The Waikato Argus GEORGE EDGECUMBE, Proprietor. SATURDAY, APRIL 16, 1898.

Waikato Argus, Volume IV, Issue 275, 16 April 1898, Page 2

The Waikato Argus GEORGE EDGECUMBE, Proprietor. SATURDAY, APRIL 16, 1898.

Ix an article on " the drift of politics in New Zealand" which Sir Robert Stout contributes to the current number of the Australasian Review of Reviews, that statesman furnishes us with some unadorned facts likely to be useful at the present moment. The article is devoid of bitterness as it is of rhetoric, and, though the Government may attempt to explain away the facts and figures, there can be no efficient answer to it. The only vital questions before the country, in Sir Robert's opinion, are those of Par liamentary reform and administrative purity. " There is," he says, " really no dividing line of policy, so far as legislative measures are concerned " ; adding, " this is not surprising, for it is only on great or special occasions that even in old countries there has been a clear line of demarcation between parties—a remark apropos of the absurd claim of the so-called '■ Liberal " party to the credit for every reform. The only question, perhaps, which might be entitled to be called " vital " is that of old age pensions, one which has been long before the country, deemed impracticable time after time, and concerning which the Government have absolutely no settled plan ; beyond using it as a very effective election cry, Sir Robert fails to see what use Mr Seddon has made of the measure. This by-the-way, however, the real merit of the article lies in its effective exposure of the weakness of the Government's claim to public confidence. We shall endeavour to present the principal points of interest.

Ministers were in 1893 retained in power to carry out the " Ballance policy." They have " carried it out" in quite a different sense. The key-note of the Ballance policy was self-reliance ; no outside borrowing. The late Premier had a scheme to provide cheap money for the farmers even without going to London. The Seddon Government have borrowed a million and a-half in London, and have secured authority, to borrow as much more from the same quarter ! Mr Ballance's policy was to gradually decrease all loan expenditure on public works ; Mr Seddon's policy has been to increase it. Here are the figures showing the expenditure on public

works out of loan moneys from 1890 : For year £ 1890 378,817 IS9I 518,348 1892 458.751 1893 851,475 IS9I 7(50,287 1895-9(i 972 29.") 1596-97 1,089,5 I JO It should be added that Mr Ballance died in April, 1593. The above moneys do not include tin; whole of the sums borrowed from the foreign money-lender, because whereas on the 31st March, 1891, the net public debt of the colony stood at £37,343,393, it had mounted on the corresponding date in 1897 to £43,552,32-1, a figure respectable enough in itself, but which docs not include the contingent liabilities connected with the guarantees given to the Bank of New Zealand, amounting to nearly £5,000,000. It will be seen that the average increase of the debt per annum was, during Mr Ballance's term of office, £100,330 ; during Mr Seddon's it has been £1,352,063. This is what Mr Seddon would perhaps call " booming " the policy of his predecessor. Again Mr Ballance's principle of taxation has been vitiated by the exemption of all improvements under the land tax, and the increase in the customs duties amounting to more than 10s ahead of the population. The defence policy of the dead chief has also been thrown overboard, and at the present moment the colony is without any satisfactory scheme. As to the labour legislation, Sir Robert does not think it is very tempting. Enthusiasm for this class of legislation has somewhat cooled of late, owing, doubtless, to the fact that the efforts of the past few years have not come up to expectations. The task of dealing with labour problems is not, however, a monopoly of the present administration. Factory legislation was passed before Mr Seddon or any of his colleagues had a seat in Parliament, and for the last quarter of a century the efforts of our legislators have been constantly directed to the alleviation of the condition of the workers. The claim that the industries of the colony have increased under the present administration is shown to be illusory and ridiculous. The increase in new industries from 188 G to 1891 was 308, and from 1891 to 189 G, 205. The hands employed increased between 188 G and 1891 by 3538, and between 1891 and 1896 by 1756. The produce of industries increased in value from 1886 to 1891, £2,062,458; from 1891 to 1896, £775,523. The first quinquennial period is, it must be remembered, that dark period in our history when, according to Mr Seddon, the population were fleeing out of the oountry like rats from a sinking ship. Mr Seddon and the official record of things do not always agree. Sir Robert touches with a light hand upon the charges of corrupt administration levelled at the Ministry, but at the same time he emphatically endorses what, indeed, is a fact very plainly to be seen by everybody who takes the trouble to watch the march of public eveuls. He forsees a, tough battle during the coming session. If, as is rumoured, there should be a dissolution, the issue would be : Are the privileges of Parliament to be maintained, and ought our administration to be free from corruption 1 The answer of all honest and intelligent people will not cheer the Premier's heart.

