ECHOES FROM THE CAFE.

Waikato Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2082, 10 November 1885, Page 3

ECHOES FROM THE CAFE.

That fas an interesting and amusing interview between Sir Julius Vogcl and a deputation from the Manufactuicr's Association at Dunetlin. It was inteiest ing, because it led SirJulunto practically avow himself a protectionist, ami as the oft-quoted saying of Shakespeare -'man in his time plays many Virtu" is peculiarly well applicable to him, it is good for us to know w hat part he is playing .»t present. I have, unfortunately, a had memory, but jet it b not »o bad but that 1 can lcmembci that, when the new tariff was proposed during last session, and it was objected to on account of its protectionist char acter, the Treasurer stated that lie did not intend it to be so, but that his bole object was to raise the revenue necessary to maintain the Government ot the country, Ac, and that lie had merely re arranged the tariff so as to foster local industries, without attempting to introduce protection. Now, however, he tacitly admits that his object was to introduce protection, and suggested that^ the electors should demand of candidates their views on the subject, evidently with the object of making the que-tion of protection or free trade an i>Mie on which to go to the country at the ne\t general election a year hence The amusing part of the affair was, w lien the deputation told the poor disconsolite Treasurer, that their association thought an expression of their .sympathy would do something to cheer up the Govern ment, and when Sir Julius said it was not decided wh-re the next Colonial Exhibition should be held, whether in or in Christchycli, and that he thought of settling the matter by a friendly rifle competition. Sir luliusnnd his associates do not in id much cheering up so long as they ate allowed to diaw their salaries, and 1 would sugi»f«t that blank cartridge should be sen id out to the fiicndly ullc competitors, to picvcnt accidents. i * " We cannot have everything we would like in this world, so like the Grand Duchess of Gerolstcin, we must be content with what we can gut. We wanted to see the Auckland bnd horat-. win the Victorian Derby and the M< Ibouinc dip Seeing that they were, not able to do so, we must be thankful tint on" of them won the Derby, nnd two ot them came very near to winning tli>- Cup The sue cess that attended those sons of Mu-ket was quite sufficient to ensure that those of his progeny that will be offered for sale next year will realis" satisfactory prices, w hich will prove very acceptable to the Stud Company, which is much in need of some substantial comp nsation for the los- of Musket There was not much excitement about the Cup on Tuesday, most people ha\ inu the good .sense to know, that they would learn the result soon enough, and that no object could be attained by remaining down town and fcettmg their dinners or teas got cold, they were waiting to asceitain which horse had proved victorious. I think this proven that, despite the talk about gambling and betting on hoiaeracing, there arc comparatively few who indulge in that questionable amusement. The first meeting of the new District Hospital and Charitable Aid Bwd has been held, the lcsult beinsj that a committee had to be appointed for the purpose of ascertaining what the Act really means, because it seems to be as difficult to undei stand as where the harmony comes in, in Chinese music, and another committee, to ascertain how ninch money will require to be raised for the mainttnuue of the rations Charitable Institutions which the Uoaid will be required to muutain It does really s»em abnud that an Act just passed in this ytar of Grace 1S8">, should be io obscure that a be dy of intelligent mon, like those who met here on Thursday, cannot understand it, and it says xery little for our legislator-, and es peel illy for the Government who introduced the Hill md got it passed through the House. Mr Birugh one of the representatives of Waikato, expressed the sentiments of a laigc pioportion of the thinking men of the community when he said that he was sony that in a new country like this there should be a poor»la\v. It had demoralised the people in England and it would do so heie. The question anses, Was it necessary to introduce a poor law '' I believe that it was not, and that, if we had an honest and capable Government, it would not have been introduced. This is another boon for which we have to thank Sir Julius VogH. He must have money to spend, and if he does not get it in one way lie will get it in another. What does he care whether he demoralises u-s by the legislation he introduces? Not one whit. H • will get a>, much as I c can out of us an I then, being a mere bird ot paseagr, he will go away again. Straw-, show how the w ind blows. To day I heard of an incident which indicates very plainly the feeling of insecurity which has resulted from the administration of the atrni-,of the colony by the Stout \ og< 1 .Ministry. A man who hnd t\">oo in the Post Olhce ■Saving"* Bank withdrew it and placed it in the Auckland Savings P.ank, his reason being that he had no confidence in the .stability of an institution undci the control of the present ( .ovtrnment, and much preferred to entiust hU money tithe care of men whom he knew to be honourable and fair dealing citi/eus of Auckland. I believe that the Govern merit Life Assurance Association is «ullering in a similar way, und u likely to •uff'T still further should there be truth in the rumour which has been freely circulated that Sir Julius Vogel is to retire from the Ministry and become permanent chairman of the board of directors. One membei told me that he ghould mu render his policy if this took Slacc. because he Mt quite sine that ir Julius would sqtiandei all the pto- \ fits of the association in making experiments. For the sake of what is, undoubtedly a valuable institution, it is to be hoped that rumour will piovc giound less, as the knowledge that they have a •tat'- guarantee induces many people to insuie tlit ir lives, with the result tint, when death overtakes them, they do not leave their wives and families a burden on the state or charitable public. * * * Another of thoie sweet youths, who might fairly be entitled to make use of the couplet attributed to some of the early settlers "sent out" to Botany Bay— " True patriots we, for bo it understood Wo left our cmintiy for our cutitiy"" K'>i>d," has been found out in " ways that aredark, and tricks that are vain." ile ib a respectable looking young man named Baker, who arrived in Auckland two oi three months ago, blinking lettois of intioduction to a number of business men and private individuals here. Tliiough one of these he obtained temporary em ploymcnt in the office of one of the Queen-street establishments. A friend of the proprietor thereof being in want of a clerk he was recommended to employ Baker, which he did, with most unfor tunate results. For two or three weeks the young man seemed to work well, and attend properly to the business entrusted to him. Then he took to evil ways, fiequented public-houses and billiaid looms, and negleated his work. His employe i expostulated with him, but in vain, ho Ik discharged him On examining his book-, he found that Baker had embezzled vaii ous Bums to the amount of £28. He placed the matter in the hands of the police, with the leanlt that the delinquent was arrested. He had the efFion ti ry to ftFinme au air of injured iur.o cense, and to as«ert that he had done no wrong, but had simply made mistak* - Howe\er, the case was too clear to admit of any doubt, and he had to nek now ledge his guilt and beg foi mercy. Hwaa brought up at the Police Court on Thursday, and remanded till Saturday Whether he recoives the punishment In 4«ftfvoQ or 90* lie \m w«mA fc§ « w «

