Dannevirke Advocate [PUBLISHED DAILY.] OLDEST ESTABLISHED PAPER AND GUARANTEED LARGEST CIRCULATION IN THE DISTRICT. THURSDAY, APRIL 23. POLITICAL DIGNITY.

Bush Advocate, Volume XIV, Issue 327, 23 April 1903, Page 2

Dannevirke Advocate [PUBLISHED DAILY.] OLDEST ESTABLISHED PAPER AND GUARANTEED LARGEST CIRCULATION IN THE DISTRICT. THURSDAY, APRIL 23. POLITICAL DIGNITY.

When federation became an accomplished fact (remarks the Sydney Morn-, ing Herald), the hope was expressed in certain English papers that the larger field of action that Federal polities offered would induce the more capable and cultivated of our citizens to take an active part in public life. That 'vas an attitude that surprised many of the Australian people, and for the most part was scouted by them as an exhibition of English conservativenesß. It was even regarded as an insult to the personnel ef our democratic State Parliaments, and a covert attack on the principle of payment of members. It was denied that there had ever been any reason for the exclusion of our best oitizens from politics. How could English critics, it was argued, be better judges of the political situation in these States than ourselves ? We had always been ready when occasion offered to deride the tone of local politics, buc we objected to others doing it, especially wheu they were but imperfectly acquainted with our conditions. We asserted that politics iv Australia offered as hoqourable a field of endeavour for the abilities of any high-iniuded man as they did in any other country. But some few saw that the distance of the British critics from local prejudices enabled them to get a better perspective. It was not, moreover, the political morality of our Parliaments they impugned, but their dignity and their personal tone. And honest inquiry and comparison compelled the endorsement of this attitude. Politics have not been with us a field that offered opportunity for the. exercise of the instincts of good breeding. It is difficult to apportion the responsibility for this state of affairs, but some share of it can be charged to the adoption of the principle of payment of members. The merits and demerits of that principle there is no need to discuss in this connection. But even its staunchest advocates must admit that it has brought into the arena of politics some men who are totally unfitted to legislate for the country, -and are willing to observe the common courtesies that are due to their opponents. The self-made moneyed man who figured in Parliament before payment of members was not an ideal legislator, but he was far superior to the member who to-day owes his position to the energy of his appeal to the prejudices of his ■constituents, and who has no better idea of justifying his political convictions than by traducing all who are opposed to him. His presence in Parliament will continue to deter cultivated, men from entering it. The personal tone of our polities is a material hindrance to our political progress. The hope that Federal politics would escape this reputation has so far proved a vain one. Though the Commonwealth Parliament has not yet been used as an arena, for the settlement of differences of opinion by pugilistic methods, as has been the case in some of our State Parliaments, nevertheless the standard of debate has not been high. There has been the same exhibition of personalities that would not be tolerated in any department of life except the political. But what is the influence in politics that brings out the most intolerant and most undignified aspect of human nature ? The question has troubled even Mr Dooley. " But, I'm no statesman,* says that philosopher, discussing a discreditable scene that had occurred in the American Congress. " Who am I to say that wudden't be manners in a bar-room is not all right in the Sinit ?"

