Rangitikei Advocate. MONDAY, NOV, 18, 1907. SECOND EDITION. EDITORIAL NOTES

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXII, Issue 9004, 18 November 1907, Page 2

Rangitikei Advocate. MONDAY, NOV, 18, 1907. SECOND EDITION. EDITORIAL NOTES

THE anti-opium edict in China was received by many people as an evidence that China had at last entered upon the path of reform, and was seriously attacking one of the most serious blots on the moral life of her people. It is difficult to obtain definite evidence about thereal state of affairs in China, and therefore wo venture to quote some remarks on the opium question by the Rov. Lord William Gascoyuo-Ceeil, a sou of J-ho late Lord Salisbury, who recently returned from a visit to China, made in order to study the progress of mission work in mat , country. In the course of an article in an’ English journal ho writes ‘■l suppose most of your readers have read the late anti-opium edicts, so I need not detail their provisions, which a. French friend designated as ‘cufautius. ’ All smokers must bo licensed, and those under GO are summerll;. : wired to free them- . ~ a given time from a

which, however Immoral, is proverbially one of the most impossible vices to break off, so difficult indeed that death sometimes ensues as a result of such au effort. I am not exaggerating, some have actually died in their struggles to free themselves from this burden, aud those who do not die suffer iu(icscrihahlo misery. How any legislator could hope that such a law would not remain a dead letter it is hard to see. To enforce it is obviously impossible unless there were spies to follow all opium takers into tlieir most private lives. Such a decree might alter the form in which opium is taken, it might encourage the substitution of opium pills for opium smoking, but it can do nothing else. Thu other branch of tho reform is equally impossible. The laud under peppy is to ho diminished every year till the poppy is extinct. The moment it is acted upon (which will probably bo at a distant dale) tho poppy will become a rnoie and more valuable crop, and tho interest ol every grower will bo to bribe tho local official not to sec his crop. Such a decree, in fact, can have but one effect— namely, it will give the Mandarin au opportunity of squeezing the poor farmer. ilio practical dittlculitcs of tho situation have, I understand, prevented tho decrees being published in many districts of China. In the same way it

was desirable to regulate and diminish tho opium dons, hut to close them altogether is merely to encourage secret resorts .tor tne enjoyment' of the vice. The good these decrees seem likely to do is only this, that they give moral support to the efforts of the missionaries to arouse people to a sense of the danger of what is, bo it well remembered, a rapidly inert-using vice. They are very beneficial and important as a sign of the awakening of the conscience of China, though, like temperance legislation io countries nearer homo, they promote tho concealment rather than the destruction of tlie vice. ”

THE reports which roach us from Australia at intervals that Now’ Zealanders have, arrived there in search of land in Queensland or Westralia

need not at present cause us any serious anxiety. The .British Empire would never have existed ;f Britons had been a stay-at-homo race not possessed with, the desire to rise their fortunes in now and strange, lauds. It may, therefore he taken as satisfatory evidence that the enterprise of New Zealanders is noi. dying out when wo find that many prefer to leave the country they know for a now laud that from a distance seems to offer more attractive conditions. After all, if a New Zealander goes to Queensland or Westralia lie is not lost to the Empire, but is still under the same Hag and inspired by tho same feelings of loyalty to the Grown. Wo do not deny that, tho legislation of the present Ministry is likely in the future to came the emigration of

many of our most energer-ic young settlers who do not care to ho hound by tenures which rob the set tler ;-,of the fruits of his labour, but there seems no reason to suppose that this movement has as yet set in to any great extent, and we have no blame for those who wish to see something of the world outside the limits of onr Island. In fact, were all onr young men to settle down 1 ,- in (ho neighbourhood in which they were born, and show no desire for fresh fields and pastures new, it would ho a sign that the race was becoming effete and losing the old restless energy which lias raised the British flag in every quarter of the habitable globe.

