SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 1910. CANADA AND THE EMPIRE.

Auckland Star, Volume XLI, Issue 31, 5 February 1910, Page 4

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 1910. CANADA AND THE EMPIRE.

Xone of England's dependencies has taken a keener interest than Canada in the questions raised at the Naval Conference, and it is natural that in Canada. the conflict 'between, two rival theories of Imperial defence should come to a decisive issue. The Government of Canada, led by Sir Wilfred Laurier, has decided emphatically in favour of a local navy; and the Opposition is no less firmly resolved that Canada ought to adopt the Admiralty's suggestions and subsidize the Imperial naval fund, placing her contribution entirely at England's discretion and disposal. But this difference of opinion a>bout the naval subsidy is far l<-ss important and significant than the controversy that has grown out of this dispute as to the part that Canada should foel vailed upon to play in. regard to England's foreign policy. A local navy may easily be interpreted as the sign and symbol of local independence; and Sir Wilfred Laurior does not shrink from Uie rather startling conclusion that as Canada is prepared to build its own navy, it is for the Canadian Parliament to decide "when and whore it shall go to war." It is naturally "this phase of the Laurier policy that the Opposition has fastened upon, and the severe criticism to which it has ibeen subjected .by Borden will probaibly be endorsed by the majority of Imperialists in every quarter of tho Empire.

Ko far as the local navy project is concerned, we may at once admit that Canada has a better chance of carrying out this idea successfully than any other of England' 3 dependencies. Her vast natural resources and potential wealth and the marvellous rapidity with which she is developing fully justify the confidence of the Canadians in their albility to build and maintain a navy adequate to their needs. But admitting all this, we still hold that a sound policy of Imperial defence must bo based upon the co-ordination of the Imperial naval forces and the centralisation of their control; and wo are therefore by no means prepared to follow Sir W. Laurier in his claim that Canada should reserve to herseli the right to decide when and where her navy should act in peace or war. To demand this unconditional freedom of judgment is to go further than even Australia has ever desired to go on the road to a/hsolute independence of British control. But apart from tho question of Imperialistic unity, we believe that such an isolation as Sir W. Laurier and his followers seem to desire would not only seriously -weaken tho Empire, but it would react disastrously upon Canada by exposing her to risks that she is certainly not yet in a position to face ■with equanimity.

We have waived for the moment thi consideration of the Laurier policy from

the strictly Imperialistic standpoint; but it may be as well to remind our readers that what Sir W. Laurier is contending for is not so formidable and dangerous a right as it may at first sight appear. When Sir W. Laurier says, "I do not pretend to ibe an Imperialist," all that he means is that he and his followers are accustomed to regard these questions from the 'point of view of Canada first of all. This is true of Sir W. Laurier himself, and of the great majority of his fellow-countrymen. For "Imperial Federation" has always been the ibug.bear of the Canadians. Largely because of the social and personal influence of the French-Canadian element in the politics of tho Dominion, Canada has always been afraid of any policy that might have the effect of lessening her independence or obliterating her individuality. The FrenchCanadians, no inconsiderable factor in Canadian public life, have always feared and detested any form of public policy that "might submerge them beneath the rising tide of Anglo-Saxondom"; and it is chiefly owing to the strength of the feeling which Sir W. Laurier represents that all attempts to devise an organic system of Imperial Federation have hitherto failed. But in spite of all this the French-Canadians have always been intensely loyal to England, and the enthusiasm displayed by Canada in defence of England's interests, not only during the Boer War but in the more peaceful field of commercial competition, proves clearly enough that England can depend absolutely upon the goodwill and the active sympathy of the Canadians in the hour of need. There is no disloyalty to England, we repeat, in the Laurier policy. But we believe that in claiming for Canada absolute freedom of initiative and ! control so far as her naval forces are concerned, the great Canadian statesman is committing an error of judgment, which the Dominion, no less than the Empire, may yet have' good cause to regret. ; • • < .

LABOUR MEMBERS AND PAY.

