KILTS OR EFFICIENCY-WHICH?

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1144, 3 June 1911, Page 3

KILTS OR EFFICIENCY-WHICH?

Sir,—The opposition to the kilt is so very trifling that it is hardly worth while noticing a letter under tho above heading were it not for the chance lo get homo a few more points in favour of the kill.

"A Scot's" letter is really regiment v. company. I spoko a fewwords en that subject when before the Minister for Defence a few days ago. 1 argued that tho regimental system may be all right in the Imperial Army, where the regiment is as one family, everybody knows who's who. It will be different here, where tho men will not see enough of each other to become thoroughly acquainted with many men outside their company. A sergeant, to. get tho best work out of his men, must study tho varying temperaments, sometimes under trying circumstances. Ho has to use tact and judgment in a way that will elicit warm approval from not only his own captain, hut from other officers. If an order comes for a man to be sent forward on special duty, the sergeant knows exactly who to send—a man who will be sure to bring credit to the company and to the regiment. A sentry is required for a particular post; the non-com. does not select a. man who is a bunch of nerves, but ono whom ho knows to be steady and reliable under all circumstances. Suppose the company spirit is broken up; all become wooden soldiers; the sergeant's ono and only ambition is promo Hon. A. vacancy occurs in A Company. There is a- move up all round; trouble comes ami finds non-coms, and men almost total strangers to each other—inefficiency, death, disaster, white flag. I see no great objection to the regimental system as applied to commissioned officers, because these gentlemen seldom trouble to get in touch with their men. All the world knows "the officer gets the credit, though Tommy boars the brunt" every time. Fortunately some officers are more patriotic than ambitious. That sort of sentiment is usually associated with the officers and men who wear the kilt and feather bonnet. With reference to "Another Man," who said that the Highlanders were very keen. Why, wo are all very keen; every officer and N.C.O. and man in tho force is keen. The great Duke said something like that: "Tho French aro brave; I want you to bo brave just a quarter of an hour longer." The Wellington Rifle Battalion wore ordered to a route march through the Wairarapa a few years ago. A fewhours before the fall-in, and during the fall-iu, tho rain came down in torrents. "A Scot" mentioned tho name of a company that paraded six, or not more than eight, men. The Highlanders turned out in their full strength. At Carterton there was some talk of turning back. The Highlanders went .in a body to their officers and pleaded to "sec it through." Soon after the march was resumed on the gang forward the clouds lifted, and the sun shone out, and all went welj'. At a battalion parade last Monday night week I saw fivo companies of men in khaki and a few men in white jackets. These six companies were boxed together and divided into three companies, each a few files less than the ono Highland Company. The nicht it was cauld; the breeks were but thin; what a deuce of a pickle "keen" khaki was in—most of him stayed ot home. . I fear I havo already taken up too much of your valuablo space. In conclusion just let me remind "A Scot" that the Highlanders are tho holders of the Battalion Shield and Garrison Shield. Seems they can shoot as well as attend drill! They are more than "keen"; they are "tho real Mackay." Just one shot more. I had an interview with General Godley on Tuesday morning. The general said:—"Take my word for it"—the rest of it will be told when the proper time comes. Och,' aye 1 Wo aro doing fine.—l am, etc., WILLIAM DOBSON, SEN. THE TRAMWAYS AND FAIR PLAY. Sir,—Your leader of (o-day's issuo so convinces me that combined with a fewother carping, careless criticisms of a like nature, thero lies a danger to the success of our greatest municipal concern. If such statements, suggestions, and innuendoes as you make aro allowed to pass without somo piotest it is possible that the public may suspect you know something. This prompts me to ask: Aro you justified in the plainly uncertain and indefinable position you assume? Aro''you speaking by tho book and with u lull knowledge of facts and figures in insisting that tho position bo frankly faced and tho truth told? Just what do you mean? Have you reason to doubt the statement and figures of tho engineer who signs tho balancesheet? Have you read or even glanced at tho balance-sheet? I have no brief for Jlr. Richardson, but 1 hayo sympathy with any man who is doubted as you would havo us all doubt him, while he has over and over again made suggestions from his experience and knowlcdgo to better tho results of the tramway system, and has been checked and thwarted by tho city councillors in carrying out his suggestions. And I know and have said publicly that the balance-sheets of tho engineer of our Wellington tramways arc the most complete in every detail- and tho most comprehensive oi any that I havo read or seen. Would that those of enterprises owned by tho State (which seemingly you are so proud of as to hold them up as patterns; were compiled in like