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Hokitika Guardian, 16 February 1922, Page 2

The best thing that can be said about the session, which has lately closed, says the Lyttelton Times, is that it is over Never before had the New Zealand Parliament shown such a disregard of elementary principles of justice and of constitutional government; never had it treated large public questions in such a loose fashion generally. The legislative blots of the session are a Tariff Act which enables the Government of the day to make fiscal laws as it goes along, so that taxation ma v be imposed that i>, quite contrary to the will of Parliament, and the Meat Export Control Act, which authorises the seizure by an irresponsible board, of the property of the farmers and the money of the people. These measures may bo founded on the best intentions in the world Mr Masse v and his associates may think they are better qualified than the House to decide the fiscal policy and they may fancy they can manage the export of meat better than it could be managed by men who have spent their lives in the business. They may enticipate the most profitable results from the meat pool—profitable to the- producers and indirectly to the Dominion—and they may think that there is no likelihood of the Pool Board coming on to the Consolidated Fund for,' Support. But their legislation, nevertheless contemplates a raid on the public purse, by providing for it in very specific terms so that New Zealand is committed to unique and dangerous principles. ’ The other principle feature of the session was the tardy recognition of the fact that expenditure must be checked. Tlie financial administration of the Reformers was so incompetent that at last they themselves were brought face to face with realities or at- least with the one reality that they could not continue on their wild career, for tlie simple reason that the inflow of revenue, showed signs of exhaustion, Hence we have had references to a report by an Economies Commission we have had a memorandum from the Treasury, and we have had a Public Expenditure Adjustment Act.

The Economies Commission nnd its investigation and report are still shrouded in mystery. The report is withheld from Parliament and the public and it is only on occasions when a particular stoppage of expenditure excites comment that the Minister responsible—or the Minister who should be responsible—wriggles away from criticism by putting the onus on to this secret commission. The House of Representatives knows nothing ahlout this matter and apparently cares nothing. The members of Parliament who are supposed to he the custodians of the public purse have allowed Ministers to treat them with contemut, and Ministers in turn have shielded themselves behind a commission of whose work and i ecommendations the people are allowed to know nothing. The same slipshod, unconstitutional rules have governed the measure for reductions in the pay of (the Civil Service, for although certain scales of | reduction are provided for in the Act, it is left to the discretion of the Finane Minister whether they shall lie carried out or varied. The session, has, indeed, been marked by a vory large surrender by the House of its legitimate functions. A Government that already had far too much power acquired during the war and retained years after the only excuse for it had disappeared, has now secured from Parliament still more extraordinary powers. A loan of £5,000,000 was authorised while knowledge of the state of the public accounts was two months old. Authority to increase the issue of Treasury bills by a million .was calmly granted without inquiry for the reason and at the same time the limit of interest that may be payable on Treasury l bills was removed Altogether the session has been a period of extreme dan-

ger to the fundamental of good government. The one relieving feature ip that towards the close sections of the Opposition determined to cease the farce of operating as separate factions, and there is some prospect when Parliament next meets of the country being better served by the side whose duty it is to stand firm against Afas-.-seyisp), {

North Island mails by the Wahin© connected with the West Coast express at Christchurch this morning.

The 4.10 p.in. train on Saturday next for Greymouth will be delayed and leave at 5.5 p.m.

The postponed match between the Hokitika and Greymouth Tennis Clubs will be played at Greymouth on Saturday next.

In another column Messrs Park and Murdoch are requesting all claims in tlie estate of M. J. Mulvaney be rendered to them by February 28tli, 1922.

The annual meeting of the Hokitika Trades Association will lie held at 5.30 p!m. this day at Messrs Oliver and Duff’s. All members are requested to attend.

It is understood that an information lias been laid against William Balderstone, the secretary of the Blackball Miners’ Union, alleging that lie used abusive language to a mine official.

John Arbuckle was charged with embezzlement of Union moneys again before tlie Magistrate’s Court at Wellington yesterday, and was further remanded for a week. Bail was renewed.

