Rangitikei Advocate. SATURDAY, MAY 3, 1908 EDITORIAL NOTES.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIII, Issue 9135, 2 May 1908, Page 4

Rangitikei Advocate. SATURDAY, MAY 3, 1908 EDITORIAL NOTES.

IT is doubtful whether the number of Socialists of the Tom Mann and Keir Hardie school in this colony is very large. But a few energetic agitators by securing reports in the press of all their meetings can produce the impression that they have a large following and thus lead people to believe that their opinions are making converts all over the Dominion. Though the whole-hearted Socialists form a very small percentage of the electors there is a very numerous class which, while professing hostility to what its members call revolutionary' socialism, is ready to go some distance towards State ownership of land and industries, believing that a halt can be made at the point where further advance would prove dangerous. This is the position taken up by Sir Joseph Ward "and the present Cabinet. If the majority of thinking men consider, as we believe they do, that socialistic experiments have already been carried far enough they must make it clear to the Premier by their votes that further progress towards socialism must not take place. The ' only nolicy that Sir Joseph Ward really believes in is one that will keep him in office and if he discovers that socialistic measures lose votes for his party he will quickly trim his sails to suit the breeze of popular favour.

REFERRING to the necessity of making amendments next session in our industrial legislation to bring is into accord with practical requirements, the Auckland Star says:— “Many people forget that our industrial system on its legislative side is still in an entirely experimental stage. New Zealand lias had to lead the way hero for the whole world, and it is not strange that, with no precedents to fall back upon and nothing bnt our own hardened experience to guide us, wo should occasionally find that onr schemes need readjusting.” The man who walks over a precipice may say that he had to lead the way but the general verdict is that like other people he had better have kept away from it. Compulsory arbitration is an idea which must have occurred to every social reformer, but until New Zealand led the way it had been considered impracticable on account of the difficulties which would follow its adoption. The experiment has now been tried with the results predicted by thinking men, and it will be necessary to clear away the ruins of the old Act and build in more lasting fashion on a more secure foundation.

WE have hoard a good deal about the Chinese boycott of Japan, but the exact details of the incident which led to the boycott have only recently come to ‘.hand by mail. It appears that the Tatsu Main, a Japanese ship, containing a cargo of arms and ammunition, was seized on February sth by four Chinese guardships outside Macao, a Portuguese pore close to Houg-kong. There seems to have been some dispute whether the Tatsu Maru was in Portuguese waters at the time. The Japanese declared that it was, and that the arms were intended for Macao; the Chinese disputed the first contention, and suggested that, even if the arms were to be lauded at Macao and not at Canton or some other Chinese port, their ultimate destination was the robber bands and revolutionaries now disturbing the Chinese provinces of Kwang-si and Kwaug-tung. The Chinese were obviously wrong on technical grounds, as they do not appear to have questioned the Japanese assertion that the cargo was protected by Japanese and Portuguese papers; moreover, no nation could have borne their summary proceedings in hauling down the Japanese flag and confiscating the cargo without full investigation. A Note was presented to China requiring reparation for the insult to the flag and the return of the vessel "and tne arms, before any further discussion on the rights of the incident took place. The Chinese Government, on the other hand, felt that, however hasty they might have been in their methods in this instance, they had a serious grievance against Japan, and other Powers also, owing to the large quantities of arms which find their way by importation into the hands of their own troublesome subjects ; they therefore made a special difficulty of the condition requiring them to return the arms and the vessel before duo investigation. However, an ingenious compromise was discovered whereby the honour and the interests of both, parties were saved. The Japanese flag was saluted with due formalities by the Chinese authorities and an apology was made for the insult; the vessel was returned with an indemnity for demurrage; the arms, however, were not given back, but China purchased them at a proper price, so that there was no danger of their coming into the possession of the rebels. Further, the punishment of the officials guilty of the outrage was left to China’s discretion, while Japan agreed to mate stringent regulations against the illicit importation of arms into the Celestial Empire by her subjects.

“I don’t dislike my husband, bnt disliking him and living with him are two different things,” said a witness in a separation order case at New Plymouth.

Mr-Ziman, the New Zealand Rhodes’ scholar, was farewelled today af a large gathering attended by University professors. The Mayor of Auckland made a congratulatory speech.

