SATURDAY, DECEMBER 23rd 1931

Grey River Argus, 23 December 1911, Page 4

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 23rd 1931

\ri ''our... riders will not be greeted on -Christmas- morning by the Argus, as has .becu customary, we anticipate thy usual' courtesy ,by a day "or so. One of thV.most enduring- as 1 well as '.Most- attractive features of. this- time-*h'bnoured-Christian festival is that it is looked forward to by bid and v y6ung alike. In fact all .sorts and conditions of" men unconsciously -associate the festive season of Christmas' with ideas of relaxation" and enjoym'enij. They who greet the- happy Christmastido 1 in any other spirit, it is to be hoped are few and far between, and arc to be sympathised with. Let us hope that^he'e are not many amongst us who are in such hand cases. Some of "io :r.«'->t agreeable joys of life arc in looking forwaid to pleasures to come. Hence" a great deal of the popularity of .our great social festival. It is. a great time for happy reunions of families amd friends. Absont children avail themselves of the opportunity to come back to the old home for an enjoyable, interval in the struggle of life thai they may be engaged in elsewhere. To the very young- people the season is one that in anticipation is a heaven cf delight that is possibly 'not -always realised. . Although the season' this year has been ushered >in by a rather protracted series of weeks in which there, has been a- -great many more teats in ithe way of rain than in tho .-.miles of sunshine, it has not 'materially interfered with the business or comforts of our ordinary daily life. But 'jf the' last weather bulletin may be taken as a guide the clerk of the w.eather seems to intend to cast aside his oilskins' for a little while and give U-, a decent share of sunshine far the festive period, tho great .pleasure of which is always added to in the way of general' enjoyment by the presence of a bright, warm. sun and a cloudless sty. For the next few days the townand its neighbourhood will witness a fairly happy people seeking- innocent enjoymen, each in his own way and Ln accordance with his taste arid 'means... For weeks past traders 'of all kinds have been .kept busy in preparing- for that burst of business thai is looked for annually -at this particular reason ; and each merchant and shopkeeper has a very natural feeing of satisfaction that ho at least has don* his duty by his patrons in anticipating and providing* for their varied bastes and requirements. Some of the more- practical" sort, those of the coldly critical temperament, will probably feel like crying' "enough" beforp tho gay holiday time iis quite over, and be eager to get dhto collar again. But even ' they ' will be free to admit that they have enjoyed 'and benefited by the. break in tho monotony . of" life's daily drudgery. Life may not be all •'beer" and skittles"; all the same the giving,' way occasionally to a .general feeling of enjoyment that chase's dull care, a,way far the time! "is good for everybody. It is with a desire to sec all, our' readers happy and enjoying themselves to their heart's desire that in -this". hopeful year' of. 1911 we wish each, ian'd all of them" ' f MTliEi COMPLIMENTS OF THE „ C". ." '. ■"' SEASON." i/. ■ "

It is not at all curious, and only to be expected, that a purely Labour .Government would be just v hfciiy lo itreit'ch-'its already great powers a& a government that iu:rly xep'eseirt&d capital. Until the Australian Commonwealth placed the entire control" of its political affairs^ in_ the hands of igentldiiien who arc supposed to represent the interests of the workers, the country has been- represented by Ministries. of a mixed nature. That is to sav\ that the interests of property as well as' those of human beings woro represented. During all the Voars that those Ministries" of a, mixed nature managed the affairs ~of the country, thd Press was - never gagged. > If such a thing- was >at any, time attompted it invariably failed. Henceup to the piesont the Press has been free to publish unsigned political ai ticks and .anonymous letters. ' It was at the same time the law that 'the newspaper which published matter of a libellous nature— rwhether at was in the form of "a paragraph, letter to tii? editor, or leading I . article — was liablo for tho .conseQuences. It ixs curious to reflect that the first result directly a Labour Government 'gets into newer was to restrict' the privileges of the Press. .-One of their first acts of importance of the Fisher Government was to propose' by means of the referenda to strip 'the several in-' dividual States of.* tho last vestige of political power that they possessed and concentrate 'it all 'in the ha-nds of- the j Commonwealth." The most-pronounc-ed capitalistic Government could not