manner. You begin by carping and gibing at tho. engineer because he finds it necessary to say that future financial success can only be assured and earning power conserved by refraining from acceding to requests for unjustifiable concessions and extravagant, extensions. From your remarks and gibes, one can only mfer that you aro in sympathy with some of the ridiculous suggestions lately put forward. The fact that such an unwarranted concession •as sixteen rides for a shilling could be seriously supported by what must surely bo tho most ridiculous arguments and miscalculations ever brought forward in connection with our tramways proves how timely and necessary was the engineer's warning to which you lake exception. Do you favour the proposal to extend tho tram down Happy Valley or to Kaiwarra? It is difficult to believe that Tub Dominion would have, by inference, advocated interference and tinkering by city councillors prodded on by citizens, with the engineer and responsible officers in charge of such a concern. lias Mr. Richardson "marshalled every fact that tells in favour (only) of the working"? And if you have read tho statement, why are you "afraid he has failed to state the true position"? What "full facts" arc withheld? Does not the hilly nature of our city make it a costly service to run? Surely you admit that; then why is it manifestly an advantage to havo a main artery, oven a costly, because hilly, one, rather than routes radiating from ono centre? Where is tho manifestation? Not, 1 am sure, in the statement' of the engineer, for it proves by comparison of results tho very opposite. Take the figures set nut in statements for year ending March 31, I'.HO, There, if you will read them, yon will find that (ho cost of power per car-mile is: Wellington 1.G2M., while for Christchurch it is 1.533(1. per car-mile, so that our hilly and crooked route, even if it bo a main artery, is manifestly a disadvantage.

"Much is made of the fact that certain work is done out of revenue." .Much is not. made of it, the f ll( .-l j s mentioned as it should'be. "The public is not told, etc., etc., the sums would have lo go to depreciation." Again, if you had read the slatenipiit you would have seen that Iho work should not have been charged l» depreciation, and you would not Jiave rung I lie alarm bell. Your remarks as I" "running rights" are so impossible to follow Hint I call only wonder what ynu mean. If "it is no doubt true that it is merely a matter of bookkeeping" how can il be that "llie system might prove more prolitable," etc.? Then ynu have several paints of the same kind that can be urged against the "sidled" profitableness of the system. You instance one, viz., loss from city lands used for tramway purposes. What does this enormous 10.-s amount lo? Is it v.orlh talking about? Yon make Hie unsavoury implication that the truth has not been told. Is this fair to the, officer who signs the balance-sheet? 11 is manifest, you havo not read the sheets: yet you cry stinking fi.-h; accuse an officer who cannot well reply, of falsifying the position and then you calmly say that if something else—heaven knows what—is done, anil a profit shown "so much the better." Is that fair? You say "Iho cost, of riding is as a whole, unduly low, mi some routes unfairly high." The latter assertion I dispute, but if so, whose fault is il? and here is the crux of the question. I say there has been, and is, unnecessary and unbusinesslike interference with the responsible officer both in regard (o fares and service. The policy as lo whether the system is to pay a large profit by studying profit alone like the Auckland system, or a small profit and the interests and convenience of the citizens provided for, should be laid down by our trustees, the City Council, but the fare, sections, etc., necessary to secure the result aimed at should be decided Viv the responsible officer in charge. Ho should be a general manager and not the puppet to bo made to danco to every tune or silly suggestion made by eilv councillors or even bv some editors. Will you help lo bring this about?—l am, etc., J. E. JENKINSON. May 30, 1911. [It may ease the mind of iho Hon. ,T. E. Jenkinson to learn that wo are very much in sympathy with the general principles he lays down for the sound management of the tramways. Nor do wo wish to depreciate tho excellent work of Mr. Richardson. Our objection to his report was that in painting so rosy a picture of the position of tho tramways as he did ho was doing the very thing that would be most likely to induce tho. council to make those concessions and extensions that both ho and Jlr. Jenkinson very properly point out the unwisdom of. When all things .ire taken into consideration, we do not think tho position of the tramways—that is, the tramways pure and simple—so flourishing as might he deduced from Mr. Richardson's report; and we may add that we, know that Jlr. Richardson is not responsible for the shortcomings to' which we refer. Jlr. Jenkinson has thought fit to exaggerate our comments, and to read into them something that was not intended; but, perhaps, that was necessary t'o enable him to attain the proper state' of heat which would enable him to do justice to liis cause. Still we welcome his contribution, becanso much that he says regarding the tramways