FIFTY YEARS AGO

Evening Post, Volume CXIX, Issue 152, 29 June 1935, Page 17

FIFTY YEARS AGO

ITEMS FROM "THE POST"

THE NEW TARIFF

"Apart altogether from the question oC political principle involved in the proposed alterations in the tariff, the new duties are to be condemned on purely; practical grounds," remarks "The Post" of this date fifty years ago. "They will press most heavily upon the poorest classes of the community, and will tend to enormously increase the already sufficiently high cost of living. ' The labourer, the small tradesman, and the clerk will find it more than ever difficult to keep their families decently clothed and fairly nourished without incurring debts which they have no prospect, of meeting. Luxuries escape: necessities are taxed. The increase in the cost of living, which must result from the adoption of such a tariff as • the one proposed, is to the great majority of the inhabitants of .New Zealand a far more important and interesting question than any as to which party shall be in and which out. -Party interests must not be allowed to stand in the way of vigorous resistance to. the impdsition of such taxes as are now proposed to be inflicted upon the industrial life1 of the . Colony,'and'which will practically decrease wages by reducing the purchasing power of money in respect to the necessaries of life. When we come_ to inquire into the reasons for the imposition of most of these new- duties, we find ample proof that they are not so much for revenue purposes as to put increased profits, at the expense of the consumer, into the pockets of a few manufacturers who are already doing well and who are quite able to hold their own." A NEW BRIDGE. ' "The Awaparua railway and traffic bridge, which will form portion of the Main Trunk railway line between Wellington and Napier, will be completed and handed over to the Government authorities about the end of this month. The contract 'was taken about two years ago by Mr. Hector McKenzie, who has constructed similar works in other parts of the Colony. The dimensions are:—Length, 1200 ft; width, 16ft; height, 32ft from low water level to the floor of the bridge1!. There are fourteen spans, each 80ft, two spans each 13ft, and four spans each lift, 600,000 ft of totara and ironbark timber, 300 tons of ironwork, and 1400 casks of cement have been used in the construction. The whole of. the superstructure was put up in the short space of nine months, the men working: night and day. Considerable difficulty was experienced in sinking the foundations, no less than thirteen, months being spent without : satisfactory results being obtained. This- bridge crosses the Manawatu River at Awaparua, four miles south ofi Wobdville, and close to ;the present coach.ferry. This spot has been the scene of two extraordinary floods, one rin 1881, and rthe "other in September, 1884; As it is understood that the bridge will be used for general traffic until required for railway purposes, the! Napier coach will, as soon as it is opjsn, be able' to save, about half an hdur on the journey. The total cost : of: the structure, which reflects great credit upon the contractor, is £14,000. The residents about Woodville and the surrounding districts are making arrangements: to celebrate the opening day ill' a substantial manner.": i _ ■_ ■ . ; --\ , •'•AT,THE THEATRE.' \^ . • "the Theatre Royal was crowded ■ again last evening pn the occasion of the. second production of that exceedingly fine comedy 'Diplomacy>' which may be regarded as one of the best-: , written pieces of recent years. _ The dtesk circle presented a very brilliant appearance owing to the number "of: ladies present, while additional eclat was imparted to the performance by the attendance : of his, Excellency the Goverpor and suite. ; The acting of Mr.: Wybert Reeve was .; a , very finished ■piece of work, arid the same remark applies with equal force to Mrs. Chippendale. Halliday's comedy, 'Love or Money,,' is the next piece to be placed on-the stage, and following, this there yriU be presented a dramatised version of Wilkie Collins' novel, The Woman . in White.'" .-' . CITYELECTORATES. , • "It is ■ satisfactory to find that* the Premier has'so promptly redeemed his promise of; introducing a Bill.to reunite city electorates, and that the House vhas,: by a most substantial majority, affirmed the' principle of the measure. That it should have met with some opposition ■ was, of course, to be expected, but,why country members, or those representing small towns like Nelson, should oppose the wishes of the inhabitants qf the larger cities in this matter, we are quite at a loss to -understand1. It certainly cannot in i'■ any way injuriously affect them' 'or. their .interests. If the electors of Auckland do not wish to^have'their city districts reunited, we say by all' means let them remain as they are. All that we ask is that they allow Wellington .and other cities the same liberty they claim for themselves, that is of having their own wishes in the matter consulted. In this city public opinion in favour of the city being restored to the position of one electorate is practically unanimous. We'trust, therefore, that the Premier's Bill will be permitted to pass into law without' further opposition as far as it' concerns this city." : . • BARMAIDS v. STOUT. "Mr. Stout is a- bold • man—bolder, indeed, than his colleagues. Collectively, the Ministry fear to meet the barmaids in combat. The Premier, in his individual capacity, is willing to meet the whole fair phalanx. He is going to. propose to amend Mr. Bradr shaws "Employment of Females Act Amending Bill by the insertion, of a clause, rendering it applicable to bar- ' maids, and prohibiting the employment of any female in the bar of a licensed house after 6 p.m. This, of course, means the total abolition of barmaids. We, wonder whether the would-be re- • formers in this direction have ever thought of-the hardship and injustice which- would result from closing all such,employment against females. We venture to say that the evil . results would far exceed any benefits which might arise. A large number of respectable young women—for there are amongst barmaids a great, many who thoroughly deserve that' descriptionwould, by Mr. Stout's amendment, be thrown.'out of employment, and we fear that a great many would find it difficult to obtain other means of honest. subsistence, suited to their strength and training:" , THE EXHIBITION. "The signs that the opening of the Exhibition is rapidly approaching are becoming more numerous every day. The Railway. Department have now issued their scale of cheap fares from all parts of the colony, and these are - calculated,so.as to include,conveyance over sea as well as land, an arrangement having been entered into with the Union Steam Ship Company. The fares are very moderate, a first-class return ticket from Invercargill, including a saloon passage, costing only £5, to give one instance. Posters have ;>lso nisde tHei.r appearance,"