The Bruce Herald MILTON, MONDAY, AUG. 30, 1915.

Bruce Herald, Volume LI, Issue 67, 30 August 1915, Page 2

The Bruce Herald MILTON, MONDAY, AUG. 30, 1915.

As tlie formation of,, a National Ministry lias become an accomplished, fact, it is unfortunate the convictions held by many of us since the advent of the coalition idea are being realised in ail tlieir abhorrent pettiness. It has been apparent to the more seriousmind ed that in the absence of a public opinion capable of fusing the heterogeneous odds and ends wo are accustomed to dignify with the appellation Parliament, at a temperature that would give some hope of a weld suiiiciently serviceable to justify our placing some of reliance upon it during the period of the trying times ahead, the tact and abilities .of tne more able leaders would bo subjected to a very serious strain by the puny of the different parties, at a time wlien the .Umpire demands their undivided attention. Anyone who has followed the course of events in x>olitical circles during the past few week must know quite well what ministers have had to submit to, and it is scarcely necessary, nor is it edifying to recapitulate the parly bickerings of such politically inconsequential personages as Messrs Poole and Isitt, were it not for thojperverfced ingenuity j>f those ahlicted with such a political kink. Thus Mr C. H. Poole, in an interview published in an Opposition journal at Auckland, proclaiming that "the vindication of Sir Joseph Ward is clearly established by his being called upon at this critical juncture to put the finances of the country in order. So, after years of harsh criticism, the Leader of the Opposition finds himself in charge of the exchequer, and solving tiie problems of Now Zealand's linancial future." The public have not yet forgotten the relief it experienced some few years ago when New Zealand's financial future was placed in the able hands it has reposed in until to-day, and our present equanimity would be seriously disturbed if we imagined that the present arrangement of portfolios not provide an adequate safeguard against a return to tiio juggling finance of "Surplus" days. Again, Mr Isitt, of Christ-church, in another interview, used almost the same phrases"But what a vindication it lias been of the man who was attacked right and left, and who now, by the obvious wish of the whole of the people, in the moment of trial, is placed in charge of the country's finances." It is comforting, however, to think that such fountains of mental pabulum are minor elements, even in the Opposition and though it is to) much to hopj that they might profit by it, we commend to them the following utterances by a distinguished member of that party, Hon. Dr. M'Nab, when speaking at Ashburton a few days ago, he said:—"However much I might be inclined to wish it were otherwise, I cannot but admit that the tremendous national crisis which has to be faced, and which brought about my restoration to Ministerial life, robs the occasion of all measure of personal gratification. Would that, through tlio absence of the cause the promotion had not come ! But it lias come, and personal gratification has |to be put aside, personal conflict on political lines lias to be stayed, and tiioso who have been friend 3 and foes in the past have all to unite as friends for the future fo,r the one supreme purpose of helping the Empire through the greatest trial it as known in its history. As a means of securing the maximum contribution to the common cause, I believe that the National Ministry will prove a pro-' found success, and if it does that, what matters it if in every other direction it proves an equally profound failure?" If the leaders of both parties are allowed to approach the situation from this standpoint, there is i* hope qis jufiy yet; prpvQ

