The Bruce Herald. "Nemo me impune lacesset." TOKOMAIRIRO, MAY 18, 1886.

Bruce Herald, Volume XVII, Issue 1750, 18 May 1886, Page 2

The Bruce Herald. "Nemo me impune lacesset." TOKOMAIRIRO, MAY 18, 1886.

Either the educational system of this Colony is founded upon a very insecure basis, or its chief admirers are very superstitious. Any proposal of amendment, however insigni6cant, even though it may involve no question of principle, is opposed on the ground that its adoption would endanger the whole system. It is undoubtedly true that the system has its enemies, some of whom are so pronounced in their antagonism that they would hail with delight any breach in the citadel through which a storming party might enter and destroy the whole concern. But these arc comparatively few. There are, however, large numbers who desire to see the method of working improved, and towards such as these it would be wise to adopt a conciliatory policy. So far as principle is concerned, we fail to see that any principle whatever is involved, save that being national it must of necessity be secular. The question of the mode of electing School Committees attracts a little attention every year. A conference of delegates from the Dunedin and suburban committees has recently discussed this question. At thafc meeting, Mr M. Cohen very sensibly observed that by pursuing a policy of non-interference with the Act they were playing into the hands of the enemies of the system. The question of cumulative voting was considered. This has been talked about, written about, and condemned times without number. For our own part we regard it as absolutely unjust and absurd. Its adoption was a foolish endeavor to conciliate a party who hare properly refused to be conciliated by it, or to avail themselves of the underhand methods of getting representation it

offers. We are convinced that it has never been of the slightest advantage, and that in no case have the men whose election haa been secured by plumpers proved acquisitions to the cause of education. Another reform proposed is that candidates shall be before the householders for at least seven days before the election. Nothing could be more ridiculous than that the nominations and elections should take place at the same moment. A score of things may happen to prevent the best men, or even men qualified at all, being returned. Besides this, it is proposed that there shall be some proper definition of persons qualified to vote. These are all reasonable things to ask. To amend the Act in these directions would not in the slightest degree in-, terfere with its principle. Instead of weakening, it would strengthen the system. We hope that a persistent agitation will be maintained until these most desirable reforms are obtained. If such an important measure as the Land Act will bear amendment and alteration nearly every session, surely some slight modifications of the Education Act may be made without doing violence to or impairing the efficiency of the scheme.

That a very serious depression prevails throughout New Zealand is a fact which is patent to the least observant. It may satisfy some to regard it as one of those periodical wares which pass orer every country, but it is anything but satisfactory to reflect that this ware has been rolling over us for years, and that each succeeding year it gathers in volume and force, Nor is it to the purpose to say that all the world suffers in the same way. This has been set forth lately as a ground of consolation, but it is not true that all the world suffers in the same way and to a similar degree as ourselves ; and even if it were so, it is questionable whether with our large^export trade such an universal depression might not turn out somewhat to our advantage. No doubt the extravagantly expensive governmental system in which we rejoice, together with the interest of our enormous debt, forms no inconsiderable item among the causes which have created the depression. Bad seasons and deficient harvests have also contributed towards bringing about the existing state of affairs. But these things alone would never have reduced the country to the state in which it now is. If the Government expenditure were reduced to a fourth of what it is, and the interest on loans equally diminished, no very appreciable improvement in the general affairs of the country would bo apparent. While people are harping about the bad harvests, Government extravagance, and what not, there are certain financial institutions which are very quietly pursuing the even tenor of their way, preying on the very vitals of the community, taking , from farmers and tradesmen their fair profits, while all the time they are regarded as most useful institutions, without the assistance of which the struggling tradesman and farmer would speedily go to the wall. "Who ever hears of the Bank of New Zealand suffering from the depression ? On the contrary, the directors are able to periodically congratulate the shareholders that notwithstanding the unsettled state of affairs on every hand, they steadily hold their own; notwithstanding the numerous failures and widespread commercial disaster, that institution holds itself proudly erect like the granite rock against which the waves madly dash in vain, and it might be added grandly heedless of the wreckage strewn all around, of goodly vessels dashed to pieces upon its own jagged, cruel bosom. Farmers may be sold up, business men may go to the wall, but what of that? This magnificent institution suffers no ill. Surveying the thousands on every hand who are struggling on, a hand to mouth existence, its directors, as unmoved as Nero, who fiddled when Borne was burning, calmly announce their enormous dividends, and transmit the money to investors in other countries. And it is not only the Banks, and chief among them the Bank of New Zealand, but the numerous other financial institutions, all of which seem to thrive no matter how depressed the country may be. These institutions are but little in sympathy with the country ; their handsome dividends represent not the prosperity of New Zealand, but rather the reverse. When times are good, and the lower strata of society revel in full work and fair wages, the gentlemen who hang the sign of the Lombards outside their establishments, and negotiate small loans on the security of personal property, suffer from slackness of trade ; but when work is scarce, wages low, and food dear, their dens are thronged each Saturday night, and they grow rich over 20 per cent. for a month's loan. Even so the large dividends declared by banking institutions and other financial corporations, however satisfactory they may be to the usurers, are the reverse to the general community. They simply mean that the country has placed its most valuable property up the spout, and the pawnbrokers are fattening on their helpless prey.