A SHORT time ago it was reported from Hew South Wales that a largo number .of How Zealanders wore settling in that State, and reference was at once made to our RegistrarGeneral for confirmation or refutation of those statistics. The Registrar-General, who no doubt shares the desire to “keep our end up,” produced figures which have been widely published to prove that How Zealand was really obtaining a considerable access of population from How South Wales. He showed that between 1001 and September of this year the movement of population was :—How South Wales to Hew Zealand 111,08-1, Hew' Zealand to Hew South Wales 1)0,513. How Zealand thus gained 21,171. Wo may point out that these figures do not prove that at the present time New South Wales is not gaining population at the expense of Hew Zealand. Everyone knows that the Australian drought was responsible for a largo influx of immigrants to this country, and the general impression is that a good number of these aro now returning to Australia. On this point Mr Von Dadolszeu gives us no information unless the fact that ho prefers to take statistics covering some 1 years is a proof that those for, say, .the last sis months would bo loss favourable.

Te Whiti. a celebrated Maori mum, died at Parihaka this morning, aged 78. Ho 'had been ailing for some time. , . , A return furnished to the Legislative Council shows that there are OS registered medical practitioners in tht Dominion, as compared with .".On in 1001. , The Feilding paper states that Mi Lethbridge. M.H.R., has offered to give CO acres of laud at Feilding as a site for the proposed .experimental ' dairy station. • . ~ i At the annual meeting of Cheitcn--1 ham Cricket Club, which vyas advertised to take place last Saturday onlv four men made an appearance. •as “it was obviously ‘ impossible to conduct business under these coudiS Hons the meeting has been posti i.rmnd. and will bo held ucx. featur-

poueu, huh iuii da; Th? ! ffirman of Bulls School Committee acknowledges receipt of the following subscriptions to the District High ScnoolMrs E. \MIU S £]'ls, Mrs French £1 Is, Mr krencli JOs, Mr Goo. Long £8 3s Mr K. Dalrymplc £1 Is, Mr G. Cartel £1 • j previously acknowledged £o3 ; total, I £ 'A first notice was given by the Post Office several mouths ago that ! tinsel post cards would he prohibited transmission through the post unless i enclosed in covers. Many cards subsequently sent to the Dead Letter Office because they were not enclosed have as a matter of grace .been specially delivered to tbo addresses.

but it now finally announced that in future such cards not enclosed in covers will bo destroyed. Wo have boon informed on good authority that it is uot probable that anv proposal for amalgamation between the Horseshoe and Sluggish Creek Board will be acceptable to the latter named Board as it is feared in case of amalgamation the larger voting power of the ratepayers in the upper district might bo used lo vho prejudice of those of the lower. And* the members of Sluggish Greek Board now consider amalgamation nuimccssary, aa the Supremo Court i iudmncnt has given them the power Vo rate the upper district for necessary enlargement of the drams in the lower.

-The Board appointed to investigate the alleged cutting of prices for agricultural implement? which recently met in Christchurch reported that in view of the fact that the only | material reduction in prices proved hv the complainants was in connection with Osborne Anils which had been imported into New Zealand before dune Ist, I'JOS, and which wore being sold hv the Harvester Company as old “stock, and concluding that this reduction may he regarded ns merely temporary, fho Board docs not recommend that any renei should bo granted to the complainants under the Act. A t the annual meeting of Hunte.rviiie Cricket Club the following officers were elected for the ensuing year President, Mr J. G. Bartliorp ; vice-presidents, Messrs O. Ellis and J Bull; captain, Mr W. Moldrum ; : vice-captain. Mr E. L. Ironmonger; secretary, Mr G. Jago; treasurer. Mr Ironmongeri committee, Messrs ]T ,T. Pease, WV Corno.y, W. Hodgson. Rev. Blackhnrno, McLean,. and Upchurch; selection committee, ntbfsrs Moldrum, Imomonger, and dago. Li asphalt pitch lias been laid down by’ r h‘ : ’ dub. fir Edward Newman made a, statement at Marlon branch .of the Farmers’ Union mooting on Saturdav. 'which, if given effect to, wiU be another striking proof of growing importance of Marcon and _ district. He'said he had reason to believe that fat stock sales will shortly bo established at Mar ton Junction —a happy medium for hnvers from both north and south of the line, as yell as a most ocuivoniout ceutro for li\v stock growers :ilou£ tlio -Miuu Iruuk Liuc. Those sales would be attended by representatives of the various freezing works.