venture on-a more arbitrary step. What is, more; they dare not Venturis <m so extreme an act of depotism. At any rate it has 'been reserved for a purely Labour • Government to 1 make the first effort to gag- the. freedom of the Press that we know of in a British community. A cable message from Melbourne published yesterday mornrag that marks the close of the Commonwealth Parliament is to te effect: the Senate, i n passing! the Electoral Bill, -retained the clause prohibiting all political articles and paragraphs during- an election campaign unless they bear .the writer's signature. This may he regarded as 'the thin, end <of the wedge. Already Mr Andrew Fisher; has colleagues, and the mysterious members of tho Labour Party Caucus, who sit in secret, dictate to the Government, and control the destinies of that great country that is to be, are smarting under the 1 criticism that is levelled at -.them m leading articles and letters to'~the editor, land want* to put a* stop to all free and independent criticism. The Fisher Government 'havei idione what no preceding', Government in Australia rlared to do. Can it be said that the interests of the -people, or even '.of any individual, buffered material' iniury from anonymous writings? If they wencT libellous they were punishable, and the publisher gave the matter currency at his peril. - Society thu* had a benefit conferred upon it by means of .anonymous writings, that could be obtained in -no other way, and without* injury to anyone. The extraordinary feature about legislation of so anti-democratic a nature is that U should emaciate from an out-and-out Labour -Government that ought to be - representative of all that is free and open to -the g>aze of the' whole world. This :s quite on a par with -the practices of labour unions 'in excluding- the Press 1 from their deliberations. Everything- else mvust ibc thrown open to the Press except .what Labour wants to, keep hidden. It is also so like them in another respect. When it suits the leaders they insist upoiii open .voting- instead of the ballot, simply because the ballot -does not lend itself to intimidation, and open voting, does, especially when men ai'e addressed as, "scabs" an-d told to -go on their side. Although the first step to 'gag the Press of Australia has been taken, it is not at all likely, that the free air of flhat country will longtolerate such an enactment- Just at present the people of that . beautiful<x>unbry are carried a little off their nroper balance by the wonderful way in which Labour has como to the front and takon charge of public affairs ; but there i-v nothing; in the world more certain than that the natural good sense of the race will assert itself in due courso and at the proper time, and rectify any blunders that the party has been b strayed by tho sudrl'en intoxication of a power !h:it they had never Kef ore possessed. Thcru can ibo no question that the controlling- power rests with the workers, as it has rested in their hands since the institution of the ballot; and if they have not -been properly and - creditably represented it has mainly been' their own fault in electing- plau^ - siblc ca,rpct-ib aggers, time-servers', and too often shallow and selfish men' to represent them. When those who wJeld the Labour vote learn to 'discriminate between real representatives ancU shams, we shall have legislatures that will be a credit to their creators and • a Teal benefit to the country. Labour is on its trial in Australia now. It must naurally commit such mistakes as are unavoidably incidental to ignorance and inexperience in ,tlie conduct of public affairs ; but experience always toadies, and the Labour rulers o? Australia will gradually learn to do bcttci-j and also to do well; as they learn to reflect on the strength of experience in. the .responsibilities o i office.

