LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1180, 15 July 1911, Page 10

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.

CHARGES OF THE PUBLIC TRUST OFFICE. Sir,—l would liko to draw attention through the columns or your paper, to tho high charges' imposed 011 settlers by tlio Public Trust Office. Recently I applied to tho l'ublio' Trustee for an advance on mortgage, and tho. loan was granted. I asked that my solicitors should prepare the mortgage. My rcciuesl; was refused, tho Public Trustee saying the office solicitor must prepare the mortgage (or rather fill in tho printed form). In due course tho mortgage was completed, and seven guineas wero deducted from tho advance for costs of preparing tho mortgage, and another guinea for registration and costs of same. Tho advance was between .£2OOO and =£3000. The scale charge for lawcosts for preparing and completing mortgage for from =£2000 to ,£3OOO from tho Government Advances to Settlers is XI 17s. 6d., with each disbursement added, which are: Registration fee, 10s.; search fee, 25.; mortgage form, 25.; with additional 2s. for each certificate. of title. Now, why should there be such a diffcrenco in the two Departments, and if the living are treated in this way, how will the dead ones fair. Again, if any reduction is asked, the head office writes back a very curt, snappy answer, implying that their charges are not to be questioned, and refuse any satisfaction.—l am, etc., SETTLER.

LIBERTY V. MILITARY CONSCRIPTION. Sir,—Wo read by the Home cables thai New Zealanders aro assured of a greater form of liberty, something hitherto unknown throughout the British Empire. Sir, who is this Dr., or rather, Sir John Findlay who dares to speak in the liamo of a freo people, this one-time contemptuous writer on titled folk? Who is this representative of a free people that speaks of sacrifices on tho part of every mail throughout New Zealand? Sir, seeing that we are assured of a greater measure of liberty in the future, and that this present Government have quite recently shown us what justico moans, and seeing that compulsory military training is now the said law of tlia land, I feel assured that your open paper and military defence authorities should bo only too pleased to give every possible enlightenment and help towards a thorough understanding with those who for many reasons so far cannot serve tho purposes of lustful ambition of men in power, or obey the law of the land in respect tn compulsory conscription. Therefore, sir, I beg to bo enlightened npbn several details respecting compulsory conscription. 1. The present military lair enforces the youth of New Zealand from the ages of fourteen to twenty to enroll. What assurance have New Zealanders that, the said law of enrollment shall not extend beyond tho age of twenty, and, in other words, become compulsory conscription, as in foreign countries. 2. Sir, in case Great Britain engages herself in some European war evolved out of a question perhaps of no interest to Now Zealand, what claim or power will Great Britain have upon New Zealand's military law should war break out? Will tho said conscript law have the power to draft New Zealaud regiments out to the fr n nt, or will such a case bo left to con scicnce, loyalty, and the voluntear? 3. When great schemes are set in. motion brains aro generally required, and hard and generous workers generally feel assured.of some little return for long services to their country. Sir, what incentive is it, I "ask; to a New Zealand military student to studr and learn in. the hope of promotion wlien our liberal Government aro importing their officer friends out here at high expense to the country? Sir, I claim our officers hero have first right to their country's service and money. They well understand New Zealanders and their ideas of liberty. Our British officer. has,no claim,.to guido us, if all the recent .Sduth. African blunders are taken into account. They do not understand, or will ever have the full sympathy of New Zealand volunteers or conscripts generally. 4. Considering tho vast amount of misunderstanding concerning this huge military conscription sche-iiiu, have not the public of this city every right to be enlightened from a public platform address? Public military addresses will carry more weight than threats through tho public press. Sir, seoing that MajorGeneral Godley, of the New Zealand .Forces, has seen much servico in tho field of action, seeing that he is a t lover of outdoor 6ports, seeing that he is a man capable of demonstrating tho advantages of military training, and a man calculated to leavo an indelible mark upon whatever sphere of action he enters upon, considering all these advantages, X ask, sir, why have not the Government seen fit to invito Major-General Godley to address the public of Wollington upon this .important question of compulsory conscription? Sir, in conclusion, the people havo tho right to the fullest information respecting tho law of the land. lot their Government. defence officers como out and meet the boys and the public generally, let ns receive every personal knowledge and help to respect the law of Jho land, and in a great measure assure New Zealanders that their love of freedom will in no respect bo taken. away.—l am, etc., G. DEE.

