NOTES AND COMMENTS.

Grey River Argus, 4 September 1919, Page 2

NOTES AND COMMENTS.

THE new Liquor Issue — Although other matters arising out of the political situation have latterly claimed public attention to the exclusion of the liquor question, it is worth Avihle considering the possibility of the new issue of State Control being adopter", at the next referendum. The Moderate League is I now- conducting a campaign in the interests of a State purchase of the liquor trade, and its Organiser has submitted some interesting figures to show the financial aspect of such a chance Here, . in a summarised form, ar.e tlio mdfn. fact s and figures to be consider^ 1 . : — Number of hotels, 1207; .land tax values, hotels properties as at. March -31, 1915, plus 25 per cent, for undervaluation and improvements during tj^» four, years, £5,312.500: furniture and fittings £000,000; braveries (proppjfy. plant, etc.). £1750.000; Ptbeks. £970.000.: termination of trade (as per Act, 191S)— breweries, U*o years' profits, at say. £200.000. £400.000: hotels, t^-n^nm' profits at average of £500, £1*200,000: wlno and spi'it ■mr>r*.T\: l T<'s. two ypn^ 1 profit,, fbpspd on value r}nv.o;r,n''ien*:^ ( a 11 p<>r cent, not nrofit), 4? n °-- 000: win" na'knTß viiiiiii n f nrnnnrfios.nlnnt and tormina h'o" of trade,' say £50.000:— total. £fl <752.500. . Tl\o oost in th° Wtate woul' 1 , be in round fijtnr^s 0 : f Tiillio""). of this.. pronrrtJos would b" immetliate.lv disposable ff.i;jr\ r]j millions: ]oa.vi"«r ps a"*""**.' cn#i^n.l'. i»i--voßtmont.^S.ooo.ooo; of th ; s» . i^omi.t |i"> actual a««et values wore £P2 ft O f> no; <;o fhnf rroo'-iivill was 'reprowntpd by. £!.-' 800.000 n-wo year"' profits, for fr>"ii••;?«---t'on of trade). Th's vrnnivrt nf *1 ,«nn. 000 was the only pn^idut mn' 1 i K^. t^« Rt'i*-" ffiT ivl» ; <>)j if (lid Jinf. gf.t !ictv*ol realisable value in rot-urn. The net vr^fits T^ulor -nrivato nwnerwhi" : vo-o rstinifitp'J to h0.."-p«r- n.-nrnm. f oori ono. T^ til's mnst ho n^iod +. T -»« vm>*'\l valn<» of hotol pr^norfiop. -whi^h fho Sfato as owner woi'ld b n roiiovod p i »-»-"n«v /->v. 5 v«r or>nt. '"rm/4\ n ?'>^l«^. £21?-. 500. lof>vincr the Stato's lvofit. on n.c>npo'rvntivo pst'inn^o j\nd.'wifho«t !ll^o^y^■ll'v for incrpasori pffioin-nrv in manp^onient, poncont.rntjon.' and oconomios of v'^-roiM-nptitive busjnoss. a^.por a"-! 1 ""-!. £1.---112500. Annual intorrst pn^Mp' /. .p-i '-'•vital musflvn dod"Hp' 1 — " ; " 11l- Vs}~ lionp ?>h «"-<' 5 P rt r eon*.. £Anr>nnn. } ? .- r ~'- --:•>"■ f.71^500 fo bo nriii^/J if tlinVio-lif fit for ir>imP' n . ; H + ~ lionir'ptirni r»f on.T»^-+'»l lin sgch i^roportion as sound finance die-

tatcs, or if tlu s consideration be determined in the usual Avay $>y a sinking fund of, say, 2 per cent, as an annual charge against profits, £160,000, the annual amount available for appropriation public purposes would be £562,500. To this must be added the fact that the State revenue from liquor of £1.000,000 per annum would continue undisturbed..

