Rangitikei Advocate. WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 13, 1909. EDITORIAL NOTES.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIV, Issue 9344, 13 January 1909, Page 4

Rangitikei Advocate. WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 13, 1909. EDITORIAL NOTES.

IN another column we publish a further letter from Mr James Grove. We give this correspondent space, firstly, because it is desirable that the public should know what the Single-taxers really aim to bring about; secondly, because we believe in giving every correspondent an opportunity of publishing his opinions, provided he does not cover himself with the cloak of anonymity; and lastly because Mr Grove, who has published his opinions in many papers in the colony during the past twenty years or so, may he regarded as one of the apostles of Single-tax—-one who fairly represents the views held by his fellow single-taxers.

THE present contribution opens with an imaginary situation. B£r Grove appears to calmly assume that his shipwrecked men would find all they require on the island, and that nature would go on providing them without their own effort or toil. But let us put his illustration in a fo r m more in accordance with usual conditions. Let ns suppose that before these castaways can continue to exist they must work, till the soil, and carry on all the operations and all the industries necessary to meet their requirements. It is undeniable

that some of their number would be lazier than others or more thriftless, and that the most energetic and skilful would be in the minority. This is in strict accord 'With everyday experience, and the history of the socialistic settlements which have been established and collapsed fully corroborates this view.

SUPPOSE then that a proportion of these castaways would not work, or would waste what they received, or debauch themselves, or committed crimes against the others. A time would speedily arrive when one section would be prosperous and comparatively wealthy, and the other be poverty-stricken and dependent on the charity of the others, or able to exist only by giving their services to the others. It would make no difference whatever who were the nominal owners of the island.

IT is also assumed by our correspondent that the landless classes pay the chief part of the taxes. It is quite true that under present conditions others than owners of land do pay taxes —though one class has recently been made practically taxfree, unless its members choose to buy luxuries. Bnt if there is any consistency in Single-taxers is clear that they want to exempt from taxation all who do not hold, or rather occupy, land values? And if one class alone has to pay tax under the proposed new what right to the franchise vests in the others? Is it not clearly apparent that, the actual taxpayers would be in a minority? And what 'sane legislator would propose that a majority should control the expenditure and regulate the taxation furnished by a minority? Manhood and womanhood suffrage need no argument, but when the Single-taxer says that some few men and women should pay all the taxation because they occupy laud values, and the many men and women should dictate to them the amount they must and how the proceeds shall be expended we certainly challenge him.

WE quite agree with Mr Grove as to the injurious effect of the protective system, but there is a vast difference between a lax on land values alone, and a , revenue tariff framed to compel all classes to bear their fair share of the public burden. In regard to the remarks about the deplorable state in which many now live, we quite admit the pathos of the position, and feel also inclined to rail at the stupidity of man who has so far failed to develop a social system in which all would be prosperous and happy. But we might equally as well expect to find a remedy for old age, or even an escape from the fate that will befall all this generation, sooner or later. We may further remark that even if the Singletaxers’ panacea did produce unusual prosperity it could last for but a short timo unless society took into its own hands the work of eliminating the unfit and preventing their reproduction. Even then, it is more than possible that without the checks now supplied by the struggle for existence the population would tend to increase faster than the means of existence.

THE social theorist is invariably gaily reckless of consequences, and Mr Grove avers that it is not our business to trouble about wbat might happen under single-tax. But the cautious prefer to have a® objections clearly removed before they consent to change, or experiment. In this country we Jiave made many experiments, because it has been a happy hunting ground for theorists —a “corpus vile” for any crude .experimenter- and we are already paying for some of those experiments.

THAT the theorists seldom take into consideration all aspects of the question and suffer from confusion of ideas, is indicated by Mr Grove’s reference to trespassers under the present laws relating to property - Apparently he means it to be inferred that under single-tax there would be no trespassers. If this would bo so, then what title would any man have to properly work and guard the holding be occupied 'and for which he paid tax? Are we to infer that everything would be held in common? If there would still be prohibition of trespassers under single tax. why denounce the laws against trespassing which are now necessary to enable - every man to hold and protect hia own?

WE cannot admit that rating on unimproved value is the same as singletax, although the theorists hailed it as an instalment of it. Those who pay the rates have also to pay their share of all the other taxes. Moreover rating on unimproved value is not capable of being equitably applied in every district. There are some in which it confers benefit, but there are others in which it would work to the injury of the majority.

It has been decided to commence the trial at Westport on January 21t, of the youth William Connolly, who confessed to the murder of Richard Burke at Westport. Reefton reports that the police are acting as night-watchmen at the principal mines and the batteries crushing special parcels of stone. The Globe battery has finished. The smaller mines are willing to take the men on under insurance regulations, but cannot till they oome. Prospecting ventures have been entirely quashed, and all interest in mining is absent.

Mrs Bourne, of Kimbolton, is recovering from her injury and will be sent to Palmerston Hospital for treatment.

