The Taihape Daily Times THURSDAY, APRIL 6, 1916 THE COMING SESSION.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 8, Issue 83, 6 April 1916, Page 4

The Taihape Daily Times

THURSDAY, APRIL 6, 1916 THE COMING SESSION.

a:\ t d waimarino advooa.tr

which is incorporated The Tai bape Post and Wairuarino News.)

Parliament is to meet on the 9th May. In anticipation of an earlier date several members have already made necessary business and other adjustments to enable them to attend at the commencement of i-'ie conduct of the country 's business. The coming session must not be looked upon as, in any way, unimportant. The misleading nor. sense about short duration and nothing to do is not creditable to those who circulate the stories. One can scarcely conceive of an unimportant session while the Empire is in the throes of a struggle for its very existence; while men are urgently needed to drive back th e enemy; while one section of the community is facing ruin purely as a result of the war; while greed and avarice are exploiting and! robbing, renedring conditions of life unendurable. There are questions that will be raised in connection with after-war conditions; of an Empire-wide co-ordi-nation, arrangement, and adjustment of international trading; of peaceterms and relationships generally r, Empire government, and co-relalh' shins with Allies and neutrals. Tharc are also domestic questions that ,seem to be of very pressing importance. which will absorb a good deal of Parliament's time and be subjects for considerable discussion. Whether it is

eessary to adopt compulsory enlistment, and, not least, there is the question of the cost of living, which -hitherto has been handled in a penal and paradoxical fashion. Cost of living was dealt with at the commencement of the war and the most emphatic assurances were given by the Prime Minister that no exploiting would bo allowed that would add burdens to the life of working people; a Cost of Living Commission was set up which cost the taxpayers an enormous sum of money, and all it did was to find excuses for the avarice of exploiters. The Government has done more to cause llabour troubles, to increase the cost of public services, to place itself in a dilemma of being compelled to largely increase wages, than anything else, while it requires all the money it can lay hands on for expenditure in connection with the war. This cost of living question will assume proportions dangerous to the Government 's existence, for it can scarcely be denied that in every phase of it evidences of scandal are observable. In Australia, flour is £lO 1.5/ a ton, and there does not seem to be any real' reason why it should be several pounds higher here. At one place we have bread advertised at 7d per 4-lb loaf, in others, 7id, while in others it is 10(1. We do not know who is to blame,, but we do know thr we hav e paid a Cost of Living Commission for attending to this sort of thing, and criminal chaos is what

have for our money. The Government went on smugly permitting exploitation, not seeing that sooner or later -it would recoil upon fchomselves as administrators. Now, they find their actions, or want of ability or backbone, has brought upon them demands for wages involving huge sums of money; they are whining miserably about

wlxere the moncv is to come from. Why

did they lend their aid to the creation of conditions that it was plain must end just as it is doing? When they gave their sanction to the exploitation of the people they should have thought of the people's side of the question and what the people would say and do, The exploiter is doing all right just now, but the time is coming, the writing is on the wall, that will for ever limit the operations of his avarice. As keepers of the country's cash-box the exploiting fratenity have been found wanting, and they will realise all too soon there is such a thing as having to account. It is amazing that men should be so busiech with their despicable meannesses are not to see the retributive clouds that a'-e fast gathering over them. The railwayman's demands arc the outcome of outrageous charges for necessaries of life, and the trouble is that the whole public service must, in justice, bo entitled to equal consideration with railwayman. This will mean increases of wages to all workers, or industrial convulsions will result. We do not envy the Government of what is before it: the present extremeness of the difficulty may momentarily be got over by a disregard of responsibilities, but it is in the interests of the whole country that no accumulations of such troubles should be permitted. Therefore, it is hoped no specious promises will win members over to accepting any policy of shelf and delay that would result in the Government's own-made'troubles falling upon other shoulders. There are most important issues to be considered at the coming session, and we trust that finality, as near as possible, will only be acceptable to members in most if not all of them.

It is notified in Trentham Camp routine orders that in future the slouch hat will be worn with one straight fold from front to rear, and not in the "Baden Powell" styl-e as hitherto.

It is announced by th e Thames Star that some sections on the Hauraki Plains (formerly the Piako Swamp) sold by the Government at £9 per acre in 1910, nave recently been disposed of in their improved state at £45 per acre. It is rather a coincidence that during the past fortnight five factories have been burnt down in. New Zealand. Two cheese factories in Taranaki and one at Pahiatua were destroyed. ' A condensed milk factory at Auckland, and • ina factory at Christehurch have also been burnt.

m There: is nothing further to report regarding the Petonc Woolen Mills dispute. The suggestion, by Mr. W. Pryor, that the Arbitration Court's pronouncement regarding a war bonus would assist in settling this dispute, was referred to Mr. Donne, secretary of the company. Mr. Donne replied that he could not at present make any statement for publication regarding the question.

Packages and parcels intended for delivery to units of our boys at the front should bo sent to Captain Bilton, officer in charge of the Defence shipping office, at "K" shed, Waterloo Quay, Wellington, to be despatched in bulk. Parcels for individual soldiers should be sent through the post, and not otherwise. If this distinction is not attended to, the responsibility for nond-elivery must rest with the senders, says an official notice.

