LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 514, 22 May 1909, Page 14

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

i » unto vftumtOr-A tnrtntj CRITICISED. . . Stf—ln your issue of tin Kth instant appears a ktter, signed by Alox. Beeso, m which tho writer attempts a criticism of Mr. Gardiner's communication on tho above sufyjpct. In tho main, I agree with Mr. Gardinor. I differ, in toto, from Mr. Reese's conclusions. Tho latter gentleman, while asse'rt- ■ . ing that it is an important matter, that "thogreatest care in : ;this''connection is a. prime necessity," that tho valuer should "make a >. - 1 - ... plain l record of tho land values and the lm- ;: . provoments thorcon," strangely enough ad- • vises '• that ho' sliouid : not v worry . over - the porploxing details,-such as interest, oxpenses,. etc., which- are essential, for tho making, ol , ' . this "plain record," this "primonccossity." . : . ' . Surely this is illogical in the highest degree.; ?:P>V;;y,'Aa to tho history of our land values,; they •' aro simply a rcconl of ignoranoe and- in- . capacity. Why ('they novor! wero affected - b^"the-ups and downs of prices," is really one of their strongest condemnations. Tho'valuo of land is gauged by what can , ; -be made' from it, which, of necessity, must be sufficient to provide intarest on the in,restmont, together with working expenses,- ; : jmd' also tho wages of superintendence, .'with a margin for Topairs and depreciation. Surely Uio fanner is entitled- to his living ! wage as woll as anyono'elso. - The principle;of selling •'» ■' " valuo 'advocatod'by Mr;_Roese, is indefeffls- ■, iblo. : The truo. basio principle is the rising:' - value. If, however,'landowners sold their ■ • lands every fow years as they do their stock '-or produce, annually,: then it would be ad--i : missable. On tho contrary, assume that .90, ' . .-. per. cent, use their possessions for legitimate production only, and 10 per cent, speculate and traffic in land, -.developing 'as muoh'-as possiblo tlio ■ speculativfi-jclemont,; is that aI" nstification.for tho nr.ajoKty being penalised iy,having their proporties raised-.to -specula- ■■■ -, tive-.prices? Most, cortainly not; yet that "■v'-V'- iB. just-the: effe6t'of id.bpting ,speculative or; 'selling prices' as a criterion of value. ' When kgitimato. users' of land reap none ■of the 1 ? profits 'of speculation, why. should they bo . : ,; : So l .''taxed?,;i:: 1 i Mr. Reese's statement seems to imply that j.. there is no connection ' "between !tho value .of \ , land and tlio price of produce." Now, I niainv . tain that there an-inseparable connection. If it does not obtain in New Zealand it is be- v ■ cause of real ignorance. Allow mb, sir, to adduce some. facts to • prove this: position, and, -~ like ,Mr. Reese, I .will take a poriod of forty yoars for that purpose.' I will giye tho aver- : i., age .pripes of .produce for eadh 'decimal .period, J.-..-starting^with -18SG; .the' p'riefcs given we^froin' : v.v.'/"English 'statistics,;-nndj'-,in '-eaoh;casb, -is'' at per quarter: - ' . . ; Wheat. Barley. Oats; 1856 ... 69 2 41 2 2o!s 1866 49.11 37.5 24.7 1876 46.2 '35.2 26.3 ' 1886 ... 31.0 26.7 19.0 1896 ... 23.1 22.11 14 6 Hero is a steady -reduction in priocs. - And what was tho offcct on tho prico of agricul- • v.tural land? - A corresponding fall of over 50 ■per cent. Can Mt: Reeso see the connection? It is' plain> enough. ,I - J But, coming to 1875, ana taking a period of 20 sears, to 1894, when tho Royal Com- . mission _mado thoir report covering that. . ." period,' it was. shown that tho. capital value of the agricultural; land ill England was :£2,007,330,000 in 1875, and in 1894 it had : fallen to £1,001,829,212, or considerably less . than half.,- JJow, what about the little mak , ter -'of population, - who, we are ; told, inr. . dividually giro value to land and ifiinually add to tho so-caDcd unearned increment? • Well, for that period, tho population had in- .' ' ■'.creased; by 6,000,000, . You see, that; instead .; , -/. -of any annual increase of valuo, and' so-calle<l increment thero was an actual loss ,of wer £33,000,000 per annum. And this, bear in , mind, at the very timo that Henry Georgo . , - wroto "Progress-and Poverty," laying down tho'dictum that; increase of population, in ;: 1 ". : : : direct ratio, affectedall lands to, the furthest ... .. bonnii.of tho prairie. .. My opinion then was, and still is, ho ,was .either ignorant 'of . what was going on m tho world, or not hon- ■ est enough to state tho exact truth., It may bo ho was so wrapt up in tho promulgation of his principles that ho had not timo to Observe tho chaugcs.so opposed'to his theory.' The fact, howovor, r romains; ' and: it • is a stumbling block not easy to get out of tho way. Eoturning to the subjcct. If morcf popula- .■ tion .wore to. bo, the deciding factor ill fixing Land values, no valuers would bo required. 'It would simply-bo a'.question of v suoh as this: ~Our population is to-day, -say, 1,000,000; in three years allow that it has :■..... r-.' incroased by, 100,000;' raiso tho valuation' 10 per cent., and thostrick, is - done. "Don't worry ? about any other influence or circum- ■ Btanco. But, assuming tho possibility of any ~-Vofiho; f ollowing things,(which,, God forbid!): , o European war in which our Empire might be embroiled, our exports seized on tho wator, or-their, shipment -rendered' impossibility;; an eiMdemic -among- tho herds and flocks, liko tho rindorpest and foot: and mouth,diseases, such as ravaged England half ' 0 contary ago; Or we'Were-made the subject of a raid by tho populous races in tho East; or oven a long-continucd .trade depression; • : would tho more fact of an incroaso of popula- ;;;. i, ;-tion maintain.,present values,' mudr less any - , increaso? As I havo f :persoiially experienced , ,;6omo- t of thoso things in-the distant past, 1 claim ,to 'know wljat I am writing about; while tho facts I havo adduced are open to any ono, and I much prefer them to the ■;. • .;.: answers of. spooks or fairies, or even the shades of tho departed, they are over so much moro reliable.