Now that the composition of the new Parliament is practically settled, it is not surprising to find that the Labour representatives are bestirring themselves to devise means for strengthening their position. The Labour leaders claim that more than one-half of the members of the new House of Commons have pledged themselves to support a measure enabling the Trade Unions to use part of their funds in payment of. their Parliamentary representatives. This right was denied the Unions in the judgment on the Osborne case, in which the House of Lords recently confirmed the decision of the Appeal Court to the effect that Trade Unions have no power to expend their levies on any such object. This ruling, taken in conjunction with the Taff Vale decision and the Denaby judgment, practically reduces the Trade Unions to the level of provident and benevolent societies, and it ie not strange that the workers areprotesting loudly against the loss of privileges which they have long enjoyed and which are of vital importance to them. It has been suggested that the Trado, Unions might get over the difficulty by prescribing payment of members in their nrticles of association as one of the objects to which their fluids can be applied. But it is manifestly impossible to define beforehand the exact limits to which such expenditure should run; and from the point of view of democratic Liberalism tho law needs altering at once.

For under the conditions that exist at present at Home, it is practically .impossible for any "man of the people" to enter the House of Commons or to hold a seat in it without assistance of the kind which the Labour party has hitherto given. Electioneering at Home ia always expensive, even under the most stringent law.*, and nobody without an independent income need hope for a Parliamentary career. A striking commentary on this truth is the constitution of the new House as set forth in a cable message yesterday. The representatives of the People in Commons assembled "include 125 barristers, 56 la-n down ere, 51 manufacturers, 45 peers' pons, 44 military officers, 38 journalists." Here we have considerably more than half the House of Commons accounted forj_ and how much room is left for the spokesmen of the industrialist masses, who so far outweigh numerically the •privileged classes, from which the landowners and lawyers and military officers are drawn? At the outside there are only 40 Labour representatives in the new House, and it is self-evident that practically none of them would be there if they could not get pecuniary assistance from their fellow-workers to maintain them while they are watching over the interests of the industrialists in Parliament. Nowone of the most extraordinary featuroe of the cuse we are discussing is that the representatives of the wealthier classes arc opposed to the introduction of tho Labour element into Parliament. Vet the lawyers and manufacturers, the landowners and capitalists must see for themselves that in tho coming conflict between fhe workers and the "men in possession," their own best chance lies in encouraging Labour to adopt legislative means for the redress of its griovances. The alternative is an outbreak of reckless and revolutionary violence; and it is not a little strange that the men who are constantly urging Labour to abstain from strikes and to have recourse to arbitration or legislation should yet place every conceivable obstacle in the way of the workers, who are trying to gain access to Parliament for the purpose of pleading their cauee in a peaceful and legitimate way. From the standpoint of political equity, there is no room for argument , in the case. It is absurd to speak of tho British Constitution as based upon the principle of popular representation when so many of the representatives whom the people would certainly choose if they could are absolutely debarred by lack of means from sitting in Parliament. The obvious remedy, which we have already adopted in this country, is, of course, the payment of all members of Parliament. But if England refuses to accept this fair and just solution of the difficulty, the only reasonable course is to permit the workers to assume the heavy responsibility of supporting their representatives at their own ex-, poiise.

The postal authorities advise that the Wimmera, which left Sydney for Auckland at noon on Wednesday, and is due to arrive on Sunday afternoon, is bringing Australian mails only. The nest English mail is due to arrive here on Wednesday, tho 9fh inst., per Moeraki.

This season's butter output will constitute a record for the Auckland province, and already the increase over last year is equivalent to 1000 tons. For the season to date Auckland has exported over 4000 tons of 'butter, which may be valued at £400,000. The butter shipped for the fortnight ending yesterday totals 14,850 boxes, or 371 tons, as compared with 13,034 boxes, or 325 tons, for the corresponding fortnight of last season. At present; ruling prices, tho shipment is worth about £40,800.

For some days past (our Wellington correspondent telegraphs) a report has been in circulation in Civil Service circles that Mr. Peter Hayes, -who was temporarily relieved of his official duties before the expiration of the last session of Parliament, had resigned from the service, the recently announced appointment of M-γ. J. \V. Poynton to the Superintendent of the <New State Guaranteed Advances Department doubtless having lent colour to the report. On inquiry to-day I was informed, on what I believe to be the best official authority-, that Mr. Hayes had neither severed his connection with the service, nor wae there any intention on his part to adopt thu.t course.