The many friends of Colonel Gorton will be glad to learn that he is rapidly improving in health after a severe operation in a private hospital at Palmerston North, from which ho returned to bis home on Monday.

” Otago branch of the Amalgamated Railway Servants’ Society passed congratulatory resolutions to Mr Millar on his assumption of the railway portfolio, and Thos. Mackenzie on his elevation to Cabinet rank.

The question of sea power is not a new one and the best method of repelling invasion is the same to-day as in the days of Queen Elizabeth and King James. Raleigh, who was mariner as well as soldier, said: “To entertain them that shall assail us with their own beef in their bellies, and before they eat of our Kentish capons, I take it to be the wisest way; to which his Majesty, after God, will employ his good ships on the sea and not trust in any entrenchment on shore.” “Men act the fool, get hurt, and the board has to pay the piper,” was a point mentioned at a meeting of the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board, says the Nelson Mail. The Board was asked to grant rent for the wife of a man who waa_ in the hospital with a broken lßg, sustained in trying to ride a bullock. The Board willingly extended help to the woman, bnt one member thought that the man should be made to repay the inoney when he was convalescent.

In the story of the disgraceful riot at Broken Hill when defenceless men were attacked and beaten by an angry mob, the bravery of a woman with a babe in arms is conspicuous. Seeing Worsley, one of the officials, confronted by this mob and in danger ot his life, she forced her way through the excited mass and shouted that she was not going to see them beat a man like that. At this unexpected intervention the mob, astonished for the moment, fell back, and in the diversion thus created Worsley was enabled to get away. Undoutedly the woman saved him from very serious injuries. .

Subscribers to Marten Telephone Exchange have increased steadily during the last few years. P. P. White took up his duties as postmaster at Marton there were 27 subscribers on the list, and there are 94 at the present time. Only six more subscribers are required in order to gat the bureau opened till midnight without additional payment. This ;is a matter that has been inquired into by Marton Chamber of Commerce, and recognising the question to be of considerable importance a committee was appointed at last' night’s meeting to exercise its best endeavour to induce others to subscribe to the Exchange. Amongst the valuable prizes given by the Feilding A. & P. Association for the show on 2nd and 3rd February next, £l3 is given for Maiden Hunters’ Competition, £ls for Ladies’ Hunters. £3O for Open Hunters ; the prizes for horses are mostly £4 for first, and for cattle they are on an equally liberal scale. In addition to the large cash prizes in sheep classes, there is a challenge trophy (value £3O) and a gold medal for the exhibitorjobtainiug most points in flock, pure Romneys. Pigs, dairy produce, vegetables, fruit and home industries are all well catered for in the prize list, and should attract large entries. Intending exhibitors will please note that entries close on Friday next. 15th inst. Schedules may be obtained from the Secretary or the office of this journal. Many people are aware that strawberry culture is one of the things for which Waimate, South Canterbury, is noted, but few have any idea of the extent to which the indristry has been developed. A gentleman who recently visited the district supplied agrepresentative of Truth with some information he had gleaned on the subject. It appears that the growing of strawberries has become a very large industry, and it is estimated that in and around Waimate the area in strawberries is over 100 acres. Roughly speaking, it takes about 10,000 plants to the acre, so that with a .good reason the income is about £l6O to £l9O per £acre, exclusive of expenses.

The conference of boot manufacturers from different parts of the Dominion, which has been sitting in Christchurch -for the past two days, has resulted in the formation of one body to replace the three which have hitherto guarded the interests of the manufacturers. The first officers of the Federation elected at thejjpresent conference ' are as follows :—President, Mr J. A. Frosfcick, Christchurch ; vice-president, Mr T. Hodgson, Auckland ; secretary, Mr A. H. Bridger, Dunedin; treasurer, Wm. MoKinlay, Dunpdin; executive committee, the president, vice-president, treasurer, and Mr James Wellington.

Mr W. H. Eyan, lately in charge of the Stratford police, but now enjoying a well-earned pension, had an experience on New Year’s morning worthy of record. He discovered that his garden gate 'had been removed during the previous night, and, like an old warhorse, was eager, for the fray. Sallying forth, he made a minute examination of footprints, etc., and after considerable search, indications led him baok to his house, where he was somewhat astonished to learn that members of his own family had pnrposely played the trick to test whether the few months rest had in any way impaired his old ability of running evildoers to earth. The liner Arawa was due to sail from Wellington at 5 o’clock yesterday morning, hut was delayed by a shortage of two firemen. Plenty of men were available but they wanted £4O a month. They were under the impression that the steamer would be held up indefinitely unless this rate was paid. The Company* however, managed to get two men at New Zealand rates (£9 a month), and the steamer weighed anchor at noon. It is stated that firemen are under a wrong impression that they cannot be prosecuted for desertion within 48 hours of leaving a vessel, and are becoming more and more inclined to gat ashore on the eve ot their steamer’s departure, and thus cause considerable inconvenience to the companies.