is sound and to tho point.] "HONOUR TO WHOM HONOUR IS DUE." Sir,—l have been waiting—hoping that an abler pen than mine would take up the talo of tho "Naval Base," and give credit whero credit is duo to tho first man in Picton to bring before tho Government and the. public the absolute necessity for a naval base for tho protection of the Dominion, and tho facilities offered by Queen Charlotto Sound, Tory Channel, and the surrounding islands, for every requirement needed -for tho protection of New Zealand in timo of need. I refer to Mr. ,T. W, Perano, of Picton, who, at an evening of a winter's reading society, read a wonderfully clever and exhaustive article dealing with the subject, recently brought .beforo tho public at Christchnrch and elsewhere. Mr. Perano knows every inch of the Sounds, and has explored the heights whence he obtained his knowledge of tho facilities required by a defence base, and the perfect position of tho Sounds for such a purpose. His knowledge was obtained by ocular proof, and not by haphazard conversational remarks. I may say that tho society aforesaid persuaded Mr. Perano to send his article to the Blenheim "Express" for publication. In that way many people (myself included) read an article, which, in any oilier place but "placid" Marlborough, would havo brought the author- into prominence as a literary and progressive public man. It is a good many years ago since I read Mr. Perano's article, which dealt exhaustively with every requirement needed for a naval base. Every point—and more— than has been brought before tho public and press during the last few weeks was 'tVi I*'1*' rr l no ' s kh - and J th ink, Mr. i ?T- - tllat P OSSI % the clever advocate for Picton s progress would reprint his article-for the benefit of the Dominion in The Dominion.—l am, etc., R OLOMON. MILITARY CONSCRIPTION. Sir,-The subject of compulsory conscription is very much before us at tho present time, and, according to your paper and public critics it is the only way to educate public authority-educate in the art of cleanliness. Some of our leading papers are up in arms because one dares to complain against which is continually hurled at us, tho will of he peoplo-m fact, it is a favour to publish our protest against so-called military critics At last, sir, one of our leading papers has admitted the fact that the arming of Germany has called forth the present compulsory system. Sir, it is just as well to havo tho plain truth, and done wun it. homo of our papers, sir, have sneered at various protests against tho new compulsory tyranny; however, sir let me put- u few questions and facts for your military critics to push aside. Was it compulsory tyranny tliat aided Washington and his ragged, starved troops to hurl British tyranny out of America? Has, it military persecution that called Jl," 1 '"' 8 UroUan's 100,000 volunteers' in J; 8 -, when a irencli invasion threatened the .Dritish Empire? Was it military tyranny that called to arms the whole American nation in 1805 to light for or against tho emancipation of slavery '' Was it persecution in that struggle that placed fattier against son, or was it lovatty to their respective causes? Was 'it compulsory tyranny that aided the so-called ignorant littlo Boer Republic to hurl back the might of England for threo long years? Was it compulsion that found the Boer father and two sons stretched dead side by side? Sir, was it conipulsory tyranny that called New Zealand's contingents lo arms when the Empire was at stake in the South African War? Was it persecution that made her loyal sons spring from every quarter of llie known globe in defence of their Mother Land? Our leading papers, sir, could not saytoo much about the poor persecuted Russian soldier during the Japanese War. He, poor soldier, unablo to read, had to go and'light, tho cause, good or bad, ho knew not. However, as our English papers put it, they fought under compulsion for a tyrant Tsar. It seems to me, sir, our present aims ■ in New Zealand are coming near akin. ' Our present military critic tell us tho army is the only salvation of tho race, the only hope to learn authority, to learn to ba clean, and to love one's country. Sir, if history is anything, let Lord Wellington speak of tho obedience to authority during Hie Peninsular War; let Sir John Moore, of Corunna, speak of tho British Army in Ireland; let General Charles Gordon speak of the army in Ireland likewise—in fact, to quote tho words of General Abercrombio, regarding authority, he says to the English Government: "Call mo home, the army is formidable- lo all except the enemy." Sir, what made South African returned troopers, during tho late King Edward's Coronation week, inarch in defiance from Newtown lo Government House, headed by a bottle of water and lump of meat hanging from a pole? I ask what authority is this? Now, sjr, our critics tell us it teaches us purity of habit and cleanliness. Yes, our army in India speaks for itself, according to' inquiry upon tho health of the British India Army. Sir, can you recall the condition and authority of some of our South African return troopships? Did not the filthy yam, the gambling for dear life, profane language, thieving, and filthy quarters reign supreme? What chance had nu-

hority? Let the officers speak for (hem>el vo.s.