An interesting paragraph in the annual report of the Shipwreck Relief Society of New Zealand states that the accumulated funds of the society now amount to £2650, of which £2600 is on deposit with the Dunedin City Corporation. "It is very satisfactory" (says the report) "to lie able to state that such a substantial amount is in hand. Still, a great disaster might at any time a)bsorb the whole of this amount for relief to sufferers, and, therefore, the com : mittee would like tD see members of the public showing more practical sympathy with the objects of the society by enrolling themselves as members, or by contributing to its funds by way of donations." It may be added that the committee, at a meeting held recently, was advised by the Public Trustee that, under the will of the late Jamee Ball, the society was entitled to a. mom. of £100.;

The Inspector-General of Hospitals (Dr. Valintine) has forwarded. a_ circular to the various institutions which come under the new Act on April 1, pointing out that the election will be held on Wednesday, March 16. In framing regulations with regard to the apportionment of representatives, he has, as far as possible, allowed for the same number of members as with boards under the old law, except where the boards have been comprised of all the members of a County Council or Borough Council, -which makes a large and unwieldy board. He would rather see a small than a large board—for example, a board of eight or twelve. The' Act, however, provides that a board shall consist of not less than eight', nor more than 20 members. Dr. Valintine adds:—"l therefore propose to apportion the local bodies in your district so that the board will coasist of 16 persons. Before definitely deciding thereon, however, I would like to have the opinion of your board. As I want to bring the regulations out aa soon as possible, I would be glad to have your opinion at the earliest possible date."

The estates ot tne following deceased persons, who resided in Auckland, were certified for duty with the Commissioner of Stamps last month: —Henry Isaac £ 6843, 'Alfred G. Bartlett £5555, John Appleton £4177, John Callnan £1364, Malcolm. Mclnnis £1192, Annie 0. Iversen £ 837.

Dr. 0. Coleridge Fair, of Christchurch, secretary in New Zealand of the Australasian Association for the Advancement of Science, when he was in Australia a short time ago, was informed that the Council of the University in Melbourne, in conjunction with lie Council of the Australasian Association, had invited, the British Association to hold its annual meeting in Australia, probably in 1»13. The Federal Premier promised a deputation that he would try to have a grant of £ 20,000 given to meet the expenses. The British Association nas never met in Australia, and Dr. Farr says that scientists there are looking forward with great interest to the acceptance of the invitation. On Thursday the New Zealand Institute, which was meeting in Wellington, carried a motion supporting the proposal. It is expected that if the British Association meets in Australia large numbers of the visitors •will come to New Zealand.

At a meeting of the Southland Education Board yesterday Mr. J. C. Thomson, M.P., moved: "That the. Board take no action in regard to the resolution of the Otago Board protesting against the consistent ignoring of Boards and the exclusion of members from conferences, such as that about to be held In Wellington." Mr. Thomson's motion also contained an expression of disapproval of the Otago Board's resolution. He mentioned that the Otago Board had frequently raised difficulties in regard to educational matters, and argued that the Boards were not competent to advise on matters on which inspectors were asked to give an opinion, and which were of a. purely technical natire. Hβ did not know that the Department liad ever ignored the Southland Board. Mr. Fisher characterised the Otago Board as being something in the nature of a .Scotch terrier, always worrying somebody ' about something. The motion wae carried unanimously.

An important statement .of the Court's powers in dealing with breaches of prohibition orders was made by M>. Bailey, S3L, at Dunedm, when a. man appeared before him charged with procuring liquor while prohibited. Mr. Bailey remarked that magistrates now had more power than they previously had in dealing with these case. "Hitherto," he said, "a man had to have a certain number of convictions for drunkenness against him before he could be sent to an inebriates' home, but now, if a man breaks a prohibition order, we can send him to a home. If you come up again on a similar charge, I wall seriously think of sending you to an inebriates' home for two years."

