TOWN EDITION.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 7244, 17 December 1894, Page 3

TOWN EDITION.

THE OUTSIDE WOULD

The action of the National Agricultural Union of Great Britain may be expected to result in concessions to landowners that will enrich them at the expense of the people. Their first cry will be for the abolition of tithes. These constitute a form of taxation at once annoying and unjust, as all imposts for the support of a creed must be. But, if tithes were abolished tomorrow the whole, or nearly the whole, benefit of the remission would fall to the landowners. For instance, to put the question in a nutshell, tithes are paid by either owner or tenant. In the former case remission is directly to the owner. In the latter it is indirectly to him, because the existing payment by the tenant forms part of his rent, and if tithes were remitted the rent would be raised to the extent of the remission as soon as the tenant's lease fell in. And as, if tithes were remitted, there would be a gap in the accounts of the Chancellor of the Exchequer, some new form of tax or its equivalent in decreased expenditure on useful matters would result. Yet the cry of '• Abolish the tithes " would be very popular in the Old Oountry, simply because of obscurity of thought. The only just way to abolish them would be to replace them by a special tax on landowners, and that would be the tithes ; over again under another name.

A similar confusion of thought exists here in connection with the Government cheap money scheme, which in some way is expected t,o confer benefits upon the people at large. In reality it constitutes a gift to those landowners lucky enough to be allowed to " stand in," and a gift at the expense of the landless majority. We challeuge any supporters of the scheme to controvert our words. We open our columns to them, and undertake to prove our case against all-comers. The Government have now the advantago of a detachment of trained lawyers in their service in connection with this very scheme, and we challenge any of them to show that we are incorrect when we say that the cheap money scheme as it now exists by law involves enriching the landowner at the cost of the whole community. If any among them thinks this is not so, let a start be made upon the following : —The value of land varies directly as its average productiveness and inversely as the rate of interest. For instance: The change of interest from 5 to 6 per cent raises the value of a £500 property to £000. To bring this about the country employs its credit and State machinery, and therefore the difference in values is unearned increment. Now one of tho maxims in modern politics, and one which is urged in favor of State ownership of land, is that the unearned mr crement belongs to the State. It follows that this principle is either fallacious or that for the State to lend money at interest lower than the current rate is unprincipled.

Poor Newfoundland ! In 1890 it was captured by the " progressive" politicians, who at once began to preach the virtue of loans. Loans were negotiated. Bribery and corruption set in, and all the saviors of the country and lovers of the people dipped their hands in the borrowed money. The friends and relatives of these saviors as aforesaid were provided with billets or succeeded in getting contracts, and borrowed money paid the bills. Last year the Government persuaded the people to consent to a further loan of £800,000, which is equal to four pounds per head of the population, or twenty pounds per average family. The total public debt amounts to close upon fifty pounds per average family, which is more than the average Newfoundland family can in a year. We all remember—only too well—the terrible revelations of bribery and corruption which resulted in the expulsion from power of the then Premier, Sir William Vallance Whiteway, a Knight Commander of the Exalted Order of St. Michael and St. George. It is a miserable story.

It is to bu hoped that the proposal j of the United States to have the , Nicaragua Canal constructed upon such t terms that it will practically belong to ] the world will be carried into effect. The Suez waterway is of such immense importance to the existence of the . Mother Country as a trading and i colonising Power, and she is so bitterly opposed by some of those Continental c diplomatists who in their Republican > way perpetuate the traditions of the first ' Napoleon, that it is absolutely neces- , sary for her to retain the preponderating influence she at present possesses "in ] the management of the canal. But no I such reasons as that can be brought to ' bear upon the proposed canal from Lake Nicaragua into the Pacific Ocean. ' The completion of the Nicaragua Canal would mean a tremendous gain for us I in New Zealand. Instead of the trip ' of some thirteen thousand miles or j thereabouts by way of the Indian ] Ocean, Suez, and tho Mediterranean to i Plymouth, or the longer drag from the * Bluff to'Soutkampton along the two ' side 3 of the triangle which connect the Bluff with Cape Horn and that with the English Channel, our vessels could • go along the base of that triangle in < an almost straight line, and so save between two and three thousand miles. ' That would mean an increase in the : price of all the products we export equal to the difference in cost between steaming the longer and the shorter distance. The projected Panama Canal would confer similar benefits, but it looks very much as if that is never to be finished. Mr Mundella appears to have made a manly utterance in reference to his connection with the Bank of New Zealand, when addressing his constituents, but there is another side to the question that he appears to have missed. In hi? position it was not enough that he should not design evil to be done in the administration of the bank's affairs —hi 3 greatest enemy would not suspect him of that—but it was his duty to ensure the prevention of evil doing. And his statement that the reason why he hadfnot made any kind of explanation sooner was because the affair was sub juilice, seems lacking in candor and ingenuousness. We hope that Mr Gladstone will derive strength and health from his wintering in the South of France. We may not all agree witli what ho has said and done—in England many of the working classes despise him for what he has loft unsaid and undone— but we can all stand upon common ground in admiring him as one of the most wonderful Englishmen the century has produced. It is pleasant to think that he is so happily placed pecuniarily, and ha 3 been so for so many years, that he can afford to run away from the treacherous English climate. It is a pity that rtll there who are elderly and infirm cannot do likewise. But, to reverse the meaning of an old bit of doggerel, and so make | it more truthful :—- As life is a thing that money oan buy, Tho rich may live where the poor must dio. Now that the Porte has arranged for an enquiry into the late massacres in Armenia, it is likely that we shall ' get some truthful accounts of that ; shocking affair. Wo feel rather less proud of the attitude of the United i States in this matter than of that 1 adopted by the statesmen of Russia, France, and Great Britain, and the more so as our Yankee cousins, like the i French, have risen above the weakness ' qf kings and queens, preferring to take 1 their oppression from greasy syndicates and unholy rings. We cannot tell, of t course, and only imperfectly guess at, i what limitations upon the action of tho r American Consul have been placed by " j tlr' President, but as they are sufficient 'to jilaco flint g_!i!{Hmii>. -.mifnuo Uio

