Political Pellets.

Maoriland Worker, Volume 2, Issue 17, 30 June 1911, Page 7

Political Pellets.

F. M. B. Fisher, Opposition M.P, the other night said in effect that the Ward Government was rotten to the core. "Put Mr. Massey in and thertr will be chaos," added Fisher. Our sentiments—one rotten, the other chaotic.

ThefWinnipeg City Council has ordered the theatres not to show the American flag so conspicuously, as complaints are being made that the Union Jack has been relegated to the background. Isn't that a grand stroke of business— for the foodiess Winnipeggian ?

Two Hungarian Deputies, Paul Farkas (Ministerialist) and George Szhreesany (Clerical) fought a duel with sabres, as the outcome of a heated altercation in the Diet. " The latter's head was split open in the fifth bout. If we could but induce our Wards and Masseys to adopt these cold steel arguments, the country would be spared much suffering and humbug. Eh 1

Chairman Beauchamp, of the Bank of N.Z., has been maiiing some very interesting statements to his shareholders. He pointed out that while for the year ended_ March 31 last there is only a very moderate increase in the exports —as a matter of fact, the increase amounts to the paltry sum of .__;.',Bl8 —the imports increased by the huge amount of £2,611,245, as compared with the previous year, and from this Mr. Beauchamp concludes that the tendency is to import in excess of actual requirements. Furthermore, he shows that in the four years to March 31 last exports totalled £77,596,252, against which must be set the imports totalling £65,939,067, and the payments for interest, etc., to the foreign money Lender" at £14,000,000, malting a total of £79,939,067, and leaving a deficit of £2,342,815. .Tins deficit was covered by borrowed money. Of course it was.

A cable report credits Lord Curzon with having referred to J. G. Ward's "intrepid brevity." Ward has been accused of many things, some of which he is guilty, but his greatest friend could not possibly lay the charge of brevity to his N.Z. account.

Says the Thames "Star" : It is understood that the boundaries of the Thames electorate will bo changed before the forthcoming election. The la-rt census has shewn that thorp- is_ a decrease m the population o'c the Thames electorate, Thames and Coromajidel showing a falling off, while the population of the Ohmemuri electorate has increased. To even up things, it is more than probable that a portion of the present Ohmemuri electorate will be included in Thames. If a large area of the Hauraki Plains were included in tho Thames district the interests of both parties—district and constituents —would, we think, be mutually served.

A cable message announces that

whilst in Canada, "Sir" J. G. Ward was agreeably impressed with the system obtaining there of flying the flag at all public schools when parliament is in session. He told the Premier of Alberta that he would inaugurate the same idea on his return to New Zealand. It is a splendid suggestion; if it were not for the flag fluttering how could we tell New Zealand's statesmen were busy working in the interests of "all classes." Certainly not by the work they do.

News comes from Washington, U.S.A, that a move is on foot to form a union of the Latin Republics of South America, upon the lines of the original Grand Union. A meeting of representatives will be held at Caracas to discuss the question. Bolivar, called the Liberator, had this organisation in hand when his activities were cut short.

£7500 have been collected in N.Z. to date to aid the- Home Rule movement. The three delegates with their Hibernian eloquence have met with universal success. Their cause is just, they deserve good wishes; but it is to be hoped that with the securing of selfgovernment for Ireland the Irish nation will see to it that the extinction of capitalism, whether Fnglish or Irish, is the final goal. That capitalism knows no country; is universal.

Of fifty pigs which were recently slaughtered at the Waingawa freezing works, only 13 were suitable for export. The remainder were more or less aifected with tuberculosis, says a Wa.rarapa exchange. Thus is surely enough to make the lover of "pork chops greasy" swear off. It would be a fair estimate that for every hog condemned as unfit for human consumption there are a dozen consumed that are equally luifit. -

Delegates from nearly all the Labor unions in the Grey electorate met in the Lyceum Hall, Greyniouth, on Saturday, June 17th, for the purpose of selecting a candidate to oppose the sitting member. Mr. Guinness. The Rununga Rebels, Greyniouth Wharf Workers, the local branch of the N.Z. Labor Party, Paparoa, Brunner, West Coast General Laborers, Tailors, and other unions -were represented. All were unanimous in the need for immediate political action. It was a notable gathering of workers who were fully alive to the fact of Ward's disastrous regime, and who were out determined to end the farce—not mend it. Paddy Webb was chairman, and he let himself go in an impassioned piece of oratory cm tlio needs of tho hour. Ho was virile, convincing, eloquent. The meeting was adjourned for a fortnight, to allow of other delegates from outlying districts who had not been notified in.time, attending, and also to allow the Greymouth Wharf Laborers an opportunity to vote on the question of adopting the Federation of Labor's platform in the coming struggle.