Untitled

Evening Star, Issue 14184, 8 October 1909, Page 4

The promoters of the co-operative move

Co-operation.

merit may at least be congratulated on having

made a beginning, and that is often the hardest part of any undertaking. The recent meeting can,of course, only be regarded as preliminary. The one man who laudably gave an impetus to the scheme played a lone hand before an audience which was to some extent hostile, and talked in a manner perhaps more suitable for a butcher’s mutual improvement association than a gathering of persons who were invited • to float a financial venture. !Mr McDonald's address recalled the famous advice of Mrs Glass in connection with the cooking of a hare. “ FSrst catch your h«e.” sagely remarked the lady. The audience, listening to the address, were evidently of the same way. of thinking. They were not particularly interested for the moment in what might be considered the best way to run a butchery, but wanted to b© informed how prime meat could be supplied to co-operative purchasers at the lowest- price. A committee has been set up to consider the question of ways and means and in due time will report to those interested. But while it is true that “ ho has half the deed done who has, made a beginning,” it is not .less true that false starts must be

doubtless be in the recollection of many that the cooperative movement came tP the front soon after the great Maritime Strike ended, when capitalists were in great disfavor, and workers were cooling down after red - hot indignation. Public meetings were held, promotets “orated,” a company was formed with a capital (on paper) of several thousands of pounds, and premises were taken in Moray place. Those who had been most loquacious and loud in promises backed out when an appeal was made to their pockets. The store died in infancy from sheer starvation, for not more than £2OO was forthcoming to carry on business with. The first secretary threw up in disgust his connection with those who had premised to co-operate and. did not, and his successor (Mr J. A. Millar, now a Cabinet Minister) nursed the weakling for a short time, and attended its funeral obsequies, without the hop© of its joyful resurrection. Talkers and theorists will hinder rather than help forward arch a movement, which must depend for success on the combination of common sense and unity of purpose.

In the course of his introductory remarks

How to Help the Mother Country.

at His Majesty's Theatre on Wednesday evening Mr Foster Fraser, said : “ You gave Great Britain a

Dreadnought, and the Old Country took it—not because she needed it, or that your help was necessary, but because in helping her you were learning hew to help yourselves.” That bills sentiment and this print of view tiro those of ■thoughtful Imperialists who have tho courage of their opinions received a striking confirmation a few hours later in the cabled summary of a speech—one of a series—given by the accomplished and popular Governor-General of Canada, Earl Grey. His Excellency is reported to have said, after having referred to the intimate nature of the dependency of Canadian prosperity in the continuance of British supremacy at sea, that “the people in the Motherland have gallantly undertaken the responsibility single-handed of ensuring the safety of your oversea trade until you are strong enough to come to her assistance. Your self-respect and your solf-interest alike will not allow you to permit the overburdened Mother Country’ to perform a duty -when you are able to do it for yourselves.” Apart from the noticeable coincidence of Imperial faith, almost of words, that characterises these two utterances, they are of importance to the people of the Oversea Dominions as presenting’ possibly what to many will appear an entirely new and wholly unexpected doctrine. Numbers, doubtless, have been hugging and congratulating themselves with the belief that colonists have gallantly stepped ihto the arena to help the poor old Mother Country out of a hdle. If this really be the creed of any considerable number, then the sooner they rid themselves of the delusion the better will it be to a clearer and more accurate appreciation of tho fads of the situation. Great Britain does not want our help to beat off any possible or probable opponents in the Northern Sea, but she does ask—or rather suggests—-that the sister States of the Empire relieve her in time of looking after them as well. In tho past we have accepted all and given nothing; we have taken it for granted that Great Britain will keep her and therefore our ocean routes open, and we have forgotten to thank, much less to pay, her for doing, it. The masses of the United Kingdom contribute 16s a head to the cost of the Navy, while the comparatively well-to-do settlers in these distant lands, whose very existence as self-governing, free communities depends on Great Britain retaining and maintaining the command of tho seas, pay 2s a head. Our justification ie that we have erred in ignorance; we have none of us—neither Canada, nor New Zealand, nor Australia—thought the question out seriously and consistently. Professor Henderson, of Adelaide, recently told a Victorian audience, in the course of an address on ‘ National Imperialism.’ that he wanted to show Australians that they were making national demands and evading Imperial responsibilities, because, apart from the little fleet they were making, they were a part of the Empire. But what, he asked, were they doing directly for that Empire? We are in hopes that soon it will not be possible either for Earl Grey or Professor Henderson or Mr Foster Fraser even indirectly to reproach colonists for their past remissness. There is a newer and a better spirit abroad to-day, not tbe least welcome sign of which is frank recognition of our responsibilities, coupled with a sincere determination to do our best to accept them.

