The Evening Star WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 1887.

Evening Star, Issue 7358, 2 November 1887, Page 2

The Evening Star WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 1887.

Tim Financial Statement has not burst upon the country like a meteor, after the fashion of the deliverances of Sir Jclius Vo'G&L in years gone by; nor is it replete with the melo-dramatio surprises so much affected by the late Colonial Treasurer. The proposals are wry much what might have been expected under the circumstances. The financial position is explained in a plain, straightforward manner, so that it may easily be understood ; whilst tho several and Various important questions involved are dealt with on broad principles and discussed in a temperate manner from a common-sense point of view. In the whole Statement there is not a single bid for popularity according to the ordinary signification of the term, nor any attempt at making political capital by truckling to ignorant prejudice or exciting class animosities. Calm judgment rules throughout, and it is evident that the Ministry in designing their policy have realised their very grave responsibility, and have been actuated by the determination to do their duty to the country. There is an entire absence of that temporising spirit, so often Such an element of weakness. The 'economic reform indicated is of a crucial character, and the knife is proposed to be applied without " fear, favor, or uffection." There are two or three points standing prominently forward in the Statement, to which attention may be at once directed. In the first place, the Treasurer expresses himself confident that the revenue and expenditure can be equalised without resorting to additional taxation, except for the purpose of relieving the Public Works Fund of certain charges, which.it is proposed shall be borne by revenue. This purpose Mill probably be effected by raising the Property Tax to the original penny, It is nbw thirteen-sixtccnthsof a penny, and although we quite realise that it is not expedient that the burthens oti property shoukl be materially increased, subject as all real property is ut present to heavy rate charges, we recognise the equity of the proposal to augment the revenue from this source to the moderate extent proposed, since the people not liable to Property Tax, and especially the working classes, are mulcted under the present fiscal system, by indirect taxation through the Customs, disproportionately altogether to their means. Tho Treasurer finds it impossible, he states, to approach the revision of the Tariff this session, whilst admitting that tho subject requires the early attention of the Legislature. He is undoubtedly right in the opinion that it should not be touched until it can be so dealt with as not to need further revision for a considerable time to come. The Opposition, of course, will not be satisfied, and will raise a question of Protection and the equivocal encouragement to local industries to be thereby effected; but it is hardly likely they will succeed in forcing the Ministerial hand, and it is clear to demonstration that the work indicated in the Statement will tax the energies of the House to the vtmost during the present session. In respect to the measures of retrenchment, the general tenor and effect of which are sketched out, they are quite in accord with the assurance given to the country by Major Atkinson in his election addresses. The reductions commence "at the top of the tree" with the salary and allowances of the Governor, the remuneration of Ministers, and the expenses of the Legislature. An excellent example is set by Ministers themselves, and it may be hoped that both tho Legislative Council and the House will cheerfully acquiesce in the proposed economies. Such a course on the part of honorable members will, indeed, as the Premier says, "tend more " than any argument to produce in the minds " of the people of the Colony not only a con- " viction of their sincerity on the question of " retrenchment, but also of the necessity '' for retrenchment generally." Considerable anxiety, we are aware, is felt as to what may be intended in respect to State education. The proposal is to effect a reduction of £60,000 a-year by reducing the capitation grant to tho statutory amount, and raising the minimum school age to six years. Independently of economy, this raising of the school age will be in many respects advantageous, and any possible objection is met by the provision that no country school shall be closed in consequence. The financial proposals, as a whole, will, we are inclined to think, commend themselves to the judgment of the people. Thero is no royal road out of money difficulties, nor can extravagant expenditure be stayed and ends be made to meet without exertion and self-sacrifice. It is for the Government to devise the policy which shall secure efficient administration with due economy; but it depends very much upon the people whether this can be effectively carried out.

The Rev. Mr Baird, of Winton, has been chosen moderator of the Presbyterian Synod for next year.

The Christchurch unemployed have petitioned the Governor, and allege that they are starving. " A Run of Luck " was repeated last night, and passed off in a highly-successful manner. The company open in Christchurch on the 14th inst.

Messrs Glendining and Griffin have secured the contract for constructing the North British and Hawke's Bay Company's freezing works at Napier. Pringle'a dredge, working on the Molyneux at Miller Flat, sunk at her moorings on Sunday. There was LBO worth of gold oil board. Ail unsuccessful attempt was made on Monday to tow her into shallow water.

The ' Bruce Herald' states that information reached Milton on Sunday of the sudden death of Mr R. G. Wilson, of Erlstoke, Port Molyneux. He appears to have gone out fishing, and not returning a search waß made, when he was found lying dead. Mr Wilson, who was sixty-four years of age, arrived in Otago in 1847. He leaves a family of five sons and three daughters.

