The Daily Telegraph. SATURDAY, AUGUST 4, 1900. HOME AND ABROAD.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 9833, 4 August 1900, Page 4

The Daily Telegraph. SATURDAY, AUGUST 4, 1900. HOME AND ABROAD.

We have on several occasions protested against the policy which taxes all consumers of matches in order to indirectly grant subsidies to a couple of match factories in New Zealand. One of these, if not both of them, in return for this assured monopoly imports women workers under arrangements as to wages agreed rapon between the parties in London. At this moment, however, it is hot so much the industrial aspect of the factories we wish to draw attention to as the methods permitted them in the course of manufacture. When recently a dispute as to wages and honrs in connection with the factory at Wellington was before the Conciliation Court, the question of "phossy jaw" was raised, and it pleased some ignoramus to belittle the effects of the disease thus colloquially referred to. As the term quoted above stands for necrosis of the jaw bones, due to phosphorus fumes, and as it sometimes causes death, and more frequently the need for taking out part of the upper jaw or the whole of the lower, the capacity of this particular gentleman ;to discuss the question is not self-evident.

Oar view—and we believe it only needs to be stated to be endorsed by. all who have given any thought to the subject—is that whether the Government subsidise match factories through the Customs or not, no factory should be permitted to use white phosphorus in the manufacture of matches. The spirit of all our factory legislation is opposed to the continued use of that dangerous substance. The case for its prohibition is of course stronger when we remember that the Government do subsidise the factories. In this connection one has to admit that good may result even from Government monopolies. In France the manufacture of matches is a State monopoly. It has been so for about ten years. From the financial aspect of the case the monopoly is profitable, for after fairly paying all engaged in the manufacture and distribution of matches the excess of receipts over expenditure amounts to three quarters of a million ■ pounds (18,750,000 francs) per annum.

That result is certainly better than utilising the Customs to compel every user of matches to contribute towaids the profits of private firms, as we do in New Zealand. i'et after all that is an unimportant matter as compared with the awful " phossy jaw " which the ignorant Wellingtonian assumed to ridicule as a mere trifle. The horrors arising out of the use of white phosphorus in match manufacturing were for years the despair of philanthropists. Matches had to be made, aud therefore white phosphorus had to be used because no suitable substitute for it be found. One of the European Governments (at the moment we forget whether it was that of France or Switzerland) offered a very large sum of money as a prize to whoever discovered such a substitute, and the chemists of the world 'began experimenting. They solved the problem, and now in France and Switzerland the use of white phosphorus is prohibited by law, and in the United Slates and Britain public sentiment has been to a large extent successful in banishing it from the better class of factory.

We are also under the impression that the use of white phosphorus is forbidden in Sweden and Norway, but as we write we have no means at hand for testing that belief. What is certain is that in two European countries the use of white phosphorus is illegal, and that in most or all of the others its use is dying out in deference to public opinion. The mixture used in its stead is a paste composed of sesquisulphide of phosphorus and chlorate of potash. It is harmless in manufacture and use, and is not explosive. What seems to us to be called for in this country is a short Act making it illegal for any person to use white phosphorus in the manufacture o! matches, and if the Government can put forward any valid reasons against that suggestion we should like to know what they are. Will some private member confer a benefit by questioning the Government, on this matter ? Mr Ell seems to have considered the subject, judging by some of his remarks in the House, and we suggest that he should question the Premier.

The remonstrance of the British Government in connection with the release of Sipido. who tried to assassinate the Prince of Wales, although forwarded to the Belgian Government prior to the slaying of King Humbert, may yet be considered as pointing a moral with regard to that shocking crime. Those who maintain that runrder should not involve capital punishment must admit at least that the carrying out of their theories resulted in the death of the Empress of Austria, if not in the attempt upon the Prince of Wales's life. The evidence at the trial of the coward Luccheni proved that hewas selected to kilWKing Humbert, and that he preferred to go to Switzerland to murder a woman because in the latter country capital punishment had been abolished. To argne from that the demoralisation of the youth Sipido may not be justifiable. \ct it is open to question '.viuuhi.T the result of the trial and sentence of Luccheni did not enconruge the hysterical Belgian youth to imitate him.