—l am, etc.,' ■ „ _ J. A. LAMBERT. May 15. THE MINISTER. FOR BAILWAYB. ; Sir,—l seo by this morning'B paper that : .the'.Minister for Itailways has been paying' -an.official-.-visit ..to: the -Otira.; It is really | - wonderful tho capacity for . travelling ; that -men get- when ' they attain .Cabinet'• rank, and can travel iroo, special coaches, ; good . travelling, allowances,; etc. I wond,er what . • ■ t«)k. him there,. ; considering' that his colleague, tho Minister for Public Works, had , ' been:'there a short; timo previously. 'Is it v.' '.foar. ; .that - that colleague , has made Bomei ■ ■;.' ' ■ public . statement, quietly, ' which has reached his ear,-, and" therefore : . required to bo as .v 1 . quietly contradicted. . Tho railway line from ■ Otira to Groymouth hardly required his 'at«-,-i.- i .,-. ~:,tentjon. But, as I havo said before, a : Mfliister : can travel, for, nothing. I am . pleased to see.that the-Minister has stated , that tho country through which tho line to connect tho cast and west coasts passes ,13 not '.-up to much"—it is refreshing to get such a' statement. -. ; ■ .it-. _ No jdoubt tho Minister was not greatly ■ improssed with the appeaianoo of the country on the Canterbury side of Broken River —I wonder who would bo. I do not know " what ho means by tho "onormous" : timber . .traffic from tho "West Coast for years to. come. ; Has ho ,any'idea of the really small amount .of timber that can bo"procured on ,;V ~- . \ the,-West' Coastf—when the tunnel is fin- . ishod? , Does the Minister mean to say, that -timber on ..the .West Coast* and railed ■ .to Christchurch, and then on, sooth and north (as he surely does not' think Canterbuiy will absorb it all), can .be purchased cheaper in Dunedin than sea-borho? I havo - been under the impression that ono of the , L objectives of the tunnol and lie was that y coal could bo delivered cheapar in' Christ- • , church than by, sea. According to the Minister, it will bo dearer—tho only > compensation for that beinig it will go right through to Ohristchnroh, and will arrivo in lietter condition. I guess , that the Can- - ' ■ terburyitcs, if the matter was- put before ;'.... them, .as to whothor they/ would havo the ttnuiel and lino, and bo rated for its con- - -,i ■ struction, as well.na pay moro for the coal, would prefer tho sea-borne. One would naturally Buppoee, that if- it is necessary to ascertain the exact position of timber, ns to quantify, accessibility, and ...-.- kinds, men whose occupation gives thom tho best means of knowing this, would be appointed to inquire into it.. No 'doubt it is a matter of vHal importance to tho country ' that tho quantities of milling timber of each kind that ia now igrowing m the Dominion 1 v , . should bp art once asoortained. * Tho cost of " doing this would not be a tithe of tho preV - . sent : useless commission, which .has really , - .never done anything of tho kind. At the ' . most,,;no moro than five millers, who .havo f had 'practical' experience in ascertaining the \ '• ; (jiiantit.v; an'l..;quality,of. ■ - milling timber, '; should bo choson. by a voto of tho.'.sawmillers -themsolves. Thia -could- easier.

inaxpensnsety be done; by fiio mflters, but not oy tho Qovermneht. Two «r three capable Surveyora should bo,chosen, whoso duty ;it; would be to accompany the commission,' .nLOrdor:to get a oomparatrvc idea as to the '.amount of acreage'covoxdd with milling timber. : There would bo no need to go over every aero of bush-covered land, as that might, and most likely would not, be all timber, but a fair "average could be stinck. If such ,a commission would visit the whole 'of Ahe in the Dominion, a more reliable estimate would be obtained, that the inflated and nonsensical amounts statedthe' Premier and Minister for Railways. In my opinion, the importation of Oregon timber is a grand'thing for tho. country, as it saves our own at tho exponso of tho-other country.—l am, etc.,COMMON SENSE. • May 18. ' ANOTHER RAILWAY COMPLAINT. : Sir,—On Friday last I travolled from Taihapb to Timmarunui by . the .1.6 p.m. train, arriving at tho latter place at 8.15. There were. no foptrwarmers. To bo accurate there wero three, which might be styled footfreezers, for they were absolutely cold. At Ohakunb an official came in and fetched away two of thom, and I took ocoasion to remark that my ,feet„ wero -liko . ice. He smiled blandly, and" I, felt "assured it would be alright, but he did not bring them back. , Furrier on-1 observed to tlie guard that it was K:o bad not to havo foot-warmers. . "Not alloirad on-this traini sir;" he said. There was a rather dcKcateJooking lady in the carriage, who.'also complained bitterly of the state of affairs. • , . ... . As -1- have occasion to travel about a good deal, I have, ample, opportunity of hearing the opiiuohs 'of - various people—travellers, tomistsj. and business men—and the gen oral opinion seems/to be that the' New Zealand railway system is lamontably the' times. Even in Coylon, where, irilh' tho exception of the guards and onginedrivors, all tho railway employees aro Cingaleso, the railway arrangements are distinctly superior. to thoso of the New Zealand Railways. In ono of the first issues of The Dominion I remember ■ you promised you would devote a good deal of attention to our railways, and I felt glad, very glad. It is really distressing to travel by thom unless one has a robust constitution;_So, in the interests of the public, as well as my own, I'request you to publish this letter, and. should any Government official desire to. know ,$e name of the writer I havo no objection that* you should-gratify his curiosity.