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Evening Star, Issue 16912, 9 December 1918, Page 4

The frankness of Air Harold Beauchamp chairman of tho Bank ol The Dominion’s New Zealand directorate, Prospects. in alluding at the Bank’s half-yearly meeting on Friday to tho Dominion’s War Debt is to bo commended. seriousness of New Zealand’s financial obligations is discussed in plain terms, and entirely without any suspicion of panicky pessimism. Mr Beauchamp’s candor is in striking contrast to tho vague generalities of responsible and irresponsible members of Parliament.

The Dominion’s total indebtedness is set down by Mr Beauchamp at something near 200 millions sterling, representing an interest bill of £9,000,000 a year or £750,000 a month. To that must be added the War Pension charge of not less than one and a-quarter millions, also the interest on five or six millions which will be required for the Repatriation of New Zealand's army. The Dominion is clearly faced with the necessity for meeting interest charges aggregating at least twelve millions a year. It is a formidable obligation, which should bo undertaken with the same spirit that sustained the country in the war, and should not be left to a vague political hope that much of it may bo recovered from Germany. Mr Beauchamp ranges himelf alongside the politician in demanding financial reparation from Germany; but his attractive advocacy of such a reimbursement of the war expenditure of the British Dominions is rather contradictory. For example, ha suggests that if the wealthiest members of t|ie allied family desire to display generosity to tho German nation they can, of course, make any sacrifices they wish on their own account; but as far as the Dominions are concerned full indemnification should be afforded. The argument is manifestly weak. If the wealthy members of the allied family decide to be to Germany, it follows that they will not be particularly enthusiastic about forcing her to pay full indemnification for tho losses sustained by the British Dominions, It will be much more satisfactory to have a definite statement —such as that recently made by Mr Winston Churchill—to tho effect that the Allies are united in their demand that Germany shall pay to the utmost farthing. If this result should be secured, tho British Dominions need have no doubt ns to receiving just treatment from tho Mother Land. But the question of financial indemnities may well be left for settlement by the Peace Conference. Tho immediate economic prospects of New Zealand are not painted in gaudy colors by Mr Beauchamp. “ Tho situation is an unfortunate one for tho general public,” be says. “ for it means that the Cost of Living will continue high, though perhaps not quite so high as at present.” flow is it to come down even a little? This question has baffled the intellects of eighty members of Parliament. It would have, been interesting, therefore, to have obtained a definite idea from a shrewd banker as to what means should be adopted to reduce tho Cost of Living.

It is at least good to know that there is uo reason whatever for anything in the shape of panic ; but there is need—nay, urgent necessity—for the immediate exercise of National Economy in every direction. Until the National Government set a definite lead in this direction, how hopeless it is to expect the common people to practise thrift! The cessation of hostilities in Europe has made our parochial politicians inclined to bolt on the questions of National Enterprise and National Expenditure. Now Zealand is still foolish' extravagant and tremendously eager to forget the strain of the Great War, as well as to ignore the clamant call for cautious developmental progress and stern National Economy.

Reference to the whole-hearted and patriotic manner in which the people of New Zealand, as a body, had accepted the ; terms of the .-Military Service Act, and i particularly the manner in which appri- : rants had accepted the decisions of riie : Court, was made by several speakers at Tuesday’s farewell to the chairman _ and members of the First Auckland Military Service Board. “The general ittitpde of appellants who have appeared Wore m has been worthy the very highest praise,” said Mr Burgess. ” Many men have had to go to camp under circumstances of great difficulty, all knew that they were preparing to "risk their lives, and many were about to sacrifice their careers; but in practically every case they have accepted our decision in a splendid spirit, following the plain course of duty with cheerfulness and true patriotism, sinking their own interests in the welfare of their emntry.” Mr Pine sa : d that the way in which the country had accepted the terms of Conscription, was one of the finest phases in tho history of the Empire.