AUSTRALIA '8 WAR BILL.— Sir J. Ward stated lately that our national debt will tot up to the^two hundred million mark before long, but this, great as it is doe« not strike the imaignation so forcibly as the fact that Australia's war bill alone, apart from the rest of the National Debts, runs into half as much again as our national debt. In other words, Australia has now to raise *h«». wind to the extent of three hundclred million pounds sterling if she would at a strqke liquidate her war drbt. Of course, this is impossible, so that when the hill is finally paid, it. will probably prove to have totalled over four hundred millions, with the-in-terest added. It has been calculated that if uo indemnity is received ' from Germany, it will take from 50 to 56 years to redeem Australia's wa r debt, according to the estimate of the Commonwealth Treasury., So far several war loans have been raised in Australia. From these a sum of £188.470.000 has been received. About £5,000,000 more has been received from the sale of War Savings Certificates, while money borrowed from the Imperial Government brings the total up to nearly £300,---060.000. This figure, according to the official estimate, is the grand total .of the war debt of Australia at*thc present time. Portion of this amount J< in the form of book debts, on which, at present, sinking fund is not accumulated. As tothe balance, the Commonwealth Treasury pays into a war loan sinking fund an amount equivalent to 10s on each £100 a year. If interest rates average about 5 per cent in the future thVs sinking fund will suffice to redeem the war debt in 50 years. W interest, rates are only 4 per pent 56 »-'vir s will be resuired for redemption". This calculation, of course, takes no account of any money which may be received from Germany by way of ind.mnity During the past financial year the pjraregate amount paid int rt rT»« «mt.i* w<t fund was approximately £1.200.00" TViis money is ava^abV for nnrc^a*"-' on 'the market, and will undoubtedly be »"os" useful in future years in maintaining . a st^fly prim for those investors who desire to sell their stocks-

ENGLISH LABOUR— The cables tell us that the Labour Congresses now sitting in England arc .larger than ever before, especially the Trades Union congress about to sit at Glasgow. It is also mentioned that there- are demands from various branches of the Labour movement for the nationalisation not only of coal mines but of ships, shipbuilding, land, railways, all other means of transport and so on. It would seem, therefore, with the spread of unionism in Great Britain, that in the /•purse of time, a considerable measure of nationalisation is eventually bound to come. All branches of industry and some of the profession's are now steadily organising in the Old Country, and it seems only a matter of time when, every person who is in receipt of ?» wage will^be identified with organised labour. It is interesting to note the character of the latest recruits. Perhaps the most interesting of the latest developments in the trade union movfr^"' is that which has taken substantial form in the Professional Workers' Federation. It comprises the National Union of Teachers, the incorporated Association of Assistant Masters, the Association of Assistant Mistresses, the Custom and Excise Federation, the Stolid Division Clerk's' Association, the Tax Clerics' Association, the Federation of Women Civil Servants, the London County Council Staff Association, and kindred organisations, winch represent in all some 174.000 workers never before jointly ■organised to protect their special 'interests .Some of the things ,the federation has undertaken are. Reform in income tax regulations, which it is claimed press too hnvily on ivefcssionnV workers; more adequate supply of middle class houses and lower rents; reductions of railway fares. Another union is that of the w.hite collar workers. No doubt the 'manicurists, and the scissors sharpeners, as well as the second hand-dealers pssistants will al-n found organised among the- ranks o+ + ne tra'le unionists. It is the trend. of the times. There is. for instance, the new-lv-fnrmed Actors' Association nf F"""---lnria which obtained an agreement with the Managers ' Association for a unifrom contract with remedies most ot th"c crie.vances under which the rank and file of the stage have suffered. The chief points of /the agreement are: For a week of eight performances, a minimum of £3: for each rebenrsal of not more than s^x hours. 10s fid, exc«n»t for nctca receiving £10 a we.ek: double pay for Sunday rehearsals; do Sunday rehearsals except by mutual arrangements Management to "provide all costumes which actors cannot use in private capneitv, nn' 1 a » dresses, shoes, and o-loves for ladies. Actors salaried below £10 a week to provide only ««o suit, and none to provide more than three suits.

The members, of Webb's Reception Committee are requested to meet tins even vv at 8 o'clock in the Lcveum Hall. Sympathiser* are especially invited to attend.

