Grey River Argus and Blackball news. PUBLISHED DAILY TUESDAV,'JANUARY, 7th,; 1908

Grey River Argus, Volume 07, 7 January 1908, Page 2

Grey River Argus and Blackball news. PUBLISHED DAILY TUESDAV,' JANUARY, 7th,; 1908

During the: debiate 'on the- Land- and 1 Income Assessment Act- Amendment .Billy a/t the:latter part .oj> last- session, ■Mr .'Barclay,. M.P.j. fjqr D.unecUn North, made' a remark in* his portion of the. de"bate that ' should.'- set. a>. cef tain secitidii of the puWic thinking about, the adjustment of taxation. \The l remark referred to w.as in effect that'the land of '-'this.. country,, the .capital value of

which is a good deal over two hundred millions, contributes less towards^ the revenue of the State than whalt is^ actually contributed by the smokers ofthe Dominion. No wonder that Mt Barclay expressed his profound .sur--prise that so much objection should be taken to th e tax proposed under the Land and Income Assessment Bill. After all, the fact is not surprising considering the natural tendency so frequently displayed' by the average man to evade his just obligations to the State. The land owners of New Zealand have ever been the most fav-•ored-i class in the country; - : They. : were : . enabled by the laws" of the land to acquire large areas of land — often the areas were enormous — at nominal prices; and after acquiring the ...fee^. "simple; they contributed towards ; the cost 'of . the . administration an altogether insignificant amount. And yet Mr Massey -will" repeat till we. ar e 'all. of the reiteration that " the farmers and landowners are the realrba.cktoon c of the country, and that they are the worst'off: and worst treated of any section of the population. 'He has repeated: this delightful little. fairy tale ■so often inside and outside the hall ■of the ■ Legisature that he is unable 1 to believe anything else. In a few; days he-, will visit some of the. east coast centres of .this Island and repeat, the hoary old. parable. to the farmers. One feature absent from Mr Barclay's speech is ; to be Tegretted., . He- was under the impression that he would be afforded an opportunity of making a weighty deliverance, and : had carefully prepared a quantity of % statistics and striking facts regarding the advantages of those owning land -as " compared r ! witb the burdens; of;; -the landless. But ke was. taken by sur.prise, and found that he had to speak without the illustrative aid of facts and figures, or forfeit; his opportunity. It is to be hoped that Mr Barclay will be afforded a suitable opportunity of making' his compilation" available, : so that the public may yet get the benevfit of them.

The Dominion has been most: unfortunate in the past in having had so few legislators who held enlightened views regarding the. apportionment of taxation. They had probably heard or read. .of equality of sacrifice, but in practice they regarded it as one of those academic questions that might be' well enough -f of budding; econom.ists, but did not appeal to „t hose, entrusted with the practical work "of legislation. Hence lhe first Treasur-

- .ers of the Colony followed, the. ex- - ample of the Homeland ty taxing the. masses and showing < extreme tender-. i ness to the classeSj but more especi- | , ally the landowners. ' Also/ too>' every Colonial Treasurer— <we cannof ; call to mind one exception— sought to obtain and usually was successful in -obtaining, the bulk of; the' revenue from 1 v the prime necessaries of life — the poor ' man's tea and sugar, tobacco, and all the other little : things that conribute so greatly to the comfort r of the average worker'^ household.! It took : a - long fight to obtain political equality ; arid when hit' was \ brought it was' thought that there ! was nothing more to struggle for. But political: equality is. a long- way from; economic equal-. ,ity ; arid the Land , and Income. Assess i ■ment tax is a necessary step towards realising equality of sacrifice.; ;This is abundantly shown, in . the difference between the taxation -of land and. t to-.. bacoo: '-. T-te one is : the basis 'of ill the actual and potential wealth' of the^' couritry.' The "first places the" posses-^ sor in a secure position against the^ " accidents" df.:fortiirie'.v : The second is' : ppcn c '.of the .-most'] frugal solaces 'of the 1 pooi( man. ilt-is ! so. heavily taxed unI ] der the pretext that ; it is a luxury, ii though long recognised as a neces-