A now flaxmiil at iiukorna, near Bhannou, was opened by Messrs Seifert aud Go. on Saturday m the presence of tho lions. Mcuxab, Duncan, and other members or I ar--1 lament aud representative business men. Speeches were delivered by Messrs McNab, Duncan, Oreenslade, T.awiy, Hoko. Field, aud Hogg, congratulating the company on its magnificent enterprise. Inc mills arc'rho largest in tho Dominion, anu are equipped with modern machinery and every convenience tor 150 workers, and the tlax area -.oyers 300 acres.

It will be seen by our advertising columns that Rev. J. Flanagan, the founder of the South East Loudon Mission is to conduct a five days mission in Feilding, beginning on December Ist. Mr Flanagan is. an author of considerable repute in England, au eloquent and powerful lecturer, aud one of tho foremost Evangelists in Great Britain. Le arrived in tho Dominion by the Maheuo on Wednesday last, aud was accorded a civic reception by the Mayor of Wellington. Ho is now' conducting a series of missions in Wellington, the next place on his list being Fcilding.

The weight judging competition results for the bullock at file Wanganui Show were declared on Saturday morning. The actual weight of the animal was 1087 lbs, cud fri'l correct weight was guessed by Mr C. IS. Aver, (Okoia) and Mr Cl. H. Whiteman (Wanganui). Mr A. H. Greaves (Hawera) and Mr H. G. Beach (Wanganui) came second tncjr g«c«ses being 1088 lbs. In the fat sheep competition. Miss A. Mcnli (Wanganui) and Mr O’Brien (Wavorloy) tied for the prize, their calculations being 381JA and respectively, while the actual weight was 283 lbs.

Some time ago Mr King announced that he. would give two prizes of £3 3s and £3 2s to the men making the largest takes in North Canterbury with his patent sparrow net during the season. The claims wore received and prizes paid at the Christchurch Show. The first prize was won by W. F. Jackson, of Hunter, who,

'ifter using the trap witii groat success ia Waimato last year, this year found a more profitable field of work in the Eyrotou Road district, where Jin mcoived '.id per dozen for 17,801) small birds. The second prize was also won by the Bonth Canterbury man, E. H. 'Wilson, of Gleniti, who worked i ho trap in Ashburton County and was paid is a dozen for )5,!)8o birds. The third tally was E. Bolaud’s 13,200. Jackson’s biggest single catch was 051, and Wilson’s highest was SGG.

The points prizes at the Wanganui Show iit the following sections were won by the following;—Horses: Mr Alex. ‘Alexander 1, Mr Bremer ‘3, the prize was £lO. Cattle: Mr G. F. Moore J, Messrs Balzioll Bros. 2 ; value of prize £G (is. Sheep: Mr .1. R. Corrigan 1, Mr W. H. Wybonrno 2; sheen stewards’ special tropny, valued J at £ls 15s. Best dog in Show, lady’s bracelet, valued £3 1 0s: Mrs J. G.'Hankiu’s (Levin) Koslyji Renal. Poultry: Mr E. Grain; West-port Coal Company’s £3 2s : Home Industries; Classes 1 to 45 (cooking, jam, etc.,) Mrs J. Dempsey 1, Mrs Alf. Moon 3; one point dill'oronce only. Classes 54 to 5)5 (sewing, needlework, etc.): Mrs H Oriel:ton (Kimbolton) 1. Points in all classes, Mrs Jas. Dempsey.

At a meeting of Martou branch of Farmers’ Union on Saturday the Chairman (Mr Edward Newman) suggested that some effort should bo made to get the site for the Dairy School in tho vicinity of Martou Junction Railway. There was a lot of dairying going on in tho district, and the industry was fast developing along the Main Trunk Line. Ho was not arguing this for tho sake of getting the school at Martou, but for tho reason that the junction of a railway would bo best suited for the requirements of a large dairyuigdistrict. The member for tho district is to be asked to interview the authorities in support of tho claim.