In the various cities of the Dominion, the initial meetings of Commissioner and Mre. Hay, the newly-appointed territorial leaders of the Salvation Army, have drawn crowded housea, and gathering interest is being evinced in their approaching visit to this city. On Che afternoon of the 10th, the Commissioners will be accorded a civic reception at the Council Chambers. In the evening the welcome meeting in the Albert-street S.A. Hall will be preceded by a torchlight procession. Commissioner Hay will inspect the social institutions on Friday and Saturday. On Sunday, 13th inst., three meeting will be held in the Opera House, Wellesley-*3treet. Special interest centres around the afternoon meeting, as Mrs. Hay, who has just relinquished a seven years' control of the Salvation Army operations in the London slums, will give her stirring lecture on "Terrible Tragedies of London Slum Work." The Southern papers cay that a more thrilling xecitaj of the appaling condition ol those below the poverty line has never been heard in our fair land.

Our Cambridge correspondent reports a somewhat exciting incident which occurred at a meeting of the Leamington Town Board on Thursday night. Several of the members got into a warm altercation regarding a certain drain, and feeling ran so high that one of them seized another <by the collar of his coat. At this stage another member interposed, and after a scuffle the contestants were separated and peace was restored.

The annual meeting of the Council of the Congregational Union of New Zealand will toe held in the Beresford-street Church commencing on Thursday next. A full list of the evening meetings appears in another column. The joint Congregational choirs under Mr. J. P. Hooton and Mr. J. H. Shnmonds will be in attendance each evening.

The Boy Scouts Hall at Norfchcote Point will be opened on Saturday next at 3 pjn., when a large attendance of thoae interested in boy scouts is expected. Lieut.-Col. Wolfe, officer-command-ing the district, -who takes a very warm interest in the movement,'has stated his intention of being present if his military arrangements will at all permit. Capt. A. Plugge, district commander of boy scouts, will also assist in the ceremony, together with the Mayor of Northcote (Mr. H. Cadness), and the Borough Councillors. It is also hoped that Dr. R. H. MakgiU (Commander of North Island Legion), who is expected from Wellington next week, will arrive in time to take part in the function, which should prove very enjoyable. The Battalion Band under Lieut. Mohr will play a number of selections during the afternoon. The various scoutmasters and troops are invited to attend.

The promise of a satisfactory harvest in North Canterbury is daily becomin" loss likely of fulfilment, owing to ui£ favourable weather. At the present time there is a very large area of grain in stook, and extensive damage from discoloration and sprouting is bound to occur.

Smith and Caughey's great fair begins Monday morning; floors open 10 a.m. i(Ad.) • .. . ■ ,

One of the inebriates who frequent Albert Park found himself in the Police Court this morning, and the presiding magistrate had something to say about the habit of a class of persons who go there and lie about, mostly sleeping off the effects of too much drink. He pointed out, truly enough, that the. park was meant to 'be used as a place in which people of all classes might walk about, or rest, enjoying the open air and sunshine, but he sa"d further that during certain hours of the day decent people, particularly women and girls, did not care to go into the park, with the certainty that they would see there man lying about everywhere in vulgar, almost indecent, attitudes. Sergeant Treanor said that a constable made periodical fours of the park kicking up the bad cases, but it was difficult to keep the place altogether clear of undesira-bles. Mr. Kettle threw out a suggestion also that a strong light in the centre of the park might help towards the better conduct of its nightly habitue 3.

The barque Jessie Craig, which arrived at Dargaville on Thursday evening from Newcastle, was compelled to return in 'ballast on. account of the Newcastle coal strike. In the ordinary course of events she would have proceeded to Newcastle from Melbourne for the purpose of loading coal for Auckland. The captain states that Melbourne presents a sorryplight, caused through the coal strike, an enormous quantity of shipping 'being laid up and large numbers of men being idle.

An addition of 25 per cent to the graduated land tax will be charged this year, for the first time, on properties of an unimproved value of £40,000 and over, under the Land and Income Assessment Act of 1908. The increase applies to all land "other than business premises," which are defined as "any piece of land included within the area of a building used for business purposes, together with such additional land as immediately adjoins the said building, and is used and occupied in connection therewith, and does not exceed in extent the; area of the building itself J' When the same person is the owner both of business premises and of other land, graduated land tax will be assessed in respect of the whole of such business premises, and other land without the increase of 25 per cent, and this increase will then be calculated only on the amount of graduated land tax that would be payable by him if he were not the owner of the business premises.