Ox Wednesday evening a deputation from

Merchants’ Sidings.

the grain and wool merchants of Dunedin waited on the City Council. Their grievance, for they had a

tangible one, may be briefly stated. In order to facilitate the business of their clients in the matter of receiving and delivering, our merchants for over a quarter of a century have had what are technically known as sidings running from the railway line across the main street into their respective stores. The conditions attached to this privilege have been the payment of an annual rental of £SO to the Railway Department, the keeping of the crossing and siding in a thorough state of repair, and the payment to the City Council of £l3 a year. It is now discovered that the liabilities attached to the possession of a siding are not sufficiently onerous, and the Council, or a portion of that body, came to the conclusion that as a revenue-pro-ducing source the potentialities of the siding were far from exhausted. It was therefore decided to make the fee in future nearly double what it has been in the past by charging £25 in place of £l3. We are of opinion that the business men of this City have a legitimate grievance, and that their protest against this increased levy is justified. The rash statement made by one councillor that these sidings were the means of saving their owners and users “thousands and thousands of pounds” is beneath notice. Sidings are constructed hy the handlers of the agricultural and dairy and pastoral products of the Province to help their clients and to lighten, not to add to, the cost of the necessary charges. Tf. there were no sidings the expenses of handling would be greater, not less, to the farmer and producer. We assume that the object of every citizen is to help on the prosperity of the Province, not to cripple it. nor to handicap our commercial men by imposing vexatious levies. Yet this, unknowingly perhaps, is what the City Council are doing. We axe advised that in this matter of siding charges Dunedin stands alone. There is no other city in the Dominion (so we are given to understand) that handicaps its business men by exploiting their enterprise. We look in vain for any reasonable defence of the new and excess fee which the Council, thanks to the Mayor’s exercise of Ms double vote, have decided to collect. The City Council will be acting in the best interests of the City and its citizens by' promptly rescinding their bare majority resolution of Wednesday night.

Thu City Council acted wisely in referring back to the* Works Com-

Shiei’s Overbridge.

mittee that portion 0 f their report calling upon

Messrs C. and W,' Shio] to deposit a suxri of £2,000, at 4i pea’ cent., ■with the Council as part of the guarantees given by them in connection with the safe and proper working of the Ann’s quarry overbridge. The object presumably of the demand was to ensure adequate funds in the event of the Council being called on to pay, damages. We cannot, however, congratulate the Works Committee on the methods by which they sought to secure this. The Committee chose the most unsatisfactory and penalising form of attaining their object-. Even were the applicants of limited means, that would not, in view of the eqnally effective alternatives that are open to the Council, be a vindication for the course proposed. It is within the knowledge of councillors, however, that the Arm are very largo holders of Corporation bonds, so that no fear need have arisen as to their ability to pay any possible claims. As a matter of fact, every precaution has been taken to guard 1 against/ accident, and the absence of the overhead trolley for removing clay and the substitution of carts, which must cross the tram line,.would be infinitely more costly and more dangerous

to life and .limb, agajea urge that it should not be the policy of the (Sty Council to hamper the business of the community try vexatious' and expensive restrictions... The guarantee can be secimed by less costly and possibly less * injurious methods than those proposed. It js not every firm that can set apart £2,000, at per cent., whdn the money is wanted elsewhere. Further, there is a distinct element of injustice when, we learn, as wo do. that in the present, instance tho firm will have to take the money from an investment that ia retuming them 7, per cent, in order to comply with the demand of the Works . Cormmtte©. ( • By all means-- have proper and effective safeguards, but there are other ways than these to secure them, and we, look to the Committee to amend their report accordingly. '

