AMERICAN FRIENDSHIP.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2233, 3 July 1908, Page 2

AMERICAN FRIENDSHIP.

Not many will agree witli Mr. T. Wilford, ALP., ill his objection to public expenditure in tho reception to be given to tlio United States fleet, Afost peoplo' will have been rather disgusted that “our American cousins.” as we so affectionately designate them, should have been spoken of in such a manner. Yet in this respect Air. AVilford is strictly eorrect. The inhabitants of the United States as a class look upon Englishmen with anything but a friendly eye, and the fact is quickly made known to any one passing through their country. In the United States an Englishman is looked upon as—a foreigner, and is treated as such. This same attitude is adopted towards colonials, though not to such a pronounced degree. There is indeed a marked spirit of antagonism on the part- of tho masses in America against subjects of King Edward, but this feeling fortunately does not find expression in the government of the country. Tho more cultured sections of the community, including those who administer the political affairs of the gre.it Republic, have a clearer appreciation of the true position. They are not led away by the frantic vaporingsof the “yellow” press, but appreciate fully the necessity for the maintainenco of cordial relationships with Great Britain. So markedly is this the case that, independent of formal treaties, there is usually a better understanding between the diplomatists of these two mighty branches of tlio Anglo-Saxon race than exists between other of the great Powers. Even if this were not the case, New Zealand would havo taken a very sensible course in inviting tho American fleet to visit our shores, for this is n courtesy that can fittingly bo extended to any fleet that is not frankly hostile to us. Not- only that, but tho fact of tho visit taking place will do more to remove the unfortunate understanding held by tho American people towards ourselves than could possibly be achieved in any other way. Tho people of tho United States are very proud of their fleet, and its progress is being watched with breathless interest by the eighty millions who comprise tho great American nation. When they see it calling at New Zealand and Australian ports and mark the cordiality of its reception they will receive new ideas concerning the warmth of our feeling towards those of our own race and creed who have founded the mightiest Republic of modern times. Therefore, notwithstanding the coldness of Americans towards all things British, and tlio bitter warfare they wage upon us commercially, it is eminently proper that wo should welcome their fleot and treat the representatives of Uncle Sam as friends from across the seas.

Tho Melbourne Cash have an inset in this issue.

On Saturday next the Harbor Board office will close at oi:c o clock.

Tho Poverty 13 i.v Employers Association will hold a general meeting in the Farmers’ Union Club rooms on Monday evening next, at 7.30, when rules will be adopted and other important business transacted.

At the Police Court yesterday morning, beforo Air. W. A. Barton, S.AL, a man name] Thomas Hales was convicted of drunkenness and fined 10s and costs, with the usual alternative of 13- hours’ free board anil lodging.

Writing oil May 22 a London commercial report says : —The weather lias at last burst from almost a wintrv temperature into a- full summer heat, and tho growth of the pastures and the verduro of tho tree, and iiedges have come forward with most unusual rapidity.

In the championship billiard mutch at tho Victoria saloon, last evening JL Lucas defeated AY. Nickola by 123 points. This concludes the tournament, and leaves E. Austen winner by one point above L. AlcGonigal and U. Lucas, who have to play off foi second place next Alonday night.

A land agency is generally looked upon as a profitable business, hut i statement made by a witness in the Court yesterday niorning goes a long way to prove that it is not always as lucrative as iniigined. He bail been in business in that particular line for almost two years, and gave Ins average earnings ns working out at something under 3d per week for that period.

Enthusiasm regarding football is proverbial throughout the Dominion, and the spirit apparently extends to those who “go down to the, sea in ships.” As the bai-qucntine Kmpreza was approaching the wharf last evening, the, first eager enquiry of a member of tlio crew was, “I say, mate, who won the test match on Saturday?” A “Times” reporter, who was on the wharf, was able to supply tho desired information.

About 11 o'clock last evening a fire occurred in the engine room at tho local Gasworks, through an employee losing a cap of a syphon which lie was letting off. The fire was extinguished within a few minutes by tho men on the shift aid prior to the Firo Jlrigade arriving. Instructions were given to ring up the Brigado on tho first sign of fire, but the Company have made adequate, provision- for contending with such an emergency. Tho damage resulting will not exceed £2.

