NOTES OF THE DAY.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1178, 13 July 1911, Page 4

NOTES OF THE DAY.

_ At the sitting of the Anglican Synod of the Wellington Diocese on Mondaj last the state of the pension fund came up for discussion. In view of the large surplus available it was suggested that the amount of the pensions paid should be increased, a proposition which provoked some discussion. It is not our purpose to discuss this proposition so much as to remark on the attitude of Mk. Shiiitcliffe, and what it implies. This gentleman is reported to have said: "If the pension fund was as strong as appeared from the actual report (the apparent surplus being £5000), would it not, he asked, he as well to divert sonic of it to the general church fund, in order to increase the salaries of country clergy or to procure the services of a diocesan missioner V' No more improper suggestion could have been made with respect to a fund created and contributed to for a specific purpose. It is true that Mn. Shirtcliffe said he would prefer to leave the fund as it was at present until the next actuarial report, but in even suggesting fhat' such a fund could be used for any other purpose —however, 'worthy—than that for which it was instituted he raised a very dangerous proposition. Such a proposal would amount to little less than an attempt to rob the aged, the infirm, and 'he widow, and the object with which this is to be done is to relieve the Anglican community of their responsibility to provide adequate salaries for their too often underpaid country clergy. AVe do not think that Mn. Shirtcmitb really could have meant to dp (his, but his remarks on the subject might reasonably lead anyone to believe that he was agreeable to a course which might have the effect indicated. If I lie funds permit, the proper course to follow is to make some more liberal allowance than the meagre provision already granted tho bcnenciarics under the fund. It

is perhaps worth while, in referring to this matter, to direct attention to the procedure followed in connection with the pension fund of the Dioceses of Auckland, AVaiapu, and Melanesia. This fund, which has the reputation of being a model of what such a fund ought to be, has attained its present sound position mainly owing to the expert knowledge and unremitting care of Mn. \V. J. Speight, of the Government Life Insurance Ofiice. He has given much lime and attention to building up the fund and placing it in a position to meet every possible emergency. In Auckland any proposal for diversion of funds would be scouted with indignation. There the surplus fund when ascertained is divided amongst the annuitants. Auckland, it has to be borne in mind, has the same difficulty in providing salaries of back-blocks clergy as Wellington—-perhaps the difficulty there is more acute. In view of the fact that the Wellington Synod has decided to obtain a further actuarial report on the subject of its pension fund, no immediate danger may be apprehended, but the subject is one in connection with which the Synocl owes a very grave duty to those who have placed their dependence on the fund. And this should not be lost sight of in any endeavour to tide over a difficulty affecting any other branch of the finances of the Diocesc.

A great many people at this end of the world will be perplexed by the contrast between the Irish people's hearty welcome to the King on the one hand, and, on the other hand, the disloyalty and boorishness of the Dublin Corporation and the decision of the Nationalist M.P.'s to boycott the Coronation ceremonies. Of course the Irish people in the mass are loyal and warm-hearted, and as well-disposed towards King George as towards his father, for .whom most Irishmen hacl a warm affection. But there is a minority whose feeling towards England and everything English is rancourous and bitter', and it is this minority, unfortunately, that rules the roast. It has power enough to intimidate the Nationalist M.P.'s and the Dublin Corporation, and to terrorise loyal Nationalists all over the country. The position occupied by these real enemies to Ireland's true interests has a sort of parallel in the position of that minority of strife-mongers who dominate the working classes in Australasia. They are the party who, guided by secret organisations descended from the Fenians and dynamiters, have waged fierce war against Mr. William O'Brien's policy of obtaining Home Rule on a basis of real tolerance and goodwill. Mr. Redmond would gladly shake off their yoke if he could. It is deplorable that the prospects of a veal and lasting settlement of the Irish question, which there is enough commonsense and friendliness amongst the Irish people to make possible, should be clouded by the bitterness and fanaticism of those relics of the days of dynamite who never weary of shouting for vcngeance on accursed England. Mr. Asquith will never place on the statute book the Home Rule Bill that is wanted by men like Mr. Dillon and Mn. Patrick Ford ; but it is possible to hope that in the near future the Irish people will jettison their unwise counsellors and secure a settlement that will satisfy their loyalty, their natural goodfeeling and'their legitimate desire.

There is much indignation in Whangarci over an incident that illustrates extremely well tho Government's characteristic habit of making its action, even when its duty is perfectly plain, dependent upon its fear of offending a few more people than it satisfies. Some time ago there was dissension amongst the inhabitants of a tiny township as to which of two local residents should bp appointed to take charge of tho tiny local mail. It was the Minister's business to appoint somebody, but he refused to do so, because there were two little factions at this little place, and he did not know which was the larger. Appealed to, he sought to defend his neglect of his duty—tho mails in the meantime were opened and distributed by anybody who liked to do it—by blaming the residents for not deciding the matter for him. The incident now under notice concerns an abattoir site. A very long time ago a Commission was set up, at the joint cost of the Government, the Whangarci Borough Council, and two meat companies, to determine a site, and full evidence was taken. The Commission presented its report, but the Government has ever since been shuffling away from its duty of gazetting tho site recommended. And why? Because a number of people object to the site and have been bombarding the Minister, Mn. Buddo, with protests. These objectors brought forward all their objections when the Commission was set up, and they were considered trivial. But poor Mr Buddo refuses to gazette tho site because he hates, in election year, to offend any possible supporter. At Monday's meeting of the Borough Council the Mayor read a pathetic reply from him. "It is regrettable," he sadly said, "that there is not more unanimity in your district with regard to the important proposal of an abattoir site." That he should decidc for himself, even after a special Commission had made a report that he could appeal to, does not seem to have occurred to the Minister. "The ways of' Governments," says the Whangarci Advocate reflectively, "are wonderful, often humorous, and at times almost disgusting." Mil. 'Buddo, it admits, would like to do that which is right, "but he is between the devil and the deep sea: between votes and duty." And this is tho Government that wants a further spell of office !