OUR AUSTRALIAN LETTER

Evening Star, Issue 12763, 16 March 1906, Page 3

OUR AUSTRALIAN LETTER

PPTOM Chm Special Correspondent,j ''in 1 SYDNEY, March 9. IHEfCOMIN G POLITICAL STRUGGLE. There are significant signs that for elc tion purposes ih© socialistic movement- is not-] considered “ good business.” The ir.<juicy into the tobacco trade has failed to discldso any tembie oppression on the part of th§ combine which largely controls supplies to retailers.’ The shopkeepers, through tho Operation of the Federal Tariff, have had their profits fined down a bit, but the' public generally appear to be much betted! catered for than, if the business was made monopoly. Therefore, the diaim of the Socialists that the tobacco plum is, ripe for plucking by the •State is not -heard with sympathetic ears. Then the scandals of the New South Wales lionds and Railway Departments arc not increasing the -desire of the majority of electors who have to “pay the piper” for any extension, of Government functions. The disclosures in connection with the adjmrstration of the public estate indicate the difficulties thrown iu the way of any new men desiring to get on the land. The probity and efficacy of the Lands Department have, it is only too clear, been undermined by tlio basest corruption. As for the Railway Department, the squabbling which has gone on between the Commissioners'' demonstrates how an outrageous state of affairs may exist for years in public administration before any remedy can be looked for. It is no wonder at the present juncture that the Labor party are not particularly anxious to fight Mr Reid as an anti-Socialist at the next elctious, and that they seem, disposed to lend a willing car to Protectionists, who wish to force on the fiscal issue. - The extreme Protection party of Victoria are already planning a campaign 1 to tiy and convince the electors that Mr Reid is a Prcetrade wolf in anti-Socialistic Aeep clothing, and that he must not be believed when he says he is burying the tariff question At the same time the Pro iertiom.ite. who remained loyal to the Reid-Deakiu compact, are inclined to tight under the Reid banner, and there is the greatest danger that the contest is not going to be on a clear-cut issue between two parties. It will not be surprisng if the struggle gets beyond a triangular duel and becomes a regular melee, in which all ports of sectarian and personal questions will come in. DEBATE ON SOCIALISM. A matter of immediate political filtered vail be the debate on Socialism between Mr G. H. Reid and Mr W. A. Holman, .a prominent Labor member of the New South Wales Assembly. Mr Holman will appear as a chosen champion of the La-borites, and the affair is being eagerly locked forward to by many people. It has been suggested that Mr Holman's attitude will afford a good indication of what the tactics of the Labor party will be in the near future. But T do not think this is probable. Mr Holman is an extreme Socialist, and is likely to lift the subject out of the domain of present-day practical politics. He is an animated and fluent speaker, and will, no doubt, give a good account of himself in the sphere of abstract argument and idealism. The debate will take place in Svdnev at the beginning of next month. THE TOBACCO COMMISSION. All those concerned in the tobacco trade unite in condemning the proposal of the Federal Commission to nationalise the industry. The retail tobacconists state that the public certainly have not suffered by the combine, and tie only ones to bear* anv brunt of the changes which have been brought about by the Federal Tariff and tlie combine are themselves. But they don’t see what good in going to result from State interference. A Government monopoly, they consider, will bring about inferiority of tobacco and worst times for operatives. A fact which has been brought lo light by inquiries among retailers is that they meditate forming a company to gain the additional discounts which " are conceded by the combine to distributors who .give them large orders. This company, besides dealing witli the combine, will seek to acquire agencies for popular British and American lines outside the control of the trust. A sound' business-like view of this question of the State entering into trading operations is given by Mu Samuel Horderm tne principal of the great firm of universal providers—Anthony Modern and Sons. “A State monopoly is neither feasible nor practical,” he considers, “ and the State that- holds the monopoly demonstrates this in a meet marked form. The consumer is forced to purchase tobacco and cigars of a much inferior quality to that supplied by individual makers, who, by competition alone, are compelled to maintain a fair standard. When the State steps in to control any industry, the administration at once becomes weak, for the reason that theree is too much poliitcal patronage that has to be satisfied in making appointments. Not only is this the case in Australia, but a. like condition exists in all the Continental countries where the tobacco trade has been made a Government monopoly. Where tobacco, in fact any article of commerce, is dealt with by the private individual or any number of persons, it is freed from this political control, and the employees in every branch are selected on their merits. The management of a private concern is vested in the hands of a man, having full responsibility. He has the power of initiative, and is free from the influence of the Government machine. The employee of the State Department is not- called upon to exercise that keen grasp of the position which is daily faced by the managers of private concerns, and this naturally has its effect on the product. For these reasons the State’s productions are invariably more costly, and this added cost is passed' on to the consumer, the general public.” As to the operations of the combine Mr Hordern explains that the amalgamation of companies has affected prices, bub not to anv considerable extent. “The ultimate result,” be says, “is that we have to do business with its distributing house if we wish to handle any of the lines manufactured by the individual concerns it represents. In effect, it may be said that the combine controls roost of the popular evenday lines of tobaccos, cigars, and cigarettes in Australia. There are, however, no arbitrary; restrictions to be observed. The retailer is free to purchase where be pleases any outside lines, but, if he requires any of the brands handled by the combine, he must obtain them either direct from the wholesale depot, or through anv of the recognised distributors. It is riot like the cotton combination in England, which compels the trader to purchase solely through its organisation. As this British, concern controls all the bread and butter lines of the trade, it will readily be seen that ite grasp is that of an octopus.” THE RAILWAY INQUIRY. It has now come to the turn of Mr W. M. Fclmn to give evidence before the New South Wales Couimision on railway administration. Mr Fehon has been a Commissioner since the change was made seventeen and a-half years ago from one to three Commisionors. He was formerly general manager of the Victorian Railways. He in the main corroborates the account given by Mr KirkcaJdie of the dissensions which have, been created through the antagonistic attitude of 3D Oliver, the Chief Commissioner. He showed that even in Mr Eddy’s lime there were. * inharmonious relations!” From what has come out it would seem that a, Chief Commisioner of Railways deems it his peculiar prerogative to bully the junior Commissioners. Mr Fehon related that on one occasion Mr Eddv sent for Mr Oliver, who was then third Commissioner, on account of his not having put m an appearance at the office at the usual hour. Mr Oliver objected to the procedure, and then Mr Eddy threatened K ™ , but relented when Mr Fehon pointed out that he could not afford to relinquish his position On being interrogated, Mr Fehon said that Mr Eddy was quite polite on the occasion but it is Just possible that it was politeness of the ingid order which displeases rather than ingratiates. When Mr Kirkcaldie was chief traffic, manager he revised the merchandise rates in such a way as to increase the revenue by about £20,000 or j, without.the advance being unduly felt by the people who used the railways. Mr *nri--«iidie afterwards became a Commis-;

