Rangitikei Advocate. THURSDAY MARCH 7, 1907. SECOND EDITION. EDITORIAL NOTES

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXI, Issue 8758, 7 March 1907, Page 2

Rangitikei Advocate. THURSDAY MARCH 7, 1907. SECOND EDITION. EDITORIAL NOTES

The article from Sir Henry Campbell Bamierman’s pen on the limitation of armaments, a brief report of which was cabled the other clay does rot appear to have been well received on the Continent of Europe. Le Temps, a French journal, which, owing to the existence of the entente cordiale, is very friendly to Britain, asks what right the British Premier had to affirm either in 1899 or now that it was possible to arrange for the limitation of armaments ? “ Since 1896,” it says, “we have seen the Transvaal and Japanese wars and the Moroccan crisis. Compare the ideal with the stern reality, and you will be able to measure the impudent confidence by which the responsible head of the British Government is carried away.” The German press similarly comments.on the article in a suspicious and hostile tone. Under these circumstances it is doubtful whether any good can be done by attempting to impress foreign powers with the good faith of Britain in the matter. While we are fully conscious that we do not desire to increase our Empire foreign nations look at our actions rather than our words. Within the last twenty years wo

have practically annexed Egypt and reconquered the Soudan, besides taking quite our fair share in the partition of other territories in South Africa. Lately we have defeated and absorbed the Transvaal and Orangia. We know that all this expansion has been forced upon us by events, but it is not surprising that other countries regard it as the result of a far reaching policy and consider that we are absolutely hypocritical in pretending that our intentions are perfectly peaceful. The expression “ perfidious Albion ” which was commonly used in Franco in old days to describe our policy is evidence of the prevailing opinion as to the startling difference between our professions and our performances. The talk Of reducing armaments in view of the fact that we keep increasing our navy is therefore considered by unfriendly critics as a sign that wo are preparing for some further step in our policy of expansion. We must regret that our intentions are misconstrued, but it would be the wiser course to recognise the fact and refrain from endeavouring to impress the world that we possess a virtue for which we shall never get any credit.

It is satisfactory to find that the impudent request of the contractors for the new Australian mail service that the State should guarantee their speculation is meeting with a cold reception. The Victorian Cabinet, has been deaf to the voice of the charmer, and has taken the reasonable view that if a Government guarantee had been offered when tenders were called a much more advantageous offer would have been forthcoming, and that it was too late, apart from the unfairness to other tenderers, to step in at this stage with a guarantee. The representative of the syndicate has informed Mr Dcakin that it is intended to carry out the tender even should Government assistance not be forthcoming. The old established lines are no doubt chuckling at the difficulties of the combination which is endeavouring to oust them, and they would certainly deserve the sympathy of the public were the Federal Government so far to forget the rules of fair dealing as to assist their rivals by a guarantee.

At a meeting of Cabinet Mr F. De C. Lalet, chairman of the Bank of New Zea* ind, was re-appointed for a further term f 2 years, and Mr W. H. Quick, barrister j f Wellington, was appointed director in ’ lace of Sir Jas. Preadergaat, retired. | A conference was held at Christchurchcatorday between slaughtermen and mployers, but no agreement was arrived ,t. The Matauva works in Southland rill commence operations oh Friday on erms originally offered by the Company. iYallocetown works start at the end of he week with new hands. , An accident occurred on the Eiverina, at Dunedin yesterday. A couple of bales of ,vool slipped from the sling, one of them drilling a seaman named J. MacDonald on ho head. He was removed to the hospital. At a meeting of directors of Kempthorne. Prosser and Co.’s New Zealand Drug Company, Lid., held at Dunedin yesterday, a dividend at the rate of 7 per cent per annum for the half year ending January 31st, 1907, was recommended, payable on March 30th. j The Marlborough Herald reports that potato crops everywhere in the Blenheim district show lack of growth on account of the dry weather in the earlier part of the season. The general impression is that the prices Will again go high. The following handicaps nave been declared for a competition to ho fired for trophies by the Saudoii Rifle Club oh Saturday next: F. Purnell, scr. ■; S. Penny, W. Lnmsden, W. Speedy,.-!; A. Perry, A Drew, 6; if. Pearce, R. Anderson, 10; F. Lnmsden, W. Pearce, T. Williams, Juo. A’Oonrt, 13; remainder, 16. At the Government parade of the Master ton Rifles on Friday evening next a start will be made with what is known as the “sand table instruction,” By moans of sand placed on a table the men are shown a model of the Contour of a certain tract of country, and are instructed in general tactics, including outpost duty, attack and defence, company work and Hold movements-. At Halswplh a Christchurch suburb, last night a meeting called by the local Road Board accepted the offer of £ISOO by Mr Carnegie for a public library, the Road Board to provide the site and £IOO annually for the up-keep. It was also decided to request the Road Board to take a poll of ratepayers on the adoption of the Public Libraries Act. ‘ At Invercargill yesterday, Ethel Benjamin sued Horace Bastings for £147 for professional services rendered in connection with the Invercargill licensing appeal. The defendant, who is president of the Invercargill Licensed Victuallers’ Association, had others joined with him as co-defendants who had authorised him to retain counsel. The case was held over to the next assizes.