—l am etc., ; PRO BONO PUBLICO, i Taumarnnui, May 16. THE DISTRICT CRICKET SCHEME. . . Sir, —Now - that district cricket, has been decided • upon, players in tho various districts should look about ~and arrange matters in connection with starting 1 the new clubs. It is not expected- that tho late Wellmgton Cricket Association will awake before Noveinbor next, so no support can b© expected from that quartor. This is really a good thing for oncket, as new blood is badly wanted, and tho old committee is muoh bettor asloop. Before -the season opens it will bo necessary to form clubs, elect a controlling body, make rules and relations, and generally, to arrange details for the efficient working of the new arrangement. This can only be satisfactorily performed if the matter is taken in hand at once, and the, soonef steps aro taken better it wiH bo for the sport. The matter of engaging • a ooach should bo loft to tho incoming'committee to attend to, and- tho .pme remark - applies to all other policy decisions. . . , " ■. ' - ' -. i When the new' system is in working order, oricketis bound to "improve, is there is no doubt that tho great drawback in tho past has bcori. tho quantity of talk, inefficiency, and the want of action in the right direction on tho part of tho management.—l am, etc.y LAWDORg. -. OUR WONDERFUL RAILWAY V ADMINISTRATION. Sir,—Tho Premier, Sir Joseph Ward, in his policy speech at Invercargill, indulged in his usual boasting,, and said, , that ''.tho financial operations of the Railways Department for this year havo been very- satisfactofy.". - The Railway rctttms for tho last year are at length to hand, and we find instead of the country being benefited to the'extent of £167,588, as tho Promior told tho Invercargill people it --was, that, j notwithstanding tho opening of the Nortlrfcland Main Trunk line, and tne purchase of tho Wellington and Manawatu line, - ; the gain to the Dominion was but £2-531, and'n<it ,£167,588,; as stated by tho,Premier. . . . ".; ■r-What.'the -Premier'has dons, is to state the /gross .ihcrcsiso. in-'rovenuo. but ho has suppressed ..the,;, increase,;in . 'Tvorking : expenses." ' It should.also bo remembered,' that this;'£2s3r is'only.' made; to, appear by tho Stato keeping; the railways accounts in snch an utterly misleading fashion that, if .they bolonecd to a private company, and got into . tho Bankruptcy Court, its directors would inevitably bo'sent to'gaol for a lengthened term.' I will venture to say tho loss on our railvtays for-the year, just ilosed cannot havo been: tes .than; £800,000, and ;will probably exceed £1,000,000.. ~ ■ , • . It is worth while, toi take a brief glance at'- theiv.oxpfinditure'v and\'results for- the 'last two'..years.' '' i '■.' Duriiig ;tho year 1907-8, £1,296,572 was added to the' capital oost of our railways. For •'the; current «year I cannot speak with any certainty, until, tho of t)w Railways Report, but if wo make the moi erate estimate of £2,250,000, . we; have thfl sum of £3,546,572 added to onr railway capital during the ,last:.tjwo years. We hava also added 215 miles to our open railways. The result of this addition to mioage and capital is, according to the Government's stateinent, not;-mino, but the Government's, 1 that, during the Hwo 'years, the amazing sum of two ..thousand three .hundred' and ninetythree pounds'(£2393) was added to the net railway,'revenuo. That is to say, this is all'; thoy, earned \ towards paying; - the extra £142,000 we f shall have . to . pay for interest. ; -1-ask" ' ifj it- is not a thing seemingly, incredible that the Premier can stand on a platform and Bay. that results liko this aro "very satisfactory."—l- am, etc.', SAMUEL VAIEE. • . Auckland, May 19, 1909. I THE DREADNOUGHT OFFER. AND OTHER THINCS. ' Sit, —Although I admrt you) as a newspaper editor, have a special license, and are allowed to discuss and report many and varied things, still I consider that a certain restriction should be placed upon the press, 'and editors should bo' held responsible for matter appearing in their papers which is calculated to make sad tho readers, thereof, or to cause them inconvenience. Please, therefore, make a note of my strong protest against a quotation from a letter written by the Lord High Commissioner to his firoadnoughtship. the -Premier, in which tho former remarked: "One lady, occupying a high position, informed me that when she saw ,your noblo offer she broke into tears." You probably published this extract without thinking of what tho consequences might -be, bat I can assure yon, sir, thai in ono -case which I shall'.ralite, the effects have been-far-reaching. I have a little fox terrier I about 1 seven months old,, and. on Saturday I ;wais reading the touching extract aloud to my wifo, when _tho_ poor little patriotic puppy' uttered a piercing yeJl, /and iro. t3l now (Monday evening) it haa absolutely re- . fused to eat anything. but German sausage. I cannot altogether blame you, aa .you probably did not'think .when you published the extract, but, sir, I* really cannot afford to feed my dog on German sausage, so please do not publish such sad details in .future. I have explained to the 'dog that perhaps the lady was unwell, or perhaps sn« felt stHTV for tho people who had to pay for the "noble offer,';, but hb takes no notice of mo/ ;;; T" ;v ' In this 6elf-adw3rtkiEg,;._and axe-grinding ago it is refreshing to thniik liat tsrontyseven gentlemen; (all without porsonsl motives) attended a mooting to approve of the Government's offer- of a Dreadnought,' - and to make a presentation to Sir J. Ward, who, .apparently from tho speeches mado by those present, is also presenting a Dreadnought himself. _ If Sir J. Ward is putting his hand into-his own pocket to tho tune of a Dreadnought, surety tho papers have been islow In making, tho fact known. If . Sir J." Ward is not .payitig for tho warship himsolf,, why. should ho reccive a prcsenta-r-ib?. A