pale of the enquiry, wo are sorry that there have been such limitations.

Arc there any Seddon.? and MoKenzies in New South Wales ? If not a " Kose by any ether name," etc. At all events, they seem to have carried out th«ir " relrsnchmenf over ther« very much on the lines of what has been effected here. What an outrage on honesty — the dismissal of 372 officers to save money, and the appointment of 1278 ! There will be a surprise for New Zealanders presently, when the Government are forced to reveal how they have acted similarly, and how to gratify personal spite, or to reward followers, or to find billets for friends and relations, and the hangerson of friends and relations, good men who have grown old in tho public service have been " retrenched" and cast upon the world.

Another bit of good news for wool growers, the Spanish Cortes having iv opposition to the Government carried a resolution in favor of reducing the import duties on wool. Even the stupid people who make a fetish of Customs duties here are convinced that they are wrong in other countries, and are a tax upon the people instead of an aid to trade, so that we are not likely to hear of anybody in New Zealand condemning the'action of the Cortes. When they learn that truth is truth all the world over, and that it is no more possible to add to the wealth of the colony by taxes than it is for similar imposts to make Spain happier or richer, the ranks of the Freetraders will be largely augmented. In the meanwhile the latter, knowing that magna ett Veritas, will rest contented in the knowledge that it will prevail.

The world has lost one of its most entertaining writers in the death of Eobert Louis Balfour Stevenson, whose decease at the early age of forty-four is announced. He was possessed of exquisite fancy, and as a weaver of romances stood in the very front rank. To read his baoks is to possess for a short time the gift which Peter Ibbetson received from the Duchess of Towers, the art of " dreaming true," for in Louis Stevenson's charming descriptions the characters are not lay figures—they live. As for the author himself, he has found the object of life, which is to learn our lessons without discontent and to close the book when the bell rings, and then ?

We need not whimper because we cannot answer the question. We all of us, in some way or other, have our secret intercourse with le Prince Gharmantc et la Fie Tarapatapoum, and all of us must follow Louis Stevenson and discover for ourselves how far our conceptions of the goal fell short while we stumbled along the craggy path of life.

Tho thermometer at Napier this morning registered 74 degrees in the shade, Wanganui 76, Christohurch 78, Clyde 75, Bealy 62.

The Publio "Works Committee of tho Borough Council will meet this evening at tho UBu«l Iwur.

Practice for " Messiah" ohorus to-night, Gaiety Theatre. Full rehearsal to-morrow night.

The City Band will givo their postponed oonoert in Clyde road to-morrow evening.

The Te Anau from Napi9r arrived at Gisborne at five o'oloek this morning.

Mr Walter.Norroll, the well-known railway guard, who has bean twelve years in tha servioo, takes over tho Mangatera Hotel, near Danevirke, from Mr Limbrick in about a week's time.

A reoent visitor to Wauganui thus describes tha theatre there : " A. placa full of dirt, fleas, and diumality."

A special meeting of tha Sahool Committee will be hAA to-night, when matters relaling to the school prizis and annual picnio will be discussed.

Inspector Emerson returnod to town on Saturday evening from Rotjrua, where he assisted at the opening of the now line of railway.

An application by the defendant in tha civil oase Rapero WaiaU v. Ropauma Poha, olaim £25, for a change of vonuo to the Wanganui Court, was heard by Mr Turnbull, SM , to-day. Tha application was granted. *

Following tbeir usual oustom, the City Banl wi ! l give a concert at Hastings next Sunday in aid of tha hospital. Tho programme played by them in ths Gardens yesterday will be repeated, so tint Hastings hava a treat iv store.