sity; The harder th € conditions of life, the more apprecaited is a whiff of tobacco or a glass bf the infusion* of hops. (Mr Barclay pointed out an .n---congruous and ( , almost ridiculous aspect of the. Massey side of the de/bate. iWhile they inveighed against the leasehold system with" all the power of their indignation they >yere oblivious to' the fact that in the Old Country, and in all other countries ■wheTe a similar land tenure prevails, out of every two hundred of the pe<>iple who own the fee-simple, the other 199 are tenants and leaseholders. The universal tendency— in America, Canada,". Australia and New "Zealand— is for the land to fall into a few hands, ■and thus making it compulsory on the landless mass to become tenants of some kind. Does it not seem to be an anomaly that in an enlightened age they, who enjoy the fullest political rights can calmly sit ? down and ; pay so large a proportion of the cost of managing the couritry out of their tobacco and other etceteras that "have ibeeri absolute necessaries/ while they who hold the key^to allow potentialities of wealth are let oS so lightly? .Yet that is the way of the world, and New Zealand is ... only doing as her neighbours are and have -been doing. .Mr Barclay, in his fervour, said that those who are responsible for the great wealth- in the older countries — apart from the natural factor .of- land. — only receive in the average about one-seventh of the wealth produced. This may" be quite correct-^-statistical support would He welcome— but there 13 another , side to the picture.. All •businesses are not necessarily "successful, nor are all enterprises calling for labour profitable. It does sometimes

happen that labour gets what profit there is, if any, and capital finds it- ' self with nothing more profitable than shadowy experience. However^ it may be accepted that, as a general rule, the toiler, whether skilled or unskilled, is not --left- I with a sufficiently generous margin over the cost of existr ence to enable him to live decently j and still provide for a rainy day; and to this state of things may be attributed some of the improvidence to be seen in e very-day life.: :

Messrs Harley and Co. are advertising- for a youth to drive a cart.

Th R usual fortnightly meeting of the Grey Harbor Board takes place this morning at 11.30. ;' . ,:

Harley and Co., Ltd., will sell 1 by auction at rooms this day 70 cases assorted frui.t, and oil Saturday the same firm will sell fruit; and secondhand furniture. '■■'■ '■"■'■

Messrs Stratford, Blair and Co. invite tenders to close at 'their office for the erection "qi. two sheds at Paroa and Hukarere. For further particulars sec adypr tisement.

1908 D'AX.'ES in Fockofc, Octavo 3 or Foolscup sk 5, all styles of binding's from 6d to 4s 6d eaoh at B. Dixon's Bookseller and Stationer Tainui .Street, opposite Post Office.- I—Advt.1 — Advt.

Mr B. Hart, commenced his huge sale- of drapery yesterday morning 1 . There were bargains in every line and the prices the goods are marked -at astonuished all those who paid" a visit to the establishment..

Mr J. Fitzsimmons, in charge of-the-telegraph lines, is very '.busily<'engaged installing the telephone.; wires into the new Post Office. Mii : . Fitzsimmons thoroughly understands -his work and is acknowledged to be one, of the best linesmen -on; the. Coast^ Th c work .that has pasaed through his hands has been most creditable; - ,

Nearly every man, and many wothe i question : "What to give Christmas." It is not so mucH the pleasure. '"C. Smith's Ltd.; stoTe- offers many "suggestions, for useful,- beautiman know what it is to worry over pair. W. McKay and Soil.- Tte Dra.q'uestion of how much- to ' spend, but of what gift will bestow the greatest W. McKay and Son .are worth . While pers.—^dv*. ■ ;■ ■" •■ ' .:- O-. r :

