Rangitikei Advocate MONDAY, JANUARY 7, 1907. SECOND EDITION EDITORIAL NOTES

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXI, Issue 8699, 7 January 1907, Page 2

Rangitikei Advocate MONDAY, JANUARY 7, 1907. SECOND EDITION EDITORIAL NOTES

Is the course of an interview in Auckland Dr. Findlay, the new Attorney-General, is reported to have said: “ What people outside Now Zealand wonder is how the land question can have become so acute. We forget that we have toiunity about three million square miles of land in Australia and New Zealand, and that about onc-third of this consists of fairly fertile land. This is five times the area of Prance, and the population of these colonies is considerably less than five millions, while France contains over ton times that number of people, yet we have apparently reached an acute stage of the land question. If New Zealand is taken alone there is even greater cause for surprise at the existing position. With our area of fertile land and the sparseuess of population, it seems incredible that our people fit for and desirous of going on the land cannot obtain it.” If Dr. Findlay had been ' free from the shackles of office he would probably have added that the position of the land question only appeared acute in New Zealand because it suits a few politicians so to consider it. The area of bush land available for settlement is less than it was ten or twenty years ago, and the conditions of fanning have gradually altered daring that time, hut so long as men with a small amount of capital can find plenty of land in the market the land question cannot be considered of pressing importance. There can be no doubt that farmers are themselves partly to blame for the idea held by many people in the towns that to go on the land is the sure way to a competence. In times of difficulty the farmers put their shoulders to the wheel and struggle on as best they can, but when prosperous days arrive they are loud in their rejoicings that wool, butter and meat are bringing good prices. If the balance sheets for the last fifteen years, of all the farmers in the country could be examined it would be found that very few had received a fair interest on the capital invested and fair wages for their work, except during the last few years of prosperity. The recent rise in the value of land has turned many losses into profits for those who have sold ont, but the present agitation is in favour of removing even that chance of balancing the deficit from lean years. We feel sure that if the erroneous views held as to the profits to be made by farming could bo corrected by accurate information w r e should hear far less talk about the acuteness of the land question, and there would not be so great a desire to despoil one of the most deserving classes of the com munity

Thk time is still far distant when it ■ will be possible to appraise the real results of Mr Rhodes’ great imperial endowment at Oxford. Not till many generations of Rhodes scholars have passed through their Oxford course and taken their places in the public life of the various parts of the Empire or in those foreign countries which Mr Rhodes wished to bring into closer touch with Britain, will it begin to appear how far his aims have been successfully carried out. But it is already possible, at the beginning of the third year in which the Rhodes scholars have been in residence, to

say something of the class of men

who havo taken advantage of the benefaction of Hr Rhodes and of the part they are playing in the life of the University. There are at present 161 Rhodes scholars at Oxford, of whom 71 come from the British colonies, 79 from the United States, and 11 from Germany. Those scholars are scattered among the various colleges, and are studying in widely varying schools. So far as they have been tested they havo met with a high degree of success, a Canadian having carried off high honours in classics, and an Australian having taken a very distinguished place in the Law schools. Two Australian scholars have been appointed to the Indian Forestry Department, the forerunners, it is to be hoped, of I many colonials in the Imperial administrations which have so long j been a preserve of the United Kingdom, The majority of academic distinctions have been achieved by colonial students, the Americans, in spite of their greater numbers, quite failing to keep up with them, probably because the prospect of an Oxford course appeals less to American students, and the competition is therefore less keen than in the colonies. Prom the athletic point of view, however, the Americans more than hold their own, having won a number of events in the University sports last The colonies have taken no prominent part in sports,

except South Africa, which provided half the “scrum” Hf the University Rugby team/ih 1905, three of them old boys from St. Andrew’s, Grahamstown. into the social life at Oxford, which Mr Rhodes considered one of the most valuable elements of the University training, the Shdflea scholars are entering freely, and no doubt they will return home with a widened mental outlook from contact with Cion reared under different conditions from their own. Among the 3000 undergraduates at Oxford the small band of Rhodes scholars must be almost lost, but so far as their influence extends it cannot tail to be beneficial. It , will/be a great advantage for to learn something'of the Empire over seas at first hand, nor is it unlikely that friendships with colonial students will lead to a greater development of travel within the Empire, and. perhaps to a greater emigration of able and highly educated men, of whom at present Britain sends out so small a proportion compared with the 'Cumbers of working men and farm labourers.

