LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 53, 5 March 1915, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Not at Jill improbable! "A whale is ashore on the Dutch coast with a mine attached to its tail."—Times-Sydney Sun cable item.

About 900 ewes and wethers, Rom-ney-Lincoln cross, were consigned today from Stratford railway station for the south. They were a fine all-round lot, which speaks well for Taranaki grazing.

A poll of ratepayers was taken yesterday at Christchurch on the proposal to reverb to the system of striking the general rate on capital values, in place of the existing system of rating on unimproved values. A close poll saw the proposal lost by 1929 to 20S0 votes.—

The Midhirst Settlers' Sports Club's annual picnic will be held on Thursday, March 18th, the function to be concluded with a dance in the evening. Proceeds are to he devoted to the patriotic fund, and the energetic secretary, Mr B. A. Weyburne, expects to be able to hand over record takings for the worthy cause of the Patriotic Fund.

The secretary of the Toko Settlers' Picnic and Spouts Association (Mr G. Bocock) has received intimation from the District Traffic Manager that the usual train (1.20 at Toko) from Whangamomona on Thursday. 25th inst., will arrive at 12 noon, and a special train will leave Stratford at 1.30 p.m., returning from Toko at' 5.45 p.m. for Stratford. The 25th is the day of the sports, at Toko.

"The tendency of the local money, market continues in the direction of rather easier conditions, and there is apparently a fairly plentiful supply of money available (says the Trade Review). Funds are coming in from the realisation of outproduce, and the season promises to eclipse all previous records. The increase shown is phenomenal, amounting to 60 per cent., but it must be remembered that last season was seriously affected by the strike; therefore the returns for the full season cannot be expected to maintain nearly such a high rate of progess. Against this there is evidence that our imports will not maintain the high level recently established, and a very satisfactory margin of exports is bound to be shown when the figures are available".

The exhibition of flowers and produce at the Town'Hall yesterday afternoon, and evening under the auspices of the; Stratford Horticultural Society proved a great success. In spite of the had weather, there was a good attendance, and a large proportion of the produce was sold privately during the afternoon and evening. Entries were large, and the general opinion expressed was that the show was far in advance of any previous one given hy the Society. Ihe numerous stands were tastefully airanged, and presented an excellent appearance. In the flower section, dahlias, asters and sweet peas were most numerous, though there were many other varieties exhibited. The dahlias grown by .Messrs P. C. Davis and Cecil Gorki 11 were particularly line. Two very good assortments of asters were shown by Mrs A. D. Walker and Mrs A. I), iiawles. Mr F. N. Fussell's large variety of sweet peas were greatly admired. The decorated tables were a special feature, those presented by Miss Reader (pink poppies), and Mrs J. Crofts (dark red and black poppies), looking particularly pretty. There were a great many exhibits in the vegetable section, and the standard attained was very high. Probably the best all-round exhibit in this section was Mr Spillman's. A giant cabbage entered by Mr C. B. Walsh attracted a good deal of attention, and also did Mr J. Rawles' rhubarb, which was about three feet long. Mr Rowson's and Mr A. J. Walters' tomatoes were very fine lines, and sold quickly. The Stratford Hospital sent an excellent and large assortment of both flowers and vegetables. Probably the largest amount of produce exhibited by one person was that of Mrs T. Reader. During the evening Mr T. I. Lamason auctioned the remainder of the produce. The Municipal Band played an enjoyable programme of music in the evening, which was greatly appreciated.

■, A Londou cablegram states that the Opawa and Turakiua have sailed far 1 Wlelington. Publicity is requested for the fact that no collection will be taken up at : the Band concert to be held in King Edward Park on Sunday afternoon. ! Several months ago (states a Gisborne Press Association wire to-day), a married woman named Jean Parsons, of Patutahi, was struck by a bullet I from a pea rifle, the affair being quite accidental. To-day the Court awarded ! her £'GO damages. The Ackland School picnic and sports J were held yesterday, and favored with fine weather, passed off satisfactorily. There was a good gathering from the, surrounding district, and among others who paid a visit were Mr H. Trimble (chairman), and Mr E. Masters (of the Taranaki Education Board), their presence on the occasion being duly appreciated. The Royal Pantomime Co. appear in the "Jam' of Cathay," a musical extravaganza, in the Town Hail this ovening. This piece is well spoken of, equally with other productions by Messrs Stephenson and Linley's talented company, and it is expected that Stratford will provide a bumper house. Miss Elsie Nicolas as Maria has a uni- | que opportunity of displaying her charming vocal powers, while the other soloists as well as the members of the chorus have many chances to excM. The acrobats associated with the com- , pany.will not be the least entertainI ing feature of the performance this | evening.

Speaking to a representative of this paper, iYlr J. B. Hine, M.P., in answer to a query as to the probable action of Parliament in regard to war taxation, said that undoubtedly one of the first and most important measures to be considered by the new Parliament would bo the financial requirements caused by the war. Up to the present with the assistance of the Imperial Parliament, the Government have been able to get along fairly comfortably, but the Dominion has to face the position of a falling-off in the revenue, and at the same time having to provide for a largely increased expenditure, and it is Parliament's work to place the additional burden on the people as equally as possible. Being further asked if he favoured any special method of taxation, the Member for Stratford had no hesitation in giving his own personal views on the matter. "Certainly I do," was the ready reply.' "I think that in view of the high prices all our produce is now bringing (and I speak as a producer), an export duty sjiould be imposed

as soon as possible, even if it means an early session of Parliament, and also a supertax on the imports, especially on all articles generally called luxuries. The Income Tax and the Graduated Land Tax on large estates could be very well utilised for the purpose of increasing the revenue which must of necessity be provided, and I feel confident that through these channels of taxation just mentioned, the burden can be placed on the shoulders of those best able to bear it." In view of the fact that for the past three years Mr Hine has filled the very important position of Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee in the House of Representatives, the suggestions contained in the statement of Mr Hine will be of interest to the country, but how far the proposals will appeal to the Government and the members of Parliament generally remains to be seen.