The indications regarding the clearance of meat from the, dominion now are. that sufficient shipping will be available to lift -half the quantity in store by December.

The bad weather we have had this past few days (writes our H Vtika ■Correspondent) will have a serious effect on young lambs in the local farming districts

The following will be the v Kohinor Junior itootball team to play- BWinaer on vie Kec. at 3 p.m. on .Saturday.— Tuoinas Spencer, JL>ennison, w^rgen, Williams. Andersaa, Thornton, liittne- Frasei-; Curr.ow. Smith.- f - ii-merg : j" Williiims.' O'Connor. Castles.

The Australasian Hotel. Karoro, has beta taken over by Frank Milne . (lauj of Cliristchurch) who will exteiiu a hearty welcome to all old and hew ti iends. The wines, spirits, and ales will he found to be of excellent quauw whilst the dining room could not be improved upon. Stablir/c, and g«' J <«i accommodation aue also available at moderate terms.

The Government lia s arranged to buy 89(5 acres of freehold and about 250 acre*, of .leasehold coal bearing land near Huutly, the former area being extimated to contain ten and the latter (ivc million tons of coal. Instructions have been issued to expedite the sur■vevs.in .connection with = both . the new urea at Pukciniro and the Nine Mile Hear Greymouth. Tre Public, Works Department has this matter in hand, and the intention is thaUJPrniucdi^tely it is completed, the construction* of the lines is to be undertaken. '•.;■

Messrs Stratford. Blair and Co., are / advertising for a fiddler for Arnold Siding.

A herd of 25 cows sold by auction at Te Rehunga realised over £23 a piece.

The Grey County Council is about to issue summonses " against. defaulting ratepayers.

A second hand log hauler, wv good order is wanted by P. J- Higgins Foxhill. Nelson. Send particulars and { price to him.

Dal«*etv and Co. advertise for quick sale 341 acres of land at Koiterangi. Full particulars to bona fide buyers, on application to the fiftn.

The latest additions to the Soldiers' Club Rooms Fund are donations of £1 from Captain Cox, £1 from Mr J. Hambleton, and £7 Is from a. social function at South Beach, making flic total £249 Is.

The Competitions Society, iii issuing season tickets for 5s for a four days and four night's season, is giving the public of Greymouth every chance of availing trhm selves of a food opportunity to help along a splendid institution.

The Cliristchurch City Council agraed lately that" at its next meeting it will receive a deputation from Christchurch musical people who will urge it to estab lish a municipal orchestra.

The Canterbury Education Board invite tenders for clearing the new school site at Cobden- Particulars are obt» in a bk> from . the Board' s foreman , !'t Greymouth. or the Chairmsvi of the Cobden School Committee. Tenders close on the 13th inst.

Two farms recently sold to returned soldiers are those of Mr D. Baybutt, of Aharua. to Mr W. H. Ward, son of Mr James Waud, Ahaura; and that of Mr F. C. Wade at Rotomanu, to Messrs Cowan Bros., of Canterbury.

After leaving New Zealand waters H.M.S. New Zealand is to visit Fiji, possibly Samoa, Vancouver, Panama Canal. Jamaica, Trinidad, Rio de Janeiro, Capetown, Zanibar, Aden 1 , . Suez, and so, via the Mediterranean, to England. She is due back at Portsmouth on May 21, 1920.

When the Supreme Court sits here next Wednesday one prisoner from the Greymouth district and two from the Hokitika district will come up for sentence at Greymouth before His Honor Mr Justice Herdman. There may be a further criminal case or two.

For assualting a police Sergeant at Wanganui, Victor and Roy Smith were sentenced to 18 months Dy Justice Hosking, who said ho "mitigated the sentences owing to the prisoners previous" good conduct and war service.

• We draw the attention 1 of our readers to the advertisement in this issue of Nancarrow- and Co.. wherein they announce that at 2 p.m. to-day on the premises. Cowper Street, they will submit to public auctior. the whole oi the household furniture and effects - Mr W. McKay. A perusal of the advertisement will furnish detailed particulars.

