TOPICS OF THE DAY.

Evening Post, Volume 27, Issue 77, 27 September 1907, Page 4

TOPICS OF THE DAY.

Dominion Day has passed ; and of all -the Wellington sights the The Day best sight was the people. After. Whether they promenaded in the streets, or sat and stood— like immense parterres of brilliant flowers — to witness the review of troops in Newtown Park, they were a manifestation of rejoicing not for Dominion Day but for the Dominion. Healthy, sturdy, well-clothed, well-behaved, with bright and cherful faces, they gave a testimonial to enforce all tha pledges, all the hopes, that yesterday were launched for Now Zealand. There was a presentation and a trooping of military colours, but the girls presented gayer colours and trooped their flags in their ruddy faces. Mothers by the thousand trooped fat babies ; and boys and men looked lusty and hale. There was scarcely a decrepit person to be seen, and not a beggar — excepting the Salvation lasses plying their trade for pence in the sunshine. Quaintest sight of all was a Chinaman on the Newtown road, carrying a yellow daffodil, which ever and anon he sniffed and smiled sweet peace. He, too, was content with Dominion Day — Dominion Day which has passed. And tho Dominion remains. Mr. J. A. M'Cullough, a tinsmith at the Government's Ad Civil Servants dington Railway in Politics. Works, and a wellknown Labour leader, has been suspended for "contumacioujly taking an active and prominent part in politics, contrary to the regulations."' The branch committee of the Amal gamated Society of Railway Servants hurriedly met and adopted a resolution "protesting against discrimination between those who support the Government and those who oppose it, as discreditable to the party in power.' 1 Without going into the merits of Mr. M'Cullough's case, which will be dis1 cussed when the details have been fully revealed, it may bo opportune to refjr to the broad matter of civil servants in politics. In the days of the last Liber U regime, when tha Liberal and Labour Federation was flourishing, the indulgence of civil servants in the pastime of helping to bolster up their employers was a notorious scandal. Happily this organisation, which justly came in foi so much condemnation, faded out of sight for a time, but it is understood that the present Government intends reviving the moribund body. If this galvanising is done, the Christchurch complaint about "discrimination" will indeed rest upon a solid foundation. If the Government desires its own regulations to be respected, it should not be the first to break them. The political element, whether it is for or against | the party in power, is not desirable in the public actions of civil servants. j The Christian Endeavour organisation - • now n ? ldin g its annual A flowing session in this city, is uiio Wave. of those social phenomena which confound prediction and baffle analysis. Among the thojsands of organisations which every year fall sterile like seeds from a gorse v bush in summer, there is sometimes one, undistinguished in its beginnings, which becomes marvellously fruitful and prolific, and spreads in an incredibly short period over the earth. Tho secret of its vitality can only be surmised, and imitations fail lamentably. It appears to promise permanence, but this promise is nofc always fulfilled. In' any case, it does its work aud its results "extend indefinitely into tho future. Humble in its beginnings, the Christian Endeavour movement has become a world -influence, and a wholesome agent in the minds of young people, stimulating them to a fuller appreciation and practical realisation of whatever things are pur., are lovely, and of good report. A "wave," it may be — but the wave has its appointed work, and effects, its purpose. Once the symbol of evanescence and instability, the wavo is now known as the universal creative medium, aad tho interpreter of the universe to human consciousness. The old emblem of stability, the granite cliff, crumbles and disappears before its assault. The "Endeavour" wave in Wellington now will doubtless have its ebb; but the community will be benefited — permanently benefited, we hope — by its influence, benefited, wo hope, by its influence. Whcro did they come from, these silkhats? Unimpeachable auHistory thorities said that never in Hats, beforo were so many members of Parliament seen wearing silk hats us yesterday. Is Ichabod to be found written on tho bowler, is the day of the soft brown alpine hat nearing its close? Whatever be the cause, this much is certain to observers of men nnd things, that not before tho first Dominion Day weie so many tall hats worn by the common law makers of the land. The same thing applied to private citizens. Is it that we aro becoming cs punctilious as the Japanese, who close the gates to any^ one, King or tourist, who attends .'i State garden party in anything less tluvn a silk hat and a frock coat? Again, where did all tho hats worn yesterday come from? They were chronological in shape, trustworthy memorials of great events that had taken place in the world when they were new. There were hats that, left the hatter's hand when the American civil war was raging ; there were hats that were fashionable when the Dominion consisted of autonomous provinces ; hats, "as now worn" when tho young Princes visited New Zealand in tho Bacchante ; and hats that were ,worn on Queen Victoria's first jubilee — historical hats all of them. They came out yesterday, and they will come out again from their hiding-places to add to tho dignity of their wearers and to tho tone of the particular function. As a gala, hat the bowler is no more in the new Dominion. He was a callous individual who listened last night unmoved as tho Our Premier rapidly outlined th* Ideals, manly ideals which he deempossible of attainment by statesmanlike endeavour. And tho