Wellington, July 9, 1911. GOVERNMENT'S POLICY. Sir,-Iu Mr. Massey's able address last week at the Town Hall, ho pointed out how certain Government representatives toured New Zealand—distorting facts and figures—with a view to furthering their own ends. Mr. Massey should remember that probably the oldest and the most potent plank in the Government's policy lays down tho principle of "Give a lie a twenty-four hours' 6tart, and you'll never catch it," and by this platform many an election lias beon won in days gone by by the party in power. Now, that "ideal liberal" who until recently expressed such strong views on "titles" and "snobbery generally," but who nevertheless the other day, under "great pressure," no doubt, accepted tho title of Sir John Findlay, in his. very instructive little book entitled "Humbugs v. Homilies," advises his fellow-Liberals to "Do good to self, and blush to find it fame." This suggestion is tho very quintessence of Liberalism, as understood by our present rulers, and,-needless to say, our Ministers' never allow an opportunity to pass without carrying out the. advice given in the first portion of this homily; while as to the latter portion, by reason of their blushes, usually aro their methods of "covering up" spared. Mr. Massey repeatedly asks. "What is tho Government's policy?" but as Ministers inviriably sliirk this question,'l would suggest that hy taking the two. above-mentioned principles togefher, ."Give a lie a start," and "Do good to self," wo have tho "great Liberal party's" policy condensed into a nutshell. They have no policy other than tho above, but on it they grow fat, and bamboozlo outsiders with regard to the prosperity of New Zealand. In tho meantime, unfortunate, confiding electors (whoso household and other expenses are daily increasing by leaps and bounds) have to foot the bill that kcops these Liberal gentlemen in office and affluence. Look pleasant, and be prepared for further taxation.—l am, ctc., A DISGUSTED TAXPAYER.

THOSE DEATH DUTIES. Sir,—lt is to Ijo regretted that the Ward Government should liavo found an apologist in .Mr. Masscy for the infamous Death Duties Act—an Act which should have boon entitled "An Act to Facilitate tlio Spoliation and Robbery of tlio Widows and Orphans of the Thrifty Middle Classes of >"ew Zealand." Mr. Jlassey in your columns yesterdav i? reported to have stated in the course of his speech at Hastings that the Government had omitted to consider tlio Death Duties Act properly, that it was not intended to nltcct the smalt man, yet it did ko. Sir, I think Mr. Massev will find it difficult (after the able exposure yon made of the said Act in your vnluablo columns some months ago) to convince the middle classes of the generous intentions of the Ward Government. If, sir, the Government have found out they made an erroneous calculation as to t.ho bearing the. Act., hod . on. the middle classes, why have they made uo attempt to amend it?. Instead of adoptiog that