pmspects .is f.ir as Auckland is concerned, .mil the sooner lie (jots .iway tlie better for himself. This> is a gieat pit>, a», lind lie conducted lumselt piopcrly, lie niifjht ha\e become a useful and lionouiablc eiti/eii The Auckland Caledonian Society lield its fust eomeisa/ione in the Choial J f .ill on Thursday ovciiing, when theie was a lnige and enthusiastic audience. The piesident, the Rev. 1). Bruce rtod an able inanyiii.il addicss, the only fault of uhich was tliat it s.TAOined toostioiif;!} of " inuliiight oil," and the icst of the (•veiling was deuited to music, coineisation and rcfieslmieut*. Theie was one featuie of the musical portion of the enteitainmeiit which seemed rather cm ions, and that was the veiy small pait of it that was in any way connected with "Caledonia stern and wild, meet nurse foi a poetic child." Of couise, no exception could be taken on this scoie to the pianoforte solo "The bine bells ot Scotland," or the songs " Roliin Adah,' " Land o' the Leal," " Ye Hanks and Biacs,"&c, but surely it would h.i\e Leen possible to compile an excelli nt piogrammc of purely bcottish imi'-ic, and theie should ha\c been no necessity to intioduce son^-> from Mantana, &c The poetry of Scotland abounds in pathos, humour and patriotism, and suicly an evening's entertainment could have been obtained fro-n it without seeking else wheio. The success ot the conceits of the Kennedy family, the most un|oj.ible portions of which weie undoubtedly the songs ot the old gentleman, was quite Milheiently ni.nked to piove that people in tln.s pirt of the woild can .ippieciate the songs wiitttu b> Ismns, and othei poets of the " The Land o Cakes " Sr. Mm..».