THE PHILIPPINES.

Evening Star, Issue 19431, 14 December 1926, Page 6

THE PHILIPPINES.

The Philippines are to have their independence, but not yet. President Wilson would have given it to them long before this if he had continued in office. But Mr Coolidge and the Republicans have loss confidence in the innate capacity of every kind of people to rule themselves better than they can be ruled by others. His answer to continual agitation and demands for full self-governing powers for the dusky wards that stand to the United States in the same relation as the races of India do to Britain was to send a special Commissioner, Mr Carmi Thompson, to them a few months ago, to judge how far they were ready for self-government. And Mr Thompson has apparently reported, as by most people he was expected to do, including the Filipinos before he loft, that they are making progress, but have still a long way to go. At all events, Mr Coolidge is taking no hurried action. In his opening address to the December session of Congress he suggested that at an early date the control of the islands should be transferred from the military to the civil side of the Government. He urged further that something more should be done to develop the economic resources of the islands, on which Mr Thompson had been also asked to report. But they should not he returned to the natives till politically and economically they were more fitted to take control. When that time comes, a prior state to complete independence will be one in which the United States will act as a protector to the Philippines, much in the same way as she does to Cuba. The Caribbean State has a Government and a President of its own, but it is pledged not to conclude any treaty with a foreign country that would endanger the independence of Cuba, nor to contract any debts for which the current revenue does not suffice. The United States preserves certain rights of intervention, and enjoys the use of tho island’s naval stations. Those conditions would mean a distinct advance in status for the Filipinos. A remote guardianship would bo substituted for one that is direct and local. But tho change will not immediately be made. “ Hasten slowly ” is doubtless the best policy which the American Government could adopt on this question. The Filipino politicians, who have brought General Wood’s administration almost to a standstill upon various occasions by tho powers of self-govern-ment which they already possess, will be disappointed, but it is unlikely that they speak more for the majority of the Filipinos than the “ Babu ” politicians do for tbe millions of India. They certainly do not speak for tho fighting Moro nation of Mohammedans, numbering half a million, whoso first request to Mr Thompson was that if independence should be given to the Philippines the southern provinces which they inhabit should bo separated and left under tho American Hag. The Americans have done great work in many respects in the Philippines, but that it is still imperfect work, needing more time yet for completion, is suggested by most reports, and especially by the conclusions of an education Commission which investigated that subject a few months ago. The Commission found that the heavy expenditure for primary education in the islands was largely wasted, too much of tho information acquired during short terms of schooling being forgotten almost as soon as it was learned. One of its chief influences seems to have been the inflicting of its objects with a contempt for agriculture and a truly white man’s preference for “ white collar ” jobs. As a result there were too many politicians, and there threatened to be too many Government employees. The system would be better, the report made clear, if it were managed in greater measure by Americans, and if Filipino politicians had less to do with it. And that finding might lie true of the general control of the islands, Tho President’s special Commissioner, at the conclusion of his visit, expressed a moss hopeful conviction of the future of the group, apart from politics. “I believe the Philippines,” he said, “ are on the threshold of the most prosperous era in their history. The Filipino people have just begun to understand the wealth of these islands, and to realise that the world is waiting for the productions of the soil, for the metals and minerals from the mountains, and for the priceless lumber from the forests. When this prosperity comes it will result in a higher standard of living for all the people, better schools, better sanitation, higher uages, and better working conditions for labor*’*-