May we not go a little further ? The news of the attempt on the life of the Prince was followed by scandalous scenes in the Belgian Parliament, during which some Deputies, if they stopped short of justifying the crime, yet pleaded that it was no wonder Sipido was " angry " with a representative of the Power which had dared to make war on the Boers. A result like this, followed by the farcical " trial" of Sipido, might wel! lead the Anarchistic section of society to conclude that their ideas met with favor instead of horror among a large portion of the people, and would therefore encourage them to seek notoriety as heroes and martyrs. That such a feeling may prompt men to crime is well known to psychological students, and that is one reason why the Spanish Government, at a time when Anarchist attempts were rife in Spain, passed a law making it illegal to report the trials of Anarchists, thus depriving these assassins of the " glory " which they looked forward to as the prelude to what they were pleased to term martyrdom.

The successful attack upon King Humbert has been rapidly followed by an unsuccessful one upon the Shah of Persia. Whether the latter is an exceptionally brutal voluptuary, as some of the more advanced of his subjects think, or is, as is more generally supposed, but an average Mahoniedan monarch, suited to and the result of his surroundings, it is qnite certain that his murder in Paris would solve no problems of government, and that his assailant is either a madman or some ruffian with a personal grievance who in either case is not fit to be at large. Possibly out of evil may come good. *The murder of the unfortunate Empress of Austria, the attempt of Sipido, the slaying of King Hum bert, and now the attempt upon the Shab, may cause a hardening-np of humanity against assassins who pretend that they are driven by altruistic devils to use knife, pistol, or dynamite as social regenerators In any case the Belgian authorities have a. substantial object lesson before them to be studied in connection with the British protest against the Sipido burlesque.

Apparently we shall yet discover who among the members of the British Parliament helped to drive the Boers into war by misplaced professions of sympathy with them. It is astonishing what harm can be done by seem ingly well-meaning men. Poor Greece was goaded into war against Turkish troops led by German officers because a hundred fools in the House of Commons had not had their folly brayed out of them in a mortar. They those to send a cable message to the Greek authorities at a critical time, which seemed to assure British intervention against Turkey in the event of the latter invading Greece, and so Greece buckled en what little armor she had and went to war only to be thrashed and dismembered. If the "Liberal Forwards" of the House could have but kept their tongues and pens quiet that war might have been spared t> the world. The same class of mischiefmakers have evidently been writing to the Boers, and by leading them to suppose that they might count upon support in the British Parliament have enticed them to their destruction.

Mr Scbreiner is coming out in a new role. If he goes on as he is n®w proceeding he will soon be posing as an ultra-loyalist. Well, we do not suppose he will be trusted the more. His action when the Orange Free State and the Transvaal were able almost up to the declaration of war to import ammunition over the Cape lines ; the " laxity"—if that is the right word— under which the Orange Free State was allowed to steal the rolling stock of the Cape railways ; the refusal of Mr Schreiner to allow arms to go to Kimberley and Mafeking when the Mayors of those towns were appealing for them ; his refusal to allow rifles to be served out to the Cape volunteers ; his treatment of those loyalists in the Government service who volunteered for the front ; the covert hostility he displayed towards Sir Alfred Milner ; his precious declaration of

"neutrality" within a few hours of the invasion of British territory— these and many other instances of •' peculiar" views will prevent the great bulk of the people in South Africa from believing in Mr Scbreiner's protestations of loyalty now. For our part, without endorsing the Boer accusation that he has been false to both sides, we can yet understand the spirit which prompts it.