Ths racing mareVelooity{Dilke— Lialoed, by Biddlosworth), 6yrs, iv foal to Bront£, was offered at auction by Mr M. Lascelles at tha Bus Company's stables this afternoon, by order of tha Re«i trar. The bidding was stattfid at £6, and went up to £14, horse, saddle, and bridle being knocked down at that figura to tha bid of Mr G. Parker.

During his visit to Napier, Hastings, and Havelock the Rev. Mr Y. ills, of Makatoku, canvassed aotively for funds for the new parsonage at Ormondvillo, succeeding in raising about £100.

It has been brought to our notice that the officers of the Corporation aro not as strict in all oasss as they should bo in coaneo'ion with the building, bye-Uwa. In mora than one case there have been breaches that should not have been allowed to pies.

A general meeting of mombsrs of the Napier Holiday Association and all shopkeepers will bo held in the Borough Council Chamber to-morrow evening.

The final heat of tho sailing raoa for Mr Sainsbury's trophy camo off on Saturday afternoon, whan the Klaino, lolantha, and Blua Jacket, wore th 9 only yachts to face the starter. The Pirate did not Btart, having secured first prize by winning tho first and second heits, and the three boats that competed on Siturday went for second honors. A strong brec-za was blowing, favoring tho E'aino and tha lohnthe, and the former won easily, thus securing Heooud plaoa in the aggregate. Mr G. E. Eiiott acted as starter and judge.

Information has been reoeived from Hick's Bay to the effect that a Maori girl named To Aorere K-itao, fourteen years of age, committed suioida tha other day by hanginsr herself, She picked some flax with which she mado a rope, and on leaving the pah she said she wanted to use it as a leg rope for a cow. The girl went some distance away into the bu?b, clirabad up a tree, tied one end of the rope to a branoh and the other ond to fcer neok, and jumped off, her ftet being about fouc feet from tho ground. When discovored she was quite dead. Deceased hid beeu very despondent far some time, and a verdict of " Suicido whilst temporarily insiaa, was returned at the inquest.

A sacred concert wa3 given by the Garrison Band on the Town and Suburban racecourse at Taradale yesterday. The attendunoa was not so large as was anticipated, and the collection accordingly will not much more than cover expanses. Tha different items were well played, and tha concert as a wholo was greatly enjiyod by tho Taradale people.

Tha opening services of the Congregational body, held in tho G-.hty Theatre yesterday morning and evening, wore fairly well attendod, considering lha short time the pia'.or, the Rev H. W. J. Milter, has had to work cp a connection. At the ovoniag sorvioe tha principles o£ the Congregational Church were expounded in clear and lucid language by the pastor, who shows a deep earneßtuess in his work, and no doubt his zeal and enery in tho oause will before long be rewarded by the permanent estiblishment of a branch ot tha Union in our midst.

The Napier Rowing Club's open double soulla oame off on Saturday afternoon over the oourso iv tho inner harbor. Only six crews faoed the starter, Jago, Gorman, and Ferguson having ooratched. Tho first heat oonaisted of Reid (btoke) and Jensen (bow) and White (stroke) and Brandon (bow), the former winning by about two lengths ; the BBOond, 801 l (strike) and Welsman (bow) and Hutchinson (strike) and Nicholls (bow), 801 l winning by four lengths. Rose (stroke) and Clark (bow) then met Prsntico (stroke) and Hughes (bow), the latter winning after a good hard raoe, Reid then metPrentics, winning by a length altar a tough race. Bell rowed a bye against time, btiug sucaessful. This lift Raid and 801 l in the fin*l, tbo former winning after a wellfought out ruca by about a length and ahalf.

NKIL'3 CELEBRATED CA.SC_RA BITTERS. A positive ourefor IndigestioD, Headache, Wind on the Stomach, Ohronio Constipation, Debility, &a. In lar fe o bottles at 2s 6d, at Noil's Botanio Dispensiry Emerson Btreet. IT BEGAN WITH A SIMPLE OOLD, whioh a fow of Owen's Red Gum Lozenges would have nipped in the bud. For hoarseness, sore throat, loan of voioe, asthma, bronohitis, and all aifootions of the throat and lmiga. Bold in Boxes, 1b 6d. at Mb O wish's Phabuaot. 100 Haras (speoial'.y selected], 100 *,ides Baoon, one ton Prirao Cheese, Fiokled Salmon (vory fine), 6 ci;e3 Ood, 0 oises Ling. Get our prico li_t for H*rns, Bioou, and Ghoese. W, Patterson and Co., Emerson street. Ladies' High-log Boots, in groat variety, from 7a 6d; Gulf Shoos, from 7s Hi ; Carpet Slippers, 2a to 3a Gd ; Evening Shoes, in groat variety, from 2s ?d. Patterson & Go., Emerson street, It is not gonerally known how easily a piano may be purchased on the Dresden Piano 0-->rapan«'a tiroa puyment system ',);■<i "v-d oMi: .took and mi table of p-.VJI„ fjulfiy