It is gratifying, in the interests of the Port of Otago, to ■ leam that a business understanding has been arrived at as between the Harbor Board and the shippers of grain with regard to receiving cargo, and that the exporters, 'who have stuff to send by the next steamer, tho Fifeshire, will in all likelihood ship at the Dunedin wharf instead of again* railing .the sacks to Port Chalmers.

Seventy-nine contests took place at the recent festival of the Dunedin Competitions Society. It cXhnot be safely asserted that all who took part ax© perfectly satisfied with the judging. Such universal contentment would be only possible 'with infallible judges and angelic competitors. .We may g j further, and say that two or three of the awards are open to challenge. But it is also quite fair to state that this year the percentage of acquiescence is unusually high. Vary little grumbling of a judicial nature has been heard. And only two protests have reached the Executive. One, as to the ringing off, was promptly decided in the judge’s favor. The other protest has yet to be considered. It is by Mr Colin J. Gray, who protests against Mr J. B. M'Clymont being awarded' the challenge silver shield presented by ‘Ghas. Begg and Co. for the highest marks in solo singing, the ground of the protest being an assertion that Mr M'Clymont is not within the definition of “amateur.” Mr M'Clymont, it may be mentioned, scored 95 points for this shield, and Mr Gray came next with 93. The protest is to come before the Executive next week.

The work of restoring the 12iu water main that was crushed by the railway embankment at Kensington is now nearly completed by tbe Corporation staff under the direction of Mr W. D. R. M'Curdie. It is reconstructed from the Anderson Bay road to the Neville street bridge. This means about 95 per cent, of the entire length that had to be replaced. The new main is under the Corporation road, and quite clear of the embankment, therefore accessible and safe.

The need for a pottage hospital at Port Chahners was the subject of a motion at a special meeting of the local Marin© Laborers’ Union on Monday evening. It was resolved to call the attention of the Borough Council to the circumstances of tho recent railway accident, in connection with which the sufferer could have been immediately attended to, and needless suffering obviated, had there been a cottage hospital in existence at Port Chalmers. A passing comparison of the values of land in Taranaki and Canterbury was made yesterday at the meeting of the Canterbury Land Board (wires our Christchurch correspondent). No figures were given, but on© member remarked that the consideration proposed to be given by a Canterbury l.i.p. tenant to an outgoing tenant was small compared with what was given in Taranaki. The Commissioner (All- F. W. Flanagan) expressed the opinion that at the prices of land in Taranaki some of the settlers would be wanting their cows to give cream instead of milk before long. Nowadays sport is a capital advertisement for nations and countries. A successful team of cricketers or an irresistible Rugby fifteen do more to advertise a colony than a fleet of clipper-built wpol ships can do! Tasmania wants to let her neighbors know of her varied attractions. The Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania recently wrote to the Otago Yacht and Alotor Boat Club intimating that the Tasmanian Tourist Association are arranging to hold a grand carnival in Hobart in March, 1910, and, provided interstate entries can bo obtained, tho following events would be included in the programme ; —First Class Yacht Race : First, £SO and trophy valued at £25; second, £25; third £lO. Second Class Yacht Race : First, £4O and trophy valued at £10; second, £2O; third, £5. Dingey Race : First prize, £25 and trophy valued at £5; second, £10; third, £5. The Association desired to know at an early date if the Otago Club were likely to forward any entries for the events. They would also be pleased to receive suggestions as to size of yacht to be classed as, first and second, and would be willing to arrange special faxes and freight on interstate (steamers for crews and yachts. The letter was received by the Otago Club at their annual meeting last night. At present ibis thought that Otago will not send representatives.

