BY THE WAY.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume II, Issue 232, 8 December 1888, Page 2

BY THE WAY.

Some people seem to take a great delight in being mistaken for men who are a few degrees higher in the social scale than themselves; others flatter their own vanity by distorting every feature of their countenances into a fancied resemblance to some one or more great men. What peculiar advantage is de rived from the likeness, I have never been able to discover, but that it has its advantages must be apparent to none more so than the photographer Karastoganoff (goodness, what a name I). He chanced to get into the hands of Bulgarian brigands who mistook him for M. Stambuloff, a noted Bulgarian, whom he somewhat resembled. It was in vain he protested that he was not the right man—his countenance belied him—and the “ MinisterPresident,” as he was mockingly called, was instructed to write to his friends urging them to send £5,000 for his ransom. The poor photographer could not command 5000 pence, so he had to remain in the hands of his captors for several days until his story could be confirmed. In the end, he was released without ransom, but his resemblance to the illustrious Stambuloff put him to considerable inconvenience.

Gisborne bakers have had to raise the price of bread, and there is lamentation in consequence. Already, poor families are be ginning to feel the pinch of the increased price, for it is a commodity used by rich and poor alike. Some attempt has been made to prove that the rise was unnecessary, but in the face of ihe world-wide effect of the shortness of the wheat crop, we should be thankful if we have not a further increase to complain of. Ad the other towns of the colony have either raised or are considering the question of raising the price of bread. In New York, the effect has been to decrease the allowance per pound fiom twenty ounces to seventeen ounces, which is but another way of increasing the price. All over the world, the fact that the wheat crop is below the average, has more or less effect, and it is not at all improbable that there will be a bread crisis. Although it is not to be expected that in New Zealand there will be need for much anxiety, yet the prospect is by no means pleasant to face.

In France, already there have been bread riots, and although these were on a small scale, yet they are nevertheless ominous. It appears that the French Town Councils have the legal power of fixing the limit of the price of bread. Owing to the manceuvrings of certain of the trade, two Councils—St. Denis and St. Ouen—availed themselves of their power, and fixed a litpit accordingly. The bakers, io recoup themselves, hai to lower ifie wages of their employees. These employees went out on strike, and the bakeries were closed, The supply of bread had to be augmented by carts of bread from Paris. These bread carts were plundeied by the inhabitants, and the excitement only subsided when it was found the supplies were plentiful. In the meantime, the shops of the bakers had been ransacked and damaged, and until an arrangement was come to, things looked very unpromising. The Councils even threatened to seize bakeries. Under the Empire, a limit in price was fixed, and the municipalities, in the bad seasons, recouped the bakers out of their funds the difference between the selling and a fair price, together with a legitimate profit No provision is, however, now madj», and the baker must stand the lose-. It is wonderful how difficulties, at times, right themselves unexpectedly. Most people will remember the trouble between the Seamen’s Union and Sfheckles over the employment by the latter of Chinese in the ’Frisco mail boats, This was bone of contention for some time, and neither side seemed indined to give way, When, lo and behold I letilu tii« little diffieulty UiMsdi

On the Zealandia’s last trip from ’Frisco, she was minus her Chinamen—not because Spreekies had “ knuckled down ” to the Union, but simply because John had flitted in the night. The Exclusion Act of America did not suit John’s fancy. He would never, perhaps, be allowed to land in ’Frisco again. This was not to John’s taste, so he packed up his goods and silently and unknown to the authorities, and in spite of their Exclusion Act, entered American territory, and is now no doubt pluming himself that he is “ Alee eamec Melican man.”

This Exclusion Act has already began to work injustice. It p-ovides that if a Chinaman once leaves the country, he shall not be allowed to return. A party of Chinamen left Chicago for New York via Canada, on business. Once into Canada they were out of the states, and cannot now return. Th?se men were in business and owned land and other property, and now find themselves unable even to close their business up, Jet alone enjoy their properly. Representations were made to the authorities, but they express themselves powerless to help the Chinese. The law says they are not to return, and re urn they cannot. This is what is sometimes done under the shadow of the wings of the glorious American eagle: that wonderful bird which never closes its eyes, and which is bound to “ whop creation.” The case is somewhat similar to the one that happened not so very long ago in Australia, when to pass the boundary line of one colony into another was asserted to be equal to coining from a foreign shore. In that case, however, justice and fair play emerged triumphant.

