Rangitikei Advocate. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 1909. EDITORIAL NOTES.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIV, Issue 9375, 18 February 1909, Page 4

Rangitikei Advocate. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 1909. EDITORIAL NOTES.

SOME Marton residents are under an apprehension that the present source of water supply is so small that the reservoir will never get full again. They suggest that to meet the lack the gas pipes should be extended so that by means of a gas engine water could be pumped from the Tutaenui into the reservoir. This would entail considerable permanent expenditure for wages and would have the disadvantage that the supply from the Tutaenui would only he available when the reservoir was at its highest. MoreQver, a study of the figures shows that the catchment area is quite large enough to provide all the water likely to ba needed for the existing population. Assuming the area of catchment as 100 acres and the rainfall as 35 inches per annum the amount of rain falling on the slopes that feed the reservoir would he 78,400,000 gallons. A considerable amount of this : would he lost by. percolation and evaporation, a quantity which would vary from 30 to 60 per cent, according to whether the season was wet or dry. We shall probably be within the mark if we consider that in a dry season 30,000,000 gallons would; bo available. The present reservoir can contain 11,000,000 gallons and if raised 4 feet so as to take 22,000,000 gallons it could even then be filled and the amount would provide 11,000 gallons per head per annum for a population of 2000 persons. This is at the rate of 30 gallons per

head per day, and there would he eight million gallons either to run to waste or to assist in refilling the reservoir. Everyone would like to see a better supply in view of the progress of the town but that is no reason for failing to make the best use of what is already at hand, originated, so that the trader with other countries was at an enormous disadvantage. 'The 2 Japanese also conceived the idea that money could be created by means of a printing press and a bale of paper, and after a few years tho notes almost ceased to have any purchasing power. Then after promising that the notes would be lent for the purpose of promoting commerce and industry—the very claim that is made by Mr Hogg—the Government issued new notes which almost immediately fell to a discount of 50 per cent. Government resorted to harsh measures to force its circulation at par with silver, but ultimately had to officially recognise a depreciation of 20 per cent. Tboso, therefore, who had been forced to take the paper money lost from one-fifth to one-half of the value it represented. So that under Mr Hogg’s proposal a labourer who earned 10s per day in this country and was paid in paper notes, might receive only 5s actual value Cor his day’s work. Japan has seen the ') error of its ways, and has reverted ' to the gold standard. t.“The’heathen in bis blindness” appears to know more about these matters than of those who are entrusted with the administration of affairs in New Zealand.

SOME farmers are under the impression that the doings of the labour organisations and the socialists do not concern them, but they are really more concerned with these than any other class in the community. Everything comes back on the farmer, and his products pay tribute when any of these organisations force up the price of their own services. The agitators in the centres are fully aware of the fact that their actions are opposed to ithe interests of the farmers, but many farmers seem quite content to allow them to work their will. It is taken for granted that when factory'hands secure higher wages for less work this affects only the owners of the factories, but it affects the whole community, and the cost has eventually to be paid by the primary producers. This truth is expressed as follows in his work on “Political Economy,” by Professor F. A. Walker, of the Boston Institute of Technology “ While law may thus create high rates of wages in factory industries, it does not, and cannot, create the wealth out of which that excess of manufacturing wages over those of other countries is paid. That wealth is by the labour and capital employed in the cultivation of the soil.” The farmers should realise the full meaning of this statement by one of the leading political economists, and it is to be regretted that our politicians are either so hopelessly ignorant of the principles of political economy, or are so ready to sacrifice principles, that they will put forward any false doctrines that may secure votes, instead of boldly proclaiming the truth and denouncing errors.

THE other night at Hawera, Mr Massey complained, rightly enough, that a Native 'member, who is not responsible to the people, has been given control of some of the financial departments of the State. It seems that the less the public have to do with politicians the more likely these are to secure positions of power. Members elected by Maoris alone are given control of finances contributed by Europeans, and those who are rejected by the people are given places ,in the Legislative Council. Mr Massey might also, with even greater force, have complained that the Socialists are too numerously represented in the Cabinet. The latest addition to their ranks appears, to be Mr Hogg, whose proposed issue of StaiK paper currency would plunge this country into disaster, if given effect. At present we will not discuss Mr Hogg’s laudation of labour, further than to remark that the policy of the labour leaders who now influence Ministers is entirely opposed to the true interests of labour, as is beginning to be disclosed by the paralysis of some <of our industries which formerly flourished. But it may be as well to point out some instances in which the issue of paper money has brought disaster in its train. The Argentine Republic tried this system of “raising the wind.” Of course it practically amounts to borrowing from the people without interest. In 1894 it took £3 12s in paper money to equal a British sovereign, and even in 1901, when economy had somewhat improved matters, £2 5s in " paper money was requiied. And the paper money was, of course, no use outside the country in which it originated.