On page 3 will he found report of Orona County Council meeting and general news ; page 6 poetry ; page 7 general news; page 8 Charms of Queensland and general news. The Waihi returns for April are £70,283 from 80,173 tons ore treated. The less quantity treated explains the slightly reduced return. The output is now over millions. While Bitting outside his camp at Meckering, West Australia, William Cole was struck by lightning on the left foot. The little toe was shattered and the second one broken, while the foot was split for a distance of three inches, the bonesjjprotrudiug. The Laud Board on Thursday received an application from Mr O. N. Hodder for flax-cutting rights over Crown lands east of the railway line on tile Karioi plains, near the railway station. The Board decided to advise Mr Hodder, as previous applicants have been advised, that it is intended to keep the flax until the railway is opened right through. It was stated at the meeting of the Land Board that a firm of auctioneers in the Wellington district was purchasing the freeholds of a number of Crown sections, with the object of 'cutting up the lands into small lots. The Crown Lauds Ranger was asked to bear this in mind when revaluing the lease-in-perpetuity applications forjjfreeholda under section 30 of the Act of last session. The course of lessons in agricultural chemistry at Marton Technical School will commence on Monday evening, May 4th. The syllabus includes practical work in elementary chemistry and botany that will be of great interest and use to farmers and students of nature generally. Mr J. Grant, 8.A., the instructor, 'has bad considerable experience in class work of this kind. As the class will have the benefit of a well-equipped laboratory in which to work, there is reason to expect a highly successful session. Those who go to the country in motors are becoming unpopular with road inspectors, who declare £that the speed destroys the roads. According to the inspector for Waikouaiti County Council the motor traffic on the main road keeps.it rough. The speed at which these vehicles travel draws out the small metal from the centre of the road, and banks it on the sides. Some motors slow down at the bridges, but generally force of impact is calculated to “shake things up. ” “The weasel is the best friend the farmer has got,” was the rather startling statement made by Mr J. Wolfe at the meeting of the Selwyu County Council yesterday. He proceeded to say that he had never killed one, and neither he nor his poultry had ever had cause to regret this forbearance. The experience of Mr R. Heaton Rhodes was together different, as he stated that weasels had accounted for a gross of his chickens in one night.

The Omapero estate, containing 3058 acres, situated at the Bay of Islands, was submitted to auction at Auckland yesterday, a largo number being present. including farmers from Taranaki and Palmerston In. The property was submitted in sections and five found ready buyers, but of the remaining eleven sections only one attracted the attention of the buyers. Lot 2, containing 105 acres, was sold for £5 10s an acre, lot 3, 17 acres, £5 15s an acre, lot 4, 94 acres, £5 10s an acre, lot 5, 78 acres, £ll 10s an acre, lot 8, 80 acres, £9 an acre. Lot 15 was passed in at £6 an acre.

A parade of Marton School Cadets was held yesterday in the Park. The corps, 68 strong, was under the command of Captain Train and was put through'a number of evolutions by Major Saunders. The boys wore a smart-looking lot and the command; ing officer deserves great credit for the progress ,that the company has made.

At a meeting of the Auckland A. and P. Association a letter was received in connection with the classification of wool. The writer related that as there had been complaints made for a long time past by the English buyers and manufacturers, of the faulty classing and sorting of wool, especially by the small growers he would suggest that it would be a good thing if an exhibition of wool classing and packing by an expert would he given at the next annual show. “It is not laziness or carelessness that had classing is due to,” continued the writer, “but ignorance as"to how it should he done.” Mr R. Salmon thought that the suggestion was a good one, and should be carried out. The meeting decided to adopt the suggestion. On bidding farewell to the Auckland Land Board, Mr Jas. McKenzie, Commissioner of Grown Lands (who is about to exchange positions wth Mr Strauchou, of Wellington), said that great strides had been made with land settlement in the Auckland district. During his four years* term of office many large estates had been opened in that and a great deal of laud that was formerly considered too poor for settlement was being put to profitable account as the necessary treatment was becoming better understood. The coming year would probably prove a record one in regard to settlement in the district, and he predicted that advancement in this respect would take place during the next eight or nine years.

Dealing with the question of holidays for farm and station hands, Mr Acland remarked at the Conciliation Board that those demanded by the Farm Labourers’ Union did not suit either the employers or the men. He knew that on some hack stations the shearers wanted to shear on Christmas Day. and they would shear on Sundays if they were allowed. In Queensland they had practically compelled the bosses to let them shear on Sundays, and the same applied in New Zealand, though not to the same extent. A holiday was little use to a man thirty or forty miles from anywhere, and he had heard of men spending a holiday in poaching paradise ducks or damming a creek for eels. As to the allegation that a weekly halfholiday was necessary so that the men should do their washing on Saturday instead of Sunday, lie dismissed it as an agitator’s excuse; probably the men would play cards on the Saturday half-holiday, and continue the practice of doing their washing on Sundays.

The Oroua County Council (. on Friday, discussing the ’'manner in which nettaiu contractors completed the works, passer! tin unwritten resolution to review the matter again on the letting of contracts in future. Sir Joseph Ward has recovered from his indisposition, and is able to conduct business. He will keep his engagement to open the Otira Tunnel next Tuesday, and will leave for. the West Coast to-night. The sub-committee appointed by the Feilding Technical School Committee to arrange for a concert has obtained the assistance of two Maoris at Tikoraugi and two at Aorangi. These have consented to act on the committee.