If a vote TFore taken right through the oottnbj on. this Dreadnought affair there would be no Dreadnought ''or two if necessary." I have 6pokon to many pooplo, from ■ Auckland to the Bluff, on the Bubjeot, and have not met hnlfa dozen who approve of the offer. Many people think it unpatriotic, or "pro-Boorish," to adversely criticifle the offer openly, bat the feeling is strongly against the proposal. True, the newspapers support the idea, but this 'is hard td.explain, and in this instance tho jiress neither voices nor will alter publio opinion. Mr. Luke thinks the illuminated address should bo accompaniod by "some beautiful object that oould be handod down. as an 'heirloom.' " What could be more beautiful than a brief note explaining tho object of each membor of tho committer Another suitable object would bo a metal sign, "Charity boings at home," or "Never bite off moro than you can chew,", or i ' LIMELIGHT. ' May'lß , CIVIL SERVICE REFORM. Sir, —Tho excerpt from the article-by Mr. ILP., in the "New Zealand Herald" is likely to awaken interest regarding departmental "test" or "grade" examinations. I do not think it would be applicable to the whole staff in the ; present state of, affairs, backed as a great many of them are by poli/ tical influence. Any man of experience knows that the only thing to pnt tho material of the .service into a. proper state is grading— not classification. But how would tiiis method act when many of. tho men occupying high and well-paid positions are altogether ignorant of , any of tho features of properly-conducted business. The men to whom I refer are. tradesmen or shop assistants, yet, as they already are considered fit and proper persons to fill responsible appointments; does anyone think that failure to pass a ttest" would cause thorn to be superseded ? ( No, these men got their situations through political influence, and until a change of Government takes plaoe there they will remain. Again, in large Departments there may be only two or three persons who can. act on their .. own responsibility. Subordinates wotdd, therefore, gain no advantage by close study , of Acts and regulations, as tlieir; interpretation, .'no matter how true, would not be acted upon did the superior offioer hold a different view. . "Tests" would doubtles3, bo of advantage in "technical" Departments, but, 1 as I iiave stated, they would not be practical generally. As was pointed out in former correspondence on the subject of "Civil .Servioe Reform," I believe one of the best things possible for the country would be tho abandoning of the Civil Service examinations, for in t long experience I have neTeT oneo, out of a "technical", office, discovered wherein-'their utility lay. "Stuffing" for such examinations ; means - a mind charged with ,a lot of matter pertaining to anything other than tho business on which the cadet —if you like—will be engaged. The matter should bo left'to the heads of Departments. The examination of tho candidate's qualification should be conducted by them, and their approval should.be the warrant for employment. Confirmation, of tho seventh standard certificate shonld be sufficient for any Department other than a 'technical" one. A month ago suggestions'wore made by ; me on the very lines taken up by Mr. Hanan —that tho best men should nil the best positions regardless, of time; service. For oxperience in the Civil Service teaches one that, barring bad luck, time service wffl take a man to tho top?of the tree apart from capacity altogether.Men of the'. most pronounced mediocrity are now iri leading positions,* at the end of."long servioe,,'and receiving .salaries 'that 'only men.:of; the highest class ought to bo paid. ; • •• •• • -. Some timo ago the appointment, of a visiting officer, for .Wellington was .urged;'. Under every circumstance such-, should ,b(j>'done, as the fact of .such. a person eiisting; : wotild tend to create discipline arid endeavour, would be mado.by conscientious clerks ife- acepiif themselves soMto'eara approval, and also.a record of efficiency. It is a serious question for tho future-whether tho best class of youth is being brought'into tho service. A cursory glance impresses one with'the idea that 75 per cent, of the.'cadets from the country should havo found 'some other vocation, and certainly with Civil Service examination certificates should be [one from tho lockl chesterfield; for manners';and rcspajt-aro sadly laoking.m'.tho cadet of tho period.—l am, etc., ORDER. May 17. ;. . ; ; ; -NEW. ZEALAND 1 S NATIONAL XNTHEM. Sir,—" . . As tho 'Eigh Commissioner came on board, the ship's band played tho New Zealand National Anthom." . Extracts from The Donnaou'si clipped account of Mr. HaU-Jones's visit of the;battleship/New, Zealand in yestorday's isfiue. Could you please inform mo; 'What -. the . New ' Zealand. National Anthom is? I, and others, consulted cannot remomber any generally accepted national, jmd I would; wagor,that Mr. ■ Hall-Jones : did j»t know what the band' wiis' playing when he stumbled up ...tho, bmkwsj. VincentPyke once .wrote ;an;alleged Natioiisl Anthem; it used wbe sung by-Pollard Opera\Co., as a sort of.patriotic apotheosis at, the conclusion of "Pirates of Penzance" about 20 years ago. There; 'was another mild effusion (andante cantabile) that we used to • sing at school, which began.— . ' "I lovo my homo, my happy homo ' In.fair New Zealand's islo." That was long before the Seddon. regime. The music of a National Anthem is. difficult to write—one has to blend the sublime with the popular, the simple with the patriotically impressive—no, it is:.not easy. Alfred Hill might be equal to it.; Why not ask him p—l am, etc., - i . B FLAT. May 12. , ; MINisTERS AND THEIH DUTIES, Si^,—How. 