heart of the great audienco thiobbed in sympathy, and evinced by hearty applause how much to their liking thn speaker's views were. Idealists, sentimentalists, altruists, the Emeisoni Ruskins, Thorcaus. may dream and sigh for tho fruition of tho perfect stalo. They help to make us profoundly dissatisfied, but it requires Uio man of action to work out the dotails. Tha philosopher puts tho telescopic attachment to his eyo and sees the, glorious possibilities beforo tho nation, but it is tho man of action working industriously with tho microscopic attachment who layo the foundation of social betterment. Ana if he b? a sturdy optimist, overflowing with animul spirits and vitality, so much tho better. Difficulties disappear betoro such a one. His will and resolve hack away tho thick undergrowth of hoary tradition and usage The model state must bo attained by the growing adoption of three bas>ie ideals. It must have increased regard for honest labour ; it must hold tho scales evonly between capital and labour; and best of all, it must so arrange that each man will pull his own weight. Given these three, and tho superstructure will bo, woithy of tho nation. Wo cannot avoid tho idea that tho Premier, in his youngor days, rowod in an eight or a four. The figure is a telling one. No man in the Dominion crew will bo. & m_ero passen-

ger, but will tackle his "graft" to the full extent of his ability, and by so doing not only raise tho standard of his own personality, but that of the aggregate also. Xo man, therefore, shall be handicapped by class disability, either of money or birth. Exit the sponger and his satellites, the pointer and the wastrel, who are the mere out come of our present faulty conditions of social life. The State, like a wellcoached crew, should pull together in perfect time and swing as one man, and although the ideals to be attained will entail arduous trial and much patient endurance, the prize is well worth the bitterness of battle. The poetic sentiment, so happily combined with a reasonableness which brings it within the range of practical politics, was so marked in Sir Joseph Ward's speech, that in some subtle way it is evident that the appellation of Dominion has dramatically enlarged the statesman's field of view. If the new name has no other effect, it is one for which we ought to be grateful "The evidence which you will give on behalf of out Sove"The Evidence reign Lord the King You touching the death of Will Give." AB., whose body now lies here, shall be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth . . . ," runs the quaint oath administered to witnesses at coroners' inquests, or "coronial" ones, as they are sometimes called. That formula will probably stand for a year or two yet, but other features of the proceedings at morgues are to be altered if the Minister of Justice can bring Parliament to his way of thinking. He has chaTge of a Bill which provides that coroners, if they think fit, may enquire into deaths without the assistance of jurors, unless the Attorney-General in special cases considers that a half-dozen "good men and true" should bo present. Long ago the Post drew attention to the anomalous condition into which the average inquest had developed. Casual laymen were practically elevated into magistrates, and expressed opinions on matters quite outside their function. Originally the inquest was morely to identify the body and assign the cause of death if possible, but as years went by the scope of the investigation was widened till the actual death merely became the excuse for holding an inquest, an opportunity for jnrors and even coroners to indulge in moTe or less — mostly less — inconclusive debates about all sorts of topics The proposed Bill is timely, for these grave enquiries were tending to become farcical. Tho Bill will no doubt provide ample safeguards,- and, iucidentaliy, it contains a clause releasing coroners and juroTs from the duty of '"viewing the body." Such a concession will be better for the living and the dead as w-fll. ° "Am I to be told that under the treaty of 1818 Americans are Dismembering exempt from our local the laws?" spoke Sir Li. Empire? Bond, Prime Minister of Newfoundland, iv the Houee of Assembly last February. "If so, I deny it. I deny it upon the authority of those great American statesmen -who, fifty years ago, gave it as an' instruction to Americans exercising treaty rights on our coast that the laws of this colony are as obligatory upon the citizens of the United States as upon our own people." The Prime Minister was condemning- tho modus vivendi by which Great Britain, without consulting the colony, had arranged a fishing compact with the United States without regard to Newfoundland's laws. The I controversy has raged bitterly, and the colony has protested unavailingly to the .Mother Country. Now comes the final blow, which has excited great indignation throughout Newfoundland : Lord Elgin, it is stated; has practically suspended the colony's Constitution in order to conclude the fisheries agreement w'th the United States. It is claimed by Newfoundland that the modu& viveii- 1 di gives all the "vivendi" to the powerful United States, and a very bare living to the colony's fishermen. Great Britain seems determined to gratify the big fellow, however much the little chap next door is made to weep. It appears to be an example of the old rule, | "might is right." Newfoundland may have laws, but the United States Government has a lnrge voice, great battleships, strong armies. Is this the way that the dismemberment of the Empire is to come? Is Great Britain hoping to secure peace and quietness in her old age by throwing colonial tit-bits at the dogs of war? What will Great Britain s\y on tho day — if it should come — when the Mikado insists that the gates of New Zealand should be thrown open for his subjects?

