Rangitikei Advocate. WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 25, 1907. SECOND EDITION. EDITORIAL NOTES.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXII, Issue 8933, 25 September 1907, Page 2

Rangitikei Advocate. WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 25, 1907. SECOND EDITION. EDITORIAL NOTES.

THERE are signs tliat the next election may see the Miuistryhn a very decided minority. Their own exertions in the direction of organising for the fray thus early indicate fear of the results. Apart from the fact tiiat the people tire of long continuity of office, and are apt to regard those who have held the reins as being responsible for results with which they have had nothing to do, there is no doubt that the Ministry have created dissatisfaction to large numbers who previously supported the party they represent. Whether their successors will be | more capable or produce batter results no man can predict with certainty, but the reaction set in some time ago, as was clearly shown by the result of by-elections, and has grown in force since, as a consequence of the working of the labour legislation and its extension to the farming industries. Even the farmer who wants a road or a bridge is beginning to realise that ho may have to pay too big a price for it, if it can only be obtained by supporting a socialistic combination. The determined attacks on the laudusers have also greatly weakened the Ministry in the country districts. In the towns there are also numbers of dissatisfied, because the Ministry have not dared to go to the extremes they demanded. By the time the next poll is taken also the new restrictive tariff will have shown some of its- effects. Most thinking electors can already see that the chief effects of .the administration and legislation of the party which lias boon so long in office are increased cost of living, continuous and irritating warfare between employers and employed, enormous increase in the cost of running the machinery of Government, and over twenty millions of addition to the public debt. We observe .that in the Honse the other day, speaking of the Opposition, Mr Massey said:— “We are, it is true, J

few iu numbers. Unfortunately, it j is so—unfortunately for us and, I think, unfortunately for the country. But I have a letter from a gentleman who is a constituent, of the Premier’s. This gentleman is writ* ing a pamphlet on preferential voting, and has analysed the voting at the last general election. The figures stand in this way Government candidates, 206,886 votes; pposition candidates, 157,193. Tins largo number of votes was recorded for Opposition candidates, iu spite of the fact that the then Premier was the greatest organiser the colony has ever seen. I venture to say the position is no worse now I than then. If I know anything of < public opinion, I believe it is much I better than it was, from our point of view, even allowing for the few i votes that are changed about with every wind and .doctrine. In proof I of my statement, I need only refer to the results of the last two byelections. We are not contending on this side of the House for our individual interests. That is what we hive done in the past, and that is the course we intend to adopt in the future, and I believe, whatever may ,be said to the contrary, the intelligence of the country is behind us.”

DURING the discussion on the tariff I the Minister frequently claimed that | the duties of 20 to 25 per cent were necessary to enable The ’ 1 industries they “protected” to flourish, and give employment to labour. Altogether disregarding the fact that each one of these duties for that purposejTneaut penalising all workers

iu other industries and all consumers, he assumed that it is desirahle to compel the people to subsidise local industries iu this manner. Let us, therefore, pursue this reasoning as it would apply to some of our largest and most important industries. It should apply to those with greater force than to the smaller, because more are engaged in them. Lot us suppose, therefore, that the Minister, iu order to encourage wheat growing and flour milling, imposed a 25 per cent

duty on imported wheat and flour. What would ho the result V Unquestionably there would ho a rush by the farmers to got as much wheat in as possible, and the industry would expand and employ more men. But what > price all the .people would have to pay for this development ! The price of the loaf would bo trebled at least, and the whole colony would receive an object lesson as to the effect of px'otcctiou. According to Ministerial logic, however, there would bo no damage done. More workers would ho employed at the expense of all the people, just as they may ho in the industries for which he has provided 20 to 35 percent duties. The present Ministry fail to see that it is not work that the people want, hut the results of work, and that the natural industries, and those allied to them, would suffice to provide work for every able bodied man in the colony, if their expansion was not chocked by the artificial increase of the cost of supplies.

WE trust that the protests of employers against the creation of another holiday will be supported by some members in Parliament, and that an attempt will be made to reduce the number of lazy days, or arrange for holidays beiug taken in a manner which will not cause derangement of the public services. Including the weekly half-holidays, the addition of Dominion Day means that thirty-three days’ work is lost during PTbo year. In other words, all employers engaged in manufacture or distribution have to pay for thirty-three days on which no work is done,-and over a twelfth of the working year is lost. Tins is a serious matter to all who have embarked their capital in industry, and a heavy handicap on their 'competition. It would be far preferable to allow each employee a fortnight or more each year, and work the factories every '(day. Then, so far as the services are concerned, these should not be interrupted. Every official gets annual holiday, and/ this should suffice. There is certainly no reason why such services ns those of the Post and Telegraph Department . should ho interrupted. The public convenience rorpxlres these to he available should occasion arise, and the Department should have no difficulty in providing for continuity of service.