On our fourth page this morning we publish a report of Thursday's meet iug of the Cambridge Borough Council, as well as the results of the matches played by the Waitekauri team of cricketers against Te Awamutn and Taupiri.

Owing to the demand upon our space by local body and other advertisements, we have been compelled to hold over the continuation of our travelling correspondent's contribution descriptive of his trip to Mokau, via Awakino and Pukciiti, and other matter already in type.

Eighty-six students and socialist agitators have been arrested in St. Petersburg. Councillors Clark and Davies have been added to the Cambridge Jubilee Committee.

The monthly meeting of the Newcastle Road Board is adjourned to Tuesday next, the 19th insfc.

The various public schools in Waikato will resume their duties on Monday next after the Easter vacation.

Mr Pope, Inspector of Native Schools, proceeded north from Wellington on Thursday eveniug on a tour of inspection.

Shad Mohamod, tha leader of tho gang who murdered Mr Greaves, an official of the Persian telegraph service, has been captured.

Statutory notices, re the l'ukekura, Newcastle, Tuhikaramea and Rangiaohia Road Boards will be found on our fourth page.

The ordinary meeting of the Piako County Council will be held at the County Office, Morrinsville, on Wednesday, 20th, at 11 o'clock.

A house at Kuaotunu, owned by Mrs Murray, was ecompletely destroyed by fin: on Thursday night whi'e the family were absent at a concert. It was insured in the United Office for £IOO.

Le Matin announces that Captain Moreland, who is conducting a French expedition towards Fashoda, on the White Nile, has been deserted by his carriers, and is cautioning the journey alone.

The ladies' committee connected with St. Stephen's Church, ramaherc, invite the congregation and friouds to a social evening, to be held on .Friday, 29th April, for the purpjse of meetiug Mr and Mrs Wheehr.

The Waitekauri Cricket Team previous to leaving Hamilton left with Mr W. Bright the sum of£l 12s as a donation towards the Waikaio Hospital. This kindly act will, we are sure, be duly appreciated by the authorities.

By advertisement elsewhere athletes are requested to bear in mind that the Ohaupo athletic sports are to be held on the Queen's Birthday. This meeting has always been a popular one, and this one gives every promise of being no exception.

German .and Austrian newspapers express the belief that peace will be maintained between Spain and the United States.

On Monday next Mr W". J. Hunter will hold a clearing sale of live and dead stock at the residence of Mr Jo'.in Perry, Rangiaohia. The sale will comnicr.cn at 12 o'clock. Mr Young, dentist, announces

that he will visit Te Awamutu on Tuesdays, the 2(>th April and 17th May. He further wishes us to intimate that he will not visit Tc Awamutu the first week in May.

The next meeting of the Cambridgi branch of the New Zealand Mothers' Union will be held in St. Andrew's school-room next Tuesday, at 3 p.m. The. subject for consideration is " Diligence."

At the annual meeting of the Auckland Rugby Union it was stated that visits were expected from Taranaki, Canterbury, Wellington and possibly Hawke's Bay during the coming season, so some interesting matches may be looked for.

AVe learn that Dr. Percival does not intend resuming practice in Cambridge, when he returns from Auckland. We presume the doctor has struck a more unhealthy locality than the Waikato. We wish him success, wherever he may be located.

We remind local growers that (he entries for the Cambridge Chrysanthemum Society's Show, to be held on Friday and Saturday next, 22nd and 23rd iust., close with the Secretary, Mr M. P. McDermott, or Mr Thos. Wells before 5 p.m. to-day. Mr Thos. Wells wired last night that arrangements have been completed for the school excursion train to run from Auckland to the Cambridge chrysanthemum exhibition on Saturday next. The Auckland schools are takiug the matter up, and there is every probability of a full train.

