The Waikato Argus GEORGE EDGECOMBE, Proprietor. TUESDAY, SEPT. 29, 1896

Waikato Argus, Volume I, Issue 35, 29 September 1896, Page 2

The Waikato Argus GEORGE EDGECOMBE, Proprietor. TUESDAY, SEPT. 29 , 1896

Tile annual meeting of the Auckland branch of the National Association was held last week. There is nothing in the proceedings which call for much note as regards the year’s transactions, except that branches from the parent stock have been established in most of the important centres of population. The good that the Association has done is evidenced rather by the attacks of Ministers and the Ministerial Press, than by results which are directly traceable to its inti nonce. These attacks are a recognition that the literature which has been disseminated through the colony, lias brought homo to many thinking people that there arc two kinds of Liberalism-—the genuine article which strictly adheres to the principle, “ The greatest good for the greatest number,” and the shoddy imitation which lias for the past few years been foisted upon the people of this colony. The prejudices and ignorance of people have been utilised by unscrupulous politicians for the purpose of securing to themselves the pride of place and the emoluments which attach to olllce. Ministers have been under the thumb of the Trades Unions and the town voters whom they influence, with the result that the trend of taxation has been in the direction of protection, a policy which is and must always be inimical to those who live by the cultivation of the land. The effect as is abundantly proved by the fate of Victoria, is to make a city and ruin a country. .Protection establishes an artificial rate of wages, and those wages are earned at the cost of every man in the country who is not a direct participator. They pay more for everything they consumes, in order that a section of the urban population may live in a state of luxury and ease which the small farmer in his highest flights of imagination never dreams of for himself or his family. Shoddy Liberalism makes a great cry about putting the people on the land and expends a considerable sum annually to make a show in this direction. This sum is mainly contributed through the Customs, aided bv money procured by surreptitious or open borrowing. Shoddy Liberalism purchases estates, which arc already paying taxes, in order to give a number of town agitators the opportunity, of which dy-thc-by they seldom avail themselves, of being farmers on the terms of “ fanning made easy.” This is done in spite of there being many thousands of acres in the hands of the Covernmcnt, still in a state of nature, and much of this is native land for which considerable sums of money have been paid, which arc hearing interest as part of our national indebtedness. Some sop has had to he given to farmers to keep them quiet on the protection question. Shoddy Liberalism goes to the London money market and borrows a million and a half in order to reduce the rate of interest to the farmers, whom it has sweated through the Customs, The result is possibly a reduction of half per cent, from the rate at which the money could have been procured from private sources, provided the security offered is such as a prudent man would accept. That the loan was unnecessary except as a political puli', is evidenced by the fact that a large portion of the money is still uninvested in spite of the fact that the Hon. Mr Me Ivenzic has instilled some more energy into (ho department charged with the business. The farmers would not take it on the terms, and a Hill was introduced to enable the money to he lent on suburban property and rejected. T his Bill might very appositely be christened a Bill to get rid of a troublesome balance, which so long as it remains is evidence that the loan was not necessary and simply a bid for popularity on false pretences. Shoddy Liberalism most unblushingly rewards by its administration constituencies and individuals, who help to keep its King and his tools in oilice, and it sanctions a system of persecution of all who do not and who protest against the indecencies of the said King and his tools. It is for tlu; exposure of the doings of shoddy Liberals that the National Association exists. It does not perhaps come in) to the ideal of what such an Association should he, it is, however, the only body in the colony which is organised with the object of promulgating true Liberalism as against the shoddy article, some of the peculiarities of which wo have described above. It is the only organisation available for tbe promotion of purer administration in

the future, au event which it is now manifest cannot possibly come about until the present Dictator-Premier and his followers are hurled from power. The Association should receive, the moral and pecuniary support of all who are not yet sufficiently contaminated to believe that such an event is not desirable. The value of the Premier's word is notoriously not great. There is not a single individual in this district who is not perfectly well aware that Mr Seddou's statement in the House in reference to the circulation of this paper is absolutely contrary to fact. The reason of this remark will be found in our Political Notes. The Queen's eyes are said to be failing. At the Crystal Palace, London, Mcgson, the Australian, won the tern inile bicycle race, in 24m. 14 2/sths sec. There is a partial strike of cabmen in London against railway cabs, and much violence is being displayed. The Premier of New South Wales intends to allow Queensland and Western Australia time to pass the Federal Enabling Bill before fixing the date of the Convention. Lieut. Warren, who lost his life during the naval evolutions, by jumping overboard to rescue one of the engineers served for some time on the Australian station in 11.M.5. Curacoa. We have been asked by our Te Pore correspondent to direct the attention of the Waipa County Council to Campbell's cutting at Tc Rorc. The cutting has been in a bad state all the winter, and. if not attended to at ouee, a serious accident may yet result. A meeting of the members of the Hamilton Football Club will be held in the Royal Hotel, Hamilton Fast, on Thursday evening next, to arrange matters in connection with the annual ball. A full attendance of members is particularly requested. The social held in the < >ildfcllow.i' Hall, Cambridge, on Fridiy evening last, resulted in a profit of £2, notwithstanding the wet evening. Mrs C. Craig managed it, aud we learn the money will be for the benefit of the widow of the late E. W. Stewart.