On page 4 will be found a‘quantity of telegraphic and cabled news, Weiss 12,006, beat Harveson 11,-883 in a billiard match in London. The new theatre in Christchurch has been registered under the Companies Act with a proprietary of three. G. G. Stead £8334, E. A. MacDonald £8333, E, A. Herman £8333.

The British War Office is issuing aluminium identity discs for wearing under the clothing when men are oa active service in licit of the olddescnp(ion cards.

The Eongotea Carol Party, which was organised by Mr J. Tobeck, has been able to increase the Palmerston Hospital funds to tlie extent of £ls. The money was raised by touring the district during Christmas and the New Year.

New Zealand meat is beginning to find its way into Sweden, where there is a great scarcity of meat. A Swedish gentleman has recently been in London buying New Zealand lamb, mutton, and beef—but beef for preference. He is asking for lean meal of medium quality to allow of it realising a profit after a small duty is paid. An exchange says there is a probability that tho annual encampments of Volunteer battalions will not be held next Easter, preference being given to the idea of a mobilisation camp at Christchurch in connection with the Exhibition, on account of the greater educative value from a military standpoint.

Ireland bad the lowest illegitimate birthrtfe in the world last year, with '2'fi per cent. That of England and Wales was 3’9 per cent., of Scotland 63, of New Zealand 4‘57. New South Wales, with 7 - 37, had the highest per centage in Australasia; and Austria (14'20, or about i in 7) the highest in tho world.

All individual who liad been imbibing a little too freely had his hat blown off in Queen street, Masterton, by a puff of wind. An intelligent retriever noticed the fact, and quickly returned the hat to its owner, whereupon the inebriate one, after profusely returning thanks, cordially invited the friendly canine to “ come and join him." A man named John Harper, aged 55, expired suddenly at his farm at Hukunui ("Waikato) on Monday while carting hay. Becoming warm, he took a glass of water, and almost immediately on resuming work fell down dead. Those on the farm sent for a doctor, who, on arrival, could only pronounce life extinct, heart disease being the cause. ■; “ ■;

A telegram from Blenheim says there is a serious shortage of gram sacks throughout the colony, owing to the early harvest and the late indenting of Calcutta shipments. The next shipment is expected to arrive in the middle of the present month. In that district tiio shortage will make a difference, as many farmers will have to stack sheaves instead of threshing from the stook, as in former voars

Mr Charles M. Schwab, late president of the American Steel Corporation, said, “ When two men are otherwise equal, the one who doesn’t drink or smoke is more valuable.” He employed 300,000 men. Sir Hiram Mtxiui said: “ The American working man accomplishes a great deal more in a day than any other working man in the world. He does not drink as much as working men in other nationalities.”

All cyclists will be interested in Messrs E. .Reynolds & Co.'s change advertisement, which appears in another column. For the month of February only, the firm are making great reductions in the usual prices of bicycles and accessories, and our readers who wish to make a considerable saving will do well to send in their orders. These goods can be supplied at the same prices by the Company’s agents and depots throughout tl.o colony.

Marton Borough bye-election took place ou Saturday, resulting in the return of Mr J. McEldowney by a majority of 63 votes. The number of votes recorded was 353, the figures being J. McEldowney 200, S. J. Gibbons 113, informal 4. A large number assembled at the polling booth to receive the result. The candidates suitably returned thanks.

The colony as a whole, says the Post, is thoroughly out of patience with the ’Frisco mail service. Hopes of improvement have been raised contiuuallj'

only to be shattered again with equal frequency. The time for temporising is long past, but if the Government is to be fully impressed with this fact in time to be of real value the business community must bestir itself again, and make its voice heard once more before the Premier proceeds on his travels.

" As far as one can judge,” said the Hon. William Knox, of Melbourne, while sitting in Kelburne Kiosk which commands an impressive view of Wellington, “here is a city that is destined to become a great centre. Its geographical position is ideal—it is tiie door of the i’acific. You have one of the finest harbours in the world and shipping facilities of no ordinary character. Coming oil the wharf I felt

that I was entering a big city, the business activity was so marked and (he traffic so heavy.”