Now, sir, wo arc told, as the latest, to be loyal in defence of our country. When British regiments marched through several of England's manufacturing towns, during the South African War, to do and die, as Kipling says, and not to ask the reason why, what loyalty, sir, I ask, was it in those towns that sent powder, shot, and shell out to the Boers to shoot down your own llesh and blood? Let. me ask, sir, lo what extent the country suffered by Army contracts and scandals of various forms during that war. Remember, New Zeolandors, once it was England's cry that she ruled the waves, and commerco of the world! Now you hear the, British Lion in the manger roar because Germany seeks to develop anil expand the interest of the human race. Beware of the robber manufacturer who deals and invents cursed instruments for your destruction; beware of cable lies! Nothing would bo too bad to help and debase your mind against your fellow man, to lead you on to another slaughter such as Gravolotle. New Zealanders, let us rise iiu arms to higher ideals of charity towards our neighbour, let us away from this raco for Dreadnoughts and destruction of our fellow being. Sir, in. conclusion, where wo see dishonest diplomacy, millions of armed men watching one another, peoplo oppressed to servo Iho lustful ambitions of men in power; is it any wonder, with such corruption of society all around that we look with horror at this new danger arising in our midst?—l am, etc., G. DEE. Wellington, May 20, 1911. TSU-SHIMA-ANOTHER STUDY. Sir,—l have read with much interest the account given in your issue of May 30 by "Clvro," of tho battle of lsusliima, anil I beg you to allow me to add a few facts to his interesting narralii the first place, to-day (June 1), not Saturday last, is tho anniversary of tho great sea light. In tho second place, the Japanese guns, not Hie Russian, opened the battle. In the third place, after describing the superior disposition of Togo's fleet at tho beginning of the engagement, "Gvro" inquires: "How did ho manage it?" With your permission, sir, I will tell him. Togo knew exactly what to expect of his foe. There were Japanese spies, even some of them women, on board every ship of theßussian fleet. On the two alternative routes by which the Russian fleet might sail to the Ear East, viz., via the Red Sea and via Cape Town, all along the coasts were stationed at intervals, Japanese spies' on the look-out for tho passage of tho fleet; and these spies on shore, catching sight of the fleet, exchanged heliographic signals with tho .spies on board tho ships. There were also regular services of small boats which kept in touch with the fleet when its course lay beyond tho ken of observers on shore, and these also communicated with the spies on the ships, and carried back their reports to tho spies stationed on shore. These spies were organised in groups, connected by ambulant telegraph wires with each other, and with telegraphic centres, and all tho news they collected was telegraphically transmitted with all speed to a certain point on the coast of China, whence it was conveyd by small boats to Japan. So that the Japanese Intelligence Department and tho Admiral of their fleet knew all about tho coming Russians, not only step by step .where they were when all the rest of tho world was wondering (and to this day tho Japanese alone know for certain by which of tho two possible routes-the fleet actually sailed), but also their plans and intentions, and the state of discipline and other things on board lo the minutest details. So Togo was quite aware that the Russian Admiral intended to run through Japanese waters to Yladivostock, and what time he.was due to arrive in tho Straits of Korea; so he had one squadron of his ships disposed in ambush under the south-west coast of the island of Kiu-shiu, and the other in ambush in the Inland Sea, between Kiushiu and Nippon," and as soon as tlio Russians reached the. right spot tho one squadron attacked them in front and tho other behind. This is how Togo managed to bring so many guns to bear so promptly. Ho was ready. But how came tho Russians to bring so few to bear against them in Teply? For the converse reason—they, were not ready. "Gyro" may be perfectly right in stating that Admiral Rojdestvcnsky was an 'exceedingly able man at one time in his career; but at the time when ho 