An application for costs in a civil case in which the amount sued for was, less than £2 was made at the Magistrate’s Court at Christchurch yesterday (wires “Our Own”) on the grounds that the matter arising out of the case was of general or public interest. It was stated that the defendant had ordered a copy of the ‘ Cyclopedia of New Zealand,’ which had not been delivered, it was alleged, for five years, and the purchaser desired the work for reference purposes, and he ‘further alleged that owing to delay in delivery the book was useless. Evidence had been taken in the case at Roxburgh, and counsel had been engaged at that town and in this city. Ultimately the plaintiff company had discontinued the case. In support of the contention that a matter of general or public interest, was involved, 'Mr Frazer, who made the application for costs, deferred to the fact that the Legislature had considered the question of such public importance that the Book Purchasers’ Protection Act had been placed on the Statute Book. Mr Haselden. .vS.M., wMlst expressing a desire, if possible, to grant the application,pointed out that the case had not been tried out, and it was impossible for him to go into the merits of the case and say which side was right or which was wrong. Mr Fletcher, who represented the plaintiff company, said that the defendant had been communicated tvith, but the company could not get any information from him as to Me legal representative. The case had been adjourned ho fewer than five times. The magistrate at Roxburgh had allowed defendant personal costs, and generally the company had paid more than they ought, to have tio-no in connection with the c<wje. matter was disposed of by the next case being called on.

The Wartahuna Horticultural Society’s annual epring show, held on Wednesday (writes our correspondent), was a big success, attracting a large number of visitors' from Lawrence and the neighboring distncts. The narcissi display was exceedingly fine, 'being, indeed, one of the chief features of the show. Mr J. H. Patrick was the principal prize-winner in this class, Mr J. F. Roberts and Mr H. 0. gaard also scoring with blooms of treat merit, .Mr T. H. dark, of Lawrence, gained two firsts with two stands of polyanthus, twelve and twenty-four varieties, his blooms shoeing good growth, size, and substance. line anemones, primroses, crown imperials, tulips, etc., compared more than favorably with previous shows under the club’s auspices. The decorative section displayed great artistic taste, and' the exhibition of pot plants was really choice. The industrial section was a good feature, and, taken altogether, the show was a most creditable one, alike to exhibitors and to those who control the society. When speaking at the meeting of accountants last evening, Mr A. J. C. Drown referred to the old-established Institute of Accountants as “ keeping the noiseless tenor of its way,” and when interrupted by cries of “even tenor” from all parts of the room declined to accept the suggested amendment, and explained that the line was to be found in Grev’e ‘ Elegy.’

A “Run of Ltui.”—A Jwok of ticketsin •the Baldntha Band artTmipn—viz., book 721 to 740—held five prizesAist., 4th., llth, Kth, and 15th. Mvo, prjzes out twenty tickets is not bad, cbnsidering the average would paa out about ode prize to every 100 tickets.- The numbers were 728, 731, 732, 735, 757. The last has not'been heard of the charge made on wool and garhiri merchants for the use of private railway sidings,' Gr. Tapley having given notice to move that the previous resolutions dealing with this question be rescinded. , The Ocean Beach Domain Board, an unobtrusive body, whose work is to be seen on, and round the beaches on Sunday rather than read qf in the papers, waded through a good deal of routine business yesterday afternoon. The Chairman (Mr Hancock) reported that conveniences and lavatories at the baths were now up to date. Accounts amounting to J8122 9s 8d were passed. The members present were Messrs Hancock, Crust, Hamel, J. E; White, and Burnett. ,

The mayor is determined to have thework of consolidating and revising the City by-laws pushed on until some finality is reached. He got Lis special committee together at half-past six last evening, and they sat right on until ten o’clock. Even then their labors were not completed, and an adjournment had to be, made for a week. , .