Messrs Spence & Spence are now busy marking down their stocks in preparation for their annual stocktaking sale, commencing on Friday next. To their patrons we would say “wait for the bargains” which will be generous and numerous, on Friday next and following days at the Bon Marche, Foildiug.*

At Raetihi Court on Friday Patrick Brennan was fined £3 10s and costa 31s for assaulting H. Lovenfosse, £1 of the fine being paid to plaintiff. For cruelty to a pig W. Te Akehinu was fined £6 or 14 days.

At a special meeting of the Wanganui Presbytery yesterday at Marton, the Rev. R. M. Rybmn accepted the call addressed to him by FirSt Church, Invercargill. The Rev. Joseph White was also called to Levin, which has been raised from a Home Mission station to a fully sanctioned charge. At the inquiry into the fire which destroyed the East Coast Mail office and other buildings at Wairoa, on January 4th, the jury returned a they were of the opinion that the building occupied by the Mail was set fire to by some person or persons unknown, and that the total disappearance of all the books of the Wairoa Printing and Publishing Company remains a mystery to the jury. The Council of the Wellington Law Society hold a different opinion to that expressed by the AttorneyGeneral as to the necessity for "an acting judge during Chief Justice Stout’s absence, and have written to Dr. Findlay, urging that another judge should be appointed. They point out that at the November sittings in particular Justice Chapman said he was unable to give appointments for sixteen cases set down for hearing at that sittings, and that he was quite unable to give any appointments tor several compensation cases, which are awaiting hearing. At its meeting on Saturday Waimarino County Council appointed Colonel Sommerville representative on Hospital ,-Board. It was agreed to commence work on Pipiriki Ridge Road, and drain a bog at end of Queen Street, Raetihi. A motion was passed in favour of raising a loan of £I3OO tor forming west end of Oruakukura Road into a dray road. The tender of H. Rorke for collecting dog tax was accepted. For metalling Pipipi and Ohura Roads H. O. Riley (£147 Os ad), A. Douglas (£ll4 Ha), and A, B. Harris (£Bl 11s Id) tendered. Mr -Harris’ tender was accepted. The dog tax for 1909 was fixed as follows: Sheep and’cattle dogs 2s 6d, rabbit dogs in Karioi district 2s 6d, and all other dogs 10s. An interesting trial of the “exertion wage,’’ or premium bonus system, is being made at the Otira gunnel, now being constructed by Messrs M’Lean Bros., contractors. The men working in the heading were informed that £1 per foot extra for every foot ;they excavated above 66 feet in any one week would be divided among them. There was some outcry against this “speedingup.’’ but the meu saem to have responded as desired by their employers. Last week they made 74 feet, the biggest week’s work accomplished since the boring was started. This meant a sum of £8 to be divided amongst 24 men. Mr Murdoch M’Lean, speaking to a Dominion reporter yesterday, said that if this rate of progress were maintained, there would be no difficulty in finishing the tunnel within contract time. '

Considerable unpleasantness occurred in connection with the refusal of Christchurch permanent fire brigade men to sign the new regulations drawn up by the Fire Board. This refusal was. of course, tantamount to resigning from the staff, and accordingly it was arranged that 14 new men should fill the vacancies. Ten out of the successful applicants put in an appearance at the Lichfield station on Saturday (when the other men “went out”). Three other outsiders who have had* experience in other parts of the world were als*. sworn in in place of the absentees. While Jthe procedeure of enrolling the new men was going on something in the shape of a demonstration was by some of the discharged employees, who heckled the men who were filling their places, and made various remarks about fire brigade matters in general. Superintendent Smith states that the new men should with training turn ont a very efficient lot. Several of them have had experience in fire brigade work, and they seem to be amenable to discipline. The auxiliary men had practically all stuck loyally to the brigade. The oldest inhabitant of Wellington died on Monday last,. says theDominion. His age, which might have been anything over 100 years, was unknown, but he had lived for abont 25 years in one of the tnatara lizard cases in the Dominion Museum, and was one of the original ituataras given to that institution. He was apparently very old when he was taken “fromf one of the Brothers Islands and“placed in the museum, for since that day he has not shown a sign of increasing age or growth. He was so old that he had lost the usual dorsal ridge of spines, and he was almost toothless. He lived the simple life with one companion, captured at the same time as himself and of abont equal antiquity. For a quarter of a century they had bone a stoical existence in the glass case feuding in the summer on small pieces of meat, given them once a fortnight,!:; with blow-flies for a treat, and hibernatingjjthrough the winter. The director of the museum (Mr A. Hamilton) states that they nevgr showed joy or sorrow or any orther sort of emotion during that long period, but the scaly companion of the deceased reptile appeared genuinely distressed when the dead body was removed from the case. A oast of it has been taken, which will be kept in the museum as a memorial.