We acknowledge the receipt' of the Christmas , (number of the "War Cry" which is nicely arranged and well printed. The attention of our 'Reefton readers is drawn to the announcement in this issue that Fullers' Pictures will be) shown at tho Princess Theatre tq-nlght Work at the Otira tunnel works was stopped yesterday until Jjunuary 4,th., but the engineers will take the opportunity of checking: their levels and centres while the tunnel is clear of smoke and dust. A syndicate of American millionaires lias been formed to 'take over the claim cf Mr. Alfred Charles Lott, to the Page osfates, whicli comprise about half ithe county of Middlesex, and are valued at more than .£20.000 000. We have to acknowledge with thanks a, Christmas gift from Mi\ Jolmstone, proprietor of the Zeala-ndia Factory, in the shape of a keg of ginger beer, and half a idozen of his excellent bottledale. We reciprocate Mf Johnstone's 1 1 kindly wishes- for a merry Christmas and a happy New YearOwing to the, drought a shortage, of water is threaten nd on the ' W'lwatersrand. Th« Water Board has reduced tlio supply to the mines 'by 30 per cent., and to Johannesburg and the Rscf municipalities >by 20 per cent. T\>o old diggers who ha,ve been residents of MoonlagJifc since 1865 came to Greymouth yesterday. , When coming along in the train they heard the guard call out ".Ngahere." He went into the carriage and said to his mate "BW ! Do you know what they call Nelson Creek now?" "No, what?" They call it Niagara. Lupy Yeok and Go's display of fruit and confectionery to-day is a splendid *one. He asks the repellents to also bear in mind that he has a large assort ment q£ fireworks for the Xmas and New Year festivites. Also a large assortment of stockings, toys, and fancy goods, silk handkerchiefs, silk dress pieces (all colors) which as regards v>rice aie almost griven away. Mme. Curie's "radium palace' 7 pro iniscs to' 'be one of die most interesting buildings in the world. Foundations for it- have just ibeen laid at great depth in the Rue Pierre Curie, in southern Paris. All her laboratories will be located there ,and she, .will carry on the researches winch she began with 'her late husband. The huildbiff will ibe lined through- ' out with a thick layer of lead, which I{> impenetrable to radium rays. A certain member of the. rodent family is said to display an unerring instinct in leaving a ship that is doom ed 10 sink. Mr. G. W. Russell has intimated to his constituents that jliD "recoguihes. -that hq received 'the support of a number of Opposition, and that ho will not on public measures from a non-party standpoint." How is that for "Rickety" Russell? Then, tide Dunedin Star seems to be looking fo,r a new hero, though it could not give lip-worship enough to Sir Joseph * few months ago. Such is 1 <f e ! A novel scheme for dealing with J.i.p. tenants was suggested -by Mi. W-G. (Paul, onQ of ih'x; candidates, ior the Waitfciki seat. He was picparcd to allow the tenant to reduce fais rental tby paying off the original value. 110 then would have between himself and tho Crown a lease for 3000 years, fof which time himfcclf and his family stood rent free, but, he would not part with the ibtle, because he considered tho 'title the finest heritage he could hand down to posit'eri.ty. Tlio Lyltelton Times says that poult'rymsn cannot complain lor want of good prices this Christmas. Compared with hist year the prices ai* exactly double. On Saturday last, im open auction, table chickens sold ati 8s Bd, and ducklings 8d 10d per pair. There is a great scarcity of t'lnse lines this season, consequent 011 poultrymcn. devoting their time to egg producing birds at the expense of ttiblo .bhds. A local authority states ttfh'aiti the Canterbury market for table poultry this season is better than, any oth&r market in Australasia. A shocking- thing has happened (writes "Alticus" jn. the Melbourne Leader) is connection with the 'buildinjr of .the new Sydney Trades Hall. The committee has been made aware of tlio shameful fact that iron .bars manufactured at Hoskins Bros', found ry during a strike, have Jbccn put, into the . 'building. Think of the igjiomy to stout unionists of owning a hall buttressed with bars manu factured iby iblackleg labour! There 'was nothing else for it; part of the hall has .been ordered down, and the non-union iron is to be 'torn out. How fortunate iti is that tho discovery did not come later. .Suppose it transpired thati the foundation stone had been squared iby a free labourer! I cannot imagine how true unionists iliapc for happiness in a Paradise entirely of non-union origin. Or. Karl Kumra, the missionary explorer who recently visited New Zealand, spoko well of tho- Dominion, on his return to Sydney. "The one thin.g that impressed 'me," he said, "was the method of the Government in dealing with the problems of the Maori race. In a generation or two the Maoris will have gone up into tlio Anglo-Saxons. ' To be a, Maori in New Zealand does not mean to ibe of a lower caste, .for the Maori- woman are gentle, and Maori men are gentleman. Perhaps,, as I only had a cursory iglanco at the people imy opinions may cany vorv little weiflht, but 1 am convinced , that ithe Maoris aic of the s-amc Aryan parentage as Europeans. The Graeco-Roman and Indn-Germanic" triibes went westward, while tlio forefathers pf ithe Maori went eastward, mixed with ihe Mongols, and. to a certain rxtcnt, w'th tire Polynesians, and -M last arrived' at the Britain of the South Seas. In spita^ of tilie rain thai' commenced to fa]i on Wednesday evening, Turner's Hall Stafford, was crowcLed to the doors when tho complimentaiy social tendered, to. Mr. T..E. V: Seddon, M.P.,- .took ,place. A splendid concert programme 1 was 'rendered, the various performers being h'oanily' received, oncorcs 'being numerous. At - 'the conclusion of the concert a plcnti ful supply of refreshments were liandf'd louud 'by the. ladies committee. Subsequently the hall ,which liad bc<^n JavJshly dcrorater] witli greenery and 'mottoes, was cleared for dancing and •the floor was crowded' till an> carlv hour, with lovers of tlic light fantastic, the social proving- a distinct success from every paint of vir.w. TJiere were a large number of, visitors present nnd they -returned home loud in their. praisn of -th'- hospitality of-lhc good j)cople- of Stafford, who loft no stome unturned to make everyone ■enjoy t t'hc outing which passed oil fco well. — Guard'an. '

