and totara, principally the two former. —(Mail.)

In consequence of complaints made last session that tho provisions of the Shearers’ Accommodation Act, 1898, were not being enforced, more pa rticularly in tho South Island, the Minister of Labor promised to have a special inspection mado this shearing season throughout the Dominion. Accordingly, the Department lias arranged that Messrs. Goorgeson (labor agent for Gisborne), Carmody and Lynch shall make a tour of tho sheds, and a start will probably be made noxt week. . Inspector Carmody. will arrive from Dunedin in a few days to make arrangements with Inspector Georgeson, for a joint tour through the Poverty Bay and Hawke’s Bay district, the earliest to commence shearing. It is expected that the inspection will occupy the three officers named for at least three months.

Tho idea that New Zealand was obtained by Great Britain by conquest was strongly resented by the chairman of tho Mahanui Maori Council (Mr. T. E. Green) in his Dominion Day speech at Ivaiapai. He said it was those who knew, nothing of history who believed ' that the Maoris were a conquered people. In the Treaty at Waitangi tho chiefs ceded tho country to Groat Britain, but still maintained «an independence. To the Maori guild tho word “colony” had always meant that the country was a "dependency. The new name “Dominion.” tho speaker contended, placed tho question in its true light and recognised independence.