"We'll have thousands of these peculiar complications before we are finished," said the Mayor of Napier at th e Patriotic Society's meeting, when dealing with a peculiarly difficult case of a mother who applied for assistance and gave as her reason that since her son had gone to Trentham he had got married and was not supporting •his widowed mother. No action was taken, as it was pointed out that the soldier was Earning £4 10/ per week.

"A reporter has just as much right to com e into Court to report a case as a lawyer has to appear in it." This was the ruling of Common Pleas Judge Manuel Levine, of Cleveland (U.S.A.), when Harry Crawfor de, attorney for the Cleveland Railway Company,, asked that the jury be dismissed and a damage case be discontinued following publication of stories of the trial in the city papers. Newspaper clippings were read in support of the request, but the question was over-ruled.

Quit c a little sensation is "in the air" in Eltham. (says the Argus). Rumours are. rife of an erstwhile Eltliam resident having taken an unexpected departure, leaving the Dominion, in fact. Some people think that lie should have bidden them a courteous and kindly adieu and adjusted a few little financial matters before paying a visit to Australia. They are so hurt by his discourtesy, and so eagerly yearn for his company, that they are reported to be invoking the-strong arm of the law to bring him back to Eltliam, in order that they may enjoy the pleasure of his companionship. For Bronchial Coughs, take Woods' Great Peppermint Cure.

A meeting of the Taihape Eecruit

ing Committee was held last evening, and the rolls were purged. The Committee has decided to make a personal canvas to get the necessary cards fdled up.

Lieutenant H. Hartyn-Roberts, Garrison Artillery, at present Group Commander at Palmerston North, will arrive in Taihape this evening bj r the mail train.

Two frunished rooms are advertised to let with the use of kitchen and id] conveniences. Applications should be forwarded to '' Central," P.O. Box 45. Taihape.

It is notified that there are a few copies of Dr. Martin's book, "A ►Surgeon in Khaki," to be obtained at Finch's Bazaar, Taihape. The book gives a vivid account of the most thrilling episodes with the British in France.

The Allies have replied to the United States' protest against searching the mails, pointing out that no treaty right or international laws are beingviolated. The Allies intend to continue searching mails for contraband, which is constantly being despatched to Germany from America.

A few days ago it was reported a live snake was caught among some driftwood on the beach at Mokau. On Wednesday last (says the Taranaki Herald) some small boys killed ono on the beach beyond Te Henui Eiver. It measured about two feet in length, and, like the one found at Mokau, was almost black on the back and I'ighier underneath, with a skin that had thcappcarancc of being woven.

Four M.P. ? s were present in Wanganui yesterday—Messrs. W. A. Vo'ttrh. B, W. Smith, W. T. Jennings, and G. V. Pearce —for the purpose of attending the Wanganui Eiver Conference. The visiting delegates were entertained at lunch by the members of the Eiver Trust. Mr. Smith returned to Taihape last evening.

A squad of'the local Senior Cadets, 43rd Company, is at present training in physical drill, and will take part in the competitions to be held at th? Caledonian Sports to be held at Palmerston North on Easter Monday. Sergeant Timbs, of D Company, 7th Eegiment, is acting as instructor, and the squad is making good progress anil should give a good account of itself.

It is announced that Captain-Chap-lain Blamires wiM lecture on the war in the Taihape Town Hall on Wednesday evening, 12th April. Full particulars of Mr. Blamires' thrilling narratives of what is taking place in this awful war, and which are drawing packed auditoriums ii other centres, will be given by advertisement in future issues.

At the Taihape Court yesterday, W. Amnion, for whom Mr. R. C. Ongley appeared, proceeded against A. Gray (Mr. Nathan) to recover the sum of £3 10/ for a fence alleged to have been sold to defendant. Defendant denied that the fence was sold to him but stated that a railway lease had be«n sold to him by plaintiff and the fence stood on this ground. Judgment was given for plaintiff, with costs £2 1675.

Th e Russian women have shouldered their full' share of the war. The fathers having left for the front, the mothers are faced with the task of supporting their families. The children are dependent upon the mothers' sole efforts for food, shelter, clothes, and education. Women have to work day and night to obtain these necessaries. They act as porters, floor polishers, tram conductors, and in any and every capacity. Necessity has suddenly swept away all the obstructions which are placed in the way of the employment of women in professions.

A remarkable export record was put up by the Poverty Bay district last year. According to figures supplied by the Collector of Customs for 1915, the value of the exports reached the huge total of £1,941,73(5, as against £1,506,812 for 1914. The official year book for 1915 gives the following population returns for the district:—Borough, 9,859, Cook County 0,110,, Waikohi County 3,279, Waiapu County 1,910, or a total of 21,158 for the district. The export figures work out ou a population basis of £96 13/3 per head. Last year the percentage per head was £69 11/. The average exports per head of population of New Zealand for 1914 were £24 1/9.