'much of real interest can one get by. reading the speeches made in'various localities by Ministers on tour, from that of the Primo Minister, who hurries away at tho expense of the country to:'open a wharfj to banquet a supporter or ex-supporter, or for some other ridiculously small matter,' to tile Minister for Public Works and the Minister for Railways. It is a great thing to fool away other people's money, and some Ministers' are adopts at that. ;' Con anyone' say why -it requites two Ministers to trot - round the country in connection with tho railways? A short time ago the. Minister for Publio Works went round, ajid amongst other places visiwd the Otira. Now the Minister for Railways is to visit that locality. Why this thusness?- Is not the Minister for, 1 Public Works just as com- 1 potent to see as to tho construction" of the line and the working of it as the Minister for Why are two Ministers required to look after the railways ? Why not place the whole of the. public works and railways under ono head, or, better still—and 1' hope it Will be done—place the whole control of construction and working' of the railways i a the hands of three good men. It .would save thousands a year m such things as useless lines merely for vote-purchaaßg purposes. It would .be really interesting to know tho real reason why the Minister for Railways has determined to stop the construction of the Lawremce-Raxbttrgh line. Now, if the Minister' is consistent,.and really wants , to saw the cssunfay enormous sums for absolutely useless and unprofitable work, let him stop the construction of the Seddon to Grasmere,_and tho continuation of the Kiwi to somowhere. (This line is in the Nelson provinco, and is supposed to be in course of time connected with Reofton and Westport.) Tho other one is "on tho way:to Cheviot." I ask tho Minister for Railways to' publish a return of tho number of passengers and tho tonnage of goods carried in a . week, month or year, smooth© Kne Was open from Belgrov© to ' Kiwi; also tho cost of the lino and the working expenses. I think it will bo an oye-openor to. tho public. Aa to the recent promotions, retirements, and .reductions in the Civil Service, I wish first to say that the Civil Servants should be removed from, tho control of Ministers. It would bo an enormous saving to the country, and honest and deserving servants would get .'their due, and even if not ; among the favoured onos, ; live in peace, knowing that as long as - they did their duty they would remain in their offices until nature or agelimit'retired them. So tho Prime Minister docs not daro to publish _ the names of 'those ho, intends to retire. Gives as a .reason kindly feeling; does not wish to preju- ■ JLica them. lias nauseating ho hear fiuch

talk from tha Prime Minister of tho country. I have, it from several Civil Servants that they dcrat know what to do, iKit knowing the hour they may roarivo notice to. quit. To anyono in the same I ask is it a pleasant thing to liavo hanging over cmd'e noad. ■ The lste Sir Harry Atkinson, Iske tho straightforward and honourable man be was, did not fly round the country at its exponas on silly and ridiculous banquets best. He, when the times, were bad, reduced his own salary and that of all others in tho Government employ by 10 per cent. Is the present Prime Minister game t6 do this ? He has a higher salary than Sir, Harry Atkinson, j I am quite sure- that the greater | number of the Civil Servants, by this I mean those who are now employed in tha Government Service, would willingly consent to such a reduction as that mentioned. The saving to the country notwithstanding the excessive number omployed, would be greater than the saving in the way tho Government 'are now acting. It weuld also prevent a great .number of unfortunates I (those not In favour) from being deprived of a living during the dull times that now,' and will for some time, prevail. It is very well for the Premier to say he will reduco the cost of administration by getting v rid. of over-abundance of employees. At_ tlio same timo he creates good billets at higher salaries for a favoured few. Same of ,tho ' now appointees are as' ignorant of the work I they will have to do as one could wish. But then, don't you (know, it is our amiable Premier who, is doing it. I wonder how many of the "clerkistos" are to cease from silk rustling and the spreading of multifarious (sometimes most pronounced) odours down, the passages, or are they all to remain. It is a gross scandal that some of these, whose parent or parents are quite in a position to keep them at home, should be allowed to usurp officos, when there aro numbers of others who do 'equire the salaries, but who cannotget work. On entering the Big Building; and tlio various other Government offices, you will find the "clerkistes" engßged in talking to lady, friends, and others of .tho "gentler sex" now. At some offices, morning tea, etc., goes on amongst them. Got rid of tho lot.'"Let men take' their places, get decent salaries, and so enable tham to get a wifo who will mako a comfortable home. These are the people we want. Lot Ministers cease from troubling, attend' to tho work of the country, promote good, sound legislation, and then the country may progress. Kindly inform me as to what is tho uso of the High Commissioner, and *11 the elaborate officers who have, and are, going home, to further increase the debt ■ of this unfortunate oountry. I {pess, smco tho name of it was changed, it l.ss not bef« for tho better. ' The High Commissioner,, when he was hero as the Minister- for Public Works, and for a timo Acting-Premier, did his work well. There is a talk about the Premier going to England—another expense; tho country won't forget tho cost of a former one. Why can't the High Commissioner do all that is necessary at the conference; he has proved his ability underquite as-difficult circumstances—why cannot ne now? No baronetcy is sticking out —• but I forgot, true Liberals don't go in for that, as witooss. the 'ate Premiers of :tho country,' Mr. Seddon, and Sir George Grey—, he was Sir George before he became a Liberal—and tho G.O.M. Gladstone. Wo want, another Cromwell to remove tho bauble and cockade.