A start was made to-day with the I erection of the new cricket score board at Carisbrook, which will be one of the most up-to-date structures of its land in the dominion. It is being placed at the workshops end of the ground, amd will be connected by telephone with the pavilion, where the scorers and the Press will still be stationed. All the names of the batsmen will bo displayed, witli their respective scores, and the names of the bowler will also be sho vn. The contract was let to C. Bragg, a, condition being that the board is m working order for the Plur.het Shield match between Otago and Auckland that opens on New Year’s Day, It is understood that the contract price was in the vicinity of £9O. Reserved judgment was given by Mr Page, S.M., to-day at Wellington in the case where Lady Stewart Forbes claimed maintenance for three of her children from her husband, Sir Charles Stewart Forbes, launch owner, Picton, which case has occupied the court since August. His Worship made an order forlos a week in respect of each child, counsels’ fee 2gs, payment to start today Counsel asked for past maintenance from August, hut Mr Rage said he was not satisfied that defendant was of sufficient ability for such, order,— Press Association. “ The service cars do moat damage to the roads,” declared Mr J. Ritchie, of Vincent County, at to-day’s meeting of the District Highways Council. These fairly heavy vehicles travelled at speeds up to forty miles per hour, and the council found difficulty in maintaining the roads. He was satisfied that the heavy motors going at a fair rate of speed did not do half the damage that was caused by the service cars, which throw the road material about. Ho made these, remarks during a discussion on the classification of roads. The Lake County had proposed to alter the classification to second class for eight-ton vehicles, as it found that, with the restrictions on third class, individuals were being penalised. The council decided that it was a matter for the county councils, A set of by-laws to be adopted by all county councils m Otago is being drawn up by the Vincent County Council, according to Mr J. Ritchie, who attended the District Highways Council meeting to-day. He said the bylaws would make for uniformity, but so far difficulty had been experienced in dealing with the heavy traffic sections. The main highway from Cromwell up the Clutha River is on the wrong bank. Nearly twice ns much traffic passes over the road on the other side. At to-day’s meeting of the No. 16 District Highways Council Mr J. Ritchie (Vincent County) asked the council to recommend to the Main Highways Board to change the existing highway from Cromwell up the west side to Luggate, to Hawoa, and across the river at Camp Hill, down the Forks, and across to Mount Iron. He said the road on the west side carried 90 pew cent, more traffic than the existing highway the whole of the produce from the Hawea district being conveyed on the west road. This road was also used by the service buses, and was at the present time in the worst condition for many years. Mr J. Preston said that the existing highway had been declared without any recommendation from the council. The chairman (Mr J. R. Marks) said the recommendation must have been made, and, on turning up the files, he found that the recommendation had been seconded by Mr Preston himself at the second meeting of the newly-constituted council. Mr E. Morgan asked if much work had been carried out on tho east road. Mr Ritchie: “Wo have got it fixed up pretty well now.” (Laughter.) “ But it is not flash,” remarked Mr Marks, smiling. Tho recommendation was supported. Tho second meeting of tho Council of Scientific and Industrial Research was held at Wellington. Outlining the progress made, Mr Shirtcliffe (chairman) said that arrangements had been made for the acceptance of the offers of the Empire Marketing Board to contribute £2,009 a year each to the cost of researches into noxious weeds control, particularly blackberry eradication, and into tho mineral content of pastures. The committee had been actively engaged investigating tho question of seed and plant diseases. The evidence collected showed that an urgent concentrated attack was called for. Another activity was research in fuel, also meteorology and dairying. Tho Commissioner of Taxes had given a ruling that he is prepared to allow firms mnkink grants for research purposes to claim tho amount as expenses in their return of income.—Press Association.

Tho Auckland Power Board decided yesterday to adhere to its policy of preference to British goods, and in spite of the fact that a German firm tendered at a price over £4OO below the lowest British tender, it gave tho contract to the British firm. The German firm submitted a price of £666 for a triple braided cable; the next lowest tender was that of tho Liverpool Electrical Cable Company at £l,llO, or £444 mote than the German tender. The highest of the sixteen tenders was £1,145. The contract went to the_ Liverpool company.— Press Association.

In October the Court of Appeal, consisting of their Honors the Chief Justice, Mr Justice Stringer, Mr Justice MacGregor, and Mr Justice Alpers, heard an appeal from a judgment delivered in the Supremo Court

v His Honor Mr Justice Sim. Tho matter in dispute was a deed of partnership between John M'Gillivray Watson and Arthur Bryan Haggitt. As a result of tho decision of Mr Justice Sim, Bertha Elinor Lillian Haggitt and others, executors of the will of tho lato Arthur Bryan Haggitt, (appellantsi, continued the action in the Court of Appeal against John Lachlan M'Gillivray Watson (respondent). Tho decision of tho court has now been announced, it being stated by His Honor, the Chief Justice, that there has been a disagreement between the members of the court. He himself considered the appeal should be dismissed, and the other three Judges considered it should be allowed. Accordingly, judgment was passed, allowing the appeal, with costs on tho highest scale. _ On the application of counsel, provisional leave was granted for an appeal to the Privy Council.—Wellington Press Association telegram. An anonymous donor sends us £1 for tho Dobson mine disaster fund.