At the S.M. Court this morning, all persons were called upon to answer objections to their names being on the electoral rolL As there was no reply, Mr. Ldvennore, Deputy-Eegistrar of Electors for Auckland East, entered the wit-ness-box, and stated that only one reply had been sent to the notices forwarded that the names would be struck off the roll. Mr. O. C. Kettle, S.M., accordingly certified tfor striking 83 names off the roll

The Chairman of the Pukekohe School Committee hae received' intimation from the Education Board that it has been decided to call tenders for the erection of a briok school at to replace that demolished by fibre, and that plane and specifications for the new building are now ibeing prepared.

The percentage of. accidents through passengers jumping from ferry steamers ,to the. wharves before they are .berthed is a very small one, all things considered, but there was a passenger to the races yesterday whose luck was out. Fortunately for him, the only inconvenience that he suffered was an involuntary bath. - When bis steamer was nearing the Devonport wharf he jumped, but the first thing he touched was green water. He disappeared once, and then somebody fished him out, very wet, but otherwise none the worse.

The Ulimaroa shipped at Wellington on Thursday ono of the largest consignments of horses that have left New Zealand for some time. They comprised fifty-two high-class draught stallions, geldings, and mares, forwarded by Mr. R. D. Knight, of Longburn, and three yearling racehorses from the Waikanae et'ud farm. The latter were purchased •by Mr. C. Breese, of Ascotvale, near Melbourne. They were a brown, colt (Achilles—Olivette), a brown filly (St. Ambrose—Success), and a brown filly (Bt Ambrose —Tamarind).

The First Battalion Band will play the following programme in the Domain to-morrow afternoon, commencing at 3 o'clock: —uickstep, "On the War Path" (Bulch); overture, "Nil Desperandum" (Round)} mazurka de concert, "Ghrystaibel" (Rimmer); selection, "Notre chere Alsace" (Kling); waltzer, "Bluem am Wege" (Keller); march, "Reliance" (Homaun); "God Save the King." Semi-annual clearance fair, Monday next; doors open 10 a.m.—Smith and Caughey, Ltd.—(Ad.) All millinery at startling pricee. See our windows. D.S.C., in liquidation (Ad.) Pretty patterns in pyjama suits will appeal to men of taste. An attractive and a comfortable line.—Geo. Fowlds (Ad.) Great clearance fair, Monday morning. —Smith and Caughey, Ltd.— (Ad.) Cheap clothes for the little men. Linen and straw hats at 1/. Only 30 Norfolk flannel suits; all sizes at one price. 10/6. —Geo. Fowlds.— (Ad.) Kid gloves, standard makes, this season's shipments, at startling prices. See our window.—D.S.C., in liquidation (Ad.) Great clearance fair, Monday morning. —Smith and Caughey, Ltd.— (Ad.) Cummerbunds for summer wear, an attractive item that looks well and wears well thia weabher. —Geo. Fowlds.—(Ad.) Smith and Caughey's great fair begins Monday next; doore open 10 ara--(Ad.) Now is the time to secure chairs at startling prices! —D.S.C. m liquidation —(Ad.) What etyle of hot do you desire, straw boater, hard or soft felt, linen ot helmet ha-ts? We have the lot and more.—Geo. Fowlds.—(Ad.) Black dress goods, 2/11 to 4/11, all to be cleared at 1/6 per yard.—D.6.C. in liquidation.—(Ad.) Smith and Caughey's great fair begins Monday next; doors open 10 a.m. (Ad.) J. A. Bradstreet, Karangahape-road Sale now on. In the Glove and Hosiery Department great bargains offerinc (Ad.) S ' Semi-annual clearance fair, Monday next; doors open 10 a.m.—Smith and Caughey, Ltd.—(Ad.) Men's soft felt hats, 6/6, reduced to 2/11.—D.S.C. in liquidation.—(Ad.) J.A . Bradstreet, Karangahape-road.— Sale now on. All children's ready-made garments greatly reduced.—(Ad.) Semi-annual clearance fair, Monday ] next; doors open 10 a.m.—Smith and Caughey, Ltd.—(Ad.) Bedroom toilet-ware, fail sets, 6 pieces lor 8/6, at D.S.C sale.—(Ad.*