course, tlicy have loudly proclaimed on every available opportunity that it is perfect, and an enormous relief to the small man. It seems to me, sir, that tho reassns are very apparent why the Government are so enamoured with the said Act. Tho fact nf tho matter is they required moro money to enable them to carry out their grow and profligate expenditure, and having extracted as milch as they deemed prudent and convenient out of thn wealthy man, they turned their attention to fleecing tho small man. In doing they knew they were sure of the support of the Socialist party and Ilia Labour unions, and it was scarcely probable that the rich man would oiler any serious opposition, consequently it was both a safe and easy means of raising the wind. However, I do not believe that any amount of apology or explanation will convince the small man that this Act was otherwise than framed fc-r the express purposo of exploiting the hard earnings of the thrifty small settler, and I sincerely hope that as in the past so you will continue to exposo the wrongdoing of tho Ward Administration in the framing and passing of the Death Duties Act, and that next November yon will reap your reward by seeing the TVaril Government ignominiously ejected from office. Apologising for trespassing on your valuable space,—l am, etc., DISAPPOINTED. Masterton, July 5, 1911. [Mr. Massey, in his Wellington speech, made it clear that he was opposed to the unwise and indefensible penalising of the small owner of a little money through tho Death Duties Act. We nnall hare-a good deal more to say on the subject of death duties at tho proper time.] MR. ATKINSON'S CANDIDATURE, Sir, —Your 'correspondent "Reformer," iii Tuesday's Dominion", has placed his views of Mt. Atkinson's candidature for AVellington East before your readers. "Reformer" is evidently very keen on getting Mr. Atkinson to stand down in favour of Dr. Newman, and the arguments lie uses in support may or may not be perfectly sound; but to me, an outsider, it seems most extraordinary that a candidate of Mr. Atkinson's standing and ability should be asked to forego all claims to a constituency with which ho has been capably associated for many years. If I remember rightly, Mr. Atkinson was .only, defeated on tho second ballot three' years ago, and if I interpret public feeling rightly to-day, I think I am justified in saying that the ruiyieiup at tho last election will be the victor at the coming poll. Mr. M'Larcn, the present member for Wellington East* has played a lone hand, and has done little to recommend him for a renewal of public confidencr.

But what concerns me most is your I correspondent's suggestion that 111'. Atkinson should become tho Reform candidal for tho Hutt seat. "Reformer" is right when he says "Mr. Wilford's bold on tho electorates has sensibly weakened," and I firmly believe, as a Hntt olector, that a sound politician with NoLicenso views would have no difficulty in wresting the seat from the present occupant. Feeling in the Hutt and Petono is very hostile to Mr. Wilford and the party to which he belongs, and thero is general opinion amongst all classes of the community that it is time a chango was effected. But the mail? "Reformer," says Mr. Atkinson. I say Dr. Newman. "Tho doctor" has interests in tho district, and could, if elected, make his home in the Hutt without inconvenience to himself. He is popular, clever, and amiable withal. He is just tho. stamp of man who would win his way to the hearts of Petoneites (residents of Smellville), while completely filling all tho requirements of Lower Huttites (residents of Swellville). It is just this Swellvillo.voto that has put Mr. Wilford in in tho past. It is not because Swcllvillo likes Mr. Wilford, but because tho other fellow, a resident of Smellville, is too plebian. Instance: Last "election, Mr. Short, running his first Parliamenf.iry race, obtained only 80 votes fewer than Mr. Wilford at Petono, which possesses half tho voting strength of the electorate; at Lower Hutt, Mr. Wilford's majority was GOO! Give us a man (especially one who has a charming lady to work tho society end of tho business) who can capture this Lower. Hutt vote, and- the seat will belong to the Reform party. That man, in my opinion, is Dr. Newman. And I still maintain that Mr. Atkinson is tho man for Wellington East.—l am, etc.,

PRO LIBERTATE PATRIAE; Hutt, Juno 28, 1911. l RAILWAY AND TRAMWAY ACCIDENTS. Sir,—Having regard to the frequent occurrence of railway and tramway accidents—somo of them resulting in loss of life and injury to passengers—it has occurred to me, and no doubt' to other travellers, that it is very desirable, in the public ■ interest, that, whenever a serious railway or tramway accident occurs, a searching public inquiry should be held before a magistrate in tho samo manner as is required by the Shipping Act in tho case of shipping casualties, and in the case of fires under the Coroners Act. When a serious accident occurs the public are surely entitled to know the true cause of such accident and on whom the responsibility therefor rests. If a magisteriat inquiry wero held the magistrate would be empowered to summon witnesses, examine them on oath, take down their evidence in writing, and suV mil' the same, with his report, to the proper authorities. Ho would also have tho power to cite before him as parties to the'inquiry any person or company, and have a discretionary power to order any such person to pay the costs of tho inquiry. Every serious accident would be promptly reported to the magistrate by tho police and the magistrate would then proceed to hold an inquiry which would be open to the public and press.--I am, etc., TRAVELLER. Auckland, July 3, 1911. A PLEA FOR THE LABOUR PARTY.

