As Others See Us.

Lake Wakatip Mail, Issue 2901, 10 January 1911, Page 5

As Others See Us.

AN AMERICAN VIEW. Under the heading "No Strikes or Trusts in New Zealand," the San Francisco Bulletin of a recent date contains the following article by Caroline Singer: No paupers, child laborers, corner saloons, all-night Turkish baths, trust?, labour strikes, tenements or Uums, private employment offices, politics in sfchools and courts, cells in jails excppt for murderers, no striped suits for convicts, chain gang, women's clubs, no trains or trams or theatres running on Sunday. That's New Zealand, according to the Rev. C. Augustus Turner who addressed the Women's Civic Club in the Phelan building yesterday afternoon. Turner is a clear-skinned, vigorous man, a good example of what compul sory athletics does for the New Zealand citizens. He speaks quickly in short crisp sentences. " The New Zealand government can be summed up by—it is of one mind, working out one destiny, not for the people personally but for the country," he says. POLITICS AT BREAKFAST.

"Ninety per cent, of the people are church going. When it comes to a political issue or moral reform, it is not the church which figures but the people. They all believe the greatest good is good for all. It is the basis of every law.

* " Politics are discussed at the breakfast table. The boy and girl know as much of a candidate as the parents. Good character is the first requirement. If he has that his ability can usually be trusted. "Some men have setved forty years in Parliament. We never rescind a law but amend it. A man holding a government position knows that if his work is not satisfactory he can be recalled within twenty-four hours.

' Land laws to eliminate monopoly went into use forty years ago. As you had to conquer the Indians here, we conquered the native Maoris. Wu allow them to retain a portion of land which they ars compel led to till. They may lease to white men with the permission of a government committee. This is a precaution to save them from signing papers they cannot understand."

He said further that it is the plan of the country to elimiuate disease entirely and thut is why every boy must attend a gymnasium until he is 25. Vice does not flourish there are healthy men and women.

It New Zealand the necessities of lift; cost a third of what they do here and house rent for a quarter of our rents in San Francisco. This has become possible since the heavy taxes have buen remove 1 from necessities The government which owns the iailways takes care of a farmer's produce of any kind, finds a market for it and sends a check to the producer. Every working man gets a fortnightly holiday from his employer. The forests, water systems, coal mines, electrical plants, telegraph and telephone belong to the people of New Zealand The citizens do a cash business with the Government which makes its expense?. They have an Arbitration Court, where a government attorney represents labour, another capital, and a Supreme Judge makes the decision. There is no appeal from this court. The employment offices are run by the government. It is the duty of each policeman to keep track of the number of unemployed men in his district and the number of positions This he reports monthly to his superiors and work is gotten for the men. OUR JAILS APPALLING " San Fraucisco jails are appalling !' says the Rev. Turner. " Two cells are made to accommodate 400 men. You kick a criminal. We do not. If a man falls we say he has made a mistake. The first time his case comes up his name is not even made public, and he is put on probation for a year. Only 5 per cent, of these men ever return. " Habitual criminals are put in our reformatories or into open air camps They rarely, if ever, run away, and still they are not locked up. They work replanting the forests or making hoots and shoes. They are paid the reguhtion wages, which are either sent to their families or given to them at the end of their a* ntence."

The clergyman told of how a government trust office leases land for a private party, collects the rent and invests the money, making up losses if a speculation fails. Every man, woman and child living now on the island continent, which is the size of California, is worth £3OO. Japanese and Chinese are excluded. The entrance standards are so high that only an English speaking perfoi with proofs of morality, good health and a certain sum of money can enter. Insurance is a public institution.