Rangitikei Advocate. FRIDAY, JANUARY 18, 1907. SECOND EDITION. EDITORIAL NOTES

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXI, Issue 8718, 18 January 1907, Page 2

Rangitikei Advocate. FRIDAY, JANUARY 18, 1907. SECOND EDITION. EDITORIAL NOTES

The first portion of the census returns which has just oemo to hand provides a formidable array .of figures from which, however, some facts of general interest can be deduced. The total population of the colony and Cook Islands in March 1906 was 958,649 so we may hope before next census to have passed the million mark. The number of Maoris is put down as 47,701 as against 13,112 in 1901, an increase of over 10 per cent which must bo due entirely to births, if we suppose the former census to have been accurate. At this rate the excess of births over deaths among Maoris is greater than that among the British population, which is only about 9 per cent for the five years. Considering the heavy mortality among Maoris wo are led to believe that the Maori census for 1001 must have understated their numbers. Reverting to the total population of the colony we note that it has increased 15 per cent since last census, the most rapid rate of growth since that between the years 1881 to 1886. The number of females to every 100 males is at present 88 instead of 90 as in 1901, so the chances of marriage for women may be said to have risen 2 per cent, the reduced numbers of women being probably due to the greater immigration of males than females. The density of the population is 8-5 to the square mile or an average of one man, woman or child to every 60 &cres,and yet wo are told that the land question is getting acute. Turning to provincial districts we lind that Wellington shows the greatest increase in numbers, with Auckland second and Hawke's Bay 7 a good third. Taranaki, which was easily head cf the list at last census, has apparently shot its bolt and comes only fourth in order of increase. Nelson district takes the lead in the South Island and Westland brings up-the rear. Turning to Counties in this district we find the following results, the in- 1 creases being placed in brackets: Kangitikei 9511 (1941); Kiwitea 3034 (190); Oroua 3698 (decrease , 3080 owing to change in boundaries); : Pohangma 1797 (261); Manawatu i 4007 (1007 V. i ] Is his recent speech at Christchurch 1 Mr McNab struck an apologetic note ( which showed that ho is getting ' somewhat anxious as to tho effect his 1 land proposals may have in weaken- | ing the allegiance of tho largo Minis- f terial majority in iho House. “Ho f pointed out that the Ward Govern- j ment came into power “.with tho j, sympathies of a largo .section of tho i country. They had only .to sit c pietly down and allow things to Irift and their position was abso- e utely unassailable, but they onleavourcd to face problems, and ho £ isked the people to reward the 1 jolitical party that believed that the 4

only duty a Government could. properly perform to the people was, to ,■ face the great political problems of the day as they arose. We absolutely j deny that the present Ministry had j any great political problems to face j when its members took office. The j country was prosperous, and all that j people desired was to be left to i develop the resources of the countryuntroubled by political agitators and socialists reformers. Ministers would have had plenty to occupy them in reducing to order and efficiency the Government departments of which they had charge and in checking the extravagance which had been allowed to grow rampant. Not content, however, with work which, though invaluable, would make little show they adventured on a policy which has created a feeling of insecurity and distrust. The people of the country object to legislative legenderimain and, as Mr McNab now realises, are losing confidence in a Ministry which can produce crises and problems from the most unexpected quarters.

Wk take the following from “ Defence.” “At the Metropolitan Miniature Rifle Club’s range in the basement of the Sydney Town Hall, six targets have been provided, and the range is ‘2syds. Already the membership of the club is largo, and, judging by the enthusiasm, a successful anil useful career evidently awaits the now body. It is hoped that the elementary knowledge learned by means of Morris tube shooting will induce many of the members later on to take up rifleshooting proper at Randwick. Miniature range shooting is not as good as the real thing, but it teaches men seven out of the ten things required to make them a good shot. A number of other miniature clubs aio in process of formation.’ Ihe London Times published in December a full account of the Miniature Bisley Rifle Meeting, held in the Drill Hall of the London Rifle Brigade, which included numerous competitions at fixed and moving targets at 25 and 50 yards. Britain and Australia are awake to the necessities of defence, but we still slumber on while the Defence Minister is too busy preparing for a holiday at our expense to trouble about rifles or rifle shooting.