The report of an interview on the credit system, and the varied replies its publication evoked, caused me not a little amusement, for I scarcely think it was intended to be seriously asserted that credit as it is practised in Gisborne, pays anyone. It was, however, pretty plainly shown what heavy burdens are placed upon cash purchasers by the dishonesty or dilatorinese of those who live on credit. The tradesmen is bound to make provision for bad and doubtful debts, and it would of course be a losing game to rely on the credit purchasers alone to make up the loss. He would be simply doubling his risk. It therefore follows that the cash buyer must pay an advanced price for his goods. Whether there is any p actical remedy for this extensive credit system remains to be seen. No substantial check has yet been found. Trade Protection and similar Societies appear to have not the least effect. Even the avowed intention of a man to ?ell for cash only, is treated with contempt, as if it was too absurd to ba genuine. Numerous applications for credit come in notwithstanding the announcement, and before long the tradesman is forced to relinquish his position or go to the wall.

From this it would appear that to a great extent the remedy rests with the people themsalves. If they would have their goods cheaper they must make it worth the while of the tradesman to sell cheaper, This is one great reason of the success of co-operative stores. Each one benefits more or less by the prosperity of the stores, and therefore it is to their advantage to augment that prosperity. The storekeeper, however, trusts to his good and bad marks. Perhaps I should say, those whom he considers good marks, for it is with these so-called good marks—professional and business men—that he makes his greatest losses. The working man is never allowed to get away far into one person’s debt. But these good marks are so allowed, and the collection of accounts from these people is a herculean task from which the strongest' minded tradesman shrinks. The barefaced lies, the paltry excuses, and the sneaking and despicable dodges of soma debtors to evade or delay payment of their accounts require to be experienced to be properly comprehended. Possibly some more easy way of collecting accounts would virtually convert the credit system into cash at so many days’ sight. The question is how to effect this.

In some places m India, I believe the creditor sits on his debtor’s doorstep until his account be paid. He will there starve himself to death if necessary. This, however, seldom happens, for in the other world it is considered an extremely aggravated sin to have the blood of a creditor upon one’s head. The debtor has therefore to choose between paying his debts and perdition. Although extremely inconvenient at times, he generally selects the former evil. I should not expect to find Gisborne creditors so self-sacrificing, although, as I have reason to know, a very modified phase of the Indian system is practised in Gisborne. The local creditor, however, does not starve himself, but between meals he haunts the business premises and the footsteps of the debtor. Unfortunately, in the majority of cases, the debtor has not the qualms of conscience of his Indian fellow. Yet, his sufferings must be sometimes very acute, and I have little doubt that if the full facts were known, the true verdict in many an inauest on suicides of persons in pecuniary difficulties would be, “ Worried to death by his creditors.”

I asserted last week that the Public Library was not so popular as it might be. Startling proof of the correctness of this assertion is given in the publication during the week that out of a population of some 2500, the Library can only boast of 92 subscribers I Were this a town specially steeped in ignorance I should not be at all surprised at the fact. Knowing as Ido the majority of the people are well educated ; that owing to constant shiftings and changings very few of them have collected libraries of their own; and that the Public Library itself contains such a large and varied assortment of literature, I am astonished to find such a poor show of members. Possibly the members have increased of late, but it is manifest that there is still a large margin left for progress. The stoppage of the Government subsidy left the Library to its own resources and its latest burden must rest heavy on it. 1 have lutie doubc that if some means (it is not for me to point out what) were taken to popularise the insli ution and to mike it not so much a luxury as a necessity the Committee would soon find much of the burden lifted from their shoulders. Certainly (if what I have read is true) the turning away from the door, if not by words yet by accs, of country visitors is not one of the best of means. Mark.