CURRENT TOPICS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 301, 13 May 1913, Page 4

CURRENT TOPICS.

THE EAST END BEACH. The East Enders are an enthusiastic lot of people, or, rather, the men that have charge of the bathing and picknicking facilities there are. In the course of the past three or four years they have effected a wonderful transformation in the beach and its environs. Formerly, there was nothing to attract the visitors, not even a decent sandy beach. The Harbor Board, by extending the breakwater, having remedied this effectually, the beautification of the sea front was taken in hand; paths made or re-made;, the primitive bathing shed converted into an up-to-date and convenient place; : coppers put in; electric lighting installed; seats erected; a law provided; swings and an "ocean-wave" contrivance and donkeys for the enjoyment of the juveni iles installed; and a lot more. But the energetic, committee have only started. They have a big scheme on hand, no less than making this part of New Plymouth's matchless water-front the most attractive in the Dominion. Recently the Railway Department granted them a strip of land at the rear of the shed, enabling the lawn to be increased by from 30ft to 40ft, and the other day the committee turned out and shifted the fence back. The sheds are to be remodelled and a top storey put on, where mothers may watch in comfort their young hopefuls desporting in the surf, and where, too, they can, if they choose, enjoy a cup of morning or afternoon tea, for provision for this modern social requirement is to be made. The builders commenced operations yesterday, the contract price running into nearly £350. Besides this the committee themselves are doing building work to the valup of over £SO. They have not this sum in hand, but they are not worrying. They have met and negotiated greater hurdles, and there is therefore justification for the confidence they exhibit. The committee are rendering a great service to the town in the work they have voluntarily undertaken, and are deserving of the fullest measure of success. UNFAIR LIBEL LAWS. Thus the Sydney Sun:—The vast majority of the threats delivered to Sydney newspapers are "tries-on" of the most palpable description. By no stretch of imagination can the "injured" party be regarded as having suffered the least material or sentimental damage. The law is simply used as a means of extorting money. That, however, is the least serious side of the matter. Whether newspaper proprietaries are subject to a system of blackmail does not directly affect public welfare. The really shocking part of the business is that the newspaper press of Sydney has its hands tied in its dealings with the actions of public bodies and public men. Did it possess the same freedom as the press of Great Britain, it is safe to assume that the public would to-day hold vast sums out of which it has been tricked by corruption and fraud. Not another city in the British Empire is surrounded by such an atmosphere of suspicion, and, at times, the audacity of certain "boodlers" has reached lengths reminiscent of San Francisco under the rule of Abe Ruef. The price which the public of Sydney pays for the muzzling of its newspapers is a heavy one, indeed. NEW ZEALAND'S FUTURE. "I am impressed with the productiveness of New Zealand," remarked Mr. W. G. Wickham, British Trade Commissioner in the Dominion, to an Auckland Herald representative last week. "But," he went on, "more of your land should be doing its duty." Proceeding, Mr. Wickham said that New Zealand ought to have a big future. Until, however, it becomes a more populous one it will have no real chance, he considered, as a manufacturing country. "Populate New Zealand first," he said, "and the manufacturers will follow where there is room for them. In the meantime go on with your produce, and do everything possible to cheapen its production. I do not mean to suggest that wages should be cut down. The bigger a country grows the more economical and the cheaper becomes the distribution of goods. The most important item in the cost of living in New Zealand," proceeded the Commissioner, "is the distribution of an extraordinarily varied lots of goods to a limited number of people living over a scattered area. The bigger the population the easier and more rapid the locomotion becomes, while costs are reduced in every direction. Double the railway traffic and you can afford to double the tracks. As soon as you do that you can probably double the speed of/the trains that travel over them. New Zealand is not securing enough immigrants," concluded Mr Wickham. "They would come here readily enough if you would offer them inducements. The first essential is to have the land ready for them. Also, you should make sure that the land you intend placing them on is not run up in price by gamblers to more than its market value before the immigrants get there." AN EMIGRATION BOOM. The emigration boom is in full swing, and berths in all the ships sailing from England are booked for many weeks ahead. Agents and shippers are all agreed that this is to be a boom year. The official figures published by the Emigrants' Information Office show that the net movement to Canada was 133.531 persons in 1912, as against 134,705 in 1011. The net movement to Australia rose from 50,337 to 08,088. The net movement to New Zealand rose from 0432 to 11,054. The United States figures showed a balance to the States of 45,947, as against 40,732 in 1011. In the case of South Africa the figures fell from 30,707 to 28,218, and the number of returns rose from 23,240 to 23,985. The total number of passengers of all nationalities leaving the United Kingdom for places out of Europe was 050,750, against 023,425 in mil. and the total number returning, 340,705, against 350,420. There is an increasing tendency on the part of British emigrants from the United Kingdom to proceed to other parts of the Empire rather than to foreign countries. During periods of six months ending in March, 1012, and September, 1912, 907 emigrants, with 1088 dependents, were sent out by the Central (Unemployed) Bodv for London, at a cost of £28,395, and 808 emigrants, with 1232 dependents, were sent out by provincial distress committees at a cost of £20,880. In 59 cases their destination

wns New Zealand. During the year Canada absorbed from all sources 305,804 immigrants, against 350,374 in 1911. Once again emigration to Australia showed a decrease. At the New Zealand Government Offices, the Daily Express was told: "Passages at the reduced rate are booked up two months ahead, although this is our slack season. From 150 to 200 reduced-rate emigrants sail every fortnight. We are at present sending only farmers, farm workers and domestic servants at reduced rates, but all the thirdclass accommodation is taken. If we could land 5000 domestic servants in New Zealand to-morrow, we could find them all situations In-fore Saturday, at wages running from 15s and 25s to 30s a week. Recently a large party all got situations by wireless hefore they landed."