NEWS AND NOTES.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXV, Issue 1134, 16 August 1913, Page 4

NEWS AND NOTES.

New Zealand’s estimated total population on June 30 was 1,128,160, of whom 535,548 were females. This includes Maoris (49,844 as at last census) and Cook Islanders (12,598). Arrivals during July were 2483 and departures 2643. Of these 922 arrived direct from the United Kingdom and 163 departed thither. Chinese arrivals numbered 17 and the departures 4 —all males.

It is told of a Maori that was travelling from Pukekohe to Mercer. “Got a certificate to travel ?” asked the guard. When the guileless one was finally made to understand what was wanted, the pigeon reply was to the effect that he carried no written permission to travel. “ Come quick,” said the guard. “You must get out ot this,” aud he seized the Maori by the arm. A howl of pain aud a jump to the carriage roof followed. The guard had squeezed the vaccinated cores, “ Never mind the certificate,” he said by way of consolation, “ you can travel all right.” That is the the story that is told (says “ N.T.8.,” in the Pukekohe Times,), but the sequel now follows. The quick-witted native never had even so much as a vaccination mark.

In reply to some comments made by the Sydney Daily Telegraph on his declaration that “we are going to sell ourselves to the highest bidder,” the Rev J. M. O’Reilly, president of St, Stanislaus’ College, writes : —“I make no pretensions to speak for anyone but myself. But I take it as axiomatic that all minorities as such must hope for justice only from the political exigencies of existing parties. The great Centre Party in Germany has won its way to power through independence of actual political divisions in the Fatherland. The Nationalist Party in the British House of Commons has scored success by the same means. The tact is, we are out against that legislation which refuses us the right to our own money for the education of our own children, according to our own ideals. We are looking for no ‘denominational concession.’ We will grant to any other denomination what we claim for ourselves. But we will be satisfied with no less. All this I make bold to assert, for our recognised leaders, the bishops, have repeatedly advanced the claim. I never will believe that, ultimately, the conspicuous fairness of the Australians will persist in refusing us simple justice. But, as I said at Bathurst, it is not reasons that carry weight in politics, but voting power. And lam at one with Mr Dooley in averring that T don’t care who has the franchise, it 1 count the votes.’ ”