—l am, etc., NE EXEAT REGNO. RETRENCHMENT OF DtSTRtCT ' COURTS. Sir, —A newspaper, dated May 14, hod this startling paragraph : "The. Government have : definitely - determined to do away with' the District Courts in Niwv Zealand:" •" Do the public generally, and the working man, understand what is tho consequence of this resolution. This stab at tho liberty of the subjcct. hidden undfer the folds of tho great Flag of Retrenchment. Afc oaxly as. 1215, in King John's days, the Magna Charta document was forced upon the King, who was a tyraut It was a document on parchment, kept now in the British Museum. Only a few of its laws 1 will quote. After saying that _ "no money Vas to bo got out of tha nation without consent of Parliament," tho document, goes on to persona] liberty. .' "Justice shall never be sold, or delayed.. The person arrested shall bo tned et once." That is to_ say, no one to be imprisoned without' trial as soon as . possiblo. What becomes: of justico if the Magistrates aro retrenched, cor, dismissed? In tho French Revolution, when the mob stormed tho great gaol, the Bastille, it was broken; open, and' prisoners turned out; • Many grey-headed old sufferers had been arrestod 60 or 30 vears before, and never givon any trials. Some even knew not tho reason of their captivity The French had no great document of libcrty and justice to'fight for, as wo English had, and havie striven to maintain at different times in our 1 history. ' Retrenchment is a fine thing, but let it be the cutting down-of ortrarsgances in big salaries, >cd in ccmsnmpHon of.liquor, and in great expenses "which give no return. Not m the cutting off of wrick justice all over the country. If the Magistrates go, who oan dispense justiceP Who has the time to hear witnesses, and do all the Courts do now, in dcci'dmg between nmocont and gmlty ?—I am, ctc., \ - : FREEDOM. [Strong complaint hiss been made in other quarters concerning the abolition of District Courts, j It does not mean tho abolition of Magistrates' Courts.] | THE IMPERIAL CONFERENCE. Sir, —It appears ■ that it 1 will ■ be' necessary for New Zealand to bo represented, at the Imperial Conference. ■ It also looks as if Sir Joseph Ward thinks that, tho conference trill be a failure, ifihis presence is dispensed with.' ■ The, only return New Zealand received for the thousands spent on Sir Joseph's last trip Home to a conference was a surprise packet, containing tho. wonderful news that our poor little islands had the title of Dominion conferred on them. However, if it is necessary that New. Zealand must be represented. Sir Joseph Ward.is the last.mian that slhould be selected. A.t any rate, without receiving his instructions - from ' Parliament -that ho can promise so much and no more. Surely we have had .enough and to spare of Sir Joseph's hirii-fahrtm', Imperialistic jingoism. Let us'take'a pull and send : eane men to do our business in future,, as by doing so we ■ may be able to _ save something from the wreck ffrat tlio Soddon-Wa.rd party has cause^. —I am, etc., - A NEW ZEALANDER. May 19. " CANTING BOSH." Sir,—ln an interview with Dr. Gibb, published in your columns, he states that: It is time, arid more than time, ministers of religion Bpoke out. plainly when called on to vmdioite .the Chnrch against -the aspersions of critics of the Socialistic type, whether' high-placed men like Mr. Fisher, or hoodlums like thoso that havo turned at least two recent 'meetings in this city into a veritable bedlam. Dr. Qibs may be congratulated on his plain speaking, but not; upon his accuracy. As an ox-membcr of the Church and an active Gospel worker, I have been compelled to become a class-conscious revolutionary Socialist,-becauso only under the system proposed by such will it be. possiblo for mankind to live;a free, pure, and upright life. The Church,: as represented by modern_ do nominationalism, is dotuinatod by oapitalism, and ,ministers, being' wage-slaves, are compelled (there ,are somo noble exceptions) to preach doctrines acceptablo to the master class. I am sorry Dr. Gibb was not present at tho meeting last Thursday night in tho Concert it'might have saved him from makmg a misrepresentation as to who were responsible for the "breaking up" of said meeting. Dr. Gibb said: "The Church has been the friend of the poor, the genuine poor." Sir, I challenge him to prove it. Ho, and the Kkos of him, have made, and kopt, the poor poor by preaching doctrines bidding tbem to be oontont in that station of life wherein it had pleased God to place them! Dr. Gibb doesn't tell us who has to be tho judge aa .to when wo aro occupying just snch a position. Does Dr. Gibb""not know that til? rich live-upon the surplus labour of the workers—taken possession .of ; by the immoral methods of-rent, interest, and profit? Tho .-jdthica jof. £ociali<nii;4d<aaticAl with

tho system of ethics taught by Christ sod tJio propheta. (Boe Neh. v_ 1-43; Lev. m, 25.) The Scriptures say: "Tate no usury. Christ had nowhere to layhis head. 'J™ clsrgy havo mansions, white tboeo who btrild them livo in : hovels. , Christ went forth preaching peace. The clergy rapport a system that makes war inevitable nim timo to time. _Ho taught believers to hsva "All things in common." H Dr. Gibb did so' his stipend would not be forthcoming. Christ said: "Love ye one another." _ Dr. Gibb teachcs class bitterness and strife;, in fact,, teaches pooplo that their bread and butter is guaranteed V Church.