The Advocate. [Established 1888.] [PUBLISHED DAILY.] OLDEST ESTABLISHED PAPER AND GUARANTEED LARGEST CIRCULATION IN THE DISTRICT. SATURDAY, JANUARY 15, 1910. NOTES.

Bush Advocate, Volume XXII, Issue 12, 15 January 1910, Page 4

The Advocate. [Established 1888.] [PUBLISHED DAILY.] OLDEST ESTABLISHED PAPER AND GUARANTEED LARGEST CIRCULATION IN THE DISTRICT.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 15, 1910. NOTES.

CIRCULATES IN Dannevirke Mangatoro Tamaki Ngapaeruru Mangahe Weber Ti Tree Point Waione Wimbledon Herbertville Akitio Horoeka Oringi Kiritaki Maharahara Woodville Umutaoroa Matamau Piripiri Makotuku Ormondville Norsewood Takapau Whetukura Awariki Otanga Kumeroa Rangitane Raumati Rua Roa S. Norsewood Tiratu Tipapakuku Mangapuaka Mangatuna Makaretu

In connection' with the British elections, several references have been made of late to the statement that "the German workman lives on horseflesh and black bread." This allegation was embodied in one of Mr Winston Churchill's references to the tariff question, with the view of attempting to sbow the conditions imder which the German workman maintains an existence with a protective tariff. There is apparently no j ustification for the statement that the German worker in his domestic conditions is under a disadvantage when compared with the Britisher. In fact, enqxiiry would seem to indicate that the very reverse is the case. Two or three years ago a deputation of British workmen visited Germany to look into these matters, and on its return in 1906 it reported as follows:—"We have been forced to face the fact that Germany has ceased to be poor, and lias become well-to-do; that her workpeople have received a large increase in wages, and that the general social condition of her people has improved. Occupation is to be had for the asking of it in all factories, and at all works in the town \a "i have passed through. The unskilled working man is undoubtedly as well off, and in many cases relatively better, than unskilled workmen in England. In going through the workmen's quarters in German towns we were struck with the fact that nowhere have we seen the same abject dirt and misery that one meets with in London. Liverpool, and Glasgow."

This does not appear to give any support to the statements now being so industriously circulated, that the German worker has to maintain an existence upon black bread and horseflesh, and it is difficult to believe that Mr Churchill and his friends really expect such absurd statements to be accepted. The truth is that since Germany adopted a protective policy she has, industrially, made marvellous progress, and, in fact, her factories are being largely engaged in completing -orders to be paid for with British gold. As a contemporary remarked:

"German prosperity is largely owing to Great Britain remaining a dumping ground for foreign goods. And in order to keep it a dumping ground Mr Churchill is not only ready to paint pictures of the German workman living on horseflesh, but is probably prepared to represent him as reduced to the plight of Nebuchadnezzar, and eating the grass of the fields." The enquiry into the wreck of the Waikare has resulted in the exoneration of Captain Newton. The court held that the vessel met her fate on an iinchavted rock. The disaster was a misfortune, and the fate of the Waikare might have been that of any similar-sized ship that passed over the reck at low water. There can be no doubt but that the officers have deserved all the praise that has been bestowed on them for their excellent work after the disaster, and the second mate, Mr Appleyard, has been worthily promoted for his courage and skill in proceeding to Puysegur lighthouse with the news of the mishap. It is certainly desirable that something like x a track through these unfrequented sounds should be surveyed. Persons familiar with the locality of Dusky Sound are not at all surprised that an isolated rock has been discovered, and it is possible that a close survey may reveal the existence of several more dangerous places. The Union Co. have lost a useful steamer, but the public have the satisfaction of knowing that the excellent seamanship shown in a sudden and serious emergency prevented any loss of life. That is the outstanding feature of the Waikare wreck.

The proposal to form a bacon-curing company in this district is one that deserves favorable consideration. It has been ventilated by some of the small farmers, who are much interested in the trade, and who realise that they are not at present receiving full value for their produce. Of course the matter of the establishment of a public company is one that demands careful consideration, but there is no reason to stippose that the proposed venture could not be made a financial success, and of much value to the farmers. We think that the promoters would be wisely advised to obtain an indication of the attitude the Government intends to take up on the question of the inspection of pigs killed for human consumption. At the present time the carcases of pigs intended for export are subject to a rigid inspection, but those for local consumption are exempted. We do not think public opinion will for long tolerate, such an anomalous state of affairs. It is held that disease amongst pigs is more in evidence in dairying districts than in those localities where the milk industry is not pre-eminent. This is ofi course attributed to the distribution of the skimmed milk. The remedy is pasteurisation, and the bearing this may have upon the ultimate future of any bacon-curing company that may be formed is one that should be given serious consideration.

The present hot summer once more emphasises the fact that Dannevirke is still without a muncipal bath, and the city councillors appear utterly indifferent upon the question. This was a burning question at the last council elections, and more than one aspiring councillor stated that if the proposal then made to build a bath in Tennyson-street was defeated, they had another and less expensive scheme to suggest. Why has this scheme not been submitted to the council ? The burgesses would be pleased to see some attempt made to supply this much-desired necessity to our municipal life.

It is satisfactory to know that the threatened trouble with the slaughtermen has been averted. The men have apparently been successful in securing better terms for their work, and it is to be hoped that some degree of finality has now been reached in connection with this trade. The fear of a strike had already caused complications. Fat stock were being held up all over the country, and the results to the farming community if the trouble had not been straightened out, must have been serious. Divergent views as to the justice of the slaughtermen's claims are common. On the part of the men, it is claimed that the rise of 2s per hundred was fully deserved, while others affirm that at the original price the men were being well paid for their /labors. It will be good news for growers to learn that the dispute is now closed.