'figured before tho world as the hero of the glorious engagement off the Goodwins, and of the other, glorious engagement off tho Island of Tsu-shima, it is well known that he was quite a different man, for reasons which need not be particularised. Women and wine were in abundance on board all the ships of the Russian fleet, and most of tho officers spent the voyage in self-indulgence, not in preparation to meet the enemy. Spyniistros.ses were never at fault for excuses to bring' ships in shpro and into touch with their accomplices, and Russian officers went ashore in disguise to humour their fancies, and even narrowly escaped capture. Even ammunition was not brought up for the guns.when the fleet was in tho enemy's waters; and what could the men, aided by the fewfaithful officers, do when tho • Japanese squadrons slid from their ambush, and suddenly appeared in battle array beforo and behind? This is why so few Russian guns were -brought to' bear in reply to the' Japanese many. This is why Russian ships went down without firing a shot. This is why "it was practically all over in the first half-hour." And this is why tho bones of between forty and fifty thousand Russian men—and women —lie at the bottom of the sea in. the Straits of Korea.—l am, etc., CLIO. [Our correspondent is in error and "Liyro" is right. Tho date of Tsu-shima was May 27, 28, 1005. (Seo "Japan Directory," 1!I0", or London "Times" of date in.question.) Tho official number of tho complement of tho Russian fleet was only 16,000, so 50,000 is manifestly overstating the number of those who lost their lives. It was really less than 4*loo. No Russian vessels entered the Inland Sea until they were lowed in. There was no exploit by the Russians on the Goodwin Sands, although there was one on the Dogger Bank.] THE NATIONAL LEAGUE. Sir,—l ask permission to correct a statement made bv "Bitten" in your issue of to-day, which refers to the method ot forming tho League. He says: (1J "Agents w.ero running round all over tho city, in hotel bars and everywhere, with lists for prospective members lo sign; (2) people wero told the subscription was Is. per annum, but tho payment of the subscription was not insisted upon," etc. The facts arc: (1) That no "agents" have been employed to procure members, and that no person has been paid a penny to procure members; (2) the annual subscription is Is., and tickets of membership are sent only to those who havo paid their subscription. As Hie policy of the League is published, nothing is to bo gained by replying now to the other mis-statements contained in "Bit ton's" letter. They will he replied to from tho public platform at an. early date.—l am, etc., J. A. BRUCE, Hon. Sec, ' I National League. "MORE ABOUT KILTS." Sir,—l claim to bo voicing tho opinion of tho majority of reasonable-minded people, both military and otherwise, when I say that wo are all sick and tired of this wretched agitation that is being made by a few Scotchmen, in regard to the discarding of the kilt. , 1 was rather disgusted when I.read this.morning tho report of tho latest deputation to tho Acting-Minister for.. Defence, ..and the. remarks of several members of that misguided deputation call for criticism. Mr. Herdman. in the courso of his remarks, states that "tho kilt has been tho national dress of Scotland- lor many years, and that it is the dress of eome of tho Scottish regiments in tho Old Country." I maintain (hat tho national dress of Scotland has nothing to do with New Zealanders, and tho fact that, the kill is worn by regiments (not individual companies) at Homo is no reason why it should be' worn in military circles tare. A point that has been overlooked, and one that should be considered is this: Would the Sea forth Highlanders care about their uniform being worn as it is by the local corps? I think not. It is true there are several members, of the

Wellington Highlanders who would do credit to any regiment, but, on tho other baud, a. great many' of them out anything but an imposing spectacle when on parade. It has been asserted many times during this agitation, and Mr. Hcrdman also laid Mress on 1119 fact, that if (ho kilt goes, then many men belonging lo the company would do likewise. All I can say is that if the patriotism (?) of these Highlanders extends only to their dress, then tho force will be better off without them.