sioner, and while be was away in England Mr Oliver wanted to make a return to the original rates, ini consequence of a deputation from Armadale having complained about them. Mr Fehon-would not’ hear of this, saying that Mr- Kirkcaldie hitd gone to great trouble in the matter, and bad 1 always been recognised by Air Eddy as an authority on “rate questions.” Mr Oliver retorted that Mr Kirkcaldie had “not exercised his judgment,” and that a man could be obtained at £2OO per annum to do the : figuring. Mr Fehon thought this a most disrespectful way to speak of a colleague. The Chief Commisioner Had at one time threatened to suspend Air Fehon and Air Kirkcaldie, and was told that he had better read the Railway Act. Mr, Oliver had also intimated that lie would make iiiS colleagues respect- him. By this My Fehon thought that Air Oliver intended to change his attitude, but it seemed that the expression was merely a “ vulgar phrase.” Mr Kirkcaldie and Air Fehon were afterwards threatened with “ report to the Alinister for hunting in couples,” and thev replied that if such were done it would be better for all concerned. There was another incident Air Fehon recollected as having occurred when Mr Kirkcaldie was chief traffic manager and AD Eddy Chief Commissioner. Reference was being made to a deputation who had waited on AD Kirkcaldie, and Mr Oliver stated during the conversation that Mr Kirkcaldie was misleading the Commissioners. In reply to this Mr‘Kirkcaldie said ho merely Jesircd to give the facts, and was not misleading the Commissioners. Air Eddy suggested that Mr Kirkcaldie should render an apology to Air Oliver for the remarks he had made. The second Commissioner replied that any apology made should come from Air Oliver to him (AD Kirkcaldie), and that he would leave the room. AD Eddy then rose and said : “If you leave the room you will - leave the service.” Mr Kirkcaldie* did not leave the room. AD F ebon explained how Mr Oliver got his superior position. When AD Fehon was second Commissioner' under AD Eddy he knew that Mr Oliver, who (probably with a. certain amount of political interest) had come from the Lands Department, had an ambition for the position. Mr Fehon therefore went to AD Reid, the then Premier, and said; “I am over .sixty years .of age, and do not desire to stand in the way ol a younger man. If Air' Oliver wants the position let him have it.” Those who have a knowledge of the inner workings of the department suggest that there 'were old scqres , to be worked off between Messrs Fehon and KirkcaJdie and the present Chief Commissioner, and this accounts for all the trouble that has arisen in recent years. THE GUNNER AND HIS GIRL More inquiries! There is now one going °n in Melbourne concerning the military administration and the peculiar conduct of Major Hawker. One of the charges brought against- this officer was that be ordered Gunner Houhier to parade his intended wife before him. Examined on the subject, Major Hawker explained that he told the staff-captain he would like 'to see Houlder and hi- intended wife. It was not intended as an order; it was a request. Asked as to his object, the gallant major replied: 1 considered it my’ duty. As commanding officer I had to protect civilians as well as soldiers. I have had many instances where men have married girls, telling them that they were sergeants and getting more pay than they really were, and the girls found out when too late that a soldier’s pay was not sufficient to keep a wife and family on. In such cases they had to go out and earn their owii living. 1 have had several cases of girls being left destitute by their soldier husbands. That is what influenced me in asking the woman whether she really knew what the pay of the man was. I did not know who she was. She might have been a girl from the country. Do you still intend to pursue the same course ?—I shall not be able to pursue the same course, as there seems to be some objection to it. But I still-think it is aproper thing to do. Has any objection been taken before?— None whatever. You admit you went outside your military duties in this case?—No, because the lady had a right to refuse to see me. It was only a request by me. Is this a usual or customary thing to do? —I have had twenty-one years’ service, and I have found it to be customary. Aleu are usually pleased to find that such an interest is taken in them by their officers. Your only reason was to see that the lady was not being deceived ?—Yes. It had nothing to do with ascertaining whether she was a respectable girl?