The Advocate. [Established 1888.] SATURDAY, DECEMBER 19, 1908. NOTES.

Bush Advocate, Volume XXI, Issue 146, 19 December 1908, Page 4

The Advocate. [Established 1888.]

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 19, 1908. NOTES.

[PUBLISHED DAILY.] OLDBBT ESTABLISHED PAPER > .:■.:■ *&D SUABAKTSSI) LAROHST OIBOU&ATION ; . , IN THEDZSTBIOT. (CIRCULATES IN : Dannevirke - ' Mangatoro Tamaki '. Ngapaeruru . Mangahe , Weber. TiTree'P6snt ■ Waione ' Wimbledon Herbertyille .' Akitio V . Horoeka Oringi ' '■* ■. ' Kirhaki ■' Maharahara Woodville : Umutaoroa . Matamau Piripiri Makotukn Ormondville I^orsewood ', ' , Takapau Whetukura Awariki ' : Otanga Kumeroa V Rangitane • ■ : Raumati ' Tamaki No. 3 S.Norsewood Tirata Tipapakuku Mangapuaka Mangatuna Makaretu

• The settlement of the unemployed problem at Home is seriously taxing the energies of the Government. Certain,, grants for the relief of the workless have been made, but the effect has only been to touch the fringe of ' the trouble. Thousands and thousands of men and women are without work in the leading cities of the kingdom, and apparently there is no immediate prospect of any improvement. Mr Asquith assured a deputation a few days ago that the Government hoped soon to submit j proposals of a permanent, definite,! business-like character, setting up machinery ,to prevent the re-appear-ance at intervals of the spectre of thus going to the root of the problem. If the British Government can really carry out this programme, they will lhave achieved a marvellous work, and one that no Government in the world has yet been able to successfully accomplish.

The difficulty in whicK.Mr Asquitli's Cabinet is placed over the unemployed trouble will doubtless be taken full advantage of by their opponents, and tariff reformers will not lose the opportunity of placing their side of the case before the public. At a recent meeting of the Junior Conservative Club, Sir Gilbert Parker said the Government proposals to deal with, unemployment were temporary, feeble and futile. No sign was made by what artificial means the problem was to be attacked in the Bill which Mr Asquith had promised fpr. next year after the Poor Law Commission had reported. Whatever that report might be, whatever Bill might be "brought in, whatever relief might be adiieved, the question at bottom would be whether our manufactures would increase; whether British capital would be invested in British industries and British industries defended from unjust and unfair attack; whether the inequalities of international trading' shoiild be regulated; whether an attempt should 1)0 made to check the depletion and destruction of British agriculture; whether we should make an effort, scientific, well-devised and powerful, to secure an entry on better terms into foreign markets by using the competent weapons of tariff which had been turned upon us with such success; whether we should, above all, seek to restore the balance of our lost agriculture by making preferential concessions to the colonies,' which would give an impetus to the development of the wheat fields of Canada,

Australia, and,.Jfew Z.eaiand, and': by so doingy attract into those dominions a larger and . larger population who, by ijist jnct, y ,by prof erence, by patriotic brotherly desire were ready to remain. - p ur chasers f of oi>r goods.,- Every • acr« of iand > opened . up. under the application of the .principle ©f;.prefei> 'Ciice AvbuW lrieaii riefw 'purchasers \ iii 'those new .'larids;' ' wjio' would gladly turn to us to buy actuies, with which.; they- could not supply themselves iii their own home "market;' I '• .:-••.<; • .■■.-■.i.lF- Li.-.. ■.■■:-.-•.■ / ;■:■■ "■■[

'The ' Wellington: City- Council "lias voted a sum for a .crematorium ftlrnace in the mortuary grounds , {at Karori. f Tlu^. •■vwH ;mkrk a new departure in these colonies.' By .%.e< many the creniatoriiim^Svill be voted as an unwise innovation,, and one? that" is against s.S^riptiiiral .teaching. Against this there will be a small' and rapidly-growing section- of tliinkers who will argue in- favor, of the undertaking on numerous grounds, chiefly based on- 'the fact that the existing system is insanitary, cumbersome, and expensive." -It may be anticipated that the lead given by Wellington in this matter .will be quickly followed by other .' centres, and that throughout the-lanid. ev^ry cemetery will soon have a crema-torium attached as a necessary adjunct.

The weekha's witnessed the^breakingup of the -various schools throughout the dominion for the Christmas vacation. However the recent financial stringency mayliave'iatfected business matters, there is no sign of any stamp in educational circles. The schools are just as crowded as ever, and Educationr/Boffirda Tire at sore straits " 'to.- provi&M^&e; .^necessary acconimodaiiozi for tßs crowds of cMldren that annually pass through the schools. * The dominion' is doing wonders in providing for the educational l'equireriienta of tlhe. population, and the facilities for secondary and higher education are a credit to the people. In this district the committees, with praiseworthy energy, have been at great, pains to provide presents for deserving pupilsv and the children have all concluded their year's wort Under the most' 'favourable auspices.