DUNEDIN NOTES.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 12509, 23 May 1906, Page 8

DUNEDIN NOTES.

(SPECIAL TO "THE PBESS.") DUNEDIN, May 22. Sptsalring at a meeting of tho Dunedin Pariiam-en.ta.ry Union, Mr Mark Coflien drew attention, to Dr. Trnhy King's recent address, in which seriotw allegations were mado as to tbe effect di th© prcssnt system of competitive examinations. „ It had heon stated outside that Dr. Buiug had long known the facte he had lately made public, but had kept them "up his sleeve," as it were. On behalf of Dr. Kinjj, he (Mr Oohe-ni) would lik"a ito tsay that t!aa doctor knew of the caseo meintioned as far back as 1897, but Dr. King occupied a high public position, and co lonjg as there was one Tay of hope, he felt it to bo Ws duty to bold his tongue, as he considered that he had-no right whatever to give the public tho knowledge foe had until he was certain that thesa case were absolutely hopeless. Tliat was tho pcs tion. The two casts of insanity memtioned by him were not isolated ones; the existence of peveral more pointed to the necessity for inquiry as to the Cannes of mental breakdown. Mr J. F. Arnold, M.H/.R., went South on Saturday, and held a conference in tho afternoon at Stirling with a coas derable number of farm workers. Mr Arnold told them that- from the information he had gathered during the pr.st few montlhs, he was satisfied the Government must ultimately restrict their hours of labour and provide a minimum wags by lcg'slation. It was, he said, an impoiT. c .xilitv for farm labourers to organise as town workers oould, and even with legislation it would be very difficult to enforce the law. M- Arnold nert proceeded to Kaitan.gata, where he was met by tho executive of the Miners' Union. On Sunday afternoon an open conference was held with the miners on the subject cf th> relationship between the Church and th? workers. The local Methodc'st Church was well filled, and after Mr Arnold's acfclreas a number of minors aUo spoke. Mr Arnold expects to conclude his raiss>ion in the oountry districts with a trip to Waimate n?xt week. Tho bays' cottage, which were started by the local V.M.C.A. in March, have turned out a succors. So far three cottages havo been taken up and furnished, and there are about twelve occupants, one cr twe- being adults. If the a 6ociabion goes in for larger pr?m'se«, of which there is every probability, it is likely that the top floor of thoß? premises will ba fitted up as dormitori s. That i» the latest V.M.C.A. idea at Home, though nothing of tho kind has yafc be?Ji attempted in Australia and New Zealand. The idea of charity has no part in the scheme, though philanthropic feeling does enter into it to some extent. It is just a homo to wliich a country mot'aer might confidently send a young son, if she | entertain.d any doubts that wider city a.«:oati.ns night prove hurtful to cha.rac:er.