The Premier states that as Dominion Day will be historical in tho annals of New Zealand and of more than passing interest to the children, he has decided to have a medal struck in commemoration of the event for presentation to each school child throughout the Dominion. The Teachers' Superannuation Board is to hold its next meeting in Wellington on 16th October. Tho crowd in the streets last night was very orderly during the procession and after. Tho polico arrangements were excellent, and, wherever a congestion of traffic seemed likely to appear, a constable was always there to move the laggards on. Throughout tho day things went without a hitch, and large bodies of people were- directed quietly and unobtrusively by the polico into the channels required. Later in tho evening, when the hotels disgorged their patrons the police had to use judicious persuasion to manage- some of the knots that collected in various places, but everything was good-humoured and little trouble resulted. Jack ashore was in great form last night, and enjoyed himself immensely. Sir Joseph Ward has expressed great satisfaction with tho success of yesterday's proceedings, both, in respect of the organisation of the functions and tho punctuality observed. The enthusiasm of the- public was very gratifying to the Premier. . The powerful inducement of two shillings for carrying a torch brought together an extremely varied lot of assistants in last night's procession. Some of the men were sailors, some ship's firemen, some newly arrived immigrants, and t' m came a regiment of small l.oys nothing loath to earn a florin. Among the bearers were a recent arrival from England, a Finn (who had bsen in New Zealand seven weeks), and others who were not above carrying a torch at the rate of 2s an hour. The tribe of juveniles had a good time. They took the procession as a joke, but they were not unmindful of the 2s just the same. They had trouble with their torches. The wick kept falling into the reservoir j sometimes tin oil tin and the stick parted company, but either the stick or the lamp — even if extinguished — wes jealously guarded and carried in the show, under the impression that without some such tangible proof the money would not bo paid. Last Friday the Wellesley Club epened their new premises in Featherstonstreet with a dance. The sequel was a corporation prosecution to-day "merely to assert the public rights to the footpath." W. E. Pearson, secretary to tha club, was the defendant, and he was charged with having erected a canvas covering- over the footpath in Feather-ston-street, contrary to the city bylaws. The defendant pleaded guilty, adding that he know there was a builder's permit not yet cancelled for the blockage of half the footpath, and considering the extreme quiet of the street at night, he did not think there was any harm in exceeding the permit and blocking the whole of the footpath. Mr. James Doyle, Corporation Inspector, said the corporation had no power to give a permit to cover the whole of the footpath. , Mr. Eiddell, S.M., stated that he was satisfied with the defendant'! explanation. A technical offence had been committed; defendant would be fined 2s 6d, with costs. While in Auckland, the Minister for Education was asked whether he thoucht the Arbitration Act Amendment Bill was being misunderstood by the people. ".Nobody knows more about labour matters tha-nthe Hon. -Jv A.- Millar, Minister for Labour," he replied. "Therefore, I contend that his proposals ought to b» given fair consideration and also a trial. Mi. Millar has taken keen interest in labour matters for many, years, and should know what he "is doing. Ther* is no doubt that there is a small section of people working for an independent political Labour party, and no matter what the Government proposed, it would be opposed. The fact that the opposition was so prompt shows that that feeling exists. Still, I have no doubt that the great body of workers, recognising Mr. Millar's experience in labour matters, will give his proposals every consideration and a fair trial." "There is a good deal of feeling about the Arthur's Pass tunnel!" remarked a pressman to tho Hon. G. Fowlds in Auckland. "Well," said the Minister, "when that tunnel is completed a largo traffic in coal and timber will come over that line. The idea that it cannot c6mpete with Bea-borne coal is quite absurd. What" with .different handlings the depreciation on sea-borne coal amounts to 5s per ton. The coal for Christchurch and Canterbury as far south as Timaru will come through that tunnel." The Hon. R. M'Nab, Minister of Lands, received yesterday the following telegram from Mr. Edward Marsh Williams, of Pukehou — probably the only person 'living who took part in the treaty of Waitangi :—": — " Thanks for your telegram re Dominion Day. lam probably