Tlie Premier intends to call a conference in order to advance the butternroduccrs' claim -thnt th*»y should be compensated from the State Consolidated Fund for any difference between the nrices tliev get for their product in the Dominion and better orices secured abroad. It is snH Sir Joewh Ward also favours the b«tt*»r producers obtaining what is desired;

Th local butter shortage has been eased by the arrival of over a couple &* of hundred boxes during the pas f 'few days. It is stated that plenty c % bnttnr could be had from Auckland if the. shipping vfas available to brine: it here. Now that the North Island factotfeipe are goinrr it is to be hoped that the 'state of things existing of late, wh«»n many households have had to do without butter for several days at a time, will disappear. Supplies were readily obtainable yesterday in town.

Mr Statham the Reform M.P., denies the report that the first calico of his party wag as happy a family as Mr Mnssey's version would lead people to >. th»-»tk'. He says he expressed t^e npin'^n strongly at the canons that the Reform members of the National Government had fallen far. short of the possibilities of; their office, and he indicated thnt in c^olcino- rr-clectio-n to PfTlinment he would cloim a freedom of action greater than he could claim, if he " were a candidate on behalf of the Reform party.

The output from The Blackball pollieiv declined about 170 tons for the three days up to and including Tuesday, averaging about 330 tor.s a d'av. i "stead of the usual 500 tons. The Paparoa mines' output dropped on Friday to 74 tons, the average previously heine; 140 tons. -There has been no work at Paparoa mine- since Friday, the truckers riot turning iup during the past couple of days. For the State nines wlrere the full complement of men have mot been qf late engaged, the details are r.ot available, though the reduction is stated to be substantial.

Colonel Mclnnes. (Salvation Army Chief Secretary for New Zealand gave his reci,tal "fiosie Bannister," on Tuesday night at the local Barracks, before a numerous audience. His Worship the Mayor (Mr J. D. Lynch) was in .sic crair and in introducing the speaker, eulogised the work of the Salvation Army. The recital, was that of the life story of a,n orphan girl with whom Colonel Mclnnes came in contact as a field officef/'aiid who had been rescued ffoni the downward path by the Salvation Army. The reciter, who enchained the interest of hi s auditors, was given a most hearty vote of thanks at the close, on Brigadier Carmichael's motion. On Saturday Colonel Mclnnrs nill recite "Under Two Flags or How I Became a Salvationist," in the local Barracks.

[ The Imperial Government is working on a scheme of training demobilised officers and men wit/h a view to increasing the efficiency of the fishing service. I Nearly 1000 trawlers and drifters have been demobilised in Britain. Many I demobilised officers of the naval and military service have expressed, their readiness to take up tihe fishing industry as a living under the training s-nd supervision of the Government scheme, which provides for financial assistance) and instruction. Another very important piece of constructive work is V- L , the Government' 's working out a. ppiieirie for the construction of stanjßardis"d inshore fishing vessels for the it.se of the small man.. and .also far .assisting the demobilised fishorman- who has a small capital available. .