Sir,—Next Thursday we are to have from Mr. Massey an exposition of the sins of the Government and the aims of the Opposition party. May we not say "a plague on both your houses"? What has New Zealand to hope from either? The present Government is a continuation of the Liberal-Labour movement of Ballanco and Seddon. The Labour partner is disclaimed, but they aro yet Liberal— to themselves. The public debt lias increased from .£37,000,000 to over .£81,000,000. The benefit from this enormous sum of borrowed money, in the shape of increased land values, lia-s gone entirely into the hands of the possessing class. Relatively, Labour is worse off now than before. , Its purchasing power relatively to the cost of living is less than it was "ton years ago. As the Crown lands 'have been mostly assimilated, and land values enormously increased, the lal> ourer's chance of settling on tho land has correspondingly diminished. The Liberal Government has never Teally attempted to continue Mr. Ballance's scheme of taxing land values. It has compromised and dallied with the question, and employed every subterfuge to evade it. The crowning "act of the Government has been tho conduct of its head in tho accepting of a baronetcy, and his empty boasts, vaunts, and misrepresentation of New Zealand opinion at sundry banquets in his honour. To-day the Liberal party stands discredited in" the eyes of every honest man throughout this Dominion. Can' we, then, turn to the Opposition party with any degree of hope? Its leader, Mr. Mnssev, is a man of undoubted integrity and force of character. He has associated with him men (like Mr. Allen) who have done good strviea in exposing and denouncing the errors of the Government. But ;lie fault _of the Opposition lies in (his, audit is their condemnation. They do not stand for unselfish ideals. The Opposition may be. said to stand for— 1. Turning out the Government and getting into power themselves. 2. I'or the purpose oT giving the Crown lessees tho right to the freehold at the original valuo (thereby defrauding the I country).

3. And especially for tho of checking and, if possible, "downing" the Labour party. None of them particularly unselfish ideals, nre they Now, the Labour party has great faults. It has frequently proved itselt narrow and selfish. But at its worst it is preferable to either of the other two. At. its best thero is no comparison. When lead by men like Fisher' (of Australia) it is capable of fur-sighted-ness and unsjolfiihnws, and of rising above

class feeling. New Zealand's hopo lies in the Labour party. Tho Liberal and tho Opposition party have proved again and attain, they, stand in-tho interests of capitalism. The Labour.party alone represents the workers of every class, it alone stands for the hope of final emancipation from the bondage that capitalism <tnd land monopoly are rapidly bringing us 10. To it alone wo must look for the reali.-ation of tho hopes of humanity.—l am, etc.. X. Ngaio, July i. ■ iTHE COUPON SYSTEM, "THE ARCADIANS." Sir,—Wil 1 you kindly adviso ino through your columns what advantage obtains by use of tho "coupon" system of booking which has como into vogue? Hero are two experiences which leave me in the quandary. For "The Whip" 1 was ono of the first six to view the plan from the payment side of the desk, yet I found nearly one-third of the scats marked off on tho night I wished to attend. To-day I aroso with the cheerful sparrow, and by curtailment of breakfast and the uso of an extra section on the trams became tho proud possessor of coupon No. 51. Elated with success, I sauntered in after No. 50 to select my good seats. To get two where the stately pillar did not obtrude or the sturdy wall cut. off half. my. view, I had to turn to the plan for Monday night. I now forswear tho cheerful sparrow and his frisky chirp, and with, pangs of longing for the other slico of toast, beg to ask, "Why is this thus?"—l am, etc., EXCITED. [The advantages of tho coupon system are stated to be as follow:—Tho coupons were distributed in sequence ah hour and a half before the plans were opened, at the hour of opening tho coupon numbers were called, and the holders got the preference in booking in the order of the coupon numbering. This prevents crowding at tho doors at 9 a.m. (the hour box plans usually open), and reduces the amount of time spent in waiting about. Under tho coupon system no ono person is allowed to book more than 25 seats. Our correspondent "Excited" was No. 51, and says that he could not get tho scats he desired until Monday (the fourth night of the season). This is certainly rather curious. Mr. Leo do Chateau, tho advanco representative of "The Arcadians" Company, when seen on the subject, expressed the opinion that the writer must have taken precious good caro to avoid the "stately pillar" and tho "sturdy wall" ill booking so far back witli No. 51 coupon, for if each coupon-holder who preceded him had booked four seats each it would only have meant 200 seats booked altogether. Mr. do Chateau considers tho system a wise and beneficent one, but would lileo to assure "Excited" that the joys of Arcady' as expressed by his company will amply comi>eusato him (on Monday next) tor last Monday morning's travail.] WADESTOWN TRAMS. Sir,—As you have been good enough to publish Dr. Newman's kindly references to myself at the opening ceremony yesterday, will you permit mo to state that that gentleman who supported my representations to the doctor (then Mayor) was Mr. A. Wells Newton, of Goldie's Brae? Tho doctor's sympathy was fortunately operated by lus buoyant _ energy and backed up by Councillor Shirtcliffo, whom I also interviewed—thus the further report and the present route, tho frank acceptance of which, in view 'of other recommendations, speaks volumos for 1 tho manly nature of our City Engineer. As a matter of fact, the idea of this route originated with Mr. Lawrence Birks, and my own activities, although extending over several years", have therefore been exercised in forwarding the suggestion of another person. Ono prominent clement in favour of the present line is that it brings all possible area within its rating scope, without which tho loan could not havo been raised.—l am, etc., G. CARWELL COOKE. Wadestown, July i, 1911.