The Tramways Appeal Board will resume their sitting on Wednesday morning to hear the appeal of John Boag, of the Roslyn Tram Company. An important point in divorce procedure 'was determined' at Auckland last week by Mr Justice Cooper in the case of Johnstone v. Johnstone (wife) and Ernest Sutton Chatfield, captain mariner (respondent). Air Singer (for the petitioner) put on the witness stand the wife of the co-respondent for the purpose of giving in evidence certain statements made to her by her husband. His Honor questioned the right to - tender such evidence, suggesting that it could not he given without the co-respondent’s consent. On the other hand, counsel submitted 'that it was admissible, the Evidence Act, 1908, section 6, only providing that a wife shall not be compellable in any proceeding to disclose any communication made to her by her husband during the marriage, that section meaning only that the privilege of declining to answer is the privilege of the witness herself, and must be claimed by her, and that it was not in the power of a party to the proceedings to object to the evidence. Authorities were quoted, and His Honor intimated that it was a very important point—raised for the first time in New Zealand. His Honor took time to consider “the point. When the hearing was resumed on the Ist hast. Mrs Chat-field, on stepping on to the witness stand, was told bv His Honor that she could please herself whether or not she gave evidence, and she elected to do so, whereupon a decree nisi was granted, to made absolute three months hence. The Auckland section of the Post and Telegraph Officers’ Association unanimously carried a resolution a P.A. wire) strongly urging the executive to impress on the Department and the Postmaster-General the necessity of granting the telegraph side direct representation in the administration division.

Regarding King George’s fund for sailors, the following 'letter has been received by the deputy chairman of the General ‘Councilßuckingham Palace, September 18. Dear Captain Clarke, —I beg to acknowledge the. vocipt of your letter of tho 14th instant, forwarding the annual report of King George's fund for sailors, together with a summary > of tho work done, and subscriptions received up to tho end of August. I have submitted the report and summary to the King, and am commanded to express His Majesty’s satisfaction at the sound state of tho fund, and especially with regard to the generous support given to it by India-, the Dominions. and the Crown colonies.—F. PoxBON'BT.”

.Reserved decision on a point raised by Mr R, A. Singer in the Supremo Court at Auckland as to whether the wife of a corespondent can give evidence on behalf of a petitioner in a divorce suit was delivered by Mr Justice Cooper on Wednesday in support of tho application. His Honor held that it was admissible, but not compellable, for the wife of a co-respondent to give evidence on behalf of the petitioner. Tho witness then stepped into the box, and, after being warned by His Honor that she could please, herself as to whether or not she would answer tho questions, gave evidence in support of petitioner. This being tho final evidence, His Honor gave his decision—a decree nisi, to be moved absolute at the expiration of three months—in favor of the petitioner.

The members of the Military Service Board disbanded on Saturday, and the office in the Supreme Court buildings closed down to-day.

The heavy rain of Saturday and yesterday will do an immense amount of good (wires our Clyde correspondent). An abundance of feed is now assured, while tho crops, particularly turnips, have improved wonderfully, and the outlook is now much better.

The University Senate (reports a "Wellington telegram) announces that, having been empowered under the "War Legislation Act of this session to suspend temporarily the regulations governing students desiring to enter for the examinations, it has been decided to consider the case of any student who may have been subjected to hardships through the influenza epidemic prejudicing his or her work for the November examinations.

Persons who take a pleasure* in crumbling about Otago weather have plenty of satis facti on just now. Rain began on Saturday evening; Sunday set in with banks of thick vapor blowing up from the southeast ; during the morning the change to the south-west brought no improvement; and to-day the conditions have been more like August than December. The unfriendliness of this weather seems to he, general, and the wisest people arc those who follow the custom said to obtain in Denmark—namely, to put up with what cannot he prevented. The rainfall recorded by Mr Paulin’s gauge at Opoho from Saturday evening to 8 a.m. to-day was 165 points. Our correspondent reports a heavy downpour at the Taieri, but the rise in the main watercourses has been slight. “The epidemic was the biggest problem which has ever confronted the people if thin country, and the biggest problem the Government have had to face in regard to life and health.”—Mr P Fraser, M.P.. at, Thursday’s final meeting of the Wellington Central Group Committee.

Members of Court Pride of tho Leith, A.0.P., will moot on Wednesday evening. The Otago and Peninsula A and P. Society have postponed their annual show indefinitely. New season’s photographic goods; excellent stock now arriving. Cameras from Cs. Send your order early to H. J. Gill, 11 and 13 Frederick street, Dunedin. ’Phone 1,141. —[Advt.] It pays to remember some things. Ladies, when you need a good costume remember the name Ansoll, Octagon.—[Advt.l Jubilation! Celebrate it in‘Watson’s No. 10 Whickv; without a peer; just lovely.— fAdvt.l The Otago Women’s Patriotic Association announce that ihe drawing of the radles for the doll's house and silver tea kettle have been postponed. “No Rubbing ” Laundry Help for washing children’s summer clothing. Clothes last twice as long when “No Rubbing ” is used. Is 3d large packet. Warded Bros, and Co. —[Advt.] $ Watson’s No. 10 is a little dearer than most whiskies, but is worth the money.— [Advt.] _______