The following resolutions will be submitted at to-night’s meeting of the i.)«ck Trust:—“ That a Bill be promoted to'obtain power to give a security to the Harbor Board in terms of the draft Bill; that the Harbor Board be requested to agree that the power contained in the Merger Bill to advance money to the Trust be increased to £5,000; that pending the pass-; ing of the Bi 1 ! the Board be requested to advance to the Trust £2,000 at 5£ per cent, interest on the agreement of the Trust to promote and use its best endeavors to pass the above-mentioned Bill, and when snch Bill has been passed the Trust will, _at its own expense, reserve such security as_ the Board may require or the Bill authorised.”

The mayor has received the following letter from Mr Yung Liang Hwang, Chinese Consul for New Zealand:—“l must not allow my time to pass too quick without writing to you expressing my appreciation and gratitude to yon for your cordial reception kindly tendered to me during my recent visit to your beautiful and prosperous City. I waa greatly pleased to hear the kindly and friendly words uttered by yourself at the reception, and the welcome 'words from the consular representatives and other gentlemen whom yon kindly invited to meet me upon the occasion also gave me cheer and gratification. It is my sincere wish that during my sojourn here, through the effort and cooperation of the intelligent end broadminded gentlemen of this country, a better understanding and more frienuly feeling may be created and promoted between thejpeople of New Zealand and the people

It is understood that the price at which the Southland ‘ News’’ changed hands was £31,000. x -

At the City Police Court this morning Esther Maria Montagu, against whom there were thirty-four previous convictions, pleaded guilty to a charge of soliciting, and was sentenced to one month’s ira-** pnsonment with hard labor.

According to Mr T. M. Wolford, M.P., chairman of the Wellington Harbor Board, the prospects of getting the Harbors Act Amendment Bill through Parliament this session are not altogether hopeless. The clauses regarding the constitution of the Boards were the only ones against which touch opposition would be likely. It had been suggested to the Government in the first place that two Bills should bo introduced—one dealing only with proposals regarding the constitution of Boards, and the other with the other matters affecting the various harbor districts, representations in regard to which had been made to the Government after the' Harbor Board conferences which had been held from lime to time. The Government had, however, put everything into one Bill, but luckily had placed the constitution clauses at the end of the proposed measure. Thus it was hoped that oven if there were heavy opposition to these constitution clauses, 'which enacted that representation on Har-bor-Boards should be on a population basis, and that elections should be by the people the parliamentary franchise, and hot, as at present in the case of the Otago Board, by the various local bodies in the district, there would still be a very good Chance of the first division of the Bill at least becoming law, ■ A first offender brought before Mr J. Watson, J.P., at the Port Chalmers Court today was convicted of drunkenness and discharged. Pursuant to their policy of giving openair concerts at regular intervals, the Mornington Band, though the weather was not altogether favorable for such a performance, played a programme of meric at Maryinll last night. The attendance was as large as could be expected under the circumstances, and the band, for the reasons put forward by the advocates of the district scheme in outside games, bids fair to become a popular institution in Mornington.

The stallholders had .a busy time in St. Mary’s Schoolroom yesterday afternoon and" evening, and ‘reported that the financial results were, satisfactory. In the evening a children’s operetta, entitled ‘The Dolls’ House Party,’ was dfcsgcd, and was an unqualified success. The play was produced under the direction of Mrs Neildnnd Mies Winnie Martin. The sale will bo continued this evening, when ‘ The Dolls’ House Patry ’ will be again played by the children.

David Marr, whose legs were crushed under a suburban train on Monday, and who had to have them both taken off, is still doing well. The Dunedin Jockey Club’s application for & conditional license for, the races next week has been refused by the Taieri Licensing Committee.