At the inquest at Duuediu on \V. J. Feascy the jury returned- a verdict that death was duo to a fracture of the base of the skull, caused by an accidental fall from a bicycle. It is stated that twenty girl machinists will arrive from England in aitew days to take positions in the;factories controlled by the boot mauufacturng firms which recently amalgamated in Christchurch.

The following will represent the Marton |Hockoy Clnb against the Wanganui Hockey Club on Thursday. Dominion Day ;—Orwiu, Cutfield, Swinburne, Nicol, Signal. McKenzie, Aiken, McGregor, Smith, Wilson, Scrimgoour.

Wo draw attention to the anniversary of the Marton Methodists Ladies’ Guild, which during the last twelve months has been doing good work, having taken the place of the old time sowing meetings. A novel and interesting evening is anticipated. The Wairarapa'School Committees’ Association have unanimously passed motion recommending the Education Board to abolish slates altogether and substitute blocks of writing paper. The Oroua Licensing League supports the provision in the Government’s Licensing Bill which that no general election be held without a local option poll, and appeals to the Government to provide that electors have a colonial as well as a local option vote, with a democratic provision that the majority shall determine the colonial option vote. At a meeting of Palmerston Borough Council last evening the motion of the Mayor requesting the Engineer to resign his position found no seconder. A further motion to refer the matter to the Staff Committee for consideration was lost.

The Commissioner of Crown Lauds has written to Mr Dillon, M.H.R., informing him that the Te Mata estate, situated near Hastings, is to be sub-divided into small areas and will be opened for selection in about two months. The Powrerere estate, between Waipawa and the coast is to be surveyed into six sections, varying from 258 to 473 acres. This land and the Roumati estate, near Danuevirke, will be opened in about three or four months time. The natives interested in the subdivision of the Te Reu Reu No. 1 block, which is at present being surveyed for the above purpose, are petitioning the Judge of the Native Land Court to hold his court in connection therein in Marton. Their plea is a rational one as the greater majority of owners reside at the Ouepahi Bridge and Kakariki Settlements. It being a well recognised fact that all such adjustments of ownership generally necessitate adjournment it is to be hoped that they may be favourably answered in their request. lu our opinion this petition should bo granted on the grounds above stated. Although tho moro fancy linos in feminine attiro are tho principal attraction to our lady customers at present, yet they should boar in mind we, arc offering special inducements to buy flannelettes, calicos, sheetings, curtains, Hollands, blankets, rugs and hosiery. See our special offerings at very special prices at J. McEldowney’s Stores, Marton, Hunterville and Taihape. Woods’ Great Peppermint Cure for Coughs and Colds never fails. , Is 6d and 3s Gd.

The death is reputed from Hokitika of John J. Williams at the age of 75 years. Deceased was a prominent Mason.

On Thursday night a robbery of sixty ounces of amalgam took placo from the Golden Blocks mine at Taitapu. The police are investigating the case. At a meeting of the Mastorton Borough Council last night Mr W. T. Mansfield was appointed acting-Town Clerk and Borough Engineer. Owing to a fanlt "in the tele* graphic communication this morning our telegrams and cables were rery much delayed. One of the best known Maoris In New Plymouth district. Momau Mere Tahana, died on Monday a victim of influenza; which has claimed many victims among uatives of late. Inquiries are now being made by the police into the circumstances surrounding the supply of liquor at a- recent social in aid of Gisborne Hospital Atwhich there was a bar where intoxicating liquors were supplied. . No charge was made but a box for contributions to the funds was placed handy. “The present prosperous condition of farming,” said Mr Justice Cooper, at Wellington, “may continue for two years, as it has continued for the past ten. But after two years there may come a drop iu prices, which will reduce the income to provide for the education of these children. I can make an order for a period of only two years. ” No less than £116,031 has been allotted for erection gof business premises in Auckland since the bethe year, andgduriug the same period 035 dwellings, aggregating £359,000, have been erected or started in the city and suburbs. Public buildings in course of erection or authorised represent a further expenditure of £376,049. Careful calculation shows that if this state of things continues for the next twelve°months between’two and a half and throe millions sterling will be spent in Auckland Ijy the end of 1910.