Mr Tims. Pollard lias made arrangements for the appearance of the Annette Kelleinutn Co to appear 011 the West Coast early next month. The Company will visit Reefton, Hokitika and Blackball.

merits tor the appearance ot the Annette Kelleinutn Co to appear 011 the West Coast early next month. The Company will visit Reefton, Hokitika and Blackball. Advice lias been received of the death of Mrs R. F. Bell, who passed away at her residence in New York, I'.S.A. The late Mrs Hell was a native of Victoria. She leaves a husband and grown up family of two daughters and one son, Mrs R. J. Duncraft (New York, and formerly of Hokitika), Mrs W. Greenhill

(Greymouth), and Frank (Sydney). For many years the late Mrs Bell resided in Greymouth. Good progress is reported to being made with the construction of the Little Wanganui river bridge where the Public Works Department is putting up a fine structure. The contractor is carrying out the job thoroughly and expeditiously. This crossing by way of the bridge is likely to be available to wheel traffic by Easter—which will be a very creditable performance to all concerned.

Ladies’ strong derby shoes 23s 6d, ladies’ smart glace derby slices 27s fid, strap shoes 27s 6d, willow calf tan derby shoes 32s fid and 355, -nigger brown Oxford 29s fid, men’s dress boots 27s fid, 29s fid, 355, best welted calf boots 39s fid, heel and toe plate bals 26s fid, nailed shooters 23s 6d, pegged shooters 27s fid at the N.Z. Clothing Factory.— Advt.

Tlie injury to Mr Jas. Hill’s leg, sustained on Tuesday, at Inelibomiie mill, through the wheel of the bush locomotive passing over it, was so severe that the limb had to lie amputated. The operation was performed on Tuesday evening at the hospital, the leg being amputated midway between the ankle and the knee. Tlit sufferer has since made satisfactory progress. Constable Caldwell, of Otira, deserves credit far rendering first aid to Mr Hill after the accident, his work in this resptet being so skilful as probably to have been the means of preventing the accident proving fatal almost immediately. The sufferer was also aided greatly by tlie women of Inelibomiie, and by Messrs H. Youngman manage)r, J. Thmopson and others.—Agrus. A meeting of the West Coast Centre of the Bowling Association was held yesterday afternoon, Mr James Ring, of Greymouth (Chairman) presiding. There were also present—Messrs Blaxall (Westport), Benjamin (Hokitika) Reynolds (Greymmitli, and W. Wilson (Reefton). A large quantity of correspondence from the N.Z. Bowling Association dealing with general matters, mainly in connection with alterations to the rules and the annual tournament was received. The Reefton centre submitted a suggestion that an increase lie made in the entry fees for the tournament with a view to presenting a suitable gold badge to tlie winners of tlie competitions, but this did not meet with favor and 110 action was taken. It was resolved that the annual tournament for 1923 be held at YVestport, tne date to be about the middle of February and to be definitely fixed at tlie annual meeting of the Centre. A number of other matters were dealt with and the meeting terminated witli a vote of thanks to the chair.

Ford Cars lead the way as usual. Prices are down and within the reach of all. Minimum prices,, Runabout, £213; Touring, £225, any color, other than black £5 extra, all f.o.b. Wellington. W r e sell Fords only and genuine Ford parts. Beware of imitations.— Mark Sprot and Co., Ford West Coast Dealers. Greymouth.—Advt. An economy hint—lnsist on getting SHARLAND’S FLUID MAGNESIA. Fresher than the imported WOLFE’S SCHNAPPS. For colds hot with lemon at l.eliinm The freshest FLUID MAGNESIA is SHARLAND’S. Always pure, agreeable, and full strength.

Remember, it’s rubbing wears out clothes! Use “NO-RUBBING” Laundry Help for washing them. Is a packet, all stores. All liie best cooks say SHAR-, LAND'S is the best Baking Powder.! It is rhea post, *OO. Ask your grocer.