The Manawatu Herald. Saturday, May 2, 1914. NOTES AND COMMENTS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 1240, 2 May 1914, Page 2

The Manawatu Herald. Saturday, May 2, 1914. NOTES AND COMMENTS.

In our last issue Cr Cbrystall took up the cudgels in support of a restricted area of the borough bearing the cost of the proposed water and drainage loan as against the whole borough. Cr Cbrystall has no axe to grind and is actuated by an honest desire to see Foxton served with a water and drainage scheme, A majority of the citizens are at one with him in this respect—“tis a consummation devoutly to be wished.” He placed the case tor the restricted area clearly and succiutly in his letter. His reasoning, however, savours more of sentiment than sound judgment, and he must not forget that there is a vital principle at stake. He says ; ‘‘the restricted area was decided on [by the Council] after careful consideration.” But when, we ask, did the Council receive a mandate from a majority of the ratepayers to exempt nearly one-third of the borough from bearing its share of the loan proposals ? True, the Council can exercise wide discretionary power in its administration, but when a loan proposal of thirty odd thousand is at stake surely the majority and not a minority shall settle the boundaries, The Council in a matter of this nature must consider not only the needs of to-day but of the future. It may not be possible to give direct benefit to owners of grazing land, but can Cr Chrystall deny indirect benefit? If people own grazing land in the borough which is over-valued, it is their misfortune, but while such land remains in the borough we see no just reason to exempt it from taxation. Their grievance as to valuation can be redressed at law. We will accept Cr Chrystall’s figures re valuation of properties in the restricted area, but that does not affect the principle. Cr Chrystall says, “by bringing in the proposed excluded area we will have a block vote against both schemes.” Assuming that is so —apart from its dog-in-the-manger aspect —would such opposition kill the proposal ? We are of opinion that Cr. Chrystall is magnifying the “block votes.” Cr. Chrystall talks about “back-blocks settlers scarcely able to stagger under the present rates.” We associate “back-block settlers” with settlements tar removed from centres of population, schools, public institutions, railways, etc. Are these denied our borough “back-blocks” settlers? Surely not. Now, touching the rates they pay. Will Cr. Chrystall tell us that this heavily burdened land is fit only for pastoral purposes ? Will he inform us as a practical man what the laud does is capable of producing outside grazing, and whether the owners would sell at the valuation upon which they are rated? If the “back-block settlers” have _ not been given a street lamp, it is evidence of Cr Chrystall’s remissness as a Councillor. Cr Chrystall’s remarks about “legalised robbery,” “fair system of exchange,” etc., is padding. While this area is in the borough the owner should bear their proportionate share of all loans for the betterment of the borough and its people.

“Thk attempt of the alleged ‘Social Democrats’ to attain political power is a perfectly just attempt, and the treatment of these gentlemen, both. at municipal and national elections, will decide their real influence,” says the Auckland Observer. Our contemporary continues “This headless body is a farcical imitation of the great and powerful Social Democrat organisation of Germany, which commands one fourth of the seats in the Reichstag and a larger vote in the country than the whole population of Australasia. 1 he one difference is that in Australasia the alleged Social Democrats are controlled (or excited) by idlers with the crudest brains, while in Germany the movement is commanded by men of brilliant intellect. We have no men of the Rebel type in Australasia, and in every case the ‘Red Fed. agitator can have his mouth stopped with cash or a sinecure. In dealing with ‘Social Democrats’ in New Zealand the workers have to remember that they are essentially idlers, drones, parasites, hangers-on, who depend for their temporary power on masterless men who conceive true Socialism to be to achieve idle affluence by stealing. That is at least true of the persons who rioted gloriously in October last. Their comparative meekness since has followed their failure to achieve anything but misery for their 1

followers. They still lack coherent thought, but retain their inability to construct, and facility of tongue. It is distinctly comforting to know that presumed hotbeds of ‘Red Bed.’ are inhospitable to revolutionary ideas. The achievements of the Red Feds, in New Zealand have been to harden all relations between employed and employer, to lessen production, to prevent remunerative investment, and to hurry up the price of everything even the ‘social democrat’ uses, but does not produce. If permitted to rave on his soap box once more the ‘social democrat’ will refrain from sedition because he is a coward, and by being allowed free expression to his crude jumble of other men’s ideas he will do more to kill the ‘Red’ element than all the antagonistic ‘boohs” that ever were shouted.”

Yesterday’s tragic drowning fatality cast quite a gloom over Foxton, and the heartfelt sympathy of the whole community went out spontaneously to the wife and laddie who are left to mourn the loss not only of an affectionate husband and father, but a brave man, whose noble deed is worthy of the best traditions of the British race. We know that public sympathy and admiration of the late Mr Teviotdale will not avail the widow much in her hour of sorrow, but we hope it may, in a measure, salve the wound which time alone can heal. The details of the fatality are set out elsewhere. Before closing this reference we should be failing in our duty did we not place on record the bravery of Mr Guy FMwards, who lost no time in entering the treacherous cold and flooded river to assist his fellow employee who was struggling in the current with the lad he went in to save. Had it not been for Edwards’ promptness in rendering assistance, it is a certainty that the boy also would have been drowned. We are pleased to note that the Coroner is taking steps to bring Edwards action under the notice of the Royal Humane Society, Edwards and the boy Morgan were rescued by those who manned the boat just in the nick of time.