Last -evening the Hon. A. Rl Guinness received the followi riff wir.e from the Hon. JR.. McNab, -Minister of Lands:— ".l intend to visit the^ West Coast during: February nexY. ' 'Arethere any agricultural: shows takingplace.that, month that. I coujld. attend during 'my 'trip ? - Kind ' rejgard^. "-£• •R. McNab. "■ JVT?r : Guihn-ess /-replied; that he w.as sure the people would weircome his visit. He ; also ; informed iMr McNalb; that the Westland ■ Agf icultai> al So'cietv' was I*holding1 * holding ; an exhijjitibn at Hokitika : on the .nth Feibjniary 'tfext,: and Be' was certain that the;' people would be pleased to meet him there.

ch<snpt s grocer^ in bottks. ;: t .§ew stocks of post cards in local *eft* West Coast scenery, fancy ac tress post cards comics and a lar^e vanety of general views of-New Zealand m black and white or colored just opened up at B. Dixon's, Bookseller and stationer, Tainui street Opposite Pos* Office.— Advt

■Miss Una Sullivan, who has achieve <i a distinguished musical career for so young a student-under her teachers the ladies of St. Columkille's Con Tf™ .nf^^-gained'- yet another exceptional honour .-She has just been nbti i« *y T the ,Tnnity. College authoritbLf on i°\ th at having obtained n??Soi n h f l emor Divisi on in both -practical and theoretical examinations 3Lf n f J eSSl^ 'PX&W) she lias been awarded a National prize, ~ value £5. Besides gaining senior honours in the theoretical and practical examinations (T ? lm j y , College) Miss Sullivan has gained honours with the second higH-' est marks; m the. Dominion in the advanced trade under the Royal Associated Board- Academy ;and sßoyal College' of Music," London) so that the young lady herself , Jie r parents and teachers may be warmly congratulated on 4 her success. She has undoubtedly a brilliant musical future ibefor c her- should she: continue her studies with the same enthusiasm.— AY. C. Times. ? : - . .

MOUNTAIN KING ASTHMA POWDER g-ives remarkably quick Telief to ,all sufferers from asthma. Burn a little on the tin lid, and Inhale freely the rising fumes. Th e most violent attack will be cut short, and restful sleep supplied to th c patient. 2s 6d per tin at chemists, grocers or from sole proprietors. . Th c frozen turtle from Queensland experiment " answered well (says the .v'Pastoralists' Review's" ? London meat trade correspondence..) The turtles were" sold for £s to £7, all over, according to. weight, and restaurant keepers . bought them. Weight, for weight, v .this is much cheajper than the West, lndian turtles brought alive; many of the latter die en route, and in the trade are called -^angels." Sun- ■ dried turtle flesh from Ascejision Island sells at th c stares her© from 6s to 8s per lb, and .this is what people ;buy when they make soup.. ..The frozen turtles, were shipped by mail vessels, the freight was afbout |d, and they were packed in, ordinary bags.

Have you seen the new book .of Greymouth views published by B. Dixon, bookseller, Tainui street; It is attractively got up and contains nine views of Greymouth and surr roundings. Altogether it makes a neat souvenir jo^:"send to friends abroad. The^ipTice is?only^is 6d each. —Advt.

Dr. -Mason, Chief :. Health Officer; has received from Mr Large, 'Resident Commissioner of Mangaia, -one of the smaller islands in the Cook group, some, interesting vital statistics for the year; ' The' total' population of the island is 1527 persons, and during the year there" have been 61 births, 51 deathsj .and. ; ip marriages.^ ; "There are o.nly seven European- males on Mangaia and . two Eurogean; females. There have been no epidemics on the island, the ' chief complaint being those affecting the chest and throat. There is some demand for amateur dentistry, many, of the natives suffering from decaying teeth. Dr. Mason, commenting ' on- Mi" Large's report, sai<l it was as difficult to persuade the islander^ to. liye^a. clean and hygienic life as it is to .convince the ordinary white person of its necessity.

v Wfiy .submit to dull aching of nerve or muscle, or the acute pains of neuralgia, toothache, or lumbago ? Witch's Oil — that penetrating , soothing fluidis a . .wonderfully quick remedy for pain. Oil destroys pain almost;instantaneously; ,' 'Quick in action, and permanent •» in'- result. ■WITCH'S OIL stands In' the very front rank as the -King, of Pain..