The city Coroner opened an inquiry yesterday into the circumstances surrounding death of James Baird, wharf lumper, at Wellington, who was killed last evening through falling down No. 3 hold of the steamer Surrey. The Inspector of Machinery, who made p.n examination of the hatchway said the. fore and after were not in their right place. Ho had never seen a ship so destitute of markings.

No workmen could, in this case, see the numbers on the fore and afters. The in-

quiry stands adjourned. The Otago Employers’ Association, after considering - the question of the slaughtermen’s strike, has agreed to forward the Association’s opinions thereon to the N.Z. Employers’ Federation, so that the question might bo dealt with as from one body. The opinion was generally expressed that, unless awards of the Arbitration Court can be made enforce-

able against workers, it was of no value to employers. At the request of the Advisory Board of the N.Z. Employers’ Federation, the Otago Employers’ Association agreed that their secretary (Mr A. Scott) should proceed to Auckland, after t!w sittings of the Arbitration Court uii the West Const, in the matter of the Westport coal dispute, and there represent the employers in the tramway dispute, and also the Waihi gold mining dispute. There was a largo attendance of bowlers and visitors on Martou green yesterday, and several interesting and close contests took place. The challenge match, which created considerable interest, resulted iu the defeat of the challengers by a narrow margin of four points. It was towards the end of the game the winning team caught the challengers through the skip playing two very weak shots. The finish was excitiug, only one bowl by a narrow | margin cutting out four points to the losing side. Cheers wore given for the winning team, represented by Messrs Sharpe (skip), Holdaway, Brocket!, and Woolley. During the afternoon refreshments were kindly supplied by Mrs W. T. Galpiu, and were much appreciated. The opening of Martou Tenuis Courts yesterday attracted a large attendance of members and visit,rs. The three courts at present available were occupied the whole aftemonu, and some very enjoyable games were played. The ladies kindly provided afternoon tea, and the committee worked hard, with the result that arrangements wore most complete. At present the Club has a satisfactory membership of 120. The courts were iu fairly good order, considering that the dry weather has been against the growth of grass and rolling. The financial position of the Club is very sound. The amount of debentures taken up is £SO, and members subscriptions amount to £BO 12s, making a total of money received £l4O 13s. The cost of formation of courts, etc., amounted to £IBO, so that the liabilities arc only' £4O. The committee and secretary, Mr T. H. Ross, are to bo complimented on a very ‘ satisfactory state of affairs.

L’ Tiie Foildiug cadets presented a , very smartjappoarauoe tliis morning as they paraded in front of the sta- • tiou previons to their departure for 3 Christchurch. The Mayor/address- [ iug tiie boys, exhorted them to keep 3 uji tiie credit of tiie district to which they belonged, and hoped they would take advantage of tiie oppor--1 tunily offered them of observing i everything, as it would be an oduca- . tional advantage to them and would . widen their views of the world. He [ notified that prizes of £1 Is and 10s 5 (id would bo offered for the best essay on the Exhibition. He also i spoke on the cadet movement. ; Major McCleau replied, and throe cheers wore given. The cadets numbered 08, and were under the command of Major Yh H. McOleau and Captain O’ McCleau. They arc to be joined by 50 cadets from Fox- , ton, TO from Campbell street, 48 from College street, and from Terraco End. The battalliou will be under the command of Major W. H. McCleau, to whom great credit is due for bringing the Feildiug company to such a state of efficiency. 'When you feel the first twinge of rheumatism, gout, sciatica, or lumbago send for a bottle of Rukuho. It will quickly j cure you. All stores and chemists sell it at ?/(> and 4/0. A positive and lasting j cure.