There is.Bome (larger that the celebrating of Dominion Day at Feikling. besides the closing of places of business, will consist only of the formal reading of the proclamation by the Mayor. I'he shops remain open all day to-day, but it has not yet been decided whether it shall be a half holiday or a whole holiday on Thursday, as the School Committees have declined to sanction a holiday for the children and there is little probability of a muster of volunteers or either of the bands to the ceremony. Some business . people favour the closing during only part of the day-. [Siucb the above was in ■type,our representative telephoned that it has boon decided to close all day to-morrow. ] Thomas Wilson Potts, draper, Kimboltou, has filed a petition in bankruptcy. Bankrupt’s statement is as follows:—Stock in trade £453. book debts £lB3 9s (estimated to reduce £100), cash in hand nil, furniture £3O, property £3O, total assets £593. Unsecured creditors £960 3s lid, total debts £903,3s lid, deficiency £3lO 3s lid. The Feildiug and Kimboltou unsecured creditors are —J. Darragh £4 10s 4d, A. Gr. Oarty 10s 6d, Miss Hoggarty 12s (>d, Miss Richardson 10s, Miss Powleka £l, F. Piraui and 00. £l3 13s, A. O. Sutton and 00. £6 7s lid, R. U. Harden £123, Spence and Spence 11s, J. Oobbo 16s od, W. H. Pcrcival 7s 6d, W. Jones £3 155,. James and 00. £3 13s, Burgess and Sorensen £2 Of).

Tho monthly meeting of the Kimholtou Rabbit Oommittoe was bold pa Saturday evening ia tho Druids’ Hall. Present: Mr Jackson (chairman), Messrs Crabbo, Cornish, Haythorue, Fowler, Bnrue, Shapleski, Henderson, Loudon, Nesdale and Warner. The minutes of tho previous mooting wore read and confirmed. As there was no correspondence to deal with those present were asked to give their experience on tho rabbit question. It was found by most farmers .that they are on tne increase, as owing to tho lambing having been on they have had a spell and seem to have made good liselof it. Mr Crabbo suggested that date of meeting be altered so as not to clash with Farmers’-Union date. As the next meeting is the annual meeting it was held over till then to arrange. It is to be hoped that as many |as possible will attend that night for election of committee for ensuing year and annual balance sheet. A number of ears were laid on tho table; W. Eurue 3, Nosdale 13, Shapleski 7, Jackson 1, Waugh 7, R. Mcßoth 4, Havthorne 3, total 37.

At last night’s m'eetiug of Court Little John, A.0.F.; Martou, members showed substantial appreciation of their, secretary, Bro. W. O. Kituey. There was an unusually large attendance of members, including several who had come long distances. Court Alexandra was also well represented. After transaction of business P.O.R. Bro. S. Ingram (Raetihi) in a happy speech asked that Bro. Kituey would accept, as a tokeu of the esteem in which he is hold by members of Court Little John, a massive French marble clock. The speaker 'referred to tho fact that during the 28 years Bro. Kituey had been in charge of tho secretarial work ho had only missed three meetings of the Court. Ho thought this was a record to be proud of.’ Bro. Kituey had ever been a true Forester, and an up-to-date aud obliging secretary; in fact, there was no gainsaying the fact that tho present highly satisfactory state of Court Little John’s finances and membership was due in a very large measure to Bro. Kituey’s good work. On behalf of the Court ho expressed the hope that the guest would long remain tho secretary of tho Court, and that he would enjoy a long life of health and contentment. Bro.'Kitnoy suitably replied, aud iu doing so gave some interesting figures iu connection with tho Court. Refreshments were thou partaken of aud the mooting terminated.

