Rangitikei Advocate. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 1908. EDITORIAL NOTES.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIII, Issue 9075, 15 February 1908, Page 4

Rangitikei Advocate. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 1908. EDITORIAL NOTES.

IN his “Study of Sociology” Herbert Spence drew attention to the fact that legislation frequently produces results which were not anticipated by its framers, and sometimes has effects the very reverse of those intended. Among other things he showed how the poor laws instead of eonferring benefits, really developed a class of sturdy beggars, Mr -T. St. Loe Strachey, in a recently published article also refers to the danger of State interference with the family. He points out that the attack on the family by the Socialists is at present made up of three different Old age pensions: State feeding of school children; and the so-called endowment of motherhood. After using convincing arguments against these proposals he points out the demoralisation and the appalling effect oil the family caused by indiscriminate poor relief. He quotes a notable passaae from the report of the Poor Law Commissioners in 1834, which says:—The worst results, however, are still to be mentioned. In all ranks of society the great sources of happiness and virtue are the domestic affections, and this, is particularly the case among -those who have so few resources as the labouring classes. Now, pauperism seems to be au engine for the pnr-

pose of. disconnecting each, member of a family from all s*o'others’-; of reducing all to the state of domesti* cated animals, fed, lodged, and provided for by the parish., without mutual dependence ‘&r mutual interest. - . - “Those whose minds,” say Messrs Wtottesley and Cameron, “have been moulded' by the (Operation of the Poor Laws appear not to have the slightest scruple in asking to be paid for the performance of those domestic duties which the most brutal savages are in general willing 'to render r gratuitously to their own kindred. ‘Why should I tend «ay: r sick and aged parents, when the parish is hound to do it? Or if Ido perform the service, why’ should I excuse j the parish, which is bound to pay Tor it?’ ‘At Princes Eiaborough we turned over the minute hook df the Select Vestry, and ifound the following entries: Samuel Simmons’ wife applied to be allowed’something for looking after her ’mother, Who is confined to her bed. The mother now receives as 6d weekly. To be allowed an additional '6d for a few weeks. ’ ‘David -Walker’s wife applied to be allowed something ffor ’-looking after her -father and smother (old Stevens and :his wife-), now ill; who receives 6s weekly. To-be allowed Is weekly.’ •‘Mary Lacy applies for something for waiting on her mother, now ill. Left -to the Governor.’ ‘Elizabeth Prime applies to have something; Allowed her for sister looking after her father, now ill. Left to the Governor. ’ * ’

The Commissioner also says: —“A person must converse with paupers, must enter workhouses, aud examine the inmates, must attend at the parish pay-table, before he can form a just conception of the moral debasement which is the offspring of the present system; he must hear the threaten to abandon his wife aud family unless more money is allowed him threaten to abandon an aged bedridden mother, to turn her out of his house and lay her down at the overseer’s door, unless ho is paid for giving her shelter; he must hear parents threatening to_ follow the same course with regard to their sick children; he must see mothers coming to receive the reward pf their daughters’ ignominy, and witness women in cottages quietly pointing out, without even the question being asked which are their children by their husband and which by other men previous to marriage; and when he finds that he can scarcely step into a town or parish in any county without meeting with some instance or other of this character he will no longer consider the pecuniary pressure on the ratepayers as the first in the class of evils which tiie Poor Laws have entailed upqp the community.” We commend the foregoing to the notice of those who are anxious to introduce in New Zealand legislation which produced such baneful effects in Britain 75 years ago.

THE Chairman’s speech at the annual meeting of the New Zealand Insurance Company contained a fairly plain indication that the insuring public are to be called upon to pay increased premiums, partly as a result of having to support another competing company managed by the State, and partly because legislation has thrown on the companies some of the cost of maintaining the fire brigades. It was confidently predicted that the legislation would lead to an increase in the rates, and though this idea was scouted by the politicians, who never are able to calculate all the effects of their 'misdeeds, here is what the Chairman said:—“An amended Fire Brigdaes Act was passed during the last session of Parliament, and existing fire brigades and others now being formed will shortly be operating under the Act. This will mean considerable extra expense to the company—one that is sure to grow as new Fire Boards are formed from time - to time. As the insurance companies generally have not found that under-writing in tire Dominion during the last few years has been profitable, and as they are not philanthropic institutions, it will be necessary, in order to meet ithis new tax, that'the tariff be raised, and a probable return to something nearer the rates of 1904 will ibe needful,' so •that underwriters may obtain a fair return for the risks they are undertaking. ’ ’