At Ashburton on Friday the proposal to raise a £15,000 loan for a high pressure water supply, was carried by 300 to 234 votes. Great interest was taken in the matter, as a poll on the same question, taken six months ago, had been rejected by a heavy majority. At Hunterville Magistrate’s Court yesterday, before A. D. Thomson, S.M., judgment went by default in Meldrum v. Bosselmann, £33 Os 6d, costs £1 Gs; and Geo H. Wilson v. G. Gibbs (Mr Hussey for plaintiff), £sl Ss 3d, costs 11s, solicitor’s fee 15s.

The name of John Burke O’Brien, a well-known character in Christchurch, will be missing from the Police Court,records for some time, the old man who is over 60 years of age, having been committed to the Inebriates Home at Pakatoa, Auckland for two years by Mr Thomson, S.M. A householder* at a Christchurch suburban School Committee election referred to the fact that, during the previous year, the school library had been augmented by a number of volumes presented by an anonymous giver. “I intend to make an anonymous gift of books this year,” he pursued, “and I hope there are others present who will do the same. ’ ’

With reference to the statement made by Mr Lane at a meeting of Hawke’s Bay Land Board that political influence had been used against Miss Meiuertzhageu in her efforts to obtain the land she claimed in the Waimarama block, Sir Joseph Ward denies that he was ever approached by Mr Donueily or anyone else in the matter.

The Oroua County decided to advise ratepayers in those portions of the County, recently severed from the Feilding Borough, to consent to the formation of special rating districts in order to raise loans for the improvement of the Makino and Kimbolton roads, next the Borough boundary. No doubt the proposal will he adopted.

Last night, about seven o’clock an attempt was made to sot fire to a boardinghouse, kept by D. Aitchison, on Tanpo Quay, Wanganui, by means of a bundle cf rags saturated with kerosene, lighted and placed against the wall near the back door. The flames were seen and extinguished before much damage was done. There is no clue to the identity of tho fire raiser. Mr H. Y. Cameron, who has been sub-manager of the Economic at Wanganui during the past 18 mouths, and who has just been appointed manager of the New Zealand Clothing Factory’s branch at Marton, was entertained by his fellow e mployees prior to his departure. A very pleasant time was spent, and Mr Cameron was presented with a travelling rug and autograph book. Mr Cameron’s friends all wish him every success inijjhis new sphere. The Chrysanthemum Show in Marton next week promises to be one of tiie best “held yet. In addition to all local exhibitors Messrs Weightmau, Wigbtou and Mayo will have a 'fine display of flowers and fruit, for exhibition only. The ladies’ drapery and fancy goods stalls should make a farther attraction as they will be loaded with goods and bargains and lastly the lolly and toffee stall of all kinds of confectionery and sweets made to order.

Messrs George & Kersley, Ltd., of Lamhtou Quay, Wellington, publish with this issue an inset in which they give particulars of their great sale. Their establishment is known all over the Dominion as “The Economic,” and is proverbially one which answers to its name for the enormous business done by the firm has proved that purchasers can economise by buying their goods there. A perusal of this inset will enable our readers to see the many bargains offered, jfand special attention will be paid to orders forwarded by post. At Bulls Court yesterday before E. H. Levett and John Stevenson, J’s.P., Albert Watson was fined 2s and costs 7s for failing to send his child to school, and in a second information a conviction was recorded. A prohibiiton order was granted against Alfred Potto, on his own application. Judgment went for plaintiff by default in the case of Geo Long'v. Taraua Utiku Marumaru, claim £5 15s lid, cotss £3 2s 6d. In the defended cases E. W. Morse (Mr Lyon) v. William Matthews (Mr Ongley), claim £5 6s 6d, judgment wont for plaintiff with costs amounting to £3 Is; aud J. G. French v. Ernest Button, claim £3 10s, costs £1 13s.

The late Mrs Coleman, whoso interment took place yesterday in the Church of England Cemetery, Mount Yiew, was horn in Christchurch in 1889 and the following year came with her parents to Rangitikei to Westoe where her father, the late Mr R. Powell, died in 1883. All her life had been spout*iu this district and like her mother, the late Mrs Snellgrova, she was always ready to lend a helping hand to the sick and suffering, a genuine farmer’s wife and most affectionate mother. Her sis children and her husband, while having the sympathy of all, will find her loss irreparable. The service at the grave was impressively read by Archdeacon Towgood and the large attendance of friends testified to the respect in which the deceased was held.

Another amazing bigamist, Jack Albert Langton, aged 33, was soutencede to five years penal servitude at the'Old Bailey. He had deserted 18 women in the past 15 years, and hd used the names of Langton, Russell, Romian, Claremont, Hartfield, Clinton and Barrington. “The police cannot find that he had ever any occupation,” stated counsel. “He has lived on the women ho deceived, and from one of them ho obtained £l6O. Apiong his 18 victims were three daughters in one family.” “I have seldom listened to a more scandalous case.” said the Recorder to Langton. “Your conduct was disgraceful and heartless. You are a thoroughly abandoned fellow on whom it is idle to waste words.”