—l am,, etc., J. DOWDAEL. May 19. . . [A portion of this letter has been- omitted | -as being needlessly offensive.] COMPULSORY MILITARY THAIfWNC. . :om MOST POLITE CRMCS. j ' Sir, —There is an adage that "ho who would win hiß cause must keep hia temper," :which I commend to some of tho advocates. :of compulsory military training. The cam' paign of abuse against Sir. OTSegan and pay- ' self commenced. at tie Town Hall mooting, oind Btill goo 3 on rumbling ite monotonous monotone. That sort of criticism cannot affect either Mr. O'Regan or myself, sinoo wo are. both : possessed of sufficient sense ,of humour to be able to laugh at trifles of petty conceit. I admiro the geniality of your correspondent, J. M'Kenrio, of Murohi- : son, in sotting up the heading, "Bio ignor|ance of Mr. M'Laren, M.P." If it will relieve the tension of your • correspondent's feelings, I will admit candidly that I, am ignorant'of many things. lam not ignorant, however, of the fact that there is legal power in Now Zealand to mobilise the militia, but I am opposed to to mobilisation in tinges of peace, and so, I fancy, are a few others. Let me say. further that I am not ignoramt of ; to fact,that the (eiders of tie compulsory training movement (Mr. M'Nab and others) keep on protesting that they are opposed as much as any to, compulsory Borrice, frhilst less. discreet persons say, in effcot, "only gjvo us compulsory training; th« provision to enforce compulsory service iB already on the statute-book, and when we got the pooplo more used to militarism, then we mil apply it." Tho solid part of Mr. M'Kenzie's fetter only omphasraee what I have previously affirmed that "you cannot havo organisation without proper officers and leadership, ahdyou oannot get ttie right stamp of officers without strict tests of fifness." Seeing, then, that your .correspondent and I aro in agreement at last'; may we not hope that neither of us:are quite so ignorant as wo lookP—l am, to., : D. M'LAREN. ■ May 19. ■ MB. M'LAREN AND THE SCHOOL JOURNAL. Shyreading:Mr.. M*Laren's letter to tie Minister for. Education I was surprised to see.the castigation which he administered to the gentleman holding that portfolio, and if ho survives after having been taught such a lesson as to whom were responsible for tho making oftlhe Empire, I shall feel quite relieved. Would it be out of p3aco to ask Mr. M'Lsran if he has ever givon it a thought what would now bo the stete of the Empire if such men .as > Wellington and Nelson had not been in the broach to direct affairs When things, were looking : Hue f . I think, and most people will agree with mo, that tho whole course' of present day history would have been greatly changed, and otn ■friend would not have tho, liberty of speech. ■ and pen which he now has had it not have been for the.men. of British descent who have carried the flag to the foro m all lands and seas. It is to, them that ."it: has been.possible for the men of sciohco and peace to livo in a country of safety and freedom, and who should therefore be held up as ideals to look up to, and not gentlemen who never leave their firesides.—l am, etc., • ANTI-SOCIALIST. May 19. .. ~ ' ' UNEMPLOYED COOKS AND WAITERS. Sir,—The number of unemployed oooks and waiters in Wellington (as per your issue of to-day) is largely contingent upon tho oxoessive and harsh measures granted the union in their award. Tho award was drafted in sanguine and hopeful times, and those who clamoured for their'then available pound of flesh aire now bewailing. Good men-can always command good money, and ari rarely 'out of employment, .but the apparent object of'this award is to compel employers to pay bad men good men's wages. , The majority of those now out of employmoni- are thoso wiio are not worth the money prescribed for thinv by the awardj.and as'it is a breaich to' employ them at n>lowcr..wnge;'they' must remain ldlo until circumstanoes• provide them the usual temporary'job. 1 Thd hafKhnea's Of the award has, estranged the good feeling that formerly existed between masters and men, and while secretaries and agitators aro drawing fat salaries and perquisites, the men are trustfully subscribing to, tho present opdlcncy of thoir loaders and to the subsequent disaster peculiar to blind credulity.—l am, etc., GEOKGE GOODALL. Wellington, : May 21. AN OLD WOMAN OF SEVENTY. Sir,—-As a man of over seventy, allow mo, through your journal, to thank that dear old lady for her kindly ; sympathy and feeling remarks concerning one of the bravest, kindest, and humblest Maori ladies. I won't say woman.' She was a.noblo lady—whom I, too, have had the. honour'.of knowing for a nunibor of years.- < Had Mr. Carroll, who is also a Native, 'in: the. Ministry, attended: to represent' tho Government, it would havo been a graceful.act. However; sir,'l hope it will cheer _ the old lady at Nelson to find there are spirits still in Now Zealand.—l am, etc., . v c 'i ' : . HENRY WALTON. Waikairae, May 21, 1909. ■

THE PRIME MINtSTfeR AND THE BANKS. - Sir, —Regaining tie miserable strife, existing between -taho two Conservative parties, in this conntiy.il have nothing to say. Time will bury both ' with. more or less dishonour. "What l am concerned about is the position of this Dominion in. the matter of its banking laws. T have said before in. 1 book, "Dominion Banking,", and. in numerous articles contributed to the press of Now Zealand, Australia,/ England, and United States, that oar banking laws aro a disgrace, to our .intelligence, and;that thoy only exist for the furtherance of a ' eontomptiblo capitalism which is responsible for our present monetary conditions. In a. great measure we suffer from the results of a rotten banking system and a putrid set of banking laws. It is to cure these conditions that for so long a period hare : I striven to educate the publio mind to a degree enabling it to discern the inherent ovils of our banking and the laws under which ,-tiiat business is carried on I have nothing to do with party politics, and only look at tjho subject from the point of view of a practical banker. From such a vantage groand ,1 say with all my heart, good rack to Sir Joseph Ward I I gather from his Invercaigill speech that-ho at last sees the errors of cor banking laws—that he knows,the time,has arrived for sane legislation oil this important matter. Otherwise the LiboraJ and democratic ideals of lie tinre3 