Notes and Comments.

Feilding Star, Volume VI, Issue 1676, 21 December 1911, Page 2

Notes and Comments.

Ths result of the elections evidently had a strange effect upoii the Telegraph Department. On the day following the second ballot a Wanganui citizen dispatched a congratulatory wire to "Massey, Auckland." To the sender's astonishment, the message i\vas returned to him with the endorsement -."Address not sufficient.." (exclaims the Chronicle). And this concerning the- coming Premier !

The eyes of the whole of the cricketing centres of tlio British Empire were foeussed on tho Sydney ground yesterday for the finish of the first test match between the. M.C.C. and the Australian teams. And when the light went out the game was still unfinished. When the fifth day's play began yesterday the Ijpglishmen had nine wickets with which to score 373 runs—a not impossible task for such a. team of batsmen. When stumps were drawn yesterday eight wickets had fallen for 263 runs; so 'that the finish is held over for to-day. This contest bears out the opinion of Faulkner, captain of the South African team which visited Australia last season. Faulkner, who is now in England, was interviewed on his arrival in London, and gave a most interesting review of Australian players. Concluding, he. said: ''1 am 'of opinion that eleven of Australia eontaiiis the finest batting and lidding in the world. But I also contend that its bowling stands a serious risk of being collarod. What a rare wealth of talent the Englishmen will be up against when the Australians are tackling an uphill task! Clem Hill declares tha.c the Australian side is powerful enough at all points of the game to Isold its own against the world. I think so, too, it can't be .beaten on its own ground, say, three times out of five."

A striking "boss' is not unknown in

labour circles, but it- has remained for tho most modern system in tho labour

movement to create the employer who imitates his men—and goes on strike himself. Lord Ashton's name is connected with every charity, both public and private, 'in Lancashire. His public benefactions to that English*, county, including a public park, a municipal building, and a statue of Queen Victoria, extend to perhaps £500,000 and he has also spent fully half a million more on philanthropic objects. During the recent strikes, when many industries had to close down for want of raw material or coal, he shut clown his famous linoleum factory, but continued paying hi s men, who had taken mo part in the strike. But ithe return he got for all this consideration has so disgusted him that he has issued a drastic ultimatum to his men warning all who are- Jiofc satisfied "to go elsewhere," as "in future when 'trade is bad we shall only keep men whom we regard as friendly ,and loyal to their employer, who for nearly half a century has upheld the cause of the working classes. It is with sorrow that wo are compelled to make this statement, but the present state of things is so intolerable- that wo are determined to put a stop .to it, no matter at what cost." It looks a s if employers are- becoming very independent! observes an English paper.