Alsoount Hampden's message from Sydney to Lord Lrussey in .Melbourne, carried by relays of bicyclists, was delivered in 12 hours, which is two hours longer than anticipated, but after leaving Sydney wet and boisterous weather was met with for the greater portion of the way.

In reference to the lease by the Cambridge Doinaiu Hoard to Messrs l'. Cooper and. J. McLean, our correspondent writes :— '* I understind Mr McLean will, in addition to the fellmoogery business, start a boiling-down establishment, and the Hoard is certainly to be commended for the assistance they have rendered."

Those interested in the culture of sugar beet and who intend entering for the competition promoted by the Waikato Fanners' Club should obobtain from the secretary the report by the Beetroot Committee of the Club. The report has been reprinted from Tin: Waikato Alters and has now been issued from that office in the form of a neat pamphlet. The subject matter is such as will be very acceptable to our farmers at .the present time. The members of the Hamilton Cricket Club will open the season on Sydney Square, to-morrow (Woducsdiy) with a match Married v. Single. These mutches in former years have always attracted considerable interest, and the game to-morrow should not be behind in this respect. Last year this club was runnerup for tlij championship, and as the winners—Alexandra—-are not likely to enter for the contest this year, and their players have joined various other clubs, sonic good cricket should be the result.

(Jn Saturday morning the (.'hairman of the Land Purchase Hoard, Mr James McKcrrow, proceeded to Auckland, accompanied by Messrs 1L J. Kallender and .). Lollard, wiio had attended him as valuers. During his stay in Waikato Mr McKcrrow visited many of the Estates Company's and other properties offered to him, but as his report will be of a private nature, it will not be known until it has been presented to the Government. Mr McKcrrow left Auckland for Wellington yesterday.

.Alt W. H. Hi Tries, who is standing for the Pay of Plenty seat, passed through Hamilton yesterday en route for Rotorua, in pursuance of his canvass of tlm electorate, lie appears to be perfectly satisfied with the success he lias met with in the Easl Coast section of the electorate. Mr Homos is, without question, the most able man out for the sea!, and if returned will, no doubt, make his mark in Parliament. He will bring a trained mind well versed in the history and current politics ot the colony to the assistance of the party to which he gives his adherence.

The shares in the Ngamawuhia Prospecting Association are. now all taken up ; indeed they hive been considerably over-subscribed, and the committee are taking active steps to push on with the actual work of prospecting. A committee meeting has been called for this (Tuesday) evening, when the question of engaging prospectors will come up for consideration. The Association hope to secure Government aid (as promised under the amended regulations of the Mining Act, 1X91), in their undertaking, in which ease the llakarimata Ranges should receive a thorough trial.

Wo are sorry to hear that the Alexandra Cricket Club, last year the premier Club of Waikato, is likely to collapse, owing to so many of the members having left the district. It is understood that Mr Callis and the Messrs Piowdcn will play for Te Awamutu and the Messrs Hodgson for Tnliikarainea, which should give these Clubs a good chance of obtaining a creditable position during the coming season. The only other members of the Alexandra Club left arc Messrs A. Smith and 11. Richdale. The former is a young player of good promise; ail he wants is practice, and should be well worth looking up. The latter player, who is well-known in Waikato cricket fields, has definitely decided to give up the game.

Despite the unfavourable weather, a goodly number of both young and old turned out on Friday evening to tlie last of the sciies of the Tauiahere Socials, and were amply repaid lor their trouble. Never was better music played at any country function, and a.s the floor was also good, the company enjoyed themselves to the utino.st. The band, under the able eoudnctorship of Mr T. 11. White, discoursed excellent music. The playeis were : -Miss Wright, piano ; Mr White, Li violin: Mr .1. S. Edgecunibe. 'cello ; Dr. Kenny, double bass ; and .Mr Drill')', comet ; and a belter set of amateurs could scarcely be found in Waikato. The ladies of the district provided a most recherche supper, and all the arrangements were carried out in a manner which left nothint! to be desired. Dancing was kept up with unflagging interest, until 2 p.m., and at the close Mr Smart, who was Master of Ceremonies, iu a neat, speech proposed a hearty vote of thanks to tin isicians who so kindly and well contributed to the evening's enjoyment, which was. cjitLml by acclamation and with throe hearty cheers. J >r, Kenny briefly replied, and said it gave them ureal pleasure to have given satisfaction, which was ample payment for any trouble th"y had gone to.