When Joseph Andre appeared in the Police Court, Auckland, charged with assaulting George Cargill so as to cause actual bodily harm, allegations that he had been subjected to an unprovoked assault on two occasions and that his assailant wanted to murder him were made by Cargill. The latter had been treated as an out patient at the hospital for a cut on the thigh and other injuries. Accused was committed lor trial, pleading not guilty.—Press Association.

In the Police Court this morning, before Mr J. R. Bartholomew, SAL, Alexander Craig pleaded not guilty to a charge of failing to provide adequate maintenance for his illegitimate child. Mr Hanlon appeared for the complainant, and asked for a remand until Friday. This was granted, bail being fixed at £'so, with one surety of £SO; on condition that defendant reports daily lo the police.

A Gisborne Association message states that Tewera, a 10,000 acre station recently purchased by the Crown, was inspected yesterday by the Hon. A. D. M'Leod, who 'declared that, speaking generally, it had come up to his expectations, and he had no fault to find with the executive officers who recommended the purchase. He was satisfied that the land could be cut into twelve or thirteen sheep farms at least. Probably a portion of the property could be divided for mixed farming.

H.M.S. Dunedin, flagship of .tho New Zealand Naval Squadron, is to leave Auckland early in the new year for England to refit. She is expected to be absent for about six months. Although the cruiser’s itinerary has not yet been drawn up, it is expected that she will sail from Auckland about January 25 next. She will proceed Home via the Panama Canal, but her ports of call are not yet known. After refitting, the Dunedin will return to New Zealand, being expected to arrive back at Auckland during July. Captain G. Ritchie, of H.M.S. Diomede, will be in command of the Dunedin. While tho Dunedin is in England those members of her crew who have completed their time on the Now Zealand station will be relieved by new men. The matinee for the orphanages to be given by Messrs Fuller, Ltd., and the proprietors of the picture will take place to-morrow afternoon. Every purchaser of a ticket is sure of a good afternoon’s entertainment.

Preparations for tho jubilee of the Ravensbonrne School are well under way. Last night a large meeting of expupils was held in the schoolroom, when a a entertainment committee, with Mr T. Connor as chairman, was elected. It met immediately after the general meeting to draft a programme of colebiations lasting from the Friday to the Sunday. Subscriptions amounting to £47 have already been received, but it is anticipated that £IOO will be necessary to carry out the various functions. Word was received from the Railway Department stating that excursion fares would be available to ox-pupils, ex-tcacbers, and ex-committeemcn from February 3to February 28. Those wishing to obtain excursion rates are advised to apply to tho secretary for the application forms. Probate was granted by Hus Honor Mr Justice Sim this morning in the estates of Richard Jarvis, Dunedin (Mr J. R. M. Lemon); Elizabeth Fitzgerald, Oaraaru (Mr P. C. Hjornng); Jean Hull, Dunedin (Mr F. B. Adams). Letters of administration were granted in the estates of Susan Helena Miles, Dunedin (Mr E. Aslin); William Mathieson, Dunedin (Mr B. S. Irwin); James Rust Day, Dunedin (Mr C j. Payne). Tho last sitting of the Supreme Court for tlie year will be held on Saturday, when His Honor Mr Justice Sim will deal with a number of matters in Chambers.

The Auckland _ public has taken kindly to the Exhibition devices which now form the chief attractions at the big Luna Park in that city. As most of the capital of the company is held in Dunedin, the shareholders, as well as the Dunedin public, who in the circumstances feel a _sort_ of proprietary interest in the affair, will be interested to know that on the opening night over £BOO was taken It the gates and an tho devices, while on Saturday night last there was an attendance of over 9,000 and a return of £l,llß. For the first seven days the total cash takings from the two sources named amounted to upwards of £4,000, and to this has to be added the rentals and moneys from other sources.

The Orepuki shalcfield, operations on which have been suspended for several years, is attracting notice in oil circles at Home, and it is understood that certain financial interests are looking into the matter with a view to opening up the deposits that are known to exist.