Tiie Kumara Dairy Company has, received tflc following appiicafcions Sor the position of factory manager: — Wal- ■* ter J. Hibbcrd, Okato; H. A. Shecrin, Mangatoki; W. A. O'Brien, Kokatahi: J. W. Roper, Waipukurau; H. A. McNabb, Makaraka. It was resolved on the motion of Mr McDonald, seconded by £Ir Stewart,' that Mr H. A. McNab, of Gisborne, be appointed. Applications closed a couple of days ago at Christchurch in respect of five • settlements for discharged soldiers, and the fact that there Avcrc no fewer than 413 applicants for 21 sections indicates that the demand for land by returned men is still as keen as ever. There does not appear to be a butter shortage in Carterton. New season's factory butter was selling there at Is 7 per lb, and there seemed to be a plentiful supply. « It is understood all the Buller miners will adopt the policy. A decline in the output at the Westport Company's collieries is already Reported. Approximately £17 Ys Si 1 , was the amount saved during July by the yse of the Hawke's Bay Borough Council's electric trucks in place of horses and drays. i When the Arbitration Court sits here on Wednesday week next there will bo * an application heard for increased wages from the Cabinetmakers' Union, and also two claims for compensation. At Westport a few day s later the Court, will deal with three compensation claims. The instal'ation of a water supply system for Napier South, for which • a loan of £14,00p has been authorised, is to be" Proceeded with by dav labour ■when the plans and specifications .. arc completed. That spring has set in early in thp Manawatu district is evidenced by jhe fact that the willow trees are- alrealy green and spring flowers are out i-a abundance. Grass is now coming away well, and there i s every sign of plenty of feed, i The result is that cows a"c coming in fast enabling the dairy factories to resume operations on a scale scarcely expected a. few weeks ago. A rarp and thnlling sight was witnes- , ffd at Sponge Bay recently fsnvs the Poverty Bay- Herald). A resident of Gisborne, noticing a tremendous commotion in the water, procccdcc l , to the beach, and to his amazement discovered a large shark and. hnge sunfish engaged in mortal combat. Becoming exhausted, they got stranded in shallow water, and with the help of some Maoris were captured. The Electricity Committee of the Christchurch City Council has authorised the City electrical engineer to pay the feps of apprentices attending Canter : bury College, as it is considered to be to the interests of the department to do so. It has ascertained that several ' large firms and th? Christchurch Tramway Board follow this course. < Again the election contest for Christ- ' church North seat has been opened by Mr. H. T. Armstrong, the official Labour canc T ;datc who declared the ' extremists were going to be returned to power at the ( election. The people were no longer | going to be side-tracked or fooled with the cry that they should vote for 'smic ! Labour.' I Aon't mind being callod a ] Socialist; I* 11 be offended if you don 't call me one. Ij^don 't mind being failed a Sinn Foiner, and I don't mind be ing called -a Bolshevik; but for goodness; sake, don't call me a 'sane Labour' man ' The 'sane Labour' man will never save the countn'. He is worse than the Tories Sir Joseph Ward said he was the leader of ' sane Labour. ' He would lend 'snnp labour' where he had led the Liberals. ' ' What looks like a scandalous attempt to take advantage of the necessities qpf a ret"rnp'i «ol«l ; p - inpears in the "Auek'nnd Star's" Ln> hour column: — "Last week a business man in Auckland made applica- ■ tion to *he Return' ' Soldiers' >>n!>lov- I ment ,Committee for a man in' these i terms'. "A man to do light work; tailing-out for small saw and planing n»achi" i «\ E^nprienc* no* uoncessary, 5s per day.' The Soldiers' Committee placed the matter before the secretary of the Timberworkers' Union, who immediately •v-rory .*"» the apnijcant employer stating: 'I have placed this matter before my organisation and they have . instructed me to ask you for an explanation. ( lender wha,t clause do you propose to work a man for 5s a day K You know, or should know, that the a war' 1 ; does not allow you to employ men for such » ridienVms w.igp. The only conclusion wo can coiup to is, that you intend defeating tlie n-ndp of the award, and a^o to take advantage, of a soldier's affliction or need, and obtain cheap labour "Before r>rocpprling further w would like to have an explanation from you. So great has bnen the impression made upon' Amprica?is by the deeds of the Anzac s in the war, and by what they have seen of the Australian am\ Kew-~Zcaland soldiers, that the. 4 word 'Anzac" has been in danger of being commercialised in the States in the same way as was at one time threatened in New Zealand. It was hi one way a compliment to the men whose title was so employed, but it was a com pliment that no New Zoalan'W or Australian cares to sec paid. We are glad to learn.. from rorcnt- New York papers that Mr. Edward, the secretary of tlie Australian Trade Commission in the United States, made a quiet protest, against this growing custom. " Pome American firms," he said, "have a'lopt'ed '.Anzac' as si trade n»mo, but in New Zealand and Australia the word is consecrated by memories of their heroic flead. " He pointed out that America's trademark laws seemed clearly 1o indicate that any emblem or insignia in any way sacred to another nation should be respected, and not rommercinlispd. If that is so, we shall hopo that the immortal name, associated with feeds that are the pride of New Zealand and Australia, will bo desecrated no longer by being used to popularise, possibly some new kind of breakfast food, or smoking mixture. Many extremely pretty Ready to Wear Hats and Models have just coiuu to hand. They embody all the latest ideas in Spring imported Milliner and with the exquisite creations that have come out of our own Millinery workrooms, we are in the happj positin- to display am exhibition of high class millinery that would do justice in any of the large cities. Owing to alterations in our showroom, our millinery will be displayed in upstairs Showroom. McGruer and Co.. The Leading M'Uinprs, Groymouh, Reeftan ana Hokitikn. — Advt, The esrjnimanx mid realms of pnbw. Dwells in his dome-shappd home of icp; And though its space is small, we know For all ils needs it doth suffice. But how much happier his lot. And how much better he'd endure If he like we har 1 . haply got Supplies' of. Woods* Great Peppeimint C»re s ... .„,.... x „.._