Pastor Steed is advertised to lecture in the Public Hall, Cambridge, on Sunday night. His subject -.will be the much debated question, " Has the earth been covered by a Hood, and if so, is there any evidence that a great change was made in its form '!" These questions Mr Steed will endeavour to answer, and at the same time show what this world's great future will be. The members of the Wiitekauri cricket team proceeded homo by train yesterday afternoon. They were met at the Hamilton station by several of the local cricketers, to whom they expressed their thanks for the enjoyment afforded them during they stay in Hamilton. They are more than pleased with the handsome manner in which they have been received, and Waikato cricketers going to the goldlields may be sure of a warm reception at Waitekauri,

Notwithstanding the present slight improvement in his health, we understand that Rev. Father Luck has been advised by his medical attendant to seek a more genial climate for the winter. During his ministrations in the various parts of Waikato, Father Luck has become a general favourite with all sections of the community, and the movement on foot amongst his parishioners to present him with a testimonial before leaving will, we are sure, meet with a hearty response.

As the result of an enquiry by the stewards of the Auckland Racing Club on Wednesday, the well known cross-country rider J, Rae was found guilty of using foul language and of striking John Katterns, and was warned off the course and his trainer's and jockey's licenses were cancelled for three mouths, and he was also found guilty of foul riding in'interfering with Katterns on Miss Nfcbou in the Autumn Steeplechase, and the same penalties as above were inflicted, but having effect for 12 months. The sentences will run concurrently. The first Chinese funeral held in Masterton took place on Sunday last, when Ah Quong, who died suddenly in Dr. Beard's surgery, was buried. The cemetery (says the N.Z. 'limes correspondent) was crowded with onlookers. After the service the Chinese proceeded to distribute some confectionery amongst the onlookers, when a most unseemly proceeding occurred. A section of the crowd rushed a Chinaman and took from him a tin of lollies, for which a general scramble round the grave took place. The Chinamen hurriedly left the " civilised " Europeans to their sport. The conduct was disgraceful, and the majority of the people quitted the ground with feelings of thorough disgust.

In laying the foundation stone of the additions to the Parliamentary Buildings at Wellington on Wednesday, the Premier detailed the history of the old building, which was completed in ISoS, at a cost of £9OOO. It could not bo said that any extravagance had been shown in the present instance, especially in comparison with the lavish expendi ture on public buildings in the other colonics. The vote passed for the new library was £7OOO, but the additions would cost nearly £40,000. The Government had had to use their discretion, and as Colonial Treasurer he was glad to be able to tell them that money was no object. They had a good surplus to thow, and the money could not be applied to a better work than this.—We are inclined to think that country settlers who are refused roads and bridges for access to their farms owing to alleged shortness of funds will hardly agree with this.—The Premier also mentioned, in the course of his speech, that Parliament must meet in June, when no doubt more will be heard of this expenditure.

The Rev. Dr. Duff, of Free St. George's Church, Glasgow, Scotland, and convener of the Colonial Committee of the Free Church of Scotland, will give an address (D.V.) in Hamilton Prcsbyteiian Church, on Friday evening next, at 7.30 o'clock. The general public are cordially invited to hear Dr. Duff. He has been in Dunedin at the representation of the Free Church of .Scotland to the Church of Otago on the occasion of the Jubilee of the Otago Church, which has just been celebrated. It may bo of some local interest to know that it was Dr. Duff who selected the Rev. J. M. Mitchell, for Hamilton, and the Rev. Walter Smith, for Huntly. As the convener of the Colonial Committee of the Free Church of Scotland, he will be naturally auxious to meet the Presbyterians of this district and neighbourhood. Dr. Duff is to be in this part of the colony one day only, and it is hoped that the general public, especially Presbyterians for miles around Hamilton, will take advantage of his presenco in Hamilton, to hear him and to meet ivith him. It might be to the advantage of Presbyterians charges, such as Ngaruawahia, Huntly, Te Awamutu, Te Aroha, Paeroa, etc., to appoint deputations to wait upon Dr. Duff, and place the needs of their charges before him. Dr. Duff will be found at the Manse, Hamilton, on Friday afternoon next.