At the meeting of Wanganui Presbytery at Mar ton yesterday it was resolved to recommend the Assembly to ordain Mr Ward, of Taumarauni, as a Maori Missionary. It was also agreed that the Summer School Committee be continued. It was resolved to thank Mr John Glasgow for gift of a site for church at Makirikiri South. The plans of the new churcn wore sanctioned. Mr Simpson reported that there were £ll7 in hand for the building, and fie anticipated that the church would be opened almost free of debt. The report from Raetihi was very encouraging. It is expected that the people, there will be able to proceed with the building of a church at no distant date. Mr Lennox’s services will be continued on the Main Trunk line for another year. Mr Ross reported that the new Manse at Taihape had been completed, and was now occupied by the missionary. Mr lioan has commenced work in Rewa district. The people there hope to build a church for themselves at an early date, and apply to the Century Fund for a loan of £IOO. Halcombe reported an addition to the communion roll of five young people.' It was agreed that Messrs Ross, Ryburn, Hutson, McOully, and Morton, and their representative elders, be a committee to formulate a scheme for holding home mission meetings and to report at next meeting of the Presbytery. The following churches are entitled to send elders to the Assembly:— St. Andrew’s, Wanganui; Fordell, Martou, Feilding, Hulls; ministers, Revs. Ryburn, Ross, McOully, Gunn, Fletcher and Gordon. Rev. I. Jolly was nominated as Moderator of the Assembly for 1908. It was arranged that next meeting of the Presbytery be held at Turakina on Thursday, December.lSth, THE PRIZE ADVERTISEMENT,

Why is a man who has taken Universal Cold Cure like a Eound of Beef ? Behe’s skewered! (Cured.) "t)ne Guinea has been posted to Mrs H.G„ Tasman-street, Nelson. (Bull name disclosed on application.) The Proprietors of The Universal Cold Cure—the latest and best specific—award a Guinea each week for the Best Conundrum (with answer). Humorous Verse, Pun, or Witty Observation on the Unquestionable Merits of THE UNIVERSAL COLD CUBE.

Contributions must not exceed thirty worfls; vmst be accompanied by the coupon found around bottle; and should be addressed : " Universal Cold Cure (The Latest and Best), P.O. Box 716, Wellington.” Stores and Chemists—ls6d and 2s Gd. If you are dairying this season f you will require strong dungaree overalls. NEAL the Cash Clothier, Poilding, sells them at 3/9, 4/3, 4/6, reliable makes, also oilskin suits 16/-, pileoats 9/11 to 2)5/6, saddle tweed trousers, all wool 7/11, ff/11, 12/6 to 16/6, no cotton in these lines.

We have made a name tor ourselves in Men and Boys’ clothing. The stock we are showing at present will assist us to maintain onr reputation. See our values in clothing, underclothing, hats, caps, ties and braces at J. MoEldowney’s Stores, Marton, Hunteryille and Taihape,

The following church extension grants have been recommended by Wanganui Presbytery I—Fordoll £3O, Taihape £35, Taihape outfields £3O, Raetihi £3O, Maugawoka £3O, ReWa £3O, Halcombo £3O, Bulls £2O, Poston £3O, Loviu £2O, KimboltoU £2O, Pohangina £3O, Taumaramu £3O, Taumarauui outfields £3O, V/aitotara £lO.

The Levin l?afnier gives the following additional particulars of the recent fatality; On Saturday morn* ing the . news was brought into Levin that Rockwood Gwynne, youngest sou of Mr Geoffrey Potts, of Koputaroa, had met liis death at the house while handling a rifle. Dr. Eemiody was first upon, the scenb, and Constable Grey followed. They found the lad lying dead in the hall at the door of one of. thq rooms, a Winchester rifle at his side, and the skull blown away. The hall presented a terrible spectacle, the ceiling and walls being bespattered with blood, and the carpeting on the floor saturated. At the inquest the mother of the boy said that she last saw her sou about half past eight that morning as he was walking from one room to another. He was iu his nsnal health, and she thought he had Ms air gnu in his hand. He remarked, “This is loaded, mother.” She asked, “Is it’” believing he made the remark iu fun. She went to get a jug of hot water, and passed into her room. Two or three minutes later lift cAlne to the door of his mother’s room, which was locked, and as he tried the door she heard a loud explosion. She ran to the door, and opening it was horri fled to find her son lying on the floor without a struggle, shot by the rifle which lay beside him. The boy was 13 years of age. Louisa Vessie, in the employ of the family, said the lad was in hia usual health that morning. She was in the wash* house when she heard the report of a gun. When she entered the hall she saw him lying lifeless iu a pool of blood. She thought she heard, a faint groan. Dr., Kennedy said he arrived at the house shortly after 10 o’clock, and found the body lifeless. A rifle Was lying witli the stock at the feet and tiie barrel pointing towards the head. The roof of the skull was blown away, and there was much hemorrhage. To all appearances the injury was caused by the discharge of the rifle.