I notice that Messrs. Aitken, M'Kcnzio, M'Laren, and Fletcher also spoke at tho deputation, but why should these' gentlemen now interest themselves, when some of them have in tho past shown open hostility to the volunteer cause and military service generally? (Possibly Parliamentary honours are now in view.) 1 should like to remind your readers of the fact that tho Wellington Navals and other similar corps throughout New Zealand, as well as the companies of Guards, whose records all dato back to the early days of volunteering in New Zealand, are quietly and patriotically putting aside all question of sentiment, and consenting to the removal of their characteristic uniforms in favour of the more sensible and serviceable dress now decided upon. In conclusion, I should like to appeal to tho local company of Highlanders (or should I say their misguided friends) to ceaso this ill-advised and foolish agitation, and so save the force from' further ridicule.—l am, etc., TEMUTOBIAL. Wellington, May 27, 1911. .THE SALE OF OUR RAILWAYS. A CBITIC WITH IDEAS. Sir,—Tho Canadian Government having now agreed to guarantee the cost of the Canadian North Western lino (.£7,000,000), is it not time for us to change our railway policy in New Zealand? Wc aro suitcring Irom threo great evils: (1) .£3OO a. year politicians; ('J) high-cost of living; (3) the dearth of private enterprise. As to the first, Sir John Mac Donald, in 1875, seoing the log-rolling and corruption that inevitably follows public expenditure of loan money, patriotically proposed that tho whole, Canadian railway construction policy should lx> expelled the walls of that Parliament. It was; and tho tone of Canadian Parliamentary life since has been admirable. That Government has even just let a contract lo build its war docks. Tho Hon. R. M'Kenzie's present tour in tho North Island of New Zealand, advising tho people to return "borrowing members," is consequently degrading to our manhood and absolutely unpatriotic. As to the second: The work people have a perfect right to complain of the high cost of living, brought about by three things: (1) Enormous public debt; (2) tho necessary waste and extravagance of all Government expenditure; and (3) needless military and other expenditure. My suggestion has always been that NewZealand should sell her railways and pay off her public debt, in order to reduce tho cost of living to tho poor (not the trade unionist aioue, but all poor people). We cannot manage cither tho railways or tramways, as State or municipal concerns now, owing to the excessive demands of tho employees and tho public. A Government should only govern. The Hon. Mr. Millar, the white-haired boy of Labour ten years ago, is now, figuratively, a despised, black-browed ruftiau, because ho wishes to run bis Departments honestly. Dishonesty is what is publicly wanted, and up goes tho cost of living. Of course, the public and the employees eventually have to pay for what tlicy wrongly ask for. The idea of tho Government of New Zealand having 13.0,000 employees and dependents of employees (men and women and children), as they have now, should frighten everybody. AVe must turn to the doctrine of private enterprise, and the first followers of my standard should bo tho present Cabinet Ministers. If Sir Joseph Ward and Mr. Millar admit (as they must now) that tho railways cannot bo managed' bv the State, then it is quite clear the lines must pass under private management. I contend that for the men's own sake there should not bo n Government job for any workman in NewZealand to turn to. "Stato ownership unerringly spells unemployment. As to the third: Eogarding the salo of the railways—l will leave South Island thinkers, better qualified than I am, to say how those railways should bo owned privatelv. But for the North Island, 1 would* suggest four private companies— (1) Tho Main Trunk Railway Company; (") tho West Coast Trunk Line Company; (3) the East Coast Line; and (1) tho North of Auckland Railway Company. •Vs the Minister cannot manage them iiow and commissioners cannot manage them, wo must turn to private directors management. ... I have been advocating, for some years, the third trunk line (viz., tho East Coast), and that it should be constructed privately. It shortly will be constructed. It would run from tho Lower Hntt across to Wainui-o-mata, through tho hills to Mr. Alfred Matthews's property on the Wairarapa Lake. (The surveys have been taken and the cost is only .£IOO,OOO in excess of tho deviation via Woodside). Thence to Piriuoa; on to Martinborough, Brancepcth, Te Nui, Pongaroa, Weber Valley, Waipukurau, Napier, Gisborne, and Waihi; connecting with the Auckland East Coast line. All branch connections to be made privately, and not by "borrowing members. 1 respectfully contend that the country, is anything but difficult, and it con all bo used for dairying; strange as that statement may seem to those who know littlo of dairy-farmers' requirements. The municipality'of Wellington cannot run its tramways now except at enormous cost and loss. 1 hope to cnl.st the new council to tho standard of pi 1 ato enterprise" in New Ken and. 1 hate seen so many proposals ot my own eventuate during my own lifc-linio .