Lovers of Pictures should purchase a copy, of the Xmas numbers of Weldon's Jonrnalj Young Lady's Journal, .Illustrated' Dressmaker, Holly Leaves, Bazaar of Fashions! 'Pears Annual, .Grapfcuv Sketch or'Blaok and White, colored and black and white pictures are given away, with these numbers and are. in themseves quite worth the money asked. ;Secure a copy from B. Dixon's, . 'bookseller aaid stationer, Tainui street, opposite Post Office. — Advt.

Ah amusing example of ill-requited kidness is given by the Revr H. B. Freeman, . vicar of Burton and rural dean, in the current issue of a local magazine '(says" the. London "Chronicle"). The vicar of a village in his deanery willingly granted a young man permission to ascend th c church tower "to view the .glorious ' scenery of the neighbourhood." A few days later the vicar received by post a snap shot of himseli in the act of entering the only public, house in the vicinity. The unsuspecting pastor, who had gene into 'th c hostelry to obtain change for_ a sovereign to pay some wages, had been photographed from his own church tower. "I gladly give this explanation of the episode," writes the Rev. H. B. Freeman, "especially as I know him to be an earnest and eloquent advocate in the tern perance cause." i

Just as Wirths' Circus was about to leave Bimboola a few days ago for Nhill, an nnfortiinate accident occurred". Through some mistake the truck containing seven of the most valuable trick stallions was wrongly shuntedj overturned on the main track. t The roof had to be cut out to .liberate the* ponies. ' One, however, was .killed, having its neck' broken: Mr Wirth states that it was a valuable Javanese blood stallion, arid cannot be replaced.- ; The accident provided an opportunity for giving evidence' of the great usefulness of elephants.' A" pas senger train was due, and it was ■necessary to, clear th c live.i The elephants • were untrupked, and chains being passed over* the truck, they at once righted it, and with the aid of sleepers it was drawn back on to th.c rails again. This operation occupied only fifteen minutes. With railway men" and a locomotive it could not have bee,n done under several hours.

The new language order issued by the Board oi Trade is not expected at Cardiff, and other Bristol Channel ports, to have any considerable effect on the, supply of seamen. It will exclude many Greeks, Portuguese, and Italians (says the London 'Standard') for.it is well known that the knowledge of English possessed by seamen of these nations is extremely limited.' A few. months ago, when members of the Mercantile Committee of the Boa r d of Trade;, paid ■a. suppf isq., visit to the Cardiff Shipping Office, the number of men signing on who were not able to- reply m English to ,the questions put to them was extremely small, aver agmg, it^is stated, -less than 5 per .cent. The .percentage, however, at foreign ports, within the coasting hmits of , Brest and the Elbe, will prob ably work out at a very, .much higher ngure, and for this reason the order may have a serious .effect O n those owners who m recent jears have engaged the bulk of their crews at Antwerp, Rotterdam jmd Hamburg It may not improbably, prove a death blow to this practice, and such a restriction on the freedom of the shipowner in his employment of" labour though calculated- to increase the safel ty of property and, life afc sea by excluding from employment 1 men ■totally ignorant of English, is also likely to affect wages, to the, adyanta'ge of British sailors. "•■""• " "'•• "

Specials for Christmas— Ready made Black Voile Skirts all nicely trimmed and many of them, lined with black glacevsilk 21S, 2Ss.-2756d, 28s M, 35s 38s 6d. Ibe usual price of these skirts raaffe from 30s to Bjs Call early for choice. W. McKay and §pn lhe Drapers. — Adyt, "< "

Ladies who are planning pretty outfits for. the holiday. weeks will find some helpiul sugffestipns; at C. Smith's. Ltd. Pretty, sunshades, new gloves, land dainty neckwear are most important? items in a woman's attire, •and pur showing of these goods is wide and truly; inspirinff. Whatever is wanted to give the finishing touches to your costume >it,;,is here in the newest 'styles "and ' at "most -moderate