• Premier Parkes proposes to ask the New South Wales Parliament to give the electoral franchise to women. He maintains that their vote would be safer than that of men on all social questions, and on all matters affecting the treatment of juvenile offenders and education; that their vote would be sounder, more independent, and more truly patriotic than that of men as a whole.

The charge of assaulting a seaman pre- | ferred against the second engineer of the Wairarapa was withdrawn. ,3 The weekly meeting of the Benrjvclent Trustees was held thin afternoon. There ,\vere present':—Messrs Solomon (chairman), Jennie, Murray, Millar, Gourley, Fagan, 'Carroll, and Green. The Trustee* were unable to grant the request 'of the £/a,'ver- < "sham Borough Council for assistance of unemployed men in receipt of relief from tho Institution in cleaning out the Baud In §t. Clair Baths. Consideration of a letter from the secretary of the City, J?jfe Brigade offering for sale2ooft canvas hob'e, including coupling, for Wlljj, was deferred. A. number of wastes £oe telief were dealt with.

The Engineers' Band will play in the Canisbrook ground on Saturday next from 3 o'clock. Removal sale now on at Wood, Scott, and Co.'s, Princes street, See advertisement,- 1 - [ Advt, ] Members of the Duiueditt Horticultural Society are reminded of the monthly meeting to-night M tho Standard Insurance Buildings. fee conoert at Old Knox Church on Friday evening (advertised to-night) will doubtless prove a source of great attraction. What with the names of some of our best singers and players, a large choir of well-trained juveniles, and an interesting programme of musical teats, the entertainment is sure to diaw a large audience.

A successfulconcert and tableaux entertainment was given in St. Matthew's schoolroom last evening in aid of the t-'unday school fund, The entertainment was so successful that it was determined to repeat it in about six Weeks' time. Mcsdames Turton and Williams, Misses Bathgate, i-tatham, Home, Haworth, Brind, Graham, Grey, Messrs Chinn, J, Adams, Edwards, Turton, and Adams took part in the entertainment.

The tea-meeting in connection with the North-east Valley Baptist Church waß held in the Church last night, and the building was filled. The Rev. A. North presided* arid the following gentlemen addreßßfcd the meeting : - Hon. T, Dick, Messrs Hunter, Jones, and Ings. The Secretary and the treasurer read their respective reports, which showed the Church to be doing good work and to be progressing favorably, both financially and numerically. During the evening the choir, Under Mr Cray's conductership, gave some excellent selections ; Mi3ses Napier ami Cochins and Messrs Campbell and ScoOhcs taking the cjuartet In ih'e quartet attd chorus "BeWd I Btand at the door and knock"; Miss Napier and Messrs Dowie and Campbell contributed the solos " Hark I hear an angel sing," "Arm, arm ye brave," and "Rocked in the cradle of the deep" respectively. Miss L, Derbyshire acted as accompanist, and al the close cf the meeting was presented with a splendidly bound volume of lacred songs and solos. Mr Cray was also the recipient of a very handsome ivory baton with silver mountings. The quarterly meeting of Pioneer Lodge, 1.0. G.T., was held in the lodge-room, Moray place, last evening. One candidate was initiated, and two proposed for membership. The reports of officers for the past three months were a record of good work, showing the lodge to be in a good conditi n, although several members had been suspended for nun-piyment of dues. Tho following officers were installed for the next term:-C.T., Bro, R, N, Adams; V.T., Sifter Broad ; Bro. Clark ; secretary, Bro. Manteyj treasurer, Bro. Fleming; F.S, Brr>. featson; M., Bro. J. Aitchison ; Guard, Bro. Jennings; 0.G., Bro. Ledgerwood; L.H.-'., Sis. Adams; R.H.i*., Bro. Gyter; A.S., Si?. Pearson; D.M., Sis. Ledgerwood. The installing officers were Bro. 4> S. Adams, L.D.; Bro. W. Carr, G.T.; and Bro. Ewing, G.G., to whom a vote of thanks was aocorded. In accordance with the appointment of the K.W.G. odge, notified through the Grand Lodge Executive, to hold the last week in November as a week of prayer and thanksgiving, it was iesolvcd to request the District Dei uty to arrange for a united meeting of the lodges of the District on the last Sunday even'ng of the month to a religious service, and a committee of the executive officeis of the lodge was also appointed to arrange for an open praise and prayer meeting under the auspices of tho Pioneer Lodge on the evening of \U last meeting in the month.