The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2169, 3 June 1886, Page 2

The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE.

liipi.il and exact justirr to nil men, Ol lu'smcr state or persuasion, religious or politic al Here sh ill the Press the People's right maintain, Un.uK d by lnflucm c and unbribed by pain.

THURSDAY, JUNE 3, 1886.

lr is no part of the business of the f i iends of Railway Reform, nor is it expedient, to fly at the throats of the, Minister of Public Works and the Cireneral Manager of Railways. They tire simply the ministers ot what we consider to be a vicious system, and it is the system, not its instruments, which deserves abuse and contumely. If the Honourable Mr Richardson has so far remained unconvinced by the arguments of Mr Vuile, we may be allowed to extend a mild kind of compassion to him, but we ought not, in tairness and justice, to blackguard him, as if he were the sole stumblingblock in the way of reform. There are doubtless many estimable gentlemen in both Houses in the same condition of mind with the Minister, and to say that they are a pack of blatant fools because they do not accept the new doctrine liolus bolus is too much. Let us rather concede that they are men of common sense, men with well-balanced minds, because if we believe them to be of this cast, we shall enjoy a better prospect of convincing them of their error. People are much too apt to look upon every act of a Goverment as a " dodge.' For instance, we have heard it said that the action of the Minister for Public Works in securing the appointment of a committee of the House to enqnire into the question of reform, was simply taken for the purpose of burking enquiry. We deprecate this suspicious tone very strongly. It is absurd to suppose that the Minister can have auy interest in opposing reform. Nothing can well be worse than the system we have got, and we had much rather believe that Mr Richardson is desirous of signalising his regime by adopting Mr Vaile's scheme in its entirety, than that he wants to retain the present system. Be this as it may, it is a fact that a committee of the House has been appointed, it is a fact that with the pt't'soml of that committee little fault can be found, and it is a fact that Mr Vaile himself has been summoned to Wellington to give evidence before this committee. This is not exactly what we want, it is not as much as the Reform League intend to get if persistence is worth anything, but still it is more than might have been expected. It amounts to an acknowledgement on the part of the Government that the present railway policy is not perfect, and that there is enough in Mr Vaile's scheme to entitle it to a hearing-. We do not object to the committee in itself : it may do an immense amount of good : but its decision, whatever it may be, is not likely to determine the future railway policy of the country. The question, it seems to us, must be referred to some other tribunal, and that tribunal is a Royal Commission composed of picked men, who shall be given the fullest lattitude, and shall have all the information obtainable placed at their disposal. If the Parliamentary committee recommend the appointment of such a commission they will have earned our gratitude ; if they cannot see their way to do this, the result will be a little more delay, that is all. The advocates of reform, whose circle is widening every day, will not rest content until Mr Vaile's scheme is taken out of the category of debateable questions. We ask for a reversal of the present policy — nothing less. We ask that the railways shall cease to be mere taxraising machines ; that they shall be manipulated, not in the interest of any Treasurer who wishes to show a surplus at the end of the year's operations, but for the purpose of settling the colony and making settlement prosperous. If Mr Vaile's scheme can do what the present system has failed utterly to accomplish, we want that scheme ; if it cannot, then we want some other that can.

Again we would direct the attention of policy-holders in the Government Life Insurance Association to the iin-portant measures which are before the Board of Directors at the present moment — more particularly as there are two candidates in the Held for re-election, namely, Mr Graham and Mr Shannon. We have from the first advocated policyholders having an appreciable voice in the management of the affairs of the Association so long as the State guarantee was not endangered ; but \\ c must warn policy-holders against ilk^ danger of undermining this va.inintee by demanding too large a snare of control. It is only reasonable that the State should have the control so long as it gives its guarantee to policy-holders, and therefore it would be a fatal mistake to demand too much. We do not desire to champion the cause of any individual member of the Board or to cast any reflections upon another. But we cannot agree with that section of the Board who advocate handing the afF.iirs of the Association over to the policy-holders to manage for themselves. We take it that the majority of people insure their lives from the praiseworthy motive of providing for those who are depending upon them for support, and therefore the great object should be " perfect security." The history of life insurance companies records the disastrous results which have attended the failure of private associations, such as the