The Cambridge Lawn Tennis Club will incut ill the Town Clerk's oflioc at-3.30 p.m. this afternoon.

The annual meeting of the members of the Cambridge Cricket Club will be held ;it the Criterion Hotel as 7-30p.m. to-morrow.

On Thursday next Mr W. J. Hunter will hold his regular sale at the Te Uku yards, for which there is a good entry of cattle, sheep and produce.

The quarterly meeting in connection with the Te Awamutu-Hamiltou Wcslcyan Church, will be held in Trinity Church, Hamilton, at - 2.30 p.m. to-morrow.

We understand that arrangements in connection with the concert in aid of the Hamilton Cricket Club are being pushed on, and many of the items on the programme will be entirely new to a Hamilton audience.

Mr .John Knox notifies that ho will offer by auction on the 10th October, the privileges attaching to the Waikato Agricultural and Pastoral Association's Agricultural Show, to be held at Claudelauds. Hamilton, on ibe 29th and 30th October.

The next meeting of the Ngaruawahia Literary and Debating Society ivill take place on Friday next. The evening will be devoted to a debate on a policy submitted by a Ministry, under the leadership of Mr T. W. Davies. The rules of Parliament will be strictly followed.

The members of the Presbyterian Church, Hamilton, having decided to repair their church and Manse, do not intend to let the grass grow under their feet, and in this issue they are calling for tenders for the necessary work. Tenders will be received up to noon of Saturday next, and the specifications may be seen at Mr Gardiner's, Hamilton Mist.

We think the hotelkeepers and butchers of Cambridge deserve a word of praise for the manner in which they catered for the large number of people who attended the special sale last week. We heard several individuals comment upon the excellent quality of the meat provided. A few years ai;o the comments Wert the reverse of complimentary in that direction.

On Saturday, at Potter's Paddock, Epsom, Auckland, the City football team met and defeated Newton by (5 paints to nil. This result makes the above clubs and Parnell all even now for the championship, ami another round wi'l have to he played between them to decide the winners. The weather is getting very warm for football now, and, no doubt, the players themselves will be glad when this protracted season is ended.

In Mr Marker's window at Cambridge may be seen two trophies to be awarded to the winners of the waltzing competition at the Rink Pall to be held on the 7th of next month. The ladies' prize is a brooch and the gentlemen's a medal, to be worn on the watch chain. There are also three chrysanthemum medals on view that have been entrusted to Mr Parker to have engraved, and the work has been done in an artistic manner.

Mr W. Dignan, of the Bank of New Zealand, who is at present on sick leave, paid a visit to Hamilton yesterday, and will remain for a few days, then proceeding to Wellington, where he will spend the remainder of his holiday. Upon resuming work, .Mr Diguau, will, we understand, not return to Hamilton, but. will be stationed in Auckland. During his stay in Hamilton, he has made numerous friends, all of whom will he glad to learn that his health has much improved. Mr .1 Mack more, manager for -Messrs Reynolds and (Jo's factory at Pukekura, is about to be succeeded at tins post by Mr Melville,. at erne time manager at Paterangi. Mr Klackmore, we understand, has accepted a responsible po.-itiou in another part of the Colony. During the time he has been in charge at Pukekura he has enjoyed the confidence of all parties concerned. He is considered a most capable man in al! branches of dairy factory work and we feel quite sure in his new sphere of duties he will give a good account of himself.

The delegates from the Manchester Cooperative Wholesale Society left Wellington yesterday for Taranaki, en route for Auckland, via Napier, Rotorua and Waikato. These gentlemen are endeavouring to arrangj for direct supplies of frozen meat, dairy produce etc., without the intervention of middlemen. The mission is one o! great importance to the colony, and the manner in which the delegates have been received and the support accorded them should do much to advance our commercial interest outside London. "\Vc trust tint treat benefit may accrue to the colony from this visit.

A rather amusing incident occurred in Cambridge on Sunday lust, whereby one of tin; storekeepers ot that town unwittingly playo.l a practical joke upon himself. In tin: nftcruujii the Secretary of the Domain Board took a walk in the Lake Reserve, ami was very irate when lie found a large draught horse and a ealf had been parading on the lawn where it had lately been sown down in grass, ISotli horse and ealf had been removed, but a large, black dog was " spotted,"'' and as such animals are forbidden to trespass in the domain, he was captured. A storekeeper, who owns a very similar dog, was sitting on one of the seats, and he was asked if the auim.d belonged to him. lie re-plied " No, but it is one of the same breed." He then assisted to take the animal along to the borough ollice, where it was incarcerated in a shod, Next morning the Secretary was telling the constable about the matter, when the afo-esaid storekeeper came up ami asked what the penalty was for helping to run in his own dog. It appeared he did not linil out his mistake til! he got home on Sunday evening. The dog was evidently disgusted at the treatment he received from his master, for he excavated a hole under the side of the shed during Sunday night and has not since retained home.