tho sole survivor of those who took part in tho treaty of Waitangi, which treaty may bo said ' to have laid the foundation of the colony of New Zealand. I had the honour of translating the treaty for Governor Hobson, and was present at tho signing of. the Eime at Waitangi, February sth and 6th, 1840, sixty-seven years ago. I subsequently took part with Major Bunbury during a voyage in H.M.S. Herald* in obtaining signatures to, the troaty in harbours south of. the Bay of Islands as far as Stewart Island, at which place the British flag was hoisted, tho Queen's sovereignty was proclaimed, and a Royal salute fired. At Cloudy Bay the same ceremony took place. On both of those occasions I was present. I' have watched vrith eager interest tho rapid progress of the colony from that time to tho present day, and have rejoiced in its continued prosperity ; aud now that tho colony is entering on another stage undor a new and still more dignified title, I desire to congratulate the people of New Zealand, Europeans and Maoris alike, on the advance of the country generally and the increased civilisation of tho Maoris, whom I knew as far back as 1823 as itntcmcd savages, and now see a civilised and law-abiding people, including in their ranks clergymen, doctors, and lawyers. In conclusion" , I shall feel grateful if you will convoy my congratulations to the Premier and your colleagues." Building activity continues at Lowctr Hutt. Since the end of tho financial year (31st March) buildings have been, erveted in that borough of an approximate value of £16,120. A sitting of tho Aotea irtaori Land Board is being held in Wellington todny. Tho business is confirmation of leases between Maoris und Europeans, and approval of mortgages in connection with lands between Palmerston North nnd Wellington. The board is composed of Judge T. \V. Fisher, Mv Luudius, and Mr. Takarangi Mete Kingi. Tho annual report of the Masterton Permanent Investment and Building Society, to bo presented on the 7th inst., shows that the net profit was 8.76 par cent, (as against 8.34 last year), th« highest earned since 1897. Loans aniouuted to £51,250, being £6300 in excess of ICO6. During tho year the di rectors increased the permanent capital by the issue of 250 fully paid up £~1) shares at a premium of £1 per share. Messrs.. A. E. Bunny and James Elliot, who retire from the board by rotation, aro oligiblo for re-olection, aud there L aro no other candidate**

Some surprise was expressed during th 9 ceremony at Ncwtown Park yv.ci.erday at the absence of the colours presented to the First Wellington Rifle Battalion in June, 1887. The colours were presented by the ladies of Wellington, and were consecrated by the late Bishop of Wellington. Owing to the illness of Mr. 11. D. Bell K,C., the case of Loasby v. the Public Trustee, fixed for hearing in the Court of Appeal to-day, was adjourned sine die. Mr. Bell was to appear as counsel for the respondent, Loasby. "The benefit of a, doubt" was enough to balance the 6cales of justice at the Magistrate's Court this morning in ia.vour of a young man uamed Victor Septimus Reston, who was charged with theft of thiee pairs of boots, valued at £2 14s 6d, from the shop of Alex Dindore, second-hand dealer, in Mannersstreet. After hearing evidence at length, Mr. Riddel], S.M., dismissed the information. Robert Craig appeared for sentence on a charge of having converted to his own use IQ> 8d belonging ti> the proprietor of the Excelsior Laundry. His Worship convicted the defendant, ordered him to come up for sentence when called upon, and directed a prohibition order to bo issued against him. For insobriety, Martin Adgeson was fined 10s, in default forty-eight hours ■imprisonment, two first -offenders each being fined ss, in default twenty-four hours' imprisonment. John Desmond, an elderly man, »vas committed to tho Supreme Court for sentence on a charge of having forged the name of Chas. Gibbons, to a cheque fen £512 Yin, and uttered it to Wm. James Vernon at Masterton on 31st August. Some large shipments of bonedust sterilised under the New Zealand Government's regulations have arrived in the colony from India and Australia during tho past few months. Three cargoes are now on their way from Calcutta. The work of sterilisation is carried out in. India, wider the direction of Mr. Lascelles Ward or experts whom he appoints, and a similar system has been adopted in Australia, where Mr. Laurie is stationed. Two bonemills in India have been licensed by Mr. Ward, and a much larger number in Victoria and New South Wales by Mr. Laurie. The Agricultural Department has heard of no case of anthrax in the- colony since the imported bonedust, sterilised under its latest system, has been used by farmers. At the; end of last Jitly jewellery valued at £36 13s was stolen from tho front