European, Albert, and others, and consequently too much importance cannot be attached to the State guarantee which is afforded to policy-holders in the New Zealand Government Association. We would warn policy-holders against the sophistry of those who advocate taking the control out of the hands of the Government. At the same time we consider it quite reasonable that policy-holders should be represented upon the Board of Control, as at present Mr Shannon has resigned his position as a nominated member in order to contest the seat with Mr Graham as an elected member, and Mr Shannon, we understand, advocates policy-holders having the control in their own hands. We think Mr Shannon would have served the policy-holders better had he retained his seat upon the Board as a nominated member and used his influence in that position to keep matters straight, rather than kick over the traces of Government control and advocate a course opposed to the fundamental principles upon which the association was founded. Mr Graham, we understand, advocates the retention of the present state of things, a board partly elected by policyholders and partly nominated by the Government, the control to remaiu in the hands of the Government. We think this the best course, for we are decidedly of opinion that in the interests of the policy-holders the State guarantee is far more important than the control of the management, and this seems to be the question at issue.

Ik the Legislative Council on Tuesday, a motion to appoint a committee to see what reductions can be effected in the expenditure of the Council was carried. The other business was unimportant. In the House, Mr Guinness gave notice to move, on going into Committee of Supply, that the Hinemoa be sold. In reply to a question in reference to representation, the Treasurer said there was no immediate necessity for taking up the question. Sir Julius Vogel also said that a bill dealing with the subject of the Life Assurance Association would bs brought down this session. The Government, he added, were in favour of giving extended power to policy-holders. The Native Reservos Titles Grants Empowering Bill was read a third time and passed. The Mining Companies Bill, and the Supreme Court Reporting Bill, were read a second time. Several other bills were advanced. ♦

Major Atkinson opened the debate on the Budget on Tuesday night. His chief contentions were that the surplus shown by the Treasurer was an apparent, not a real surplus ; that the loan conversions were not specially distinguished, that the borrowing proposals had better have been postponed ; that the Budget as a whole was misleading, and that the policy of the Treasurer was still what it had always been. Sir Julius replied, contenting himself with giving a denial to Major Atkinson's charges, which he characterised as very mild. Mr Thomson followed, and the debate was adjourned until yesterday. The Municipal Corporations Bill was further considered in Committee, and the House rose.

The cholera at Venice is increasing

The great sculling match between Mathiesoa and Goad win takes place on the Thames next Monday. Frssident Cleveland was to have

I been married on Tuesday to Miss Frances Folsoui.

The unfortunate footballer, Alfred Julian, who broke his leg a t Kihikihi on Saturday, has been sent to the Hospital at Auckland.

Arekatera, the well-known Waotu chief has gone to Wellington with the object of getting a rehearing of the Maungatautari case.

This day being the festival of the Ascension there will be a celebration of the Holy Communion in S. Peter's Church, Hamilton, at 7.30 a.m., and Evensong at 7.30 p.m.

At a meeting ot the Auckland Presbytery held in St. Andrew's Church on Tuesday, agreeably to application, it was resolved that Mr Robert Kayo be appointed assessor for Waikato.

The announcement that the rail. way time-table was to be again altered, and that the bi-daily trains to Cambridge were to be restored, has caused great satisfaction to the residents in that township.

Mr Murphy, the Cambridge ranger, was so stirred up by the local in our last issue tbat he has again put on his war-paint and resumed his scouting duties mounted on his faithful steed. He was dead " agin," our sympathetic paragraph, and is resolved to demonstrate " there is life in the old boy yet."

The following notice of motion h?a been given by Cr. Knox for the next ordinary meeting of the Hamilton Borough Council, on the 7th June, 1886 :— That that portion of by-law No. 4, prohibiting the straying of cattle within a certain radius of the post offices, ba struck out, and as so amended remain in full force and effect on and after the 30th June, 1886.

In another column will be found an advertisement from the chairmon of the Wai pa County Council, inviting chairmen and members of road boards in Waipa to attend a meeting to be held at Ohaupo on Tuesday next at 1 o'clock, for the purpose of discussing the petition of the Mangapiko ratepayers re amendments in various Acts. The petition will be found in another column.

Lovers of the le&dh will be glad to learn that on June 15th the Auckland Coursing Company intend to run off an All-Comers All-aged Unlimited Stake at Plumpton Park. Entries should be sent in before the 10th, and the balance^of ( stakes on Monday, June 14th, when the draw will take place In addition to the above, a trotting match and hack hurdle race will be I run off between the rounds of the coursing match.