A plan of unprecedented and farreaching nature to rescue the British mercantile service from foreigners has been undertaken by Mr Bruce Ismay, of the White Star line; Sir Alfred Jones, of Messrs Elder, Dempster; and Mr Aubrey Brocklebank. These gentlemen, acting in conjunction with influential shipowners, under the auspices of the Liverpool Shipowners’ Association, are about to acquire a fleet of 10 sailing ships on which to give three years’ training to 1000 British apprentices with a view to fitting then for posts as officers of the mercantile marine.

A Press Association telegram from Auckland states that tlte Governors of Prince Albert College, which has been conducted for some years past under the auspices of the Methodist body, have decided not to continue the establishment. This decision has bean arrived at for financial considerations, the step having, it is stated, been rendered necessary by the extended facilities now afforded by the Government-by means of “ free places " and scholarships at institutions to children desirous of pursuing a course of secondary education.

An American editor received the following letter : —Dear Sir, —I regret to inform you that on the way home from the saloon this evening I fell into a political altercation with Colonel Jonas D. Walker of this town, in the course of which a slight misunderstanding •'rose, and I am very sorry to think mat in the end I shot him. I should add that, carried away by the excitement of the moment, I also scalped him. But I earnestly hope l!.-t no exaggerated account of this painful episode will appear in the columns of your paper. We imagine that the name of Colonel Walker did not appear under the head accidents and fatalities ” next day. t

Yielding to strong representations made by Mr Hall, M.H.R., Government have acquired 4028 acres of the Qfiuiga < block from Mrs Eathbone, .The block practically adjoins the town of Danne-i virke, and the ‘work of .surveying it for subdivision will be put in hand at once. •The North Island Bowling Tournament opened at Masterton to-day. Gisborne team are the present holders of the championship cup. In A section Green-, meadows and Gisborne are favourites, and ’ in B section Carterton and WnUThgton. Co pigs in hot weather does , not a Iways result in profit to the owner, for b'h Saturday one large pig in a closely pack ed truck at the Palmerston station was dead, and several others did not appear in the best of form. On Tuesday the law for abolishing Kanaka labor in Queensland Caine into* force. From 5000 tq. 6000 of these ; colored laborers are to bo sent back to the Islands.

The London Daily Telegraph states there is likely to be a rise of 2d per lb in butter in the Old Country during the winter, and attributes the probable rise to the long continued drought experienced not only iff England, but in Canada, France and other European ’State's, stunting the growth of pasturage and shrinking the yield of milk. In the work of tearing down the ruins of the Palace Hotel (says the San Francisco Argonaut of November 10th) smouldering fire was discovered. When the heated portions of the basement were uncovered flames burst forth, and water too hot for workmen to touch was found frcqu/ntly. It is more than six months since the fire heated tho iron and bricks, which are still uncoolod. In an interview with a Post reporter, the Premier stated chat the ’Frisco mail contract had not been renewed. The Government had intimated to the company that no fresh contract would be entertained till a guarantee of an efficient and reliable service was given. In the meantime the company is simply being paid for what mails it carries.

For the accommodation of stock exhibited at Feilding A. & P. Show on February sth and 6th, entries for which close on 16th inst., a gentleman in Feilding has kindly offered the Association the free use of several paddocks, and as a very large number of entries is anticipated, anyone having paddocks adjacent to the town would assist the management by notifying the Secretary if they would be available. Mr S. Hunt, who has for some time past been machinist to the Advocate, received a presentation from the staff last Saturday on leaving the office to join his brother, Mr A. Hunt, in the bricklaying business. Mr Hunt’s departure will be much regretted, and bis many friends unite in wishing him every success in his new venture.

A shocking accident occurred recently to a child of throe years, daughter of David Bouncy, of Wild Duck Creek, Victoria: Mr Bonnoy’s crop was being cut with a reaper and binder, and the child walked into the crop. W hen the reaper came round the driver did not see the child till her legs were caught in the knives. The child was immediately taken to the hospital, where it was found that the bones of both legs were cut through. The doctors decided to try and save both legs.