portion of the house of Mr. Frank Bedford, in Bosworth-terrace, whilst the occupants were in the rear. The matter was referred to Detective Brobergj and he had a man named Albert Roberts charged before Mr. Riddell, 8.M., this morning with the alleged offence. Op the application of the police accused was remanded until 2nd October. Attempted 'theft from the till of jSvelyn Gardiner, on 17th inst., was the nature of a charge preferred against two middle-aged men named John Cooper and George Hunter. The informant deposed that she heard the bell of the till ring, and on going towards the shop heard the counter bell ring. Hunter was in tho shop, and on seeing witness said, "I came to tell you that your lemons are too dear." Witness accused i him of tampering with the till, and he j denied the accusation. Cooper was at j the door of the shop at tho time. The police, after accused had given their explanations and his Worship had recorded convictions, stated that both ,rfen had "long. records." . .A sentence of. twenty-one days' imprisonment was imDosed in each case. The V.M.C.A. Building Fund in Christchurch has reached a total of £10,487, £258-' of which was- collected yesterday. The mortality in Christchurch and i vicinity during the present year has | been remarkable, says the Press. It " is stated that to date 916 deaths have | been recorded compared with a total of j 874 for the wholo'of last year. If the Petone Borough Council can j obtain six people to undertake to become subscribers, it will take necessary steps to obtain a local telephone exchange. Each person connected would be required to pay £1 entrance fee, ; plus £5 per annum. This would allo%Vj Petone subscribers to ring up each other any time between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Any one wishing to communicate with a Wellington subscriber would have to pay 3d (half usual boraau fee) each lime. In the regulations, it is clearly stipulated that Petone subscribers would not have the , benefit of a continual day and night | 'service until there were 150 subscrib- j ers connected with the exchange. Satis- ! factory arrangements could be made j for connecting to medical men at night, however. To business people, at present connected with Wellington exchange, and paying about £25 per annum, it should be a considerable saving in the reduced subscription. According to the Rev. A. Parker, tho London Missionary Society's deputation * to the Congregational Churches of Australasia, the postal system of India is the cheapest in the world. A letter can be sent all over India and to Aden for ii halfpenny, and a post-card for a farthing. A telegram containing ten words is forwarded for 4d, whilst in connection with the parcel post the ca3h-oh-delivery system is in vogue. Under this system the postal authorities collect the amount which the goods cost from the person they are sent to and transmit it to the person who supplied them. A Greymouth correspondent telegraphs that owing to tho increasing <ynand for coal, the Blackball Coal V-smpiny will soon find it necessary to .make an addition to their fleet, and it ts undersJood that negotiations arc in for the purchase of one of the v/istal steamers. A fire broke out about G o'clock last Hight in a two-stoned building in Tim- j Kori-road, owned by Mrs. Leadbeater, i of Northland, and occupied by Messrs. Browne Bros., bakers and contcctionDrs. The brigade arrived early on the scens and succeeded in suppressing the flames after four rooms on the first, floor, with contents, and the roof were severely damaged by fire, and tha rooms on the -.„- ground floor damaged by water. There i?& Cras an insurance of £100 en the stock *- snd fittings, and £100 on the furnitnz in tli3 South British office. Tho vacancy in the professorial staff Ot the Victoria College, caused by the «?pointment of Professor R. Maclaurin V Columbia University, U.S.A., is enl^ging the atc-ntio f nthe College County. Applications 1 for the position will Sto invted by advertisement both in €<.'sat Britain and Australasia. T^kw Customs 7arifi. — Information re-A-ipiing changes tan be supplied by the .rfew Zealand Kxpiess Company, Ltd.. 20 Customhouse-quay. Telephone No. 2410. — Advt. Wie qucntion of the ce?enration of Do■ninion Day, and whether it shall be added to tko list of permanent holidays, is rather a burning one just now. A. subject of oven great or interest to ladies in tho Wellington district hu been the difficulty in obtaining mousquetairo gloves at a moderato price. | The well-known etpro of C. Smith, Ltd., Cuba-st., can supply all demands for theso goods, having just received largo shipment:. Kid and euede 12-button length znousquctaires in every wanted shade, Cs 6d per pair. Those goods are selling fast, to that an early visit ii advisable to secure tho best selection,— Advt,