RAGLAN.

Waikato Argus, Volume V, Issue 327, 13 August 1898, Page 4

RAGLAN.

Deaths.—Two deaths occurred at Kopua last week. On Thursday, that of Hounuku, a Maori chief of the Hapus, of the Tainui tribe. He had been ill for some time at the native settlement at Ruakawnea, Karioi, and was only recently brought down to the Kopua Settlement. He was a native of very retiring disposition ; he was engaged in the Maori War aud was present at the fight at Rangiriri. The usual tangi is going on, and natives have assembled from many parts. Another death is that of a young native from the settlement at Whatawhata. The present winter has been very severe on natives, many of whom have been carried off. Football Match.—On Saturday afternoon last an exciting game of football took place in Wallis' Paddock. The contending teams being from Raglan and Kawhia, most of the latter team were' natives. No points were obtained by either side. Ball.—On Friday evening the employees of the Te Akau Estate entertained a large number of their friends from all parts of the surrounding district, at their annual social gathering. Owing to the severity of the weather, many were prevented from being present, notwithstanding there was a large attendance. The hall had been tastefully decorated, and the general arrangement were most successfully carried out. The supper was all that could be desired. Several ladies kindly presided at the piano during the evening, and dancing was kept up with spirit until about 4 p.m. Regret was generally expressed at the unavoidable absence of Mr and Mrs Mathias, the latter having gone to Auckland owing to the serious illness of her mother. Great praise is due not only to the ladies, but to all who took part in the carrying out of this happy social gathering. All separated with the feeling of having spent an enjoyable and happy night. Mutual Improvement Society.—A meeting of the Raglan Improvement Society was held on August 3rd, Mr La Trobe in the chair.—lu anticipation of the debate, the meeting was a crowded one, and the greatest interest was taken in the proceedings.—Mr Sehnackenberg, in moving " Want of confidence in the present Ministry," made an excellent speech. It not in the opinion of the Government side in that ot the Opposition. He stated that confidence in the present Ministry throughout the Colony was fast decreasing, and a general distrust of their proceedings was expressed. He objected to their loan policy, mismanagement ot land settlement, interference with the administration of justice, the labour legislation, their ardent struggle to keep in office by providing billets for their followers, their public' works scheme, cooperative employment, old age pension scheme. He said the conciliation on are bitration measures was a failure ; their land for settlement scheme was, on thwhole, also a failure, and gave illustrations of its break-down in several particulars ; their labour legislation had only resulted in promoting friction between the employers and co-employees ; their fire insurance proposals were, he said, unworkable. The methods of rating in the proposed Municipal Bill he thought improper, as giving power to those having no stake in the municipality. Their pretence of a non-borrow-iua policy was a farce, since they had added seven millions to the public debt. As to the new library episode, in exceeding the grant of £7OOO was unjustifiable. In fact the present Miuistry were just about played out, aud had played the Old Age Pension scheme as their last trump card.—Mr Henry said that whilst he did not say the Government were perfect, yet he could not believe that they were all evil and that they had done nothing right. He thought the greatest glory of the preseut Government was in the fact that some of the prominent leaders of the Opposition had stated it was not their intention if in power to repeal the measures passed by the present Ministry. He thought that the Acts for dealing with labour disputes had been very effectual, as they had kept down strikes and they were some of the best Acts the Government had passed. He thought the purchase of private land for settlement by the Government the wisest and best thing to do. Settlers sons in Canterbury and other places had been afforded the opportunity of procuring land they know how to work. If this had not taken place they must have left the country. The Loans to Settlers Act was also a'fine measure and had brought down rate of interest, etc' The Co-operative Labour Scheme was also a grand measure and the means of doing mHch good. The Old Age Pension Scheme was also greatly needed. As to the surpluses, had not Mr T. McKenzie and Capt. Russell admitted in England that there was a surplus as stated. The Municipal Reform Bill with its proposed franchise he he rtily supported. The Opposition reminded him of Mark Twain's visit to Egypt, when looking at a mummy. "Ah lis it dead?" Dead 3000 years. Then bring out a fresh " live corpse ;" let the Opposition bring out their fresh live corpse the present admirable Government. —Mr A. L. Pegler. in an able speech, reviewed the measures of the present occupants of the Treasury benches, their various Acts, administration and general procedure. He contended that their excellent member, Mr Lang, was quite right as to his stating that the native land in the King Country, already purchased by Government, should have been first disposed of. As to decrease in interest, it was caused by a falling market. He believed in the Old Age Pension scheme, but thought that all above a certain age should participate, and not be a charity doled out to the few, as proposed. The library expenditure hail been called a trivial matter, but it was not so, and, if that kind of thing continued, when would the end be.—After Mr Langley had spoken in favour of the Government, and Mr Rundle against, the debate was adjourned.