Though the cables do not mention it, news received in Australia shows awful conditions for the natives in India, where hosts are dying of starvation, and food riots are general. The troops are regularly called on to shoot demonstrators.

Despite its urgency, Sir Joseph Ward said thejpther night that he. did not believe that anythiifg could be done Avith the electoral system , this session. The present system allowed minorities to beat majorities at the pools. He had tried to overcome that evil Avith the second ballot, AA'hich had been repealed by the Massey Party, representing a- minor* ity. He felt that in future there mxfst be some arrangement to secure Ac rule of majorities, with fair representation for mine ri ties.

Tlie raihvay "cut" has caused considerable inconvenience to ar 5 d provoked the strong disapproval of the business people of the Wnirar'apa district. The" Eketahuna Chamber of Commerce is up in .arms against any further curtailment of the nresent restricted railwny service, and holds that no necessity has been shown for such action 1 .

The purchasers of land an the Cabrnmatta Park Estate have had. a remarkable stroke of fortune (says the "Sydney Morning Herald.") The estate is owned by the well-known property sales man, Mr Hugh Pritchard of ..Auburn, avlio, it is stated, received a divine inspiration to make a peace offering by releasing from their liabilities all .the clients o:i his books to July 14 on Cnbrtunatta Park Estate and other estates. This he has done by giving them clean receipts and free transfers. The j.ggregate amount of the gift wUI. it is estimated. ru.:i into £20,000. He has not only giAen a complete clearance to those who have purchased from him land o:i the instalment system <xx his various estates, but he has Aviped out debts OAving to him of over £2000. One purchaser of land on the Cabramatta Estate has heca handed a receipt for £432. tAvo others for £200 each, and several for oA'er £100. It would seem that those who were behind in their payments reaped tlie greatest f.dvantage. Several, it is stated had taken hdvantn^e of the Moratorium Act, omd got sadly behind in their payments. These too. got a clear discharge, while those avlio .struggled on and succeeded in naving off thp aaliolc of their indebtedness got nothing.

Something like a shudder is likely to run through Bond street (Avrites Q-. in the London "EA-esiing NeAvs' 1 ). a«d the surroading thoroughfares by the announcement thftt the King lia^B in contemplntiun at the present time to abolish the long Court trains, that are -now the fashion. The Kbg hi\s been brought to consider this matter by the Aery large number of debutantes and brides that are awaiting an opportunity to pass before their Majesties, and" the time that Avould. be saA'ed" if there Avere not these trains to get. in the .way and impede progress. Hip present rule is that these trains shall not hs»A-e more than 54 inches drawing on the ground, but it is to be feared that this is exceeded in many cases, but. as a former Lord Chamberlain one remarked, "How on earth es\n one carry a measuring tape in one's pocket to measure the dowager's train Avith? : " The late King ''Edward, once livid it doAA-n that the only thip"- longer than a Court train, was the bill that had to be paid for it. If these trains were abolished.-' it AA-ould be nossible for n much larger itumber of ladies to attend an eA-eni:ig Court.

For Coughs and Colds. n«»ver foil*