The New Zealand Esperantists held their first congress on New Year’s Day at Wainoni Park. The singing of “Auld Lang Syne” and “God Save the King” in Esperanto aroused much enthusiasm. Members of Esperanto Clubs were present representing Auckland and Invercargill. Conversation was carried on during the day in this new language, thus affording practice to many who, although expert Esperantists, had never had an opportunity to put their knowledge to actual use.

The Chicago City Council recently adopted a proposal to engage a “press agent” at a salary of £2OOO per annum, to be appointed by the Mayor. Amongst the qualifications and duties expected of the successful applicant for the position are the following;— He should be a bon vivant, an orator, an extemporaneous toast responder, and a jolly, wholehearted optimistic individual, who can be a walking bureau of statistics on Chicago, past, present, and future; and finally, “a wholesome disseminator to the four corners of the vorld of facts bearing upon Chicago’s commercial pre-emi-nence.” The finance committee is expected to give tic proposal its approval.

A special train arrived in Auckland the other day with between 700 and 800 navvies, who had been employed on the Haiti Trunk construction works between Oio and llaurimu and beyond. The pick-and-shovel men had been in a prohibition area for months, and they consequently laid in a good supply of alcoholic refreshments while the train stopped for twenty minutes at Hamilton. Most of the men were single, and one of them declared that they were only going back when all their money was spent. The married men newly settled in the.dving Country were, jit was stated, not able to afford a trip to town just yet.

The protracted obsequies in connection with the late Kingi Ngatuere have, says the Carterton paper, been responsible for the consumption of much provender, and the local streams are placed under daily tribute to supply the wants of the large number of natives at the Hurunuiorangi Pali. Taumata Island, which divides the Ruahmahunga stream about tivc miles from Carterton, has so far proved the best site for cel fishing. It is recorded that at this spot five natives secured 5000 eels in three days. About 20 specially prepared eel baskets, baited with the intestines of sheep, were used.

Speaking at Christchurch the Bishop of Melanesia said that, whereas the island of Florida was one of the worst in the notorious Solomon group 25 years ago, it was practically Christianised, and, among other institutions, possessed a Parliament which sat annually. The first matter discussed was almost invariably the price to be paid to parents for wives, and it was generally decided that this should be 40 strings of money aud no pigs given in. The “fair" sex naturally was anxious to sec the market hardening, but as a rule this contingency was avoided.

A lady with an exceptionally clear complexion sat for her photograph. On receiving the proof she took it back to the artist and complained of a number of small spots on the face, which marred an otherwise perfect picture. The photographer was quite at a loss to account for this, an examination of the negative failing to give the slightest clue to the source of the trouble. A fortnight later, says a correspondent of the Daily Mail, an eruption of spots broke out on the lady’s face, which proved to be the first outward symptoms of a very severe attack of smallpox.

Juvenile smoking, it appears, is by no means a modern development. In an historical work just published by Miss Synge, dealing with the social life

of England, she points out that smok' ing was practised long ago by children

“ It is even asserted that children were sent to school with pipes in their satchels, and that the schoolmaster made a pause in the course of lessons for all to smoke.” In 1702 we get a glimpse of a “ sickly child of three years old filling its pipe of tobacco and smoking it as a man of threescore years, and after that a second and third pipe, without the least concern, as it had done for the past year.” Even babies seem to have run up tobacconists’ bills under good Queen Anne. Expel the Poison. Chamberlain’s Stomach and Liver Tablets will clear and expel every atom of poisonous matter which constipation and other irregularities have stored up in the bowels. They will accomplish this gently, painlessly and without griping. For sale by Messrs T. H. Bredin, Marten; Ellis Bros., Huntervillo; and W. B. Clark, Bulls.

Make no mistake about it, the Bon Marche, Peilding, can bo relied on for supplying the best value that money can procure in any class of drapery goods. Messes Spence & Spence buy direct at finest prices and sell at bedrock. The firm are always pleased to show goods without pressing anyone to buy.*

What shall we do with our boys ? There con only be one advice, viz.—Bring them along to McEldowney’s stores, where they con bo fitted in wearable, uatearable and well-fitting clothing at Eock-bottoin prices. Try them at McEldownet’ stores, Marton, Honterville, and Taihap