will' become .wrecked and shattered. Liberty; of association for the individual is only a fiction in this country, if the people aro prevented from forming banks to carry out the, business offering on ©very hand;'. More than that, if all our laws aw aimed at.the injury of capitol ( what on earth is the nso. of talking rbout individual prosperity P Labour and Capital, under our idiotic banking laws, aro strickon in their vitals, and the country shows th'o results on every hand; in want of employment for thousands, and in the' terrible collapse in values of proportion .and commodities. Thank God! the Prime Minister recognises this, iuid has the courage to say we are under-banked. You say a "new local bank cannot commence operations" under our present laws, tfco inference being tihat such an . abnormal stato of affairs is to be commended. In othor words, our people who havo capital to fcrm a bank are to bo prevented from doing so. You would rob them of tho.powor to further all, enterprise, and force them into a state of slavery, which is repugn ant,to all ideas of thiilt >sd energy. Then jwi .say

that "wijr bank in the Empire, worfcing tinder on ousting charter/' can oommeooe operations hero if it chooses to do bo. According to our rotten laws, tho way is only open to uanfca undor "royal c)iartcr" or "Totters patent.' Now. we have only tho Bank of Australasia with a '"royal chaiteri" Tho others hero hnvo not got "kittors patent," the result being a does monopoly frw fiv® banks only. In Australia t&ero are 'no banks saro the Australasia with a "royal charter." Practically all tho others aTo working under Companies Acts or Acts of Parliament*—not letters patent. So I say once again, our laws are for a combine, trust, and monopoly of fivo banks. I am not a lawyer, but I am a banker, and understand fee law: of bankmjj hero as well as any of the. legal fraternity. Never mind what tio Sydney papers write on this subject. They only reflect tJio ideas of tho, three Australian banks which haw a big grip of the banking monopoly bore the three Australian banks which are practically living on New Zealand' deposit moneys They have not introduced outside money commensurate with ttax legitimate demands of banking credit here. In conclusion, let me Bay I treat this subject from a Dominion standpoint—tho good of all our people. The party question is bo. good to the labour and capital aspect of the case. Let it pass. Mr. Massey has said mrfting,.andiat present can do nothing in amelioration of tho wretched position wo are m. Sir Joseph Ward has said something in the right .direction—'let us haws more banks. It only remains for him, with li strong following at his back, to do something this coming session, viz., amend our banking laws in tho direction .'of liberty for new banks to organise and to permit all banks with sufficient status and capital to operate horo—not those which have "royal charters" or 'Tetters patent" only, beoauso there are none of that class in existence to come here. Down with 'monopoly ! . Let us' I have more banks I—l am, etc., , . J. B. HOBAKT. •'Wellington, May 20, 2909. [The offensive tone of Mr. Hobart's kittoi I and the violence of his language; must is- I oount any morit whioh the cause ho advocates maj; possess.. His oonstant abnae of financial institutions'grows wearisome. If he is as inaccurate in. stating the position as he ,is in stating tire attitude of this papet his views deserve as littlo attention as t£ey appear to receive. I]l1] 1 ' ■ •! HAWKE'S BAY FARMERS' UNtON. PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS. j (DT rnJtjlKsl'.ONDBNT.i '■ I ' Hastings,' May 21. The annual Provincial Conference of tbo' I Hawke's Bay Farmers' Onion was commenced, in tho Oddfellows' Hall, Hastings, this afternoon, Mr. H. M'Donald. (Pukotapa) proaiding. The president in the coarse of bis oddites,, congratulated Mr. Eustace Lane*on hia -chain*. pionsliip of tho Grown tenants and farmers generally. He doubtful prophecy made a year ago regarding -fanning prospects had not, ho was pleased to say, 'been fnlfilled. The OQiisii l-uliou of t(h© prosent Rarliaineiifc showed that a large proportion of tho mcanbors favoured the freehold. Continuing, the president alluded to the kck of interest shown in the affairs of tho union, winch was not a good sign, ,as combined action was necessary to combat those influences which milrtatod against tie intoresta of tie farm- , ing oommunity.; The prospccts for .the aiming year were healthy, although members of: the union should not be optimistic. A hearty-vote of thanks was' accorded tothe president for his address.. The treasurer submitted a balance-sheet' that-the bank balance at tho commencement of the year was £65 4s. 7dl, while the union had to its credit on April 30, 1909, the sum of £62.185. sd. Tho assets amounted to £63185 i 9d., and tho: liabilities wore nH. The baknoe-shcot was adopted. Tho offioers and executive elected {or the onauing y<w. iroro:—President; Mr. J. A. MacFarlano;. ; vice-prosident,' Mr. Hugh' M'Donald; auditor, Mr.. P. C.-Hartifibom; executive, Messrs. E.' Larto, A. H. Enssefl, 0. Codd, A.' Masters, E. Qlarko, A. L. D. Frasor, Stewart, wright, Brown, Sydney Johnston, Ambroso Well-rood, aad.a Wairoa; delegate to tboCo^oni^l 1 Conference,. Mr. ' E.Lane. '>.<:■ (BT TKMaIWTH—TRESS 'A88OCIATI0K.) ; r " ; ' '. Hastings, May 2L "Hio annual Provincial Conferenco of tlio Hawke's Bay T?<mneirs' Union was hdd at ■ Eastings. to-day. . Those 1 preeent included delegates from four branches. In the addioss of Mr. H. M. Sandora, who was presidont in tho early partof the jtast year, com- , plaint wasmadoof thohighprioo for shearing lambs, and it was stated .that as a consoqueiico thero had ' been not bo many lambs shorn as risuaL. The conference discussed various matters, and it was rtsolved, among other tilings, that the time had come when a system of universal military training should bo adopted.