The monthly meeting of Toko. High School Committee will bo held this evening. Tho fortnightly mooting of Court Bruce A.O. F. will be Hold this evening. The Waronui mine has been working very short time for the last fortnight, and un Saturday 110 work was done. —Correspondent. We understand a petition addressed to the Military Authorities is circulating in. the district for signatures, taking exception to the comments made by his Honor Mr Jus ice Sim, when summing up to tho jury at the second trial upon the third charge against Mr J. B. M'Olymont, .and expressing the hopo that tne judge's remarks would not prejudice M'Ciymont's priate reputation, or prospects as a soldier. Private William Hamilton, of Milton, is included amongst the list 01 invalided soldiers who are returning by the s.s. Tahiti, having been invalided home. Private R. Bridson, who is a member of "Lord Liverpool's Own " :2nd Battalion, Trentham. Regiment, and an ex-Miltonian, and whose parents residOj at Invercargill, was on furlough visiting friends 111 tins district last week, and left for Trentham this morning. Of the family three other brothers, out of a number of live, are now serving tiie Empire, Thomas joining the Mam Body; Harry, Fifth Reinforcements'; and James, at present in camp with the Eighth Reinforcements. Rev. G. H Balfour, minister of First Church, Duuedin, will conduct the Communion preparatory servico at 'JLokomairiro Presuyterian Church 011 Thursday evening. A decided advance in the price of good activo horses, suitable for immediate farm work, was noticeable at Balclutlia on Friday, when mat ciass of stock realised ironi £b to £7 advance 011 prices ruling for the last few months. Reports 110111 North and Central Otago indicate tuat the continued absence 01 rain is being reflected in, the prices of all classes of sheep, aud unless ram falls shortly an appreciable slump may be looked for within the next xortnight. Milton Methodist Church anniversary services were conducted yesterday morning by Rev. A. Hopper, and in che evening by Rev. b. R. Orr. There were laj'ge congregations at each service, and special addresses were delivered. ■ Tne anniversary social takes place tins evening. Tho ordiuation of Mr Andrew Miller, M.a., as missionary for the Canton Village mission lieid takes place at Toiiomairiro Presuyterian Church next bunday morning, prior to cue Communion service. liev. Mr ivilpacrick (.(ireen island) will preach at tne morning service, and the ordination conducted by Rev. o. R. Orr, whilst Rev. R. M'C uliy will address the newly-ordained minister and congregation. Mr Miller leaves for China on the first luesday after his ordination.

Included iu the list oi casualty cuDies last week appeared tne name oi Private .Edwin William Slater, as being aumitted to the xiltso General rfospitai, Alexandria. lie was wellknown in this district, and joined tne oecond .Reinforcements. Prior to enlisting lie did laboring work in ToKomairiro district.

There was a large congregation at St. John's Onurcn yesterday morning, when the Primate (Bishop xNeville) held a coniirmation service. Eleven candidates were presented.

Our Waronni correspondent- writes: —•"Airs Arnntage, who died here iast weeK, iiad had a lingering illness, oeing confined to her oed for eighteen months. She was a native of Edinburgh, arriving in iSew Zealand aoout years ago. Sue leaves a lamiiy of nine sons and daugnters, one of the former being aoout to ieas r e for the front. The iuneral took place at ±siaciistone Hill, wliere a large number of friends attended to pay their lust respeot to a lady who will be sadly missed

A copy of the "Tahitian Tatler, " tiie unoiriciai organ 01 tnat portion oi the Jb'iftli Rennurcements on ooard id. lYt. N. Z. T., i\ r o. 2o ' 'Tahiti,'' lias ueen sJiown us by a local resident. Though wit and humor is generally supposed to be circumcsribed to localities, much of it in tins journal is ot a more cosmopoiitian character, xSote their treatment ox birth notices: —••There hive Deen too many

'•berths'' on Doaru to admit of u detailed list being pubiisned, but one can ussure our readers all are oemg well • oureu for. " Items on concert pru^^-a^-ie:—Song, "Oit m tne stilly mgjic," by Private beusicK; chorus, •" We cuuidu't leave oar iittio wooden hut," by measles' patients, l'lie cliief attraction of their moving picture show is styled li Tne soldiers' life on a transport" (tragus!), Another draw depicted, "JSuugnty Willie in Colombo,'' and so on.

Probably few people know exactly bow tlie v the most coveted. of all military distinct wins, is mwde. Ordinary medals are ma u.e from a steel die. tiut there is no die m existence for the Victoria Cross. iiach cross, made from ui'onze winch formed part of tho Hussian guns captured in. the Crimea, is made separately, from a. model pattern cast wlie 11 the lirst design was approved. 'Jhis method is certainly not the one followed in the case ot the iron cross, <is otherwise Gennn manufacturing industry would be paralysed. I'be bronze used for the -V -C. is of very hard quality, 'andi when; it has beea molted and p<n red in - '/ the mould ' every dro'£> kit over is carefully saved.

A Press Association telegram from Whangarei states that the \Vhangarei Hospital .and Charitable Aid board decided, on the casting vote of tho chairman, to purchase the Kamo Springs Hotel and grounds for £6OOO. ihe purchase includes the famous ivamo Springs and 44 acres of land, with tennis and cricket lawns. Tha Board intends to grow sufficient vegetables and to have its own supply of milk and eggs to meet tho hospital xs* qui rernents which are now costing £SOO a year, It is probable that the advantages of tho Springs and hotej a» & aapitoriyiti for wausdel wWiwf