In tho Gaming Act a new clause has been inserted in Committee providing that “every person commits an offence and is liable to a fine not exceeding £2O who prints, publishes or sells any newspaper or other document which contains any statement as to tho dividend paid on investments on the totalisator i*jrespoot of. any horse race, whether run in New Zealand or elsewhere.” Another new clause provides—“No bookmaker shall on any racecourse on which any totalisator is used, make any hot or wager on the result of any horse race after tho time notified for tho starting of such race by the racing club having tho use or control of the said racecourse.” The penalty for a breach of this section is £IOO.

Our Wash Blousings in Chock Zopliirs, Block Stripe Cambrics, Embroidered Lawns, Delaines, white, cream and coloured mercerised Lawns and Striped and Fancy Voiles, have been selling freely and are very.much admired. Secure a blouse piece obtainable at Mcßldowuey’s Stores.*

Charles Edward Books, who has acted as Clerk and Ashburton Borough \ large number of years, died alto a short illness yesterday at the ageJof

Feilding Borongh Council received | information to-day that the loan xoi j the erection of a fiee..er at the. abattoirs had been granted by Government. The work will be put in hand at once and the eool stQio should prove a great convenience to butchers and others. The annual meeting of Rangitikei County Conned will ho held ‘’'J Wednesday, the 27th inst., at lb noon to elect a chairman for the ensuing vear also to appoint four representatives on the Hospital and Charitablo Aid Boards. The annual meeting will he followed by the ordinary

monthly meeting. There was a general strike of the miners in Newcastle in 1896. The men were thou being paid us, per ton hewing rate, and they struck for 3s 6d, and after a struggle for over three mouths they resumed work at 2s lid. Now they are re ceiving 3s lOd, with a guarantee of 4s 2d on January Ist, and they de “au electrical road-sprijiklor has been built for Wellington City Conn-, oil from plans .supplied by the| City Electrical Engineer, Mr b.

sou The machine runs on the tramway line, depending for its motive power on’ he overhead wire A tank 10ft long and sft in diameter, holds the water, which is distributed e^A. U fire at Karangabake, near Waihi, destroyed four sliops and a stable and buggy shed used by BoEntsou and Co., grocers, as a t™;P 01 ary storeroom and stable. Th° k spread to a billiard room tenanted by a man named Hawker and to premises recently opened as an agoncy for tho National Bank. The file brigade arrested the filapo, (3avin„ tbo”rest of the block . The wooden shops and premises which were ue. strayed were partly insured

A. meeting oi Now Plymouth Employers’ AsspoaItiou has passed the following resolution .-—That this meeting? strongly protests against Mr Millar’s proposal to insert a clause m the Shop and Offices Act to submit the question of fixing tho weekly half holiday to a vote of the Municipal electors, and also urges tho Minister to give Twer to Municipalities and Town Boards throughout the provincial district to meet' iu conference to fix a uniform holiday in factories and shops for tho whole province. A fire at Takapau, Napier, on Sunday destroyed the Lakes Hotel, Noilsou’s cycle sbem, the Bank ot Now Zealand and Hausen-’s [drapery store. There was no'water supply. Insurances on tho hotel and hank (owned bv the Napier Brewery Oompauvl are £lslO in the Norwich Union and £750 in tlio Australian Alliance, The contents of the hotel (£G00) and of the hank (£100), both in the Norwich. Union. The cycle and drapery shops are insured for £250 iu the New Zealand and Hanson’s stock for £550 in the Norwich

Union, The panama fiat lias come to stay. No hat is so cool, comfortable and easy to tho head. This season’s goods are better than over. Neal, cash clothier, Feilding, is now showing a splendid rapgo of these hats at 12s (id J(is (id, 19s Gd, 23s («1 to 4oS, Brazilian Adding straws 3s lid, 5s Gd, (is Ud,