A civil case, A. Gray v. the Otaihape Farmers' Meat and Produce Co., Ltd., and M. Hern, an employee of the company, occupied some time at the sitting of the Taihape Magistrate's Court yesterday. The evidence showed that Gray was occupying a house at;-. Hern took rooms therein. The claim was for £4 19/, rent owing. Judgment was given for plaintiff for the amount claimed, less £2 9/(5 paid into Court, with costs £1 7/, and th« comapny consented to judgment being entered against them as they had agreed to indemnify Hern. Mr. A. C. Nathan appeared for plaintiff and Mr. -. R. J. Loughnan for defendants. ~

During the quarter just ended there were three bankrupcties in Wellington, as against four during the similar quarter of last year.

A woman cook is advertised for by Shute'.s Labour Exchange, Taihape. The wages offered are 35/ per woek.

The Postal authorities advise that the mails which left New Zealand on February 17th and February 22nd arrived in London on March 30th and April Ist respectively.

The Recruiting Committee have already set out on their campaign in Taihape. In various parts of the town large recruiting posters are being posted up in conspicuous places.

Out of the staff of nearly 30,000 rae.i in the service of the London County Council, the numbers who have not attested are only 614 married and 252 single mtn. Already over 7,000 are on war service. Under the group system more than 4,000 married men and nearly 1,000 single men attested.

It is expected that some 50,000 crates of North Island cheese will be ready for shipment to London this month. In audition a quantity will go forward for West ef England ports.

Ninety-eight applications have been received for the position of secretary to the Hawke's Bay Jockey Club. At a meeting of the committee of the club, held on Tuesday, the number was induced to eight, and from these a selection will be made.

Railway tickets at holiday excursion rates will" be issued to Eotorua from Taumarunui and all stations north thereof every Saturday, until April £9. available for return until the following Thursday. After that date tickets will b e issued on the first Saturday in each month.

Mount Atkos, where our French Allies have unearthed large stores of petrol destined for German submarines, is, according to Greek lepciiclc, the spot whither the Devil took Christ in order to show him the extent of his kingdom. From its summit a huge bonfire announced the capture of Troy, and it was at foe foot of Mount At hew that the Persian fleet, under Mardonis. was destroyed.

Editor Henry Stead,, in the April issue of his Australian magazine, Stead's Review, puts forth a plea that he alone probably holds —that the Kaiser and the Crown Prince no longer dominate the war, but that they are controlled by Von Falkenhayn, Yon Hindenburg, and Yon Mackensen; and he urges that it was this evil triumvir, and not the royal duo, who planned the Verdun campaign.

At the inquest held in Taihape yesterday, Sergeant Matthews, who represented the police, stated that many people believed that if they found a body in a river or a body hanging, they had no right to touc-h the body, but had "to wait until the police arrived. Such an idea was altogether erroneous. In the present case life could not have been saved, but at times th e leaving of a body until the police arrived might be a question of life or death.

'/Mr. Termant has told the House of Commons that the rate of wastage at the front is 15 per cent, per month, so that in order to maintain an army of a million at its strength for a whole year, we require reserves of no less than 1,800,000. In the light of these facts, w e have no time to lose in getting the whole available manhood of the country into training," says the Pall Mall Gazette, London.

'An unenviable experience befell Mr. F. M. Veale, of Parakao (North Auckland) last week. Suffering from appendicitis, for which an operation wan necessary, lie started by motor-car to go into a private hospital at Whangai'ei. The car broke down on the Dargaville road. A wait of four hours ensued. Then a car from Dargaville came along and picked up the sufferer. Further on, the second car broke down. Finally, a telephone message brought out a car from Whangarei, and 12 •hours after he had started Mr. Veale was landed at the hospital. By this time the appendix had burst, and an immediate operation was performed. The patient's condition wag very serious, but a recovery is anticipated.

"New York is crowded with people, the hotels are filled to overflowing, and the city is, together with all the large manufacturing centres of the east, enjoying one of the most prosperous periods during its history," said Mr. T. Clifton, who arrived in Auckland from America in the Niagara. He went on to say that the output of all produce was limited solely by t-he amount cf labour available. The cause of the Allies was popular with the majority <-••■ people in America. "They will + "

you they are neutral," said Mr. Clifton, "and at the same time say thet they don 't care which one of the Allies beats the Kaiser so long as one does it. Apart from the German population the great heart of America is strongly pro-Britis-h."

This morning two men were arrested in Taihape for soliciting alms in a Taihape street.

One of the incidents in connection with the departure of some reinforcements from Wellington is worthy of repetition. Among ■■oso who went down to the city to see their friends away was "'-Xoimg lady from Rongotea. With friend she proceeded to the wharf, where a number of lumpers were passing the time by playing "two-up." One of their number, thinking to have a little joke, at the expense of the visitors, asked, "Well, girls, have you come down tr> see your boys off?" "Yes, we have." said the lady from Rongotea, "and I am glad to say they have a little more* backbone- than you appear to have." The inquisitive lumper was effectively silenced, and ne.-dless to say no moreouestions were asked.