J. W. Richardson, piano agent, of Napier, has filed a petition in bankruptcy. His liabilities are stated to be £630 9b 9d and assets £190 los. There is also a contingent liability of £484 2s. North Island horses are in great demand in the South at the present time, and breeders are reaping the advantages of the good market offering in the Manawatu district. During the season nowbeiug brought to a close 49 gentlemen, 22 ladies and one child succeeded iv reaching the top of Mount Eguiont from Daw6ou Falls' sanatorium. Not a single accident •ccurred. The Feilding Star is informed that Mr C. C. Halliday, Postmaster of Tauranga, and late of Balclutha, who has seen 36 years' service in the Host and Telegraph Department, has been appointed postmaster at Feilding. The accuracy of the report re the Governor goiug Home in October is questioned in Auckland. It is understood Lord Ranf urly's time expired in August, but he was re-appointed for another year. Mr Hill-Trevor, private secietary, is not aware of any alteration of plans. The Royal Commission on physical training in Scotland emphasises the various shortcomings in children's recreation, and makes many recommendations. It proposes that lads of " Hooligan " tendencies should enter continuation schools and that provision be made, as a last resource, for the State feeding of children. The H iwkes Bay portion of the 'Fiisco mail arrived in Dannevirke by the late train last night. Although the mail was a large oaethe local staff completed sortiug it within forty minutes from the time of its arrival. This was a smart piece of work considering that the whole of the letters, papers, etc., for the Huvvkes JfcJay had to be bandied. Stock luspector Harvey sued S. Egan, juur., in the Pahiatua Court on Tuesday for allowing ragwort to grow on his farm. After further evidence had been taken the Magistrate fined the defendant 20s and 21s costs. This is the first case of the sort in this district (says the Examiner), and should act as a warning' to settlers who al'.otv this obnoxious weed to grow on their properties. This month's subsidised steamer for South Africa, the Norfolk, will carry the largest shipment of butter yet sent from- the colony to the Cape since the new service was commenced. Space frr. 4000 boxes has been^booked to date Practically the Norfolk is already a full ship, meat being a very considerable item of the cargo. In a letter to the Feilding Star, Dr Monckton says : — "From the many accidental poisonings through drinking carbolic acid, 1 think the public should be more widely acquainted with the remedy. Strong whisky should be spooned down the throat until, by beginning to produce intoxication, it shows that the spirit ceases to be taken up in counteracting the ca\i9tic effects of the carbolic. For example: When strong carbolic is poured into the palm of your hand, and commences to whiten the skin, a little strongspirits will show how simply the action of the caustic can be stopped. The Misses Parker held their fortnightly dance in the Oddfellows' Sail last evening, when about thirty couples were present. The floor was in splendid condition, and the excellent music provided by Miss Parker and Mr Lichtwark rendered the dance highly enjoyable. During an interval in the dancing a sumptuous supper was provided, and was greatly appreciated by those present. Dancing was continued until about midnight, when the gathering dispersed, after having spent a most enjoyable evening. During the evening extras were played by Misses F. Parker, A. Mitchell, arid Miss Israelson, while Mr A. Potts made an efficient M.C. During the progress of street improvements in the Borough it is customary for the Council's employees to place lighted lamps on obstructions to warn pedestrians and those driving vehicles of possible danger. These lamps have frequently been removed by thoughtless and senseless individuals to the annoyance of the Council's employees and danger of the public. The police are determined to put a stop to this conduct, and one culprit, Doyle, was before the pouvt this morning. The presiding justices, in inflicting: a penalty, spoke strongly of the seriousness of the offence, and stated that if any person, charged with a similar offence, came before them in future they would inflict a severe penalty. The question of introducing legislation to provide that all poultry for export shall be graded at the Government depots, will engage the attention of the Caoinet at an early date. Depots for killing, dressing, and grading were established in the chief centres last year, and for a time the various staffs were kept busily employed. The volume of work carried on in those establishments has greatly diminished of )a:e. Little or nothing has been done at Wellington depot for some weeks, owing to the bulk of the export trade having been secured by a firm which handles the birds at its own factory. The firm has applied for the services ot a Government grader, and it is now a question whether the application shall be granted or legislation passed making it compulsory that all poultry be shipped direct from 'one of the State depots. At the Police Court this morning, before Messrs J. Drummond and G. Wright, J'e.P., John Doyle was charged with taking a lamp from Station Street. Th 3 lamp had been placed there by the Borough employees who were carrying out improvements and the lamp was intended to avert danger to the public while the work was being carried on. The accused pleaded guilty and -was fiued Ll. ,7. Stewart wafe charged with assaulting J. Retter. Mr Lloyd appeared for the complainant and Mr Patterson for the accused, who pleaded not guilty. Evidence was given on behalf of defendant by A. Larsen and W. Sargeson. The Bench pointed out that ilthough defendant had been provoked into striking plaintiff, yet he had committed a breach of the peace and a fine of Is, with 7s costs, was inflicted. J. Coveney was charged with having entered, .licensed premises while a prohibited person. At the request of Sergeant Cruicksbank the case was adjourned. At the Woodville S.M. Court yesterday Oscar Gunderson was charged ou the information of John Wright with crossing complainant's land at Manga* toro without giving notice. Mr Gothard appeared for complainant and Mr Lloyd (Dannevirke) for defendant. Evidence was given by John Wright to the effect that he was owner of section 50, block XVI, Makiiri Survey District. There was a public road through the section. The road was not fenced, but witness had permission from the County Council to erect a gate across the road. Witness felled the road and grassed it at his own expense. For the defence Mr Lloyd contended that there was no question but that the road was a public road. No permission of the Oouoty Council could derogate the rights of any person to cross the land. It was obvious that the public road divided Mr Wright's section into two parts, and he was therefore not the occupier of that road though he had been given permission to fence across it. The information was dismissed with costs 13s tjd. Breakers ahead ! the cold and rain Will soon be with us once again, Soon Winter's breath will freeze the air, For coughs and colds we must prepare, Complaints that cause so much distress, Yet everyone will soon confess That the remedy good and pure Is somp — Woods' Great Peppermint Cure. We personally attend to our customers who send us orders by Post. Our value and great variety is well-known. If you cannot visit us, shop by post at Watchorn's Dannevirke. For Influenza and cold in the head tafa Woods' Great Peppermint Cure, "U Gd to 2s 6<l. Vapo Cieeolene, the latest scientific cure for whoopiDg cough, for sale at E. E. rior's,