IT is very amusing to note the wild statements made by the protectionists when their particular craft is in danger, and the curious manner in which they assume that they are the public. An instance of this occurred at Dunedin the other day, when the manager of a Company which manufactures manures, drew a picture of the appalling results that might occur if the Japanese are allowed to supply the farmers of this country with manures cheaper %han they can be manufactured here. It was stated that the industry would bo hilled, but of the course the question is obvious, Why should the farmers have to pay increased prices for manure in order that it may live? They are surely more interested in attending the funeral of all parasitic industries. The statement was also made that there are from 1400 to 1500 persons employed in this “industry” in the colony. If this is correct then the census returns should be revised, for they give the,, total number as 38, including those employed in the

■bone S® being-set dowm Dunedin Central Mission, as employed in chemical manure' which has held services for y e ® r ®. , z r , . . ..the Garrison Hall,.propose. jjrechng. workg, jin*the centre of the city a £13,000 well-appointedbuilding. A correspondent suggests ia connection with the report of incendiary fires, ; the police should ascertain whether > there are any professed anarchists in the colony, and if so, where they are, ■ and what ,they, are doing. 5 ;.:^v .;cv ■>,;■ ■ Three hundred pounds have been awarded to the dependents of an English farm labourer who died from sunstroke in the hay fieldThe judge awarded the compensation on the ground that sunstroke is a risk incidental „to haymaking I i Among the recent improvements in the Mercantile Gazette is the inclusion of a column entitled ‘ ‘ Shipping" News and Notes.” This publication aims to provide the business commnnitv with all information: of value to every business man.

THE - heat wave the Dominion is suffering from is having a most disastrous effect, not only in lessening the output of some of the industries on which our prosperity mainly depends, 'but in lead ing' to very serious losses by fire—losses • which will mean ruin to some struggling settlers, and which others will not recover from for a long period. The Dominion is unable to safely hear any long spell of dry weather, and especially in districts where the stumps and logs still remain destruction and devastation occur. The serious effects of the present weather will be felt by traders and the general public as well as by those who are working; the land. It adds to the trouble of the latter that just as markets are high, there is less to send to them. Those who are always suggesting that the farmers should bear heavier burdens of taxation should now consider whether the taxes now levied should be remitted- till recovery has been effected. But the probability is that the Government Valuers will discover that the fires have increased the unimproved value.

STRANGE to say the Pareora strike has been settled without the intervention of a Cabinet Minister. It was really a pity to allow the occasion to pass without giving a chance to some member of the Ministry to pose as a mediator without whose aid the Dominion would he plunged into dire disaster. It is also noted that the man whose dismissal caused the strike has not been taken on again. For once, then, a Union has that the men are not the owners of the falttory in which they condescend to work. But its members need not he discouraged; Ministers will no doubt continue to legislate for the ultimate extinction of the employer.

THE Auckland orchardists are being taught that the growing of fruit is an occupation perilous to the pocket. The inspectors who must give some evidence to show that there is work for them to do, are proceeding against them for failure to eradicate a pest which abounds, and. which probably propagates itself on other trees than those in orchards. But the fruit grower who cannot get rid of the pest is liable to a fine of £2O tor every offence. The easiest way out of a difficult position seems to be to cut down the fruit trees and use the land for sheep-grazing. No doubt even then the inspectors would still be employed—to see that people did not grow apples.

THE Dunedin Lords of Labour have gleefully approved of the Auckland proposal for the Federation of Labour, under which a'strike by any section will involve the complete paralysis of trade till the demand is granted, and by which Labour may defy any enactment, or any argument except force. The Dunedin Lords, however, would prefer to see the recommendations of the Labour Conference given effect. It appears to escape the attention of many that the resolutions of that Conference —extremely socialistic as they were —are gradually being given effect by the party at present in Ministerial office.