On page two will be found China .war and Parliamentary news, Transvaal war, cables, and telegraphic intelligence appears on page three, serial on the sixth page, and " Topics of the Turf" on theseventh. Owing to the death of Lieutenaig Berry it has been decided to postpone the sacred concert announced for to-mor-row afternoon till the 12th inst. \ A very mean and contemptible theffc was perpetrated in Tennyson street last night, when four of Mr Alexander Martin's prize black-breasted game fowls, three hens and a rooster, wereftaken away, only the head of one of them being left behind. The thief must have beeS well acquainted with the premises to effect his nefarious purpose, and it ia to be hoped that his identity will be discovered. A littble commotion was caused among the corporation officials this forenoon through the bursting of the water main in Coote road. Before the escape of water could be stopped the supply m the Bluff Hill reservoir had gone down three feet, and another hour would probably have run it empty. Fortunately, however, go great an inconvenience to consumers was averted. • The funeral of the late Mr Bert Sauuders took place yesterday afternoon and was largely attended. The Rev. O. Dean conducted the burial service, and many beautiful wreaths were sent as tributes to the memory of one who was held in general esteem and whose early death is widely deplored. The KZ. Loan and Mercantile Agency Company held a successful clearing sale ab Messrs Tait and Mills's farm, Hakowai, Puketapu, yesterday. There was a good attendance, and nearly every lot offered was sold under the hammer. The dairy stock were an exceptionally good lot, and sold at fair prices. Cows in milk, from £3 to £515s ; springers, from £4 to £5 15s ; springing heifers, from £2 17s 6d to £4. The farming machinery and harness sold up to full values. In this issue Messrs W. Gregg and Co. or Dunedin, insert an announcement of interest to all housewives re their celebrated brand of Ciub Coffee. Ihis article is now recognised as one of the standard beverages of its kind that have been placed on the market, a reputation which it has justly earned, as shown by the fact of the firm having won no less than over fifty medals and certificates with this brand. The quality and superiority of their well-known Eagle Brand s'arcb: is also announced. A most enjoyable limelight entertainment was given in the Congregational Church Sunday schoolroom last night, the Rev. H. W. J. Miller presiding. Mr Bissell manipulated the lanteru, and among the many beautiful views shown were a number illustrative of the songs " The Last Milestone " by Mrs Dodds, "The Holy City" by Miss Bissell, "Home, Sweet Home" by Miss May Miller, and " The Vacant Chair" by Mr W. H. Neal. Hearty votes c>l thanks were passed )o all who had assisted in the entertainment. The proceeds are to-" be devoted lo the Sunday &chool picnic fund. The Wairarapa representative football team met South Canterbury at Temuka yesterday, and won by 32pointe to 3. Tries were got by Brunton, Armstrong (goal by Marsh), Wrigley, J. Armstrong, and another by W* Wrigley, who converted it, and A. Grey. Mr F. W. Grainger, late of this town, has been successful in passing the Board of Trade examination at Sydney for firstclass marine engineer's certificate of competency. He served his apprenticeship with Messrs Niveu and Co. (Hawke , * Bay Foundry), whose employ he left to take an appointment as third, and subsequently second, engineer at the N.B. and H.B. frepz'ng; works, from which position he resigned to take an appiifltnient in the Union S.S. Co/s service to put in the sea time required for the Board of Trade examinations.

An Auckland wire states that probate of the will of the late William Arrowsmith, Waiuku, was granted yesterday. After various legacies to relatives and others, the will disposes of the estate as follows :—St. Mary's orphange, Ponaonby, £500; Helping Hand Mission, Freeman's Bay, £500; Auckland Benevolent Soeie'y, £1000 ; and the remainder to be equally divided between the Women's Home., Parnell, and the Parcell Orphart Home. It is not known what the estate will amount to on realisation, but the legacies to the two latter institutions will be considerable. A meeting of the committee of the H.B. Kennel and Poultry Club was held in the Masonic Hotel last night, when final arrangements were made for next week's show. The secretary reported that difficulty would be experienced in finding sufficient accommodation for the exhibits, and that the fox terrier exhibits constituted a colonial recoid for any one show. It was decided that the timing clocks should be handed in to Mr Ludwig to-night to be set for Tuesday's pigeon race. It was announced that carpenters would commence erecting the dog benches this afternoon, that the Wellington Kennel Club'a dog divisions would be used, and that, poultry pens of the latest and most approved pattern had arrived from Christchurch. There was a very large attendance of members and friends at the annual meeting of the Highland Society in the Foresters' Hall last liight, aud the Chief, Mr B. ]). U. McLean, presided. The annual report set forth that the progress of the Society during the year had been most satisfactory, the membership having keep steadily increasing, and recorded the principal events of the last twelve months. The balance-sheet showed a credit balance of £122354 d, including £21 to the credit- o£ the benevolent fund, while the surplus of assets over liabilities amounted to £171 12s Id. The report, aud balanct-sheet were adopted on the motion of the chairman seconded by Mr P. S. McLean. Four new members were elected and the following officers appointed for the current year :—Chieftains, Messrs A. McLt-an, Hector McKenzie, and James McLean ; councillors, Messrs J. Neilson, J. Webster J. Mackie, G. A. Martin, J. VV. b! McDonald, A. Loudotio, and A. Sinclairsecretary, T. Parker (re-elected); treasurer, G. Tait (re-elected); librarian and Gaeiic correspondent, A. McLean. During the evening Chief It. i>. D. McLean was presented with a large framed photographic group of the officers of the «o<iety, Chieftain Hector MoKenzie making the presentation in appropriate terms. Mr McLean made suitable acknowledgment, fctating that he would always prize the gift for the kindliness which had prompted it and for the pleasant associations it would always recall. The remainder of the evening was devoted to social harmony, sonea recitations, and danaing providing the assembled, company with a most'enjoyable time. J