Yesterday was one< of the' mps";tj^ ajreeable diays experienced for months 1 The sun shone ibrig-htlyyi'jyhichJtempt-e"d ?. large crowd of 'visitors to come to . town. The streets were crowded all day, and the .shops were doing- a bitr business., To-night, Santa Claufnight, should see a record gathering in the town. Tho shop.s are all %a\\y decorated, and Christmas goods v.re Q xhibited hi profusion. Business nica expect a record night of ibusiness. At the Magistrate's Court yesterday morning, before Dr M/cßrcarty and Mr -W. R. Kettle, two men named Tames William Parsons - and Frank Roberts were fined 10s for being* drunk. James William. Arthur, on a charge of committing a grossly indecent act in Tainui, Street, pleaded guilty and was convicted 'arid sentenced to seven da3 r s' imprisonment with hord laboui 1 . In St. John's Presbyterian Church to-morrow the services will be suitable to the Christmas season. Tho Rev R. Stewart's mornine* subject will be "The Promised Child,'"' and in the evening, "Tho Wise Men's Quest." Special hymns will ibe selected, and during 1 the Evening 1 service the choir will sing the anthems "Andeste Fideles," and ' c The Lord is Loving." The other services will be Runangra 7 p.m, Mr W. J. Cookson": Brxumor. 7 p.m, Mr J>. Morgan; Blackball _11 •T.m and 7 p.m, Mr W. Milne; Totara Flat 11 a.m,-and 7 P-m, Mr J. Heard. —Advt You can securo. Spirits. Stout or Ale by. the dozen s half-dozen, or one bottle, ,at wholesale prices delivered 'at your house, from Duke of Ecfcnurgh Bottle Store, — Advt. New Wickerwarc," Settees, Chairs, Piano Stools, Mus-ic Stands, at Uddstrom's, Mackay Street. — Advt. I have iust unpacked direct 'from the manufacturers a large consignment of New Pattern Saddle Bags, Utrecht Velvets, and Moquctta Coverings for Chesterfield and Dining100m Suites, Couches a.ud Settees. Call and Inspect at my Showrooms.' Mackay Street. C. Uddstrom.— Advt. Santa Claus will . arrive at Sweet-" man's, Mawhera Quay, to-morrow morning early, laden with 1 , the finest selection of Toys ever seen "in Greymouth, -Fathers and mothers, don't forget to bring- your children along to Sweetman's. — Advt. " RHEUMO IS THE GREAT REMEDY FOR RHEUMATISM. Rheumo comes as a boon and a blessirie to those troubled with 'RHEUMATISM and kindred complaints. It cures effectually and permanently for it eliminates the excess Uric Acids from the /blood. Chemists and Stores everywhere 2s 6d and 4s 6d. A Ladies Bag, s. nice Ornament, a Fountain Pcn 3 a Bible, A Prayer Book, Fancy Glassware, Text Card, and etc., etc will make a real' nice present to give away this timp of the \fcar. Mrs. Sweetman, of Mawhera Quay, has a magnificent collection, and is offering- all these lines at prices never before heard of in Greymouth. — Advt. Sale Bargains at Trathen and Coy. White Costumes formerly 15s 6d to 30s now 8s lid, 9s lid, 12s 6c\ 37s 6d; Costumes 14s lid, . 18s 6d; 22s Gd ; Hats in all styles from 3s 6d to. 20s ; Children's Hats 9d to 7s 6d: Sunshades were 7s (3d to 15s, now 2s (3d; Flowers 6d each; Hat Squares Is 9d. Dress Goods all at sale prices. — Tradicn and Coy.— Advt. Christmas Buying, at McKay and Son.— Whati to buy for a man: for Father, Uncle, Brother, for someoneelsc's Brother I—Umbrellas,1 — Umbrellas, 4s 6d to 9s Cd ; Japanese Handkerchiefs 2s 6d to ss ; Striped Sox, ls-9d to 2s 6d per pair; Broad-end Ties 1 , Is to 2s 6d w , Tamnis Shirts, 2s 6d to 4s 6d ; Tunic Shirts, 3s 6d to 6s Gd ; Studs, 3d 9d, Is, 3s 6d and Is Gd; American Braces 3sv Gd. -Call .and see W. McKay and Son, Loading Drapers and Clothicis.