In tho Magistrate's Court yesterday morning, before .Air. AV. A. Bartoil. S.AI.. judgment lay default was given in tho following civil cases: Common, Shelton and Co., Ltd. (Mr. Stock) v. William Moore. £0 0s Oil, and costs £1 11s Gd ; Alpha Sawmills Company (Mr. Stock) v. Gerald Tate Bartlett. £l9 lls Id, and costs £1 10s Od ; Kelley and Parker (Mr. It. Hei) v. Alartin Frederick Englobritsen, £1 13s Od, and costs 12. A number of other cases were 'adjourned.

On Saturday next, to suit the convenience of country people attending the British-Poverty Hay match, tho afternoon triin to AVaikoliu will leave at 4.25 instead of 3.15 as ordinarily, and will stop opposite the Domain to pick up passengers at the conclusion of the match. Tho train leaving town at 9.30 p.m. will run through to l’ulia and back. Holiday excursion tickets, 2s each, available for return by both evening trains, will be issued for the morning train to Gisborne.

In an action against tho New South Wales Railway Commissioners, on bell ill' of Aileen Alary Cross, to recover t'2.000 as compensation for injury, a verdict for £I2OO was by consent agreed to. Aliss Cross was in a train at Cowra station on December 2-2 l-i't. whew some trucks broke away, and ensiled into the train. Sho was thrown down, and, as the result, injuries to one of her hands necessitated amputation. Of the £I2OO, £IOOO is to he held in trust until Aliss Cross is 21 years of age.

A peculiar discovery was made by the workmen who are excavating in Cathedral Square in connection with the laying of the underground telegraph lines. Opposite tlio Royal Exeliango buildings the footpath was dug up, mid the men found heaps of old bottles, extending from underneath the building into the Square. It is stated by old settlers (says the “Lyttelton Times”) that a rubbish tip existed at the spot in the early days, and the present appearance of (Inground would le id one to the conclusion that a • series of paleolithic banquets had been held there.

Dr J. AL Mason, chief health officer. gave a few practical hints on the importance of dc«p-breatliing at the display givtpi by the pupils of the AVellington Physical Training School. He stated that, roughly speaking, people used only one-third of the available lung "area. Hard work called into play, probably, two-thirds, hut unless the lungs were properly trained they were unable to adequately throw out the air in the residual one-tliird. and if the lungs were not properly trained it was those portions which were dormant, as it were, in which disease first appeared, parts which were not properly aerated. There were over sixty 'people at the Cambridge (Sanatorium* and he thought that, notwithstanding their deficiency of lung area, they could give a splendid display in regard to bodily exercises. He set great value upon’ physical training upon jiroper principles, and was a firm believer in the so-called abdominal breathing.

Mr G. T. Booth’s address to the Arbitration Court at Christchurch in the moulders’ dispute, dealt to a large extent with the premium bonus system, a trial of which was made in Alessrs Booth and Alacdonald’s implement- manufactory in this city. Air Booth's main contention was that tho system made for the higher efficiency of the worker, and he held that it was in operation, fairer to the worker than the piece-work system, under which the worker was liable to have tho prices for piece reduced. He strongly urged that if the implement manufacturers of the Dominion intended to successfully compete against imported implements and machinery, such a. system, as the premium bonus system and the meet modern foundry machinery must be introduced. Referring to the contention of tile representative of the Union (Air Thorn), that the workers of the Dominion were opposed to thq . Americanisation of industrial methods. Ale. Booth said that the premium bonus system was not an American orig,i but had been, and was. in use in engineering shops in England and Scotland. He drew the Court’s attention to the remarks made on the system by an authority on industrial efficiency, and also supplied the Court with a number of extracts from American iron trade journals, giving opinions of the working of the system. Air Thorn, in reply, contended that instead of the premium bonus system, the employer should pay for work done in excess of the standard amount allowed within a given time, at overtime rates, arguing that the employer, by being saved the expense of supervision and the wear and tear of machinery that would he incurred if overtime were worked, could well afford to pay those rates. The President of the Court (Air Justice Sint) was of opinion that tin's would not he sufficient to induce employers to reward efficiency, and stressed the fact that the inducements should not he all in favor of the worker; the employer must be given some inducement to reward efficiency.

At tlio Labor Party meeting on Friday, after the usual speech, it was pointed out that the trades unions have provident funds to which men have contributed for years, and by reason of their thrift can buy daw hammer handles for threepence each at Parnell’s Popular Saturday, Sales, Day only.