We are pleased to note that the New Zealand Meat Freezing Company are able to offer sufficient inducement to the Shaw, Savill, and Albion Company to enable them to make this the first port of call for the Arawa, which is due here on July 4th, which, after taking on board tome 200,0001b5. of frozen meat, will proceed South.

The Ly-ee-moon, which was wrecked on Sunday night laat off Green Point, between Melbourne and Sydney, whereby between 70 and 80 persons were drowned, was one of the finest and fleetest of the Australian Steam Navigation Company's fleet. For some years past she had been running between Melbourne, Sydney, and the ports of Queensland. The Hamilton football team to

play against Cambridge on Saturday next, will consist of the following players :—: — Messrs Yon Stunner, Wood, W. Odium, J. Odium, Mclntyre, F. Filling, Bindon, Gribble, McKenzie, Jolly, Stevens, Mayes, McSweeny, T. Resd, and Hinton. Emergency: Daviß, Scorgie, Bigg*. Play to coinence at 3 sharp on Sydney Square.

The usual monthly meeting of S. Peter's Church Society, wits held on Tuesday evening at Miss Newell's School* room. It was decided to hold the social gathering of parishioners on Tuesday, the | 22nd, at the Public Hall. A caper on " Scepticism and Faith" was read and provoked an aninated discussion. There was a large attendance, and the Warden occupied ! tho chair

A gentleman, writing to the South Australian Registrar of < May 10th, says that people should be cautious in proceeding to the new Western Australian goldseldft without having at least a six months' supply of provisions. In winter the country becomes bo boggy that with a team there is no knowing how long you may have to remain in one .spot through the boggy state of the country, whilst flies and mosquitoes are a constant source of annoyance. The diggers

all describe the Cambridge Uulf road ai very bad, and that from Derby, though Imijfer, more preferrable.

The Rev. Percy S. Smallfield, DioceHan InifMSctor of Sunday Schools, has forwarded a report ui>on S. Peter's Sunday school, Hamilton. In tho covarini? note to the Rev R. O'C. Biggs, Mr Smallfield says : I have to thank you for ft very pleasant visit and also for the privilege of seem? what must be regarded as a successful Sunday-school." The report makes a number of valuable suggestions with a view to the more efficient management, of the ' school.

A well-attended meeting was held on Monday evening, re strike of compositors, in Dunedin. Resolution* were carried expressing sympathy with the men on strike, declaring trades' unions to be necessary as a safeguard to the artisans and the interest of society generally, and that it was desirable to start a new morning paper in the interest of the working classes. Boycotting was spoken of, and has already been attempted. Advertisers in the paper are not to be supported.

A meeting of the Executive Com- ; mittee of the Railway Reform League was held At the Borough Council Chambers, Hamilton, yesterday, Mr W. A. Graham (Mayor) in the chair. A considerable amount of routine business was got through, and a nub-committee was appointed to devise means for obtaining evidence and information to lay before the Royal Commission when constituted. The secretary reported that he had received several fresh subscriptions to the funds. He also reported that circulars had been sent to members of Parliament, local bodies, and others, setting forth the claims of the League. A number of copies of the petition had also been distributed.

The Counties A cti Consolidation and Amendment Bill, introduced by the Premier, is •imply a consolidation in a much-needed form of the existing law relating to counties, with the following pro* posed additions. Clause 2. "The Public Health Act, 1876," is incorporated with the Bill for the sake of bringing it into prominence, many powers being given under that Act to County Councils which might with advantage be exercised more often. Clause 41 provides for the alteration of existing ridings to conform with clause 11. Clause 78. The subjections have been re-arranged, in order to make it clear who are subject to to the penalties under this Act and the Local Bodies Contractors Act of laat session respectively. Clause i) 4. The addition is to provide that an acting chairman at a meeting of the Council may exercise the functions of the Chairman of the County. Clause 101 in recast to specify more definitely the power for removing strangers from meetings of the Council. Clause 138 is new, and is for the purpose of levying general rates for empties by districts therein, and for the expenditure of those rates in such districts, less a fixed contribution towards general expenses and liabilities of the country. Clause IGB is also new, and provides that separate accounts shall be kept of the county expenditure within road and town districts, and of their respective contributions to such expenditure Clause 200. The additional words prohibit an overdraft exceeding the year's income, and restricts the entering into liabilities within the 'same limits. Clause 253. The second subsection authorizes drains to bo constructed for preventing the flooding of low lands by water from lands on a higher level.