— No. She had a certificate of character from a clergyman. I received no objection from Houlder or his intended wife. The interview took only five minutes. ‘ARGUS’ EDITOR FOR THIRTY-ONE YEARS. The death is announced of AD F. W. Haddon, formerly editor of the Alelbourae ‘ Argus,’ from diabetes, at trie age of sixtyseven. AD Haddon held the distinction of baying edited the journal for no less a period than thirty-one years. He succeeded to that onerous position after several unsuccessful occupants at the age of twentyeight, having as a preliminary training acted os sub editor of the 1 Argus,’ and the first editor of the ‘Australasian.’ He used to relate how he declined to accept rhe congratulations of the printer ou bis elevation to the ‘Argus’ chair, for he feared the fate of his irnmediaLe predecessors. But he turned out to lie eminently well fitted for the post, and earned the greatest respect of all who came in contact with him. lie Was of a particularly urbane temjx-ranifcr.t; allowed nothing to upset him; and punctiliously saw the paper to press along with the subeditor all the time ho was at the helm. In the early hours of the morning, while waiting for the last proofs, it custom to smoke a cigar and attend to private correspondonee. A wonderful man for an awkward past, truly! The late Mr Haddon v/as a native of Croydon, Surrey, and before coming to Melbourne acted as sccietaiy of the Statistical Society of Great Britain. He was then engaged as private secrctavv to the late Mr Edward Wilson, who was senior partner in the proprietary of the ‘Argue.’ Owing to the death of AD Gowen Evans in 1898 it became nccessarv to appoint a representative of the trustees of t-ho Edward Wilson estate on the Council of Management, and AD Haddon retired from the editorial chair to act in that- capacity, being succeeded by Mr Howard Willoughby, who has, in turn, given place to AD D. W. Watteraton, Ihe present editor. The record of AD Haddon’s term of office as editor of the ‘ Argus ’ would be an epitome of the political history of Victoria from the days of the Darling grant to the days of Federation. Alenticn of those epochsreally furnishes the keynote to his work. The Darling grant- dispute was really a contest between the over-rood tin g radicalism of the day and the supporters of the system of government given by the original Constitution. It was a contest renewed from time to time, and throughout AD Haddon kept his mind fixed on the necessity for preserving and strengthening the second Chamber, whose existence was threatened l by the great waves of popular excitement. | AD Haddon leaves a widow and one daughter. , BROKERS OUT OF THEIR ELEMENT. A party of members of the Melbourne Stock Exchange recently visited Bendigo, where they were welcomed by the Eendreo Exchange members. The viators were driven to the Catherine Reef United mine, where arrangements were made for' theni i to descend the shaft. Half a dozen got into ! the cage, but after it liad descended 40ft i it stopped, and could not be induced to vo farther downward. It transpired that”a ! nervous broker bad clutched hold of a part of the cage, and set tho safety grips in i action. The party hod to be hauled to the : surface before the descent could be resumed j and then two or three nervous men o-ot- ’ out, and declined to repeat the experiment j AN UNLUCKY SHIP. The Norwegian steamer Thordis, which ' has gone to pieces on the rocks at the - entrance of Port Stephens, was an unlucky 1 vessel. She was bruit in 1899, and has I had in succession five masters, who expert- j enced one misfortune after another with I her. Captain Berg, hear last skipper, had during _ eighteen months several mishaps. I Some time ago, when crossing the Atlantic, j a heavy sea struck the steamer, smashing two of the lifeboats :ihd staving in the. side • of the ship, besides badly injuring two ! men. .Again, in December last, when coni- j

mg down from tb» East, she strode an ■uncharted. rock in, Jelolo Passage,, off the coast of New Guinea, and damage was done which necessitated repairs costing close on £5,000. Then in January last, when entering the port of Newcastle, she collided with the barque Wallacetown, and sustained considerable injury. Now, as the crowning piece of misfortune, site has gone ashore and become a total wreck. The Thordis cost £40,000 to build, and was insured in a Norwegian office. A GIVER’S NARROW ESCAPE. At the Wallaroo (S.A-) baths T, M. Thomas, a local diver and swimmer of considerable ability, attempted to defeat the South Australian record for a long swim under water. The effort nearly cost him Ms life. He had gone 82yds in the water below the surface, ■ when he was observed to rise and immediately sink again. Thomas was frothing at the mouth, and appeared to have collapsed. Another swimmer jumped into the water and brought Thomas up. He was found to be unconscious, and suffering also from slight hemorrhage. Medical aid was summoned, but many horn's elapsed before the sufferer recovered.