(such as dairy'factories, water-races, Holstoin cattle and tho like) that I rely now more iiljon my own judgment of wii.it is warned .an'anything.the i308,i-ycar politicians say. My wish is to aid the poor on the one hand by making their eight-shilliugs-a-day wage really worth eight shillings; and- the wealthy, by keeping our public life more pure than it is, «o that when tho day comes to meet any foe, it will find us a united people. At present the cost of living is tmiply appalling. This hydra-headed monster must bo thrown down, and '.ho standard of "private enterprise" planted upon, its body. I think, therefore, I f m justified in calling upon the citizens of Wellington, the capital of the Domiil'iin, to rallv round the new standard. Tiio destinies of New Zealand will not bo in the hands of trade unionists. Wc cannot hopo to compete «i Hi the cheap coal, iron, and labour supply ol China, Japan, and India. Our strength will he in our dairy output, under closo settlement, and I hope to see a thousand dairv factories along the East Coast Main Trunk line (as I have always sm.l there would be) necessitating doubling tho piesent, size of Wellington as the port of rtiipmont and distribution. H"t w«at 1s the u=e of working for this if Stato employment and high cost of hying continue? The poor will not. bo Ixmofitod tho birth rate will still fall away, and present domestic misery will continue. For there is at present great domestic misery in New Zealand, under this lerlible'doctrine of State employment; and the first duty of any statesman should bo lo promote (lie happiness of 'he mothers of the people. I say that the mothers of New Zealand (rich and poor alike sro far from happy domestically, and that thev will bo happier women under tho standard of "privatei enterprise. Our aim should bo tho greatest happiness of the greatest number, without fear and without favour. At present the politicians scarcely consider the mothers at all. , ' Certain of the public Departments must be retained, but "the greatest wooden building in the world," on Lambton Qnav, and the huge printing offices are not required. Lot them be sold, and their sites converted into building lots for private enterprise, unless the land is really required for the tnio purposes of Government.

I do not think it necessary to allow the trado unions or Labour' party in Now Zealand io (alco command of our affairs, as has been done in Australia, for tho purposo of that party gaining «- pcrieneo in government. It is tho dairy farmer who has to pay tho piper now, and lie must call tho tnno. Will that farmer please mako up his .iiind what ho is going to do? Tho task has fallrn to my lot of leading him to where ho stands at present. Will bo jiott rally round the. new standard of "privaje en-

lerpriso," or continue to lean upon an effote .Government, in place, of l)eing manly and independent, as tho Danish farmers; having overything (their daily bulls and experiment, farms) under pn-, vulo enterprise? Under this proposal ho 1 will get all his requirements at twothirds the cost ho is paying now, so that' his annual 'expenditure vill Lo reduced one-third. Will ho think that good enough? If eo, his first task, his bounden duty lo family and himself, is )!ut lo return a "Irarrowing member" to Parliament. This is just whero (he Hon. It. M'TCenzio.and I differ, and this is tho chief issuo for Now Zealand lo determine at the next election: Stato Employment v. Private Enterprise.—l tf.m, ftc, COLEMAN PHILLIPS. Carterton, Mny IG, 1911. THE TRAMWAY SERVICE. Sir—The thousands of thoughtful residents in this city arc beginning to feel, and it must be admitted with good reason, that the tramway hands are overlapping the bounds of reason in their demands. I Hut a, very small percentage of thoso men ever enjoyed such wages before, nor' ever will after they leave that service.! .There can bo no two opinions regarding' the wages paid. There is no occupation of hard workers so well paid. Take tho carpenter, painter, and a host of others. They nearly all have broken time, but' the tram men have their full week every! time, and frequently overtime, which I carries extra wages. I As proof that the work cannot be eo ' very arduous, sonic of them do their ut-i most to get "calls-back." I am assuredj that one conductor, who enjoys long hours, i had for his two weeks' wages over -.£B. Some even enter into business, competing against thoso who have (0 depend on their business for a living. Kooontly ono of tho inspectors launched into business. This step was no doubt prompted by the hope that patronage would flow an from* the men over whom ho exercises control,'' and it may. But why? ; What will citizens say if fares have 1 to bo increased in order to meet tho demands made? The Mayor told us not I long ago that such demands wonld mcani an extra yearly outlay of over XBOOO. Need one dwell on this? His Worship also I told us there wore between two and three thousand applicants on the books for employment. This great fact suggests to my mind that tliero are hundreds among them who would most cheerfully fall to any moment, and bo thankful for the opportunity, and guarantee to abide by pre-* sent conditions. Tho reasonable men among tho employees—and thcro aro many —arc quite satisfied that the city authorities are treating them well, and aro very much against harassing them. Some have stated that they can gain all they acquire, as there aro over COO votefl among them. Surely any thinking individual must see that, such a. number is a mere trifle on a roll of about 30,000. —I am,( etc., ABSIT INVIDIAM May 30, 1911.