, r A CHANGE IS WANTED. Sir,—Will you kindly allow me space in your valuable columns? I read with great interest tho valuable space you allotted to Sir James Carroll's fluent speech delivered at Invercargill tho other evening, and wonder that it has not ever occurred to the electors of this Dominion that their Liberal leaders, one and all, should have the freedom to use them as their slaves (if I may term them so), so that they can climb the ladder of ambition—to a title, without the slightest disdain from their supporters. Now, would Sir Joseph Ward, with his new title, ever sincerely thank those electors for posting him in his present position, that has enabled him to return with such glowing pride? If ho should, I don't think it would flow voluntarily. Quite the reverse. I think it would bo simply a "has-to-be-done" duty with him. Now, again for Sir James Carroll. Note how he was politely sneering at Mr. Massoy's opinion of tho Opposition party, delivered at Invercargill a short whilo ago. Surely tho public have more common sense than to believe all Sir James tries to impart to them with his usual silvery tongue. Is it not his duty to do so— whether good or bad? Does it not occur to the electors that they cannot always accept theso Ministerial opinions without a grain of salt? That a hawker will always speak very highly of any tin article he is trying to dispose of to any ignorant buyer as a beautiful silver article; that a quack doctor will always highly praise his quack medicines; and that an anarchist will always uphold anarchy. Well, then, of course, Sir James will have to speak up for his Government —whether right or wrong—simply because he has to do so.

Now, what I want to know is this: If the Opposition party should hapj*n to get office again, could they administer worse laws? Could they grapple more after titles? Could they place the country in a heavier debt? Could they allov; any more political influence to be practised in certain public transactions? Could they give us a worse railway time-table? Could they overlook the good qualities' of their opponents any moro than the present Liberal Government? No! I don't really think a better thing could happen to the Dominion than a change of Government. Why cannot the electors como forward and tell the present party that they have administered quite long enough: that a change could not possibly do more harm—either morally. or financially? Or are they going to allow the present Ward Administration to "rule over' them and just dictate whatever they like to their poor "hypnotised electors?- If:.so, then I think it about time someone awakened them! Despite all the fuss the Liberal electors seem to make over Sir Joseph Ward's acceptance of an hereditary baronetcy, I have 110 doubt'that, not "one of them will have tho courage to say anything, cither now nor at the next election. Instead, why cannot they turn round and tell him straight, out that lie has now reached the end of his political tether—that if tEey cannot remove his title they can remove both him and his party from having any further power in our Dominion's politics- and let him see that Liberals do not support titles? That if any man wishes to rule- over them, that he must remain just a Mr Ward, as did our illustrious and never-to-be-forgotten Sir. Sedrlon ? Thanking you for your kindness,I am, etc., Jj.J.d.