The Ensign. MONDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 1908. CURRENT TOPICS.

Mataura Ensign, 9 November 1908, Page 2

The Ensign. MONDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 1908. CURRENT TOPICS.

Tho Hall Mark. Mr A. It. Barclay, who is contesting tho Dunedin North seat again, claims that he is the Government candidate, and objects to Mr Isaac Green, who is a would-bo Government candidate, coming in and spoiling sport. Mr Barclay calls his rival Rip Van Winkle, and suggests that he should "stand off the grass,'' because his ideas are old fashioned. This is a charge that, certainly cannot bo levelled against Mr Barclay, who gained some notoriety during the 1906 session by moving: "That in tho opinion of this House the time has arrived when it is expedient in the interests of the colony that the State should take under its control such existing industries as aro concerned with tho supply of the necessities of life to the people," In the course of a remarkably I'lank speech ho advocated the application of the American "trust" system by the State as being the most up-to-date, efficient and economical method of supplying tho peoplo with llie necessaries of life. The control of steamships was to bo taken over, rents were to bo fixed, and so on. His scheme stopped short of indicating how the uni'ortunate employers and workers weir lo fare under this State combine, yet amongst those who voted for the motion were Messrs Hall-Jones and McGowan, and the members who supported it were Messrs E. G. Allen, Arnold, Barber, Colvin, KllT'Wanan, Hogg, Laurenson, Sidey, and Tanner. All these have the Government imprimatur, and the bulk of them hold what are termed "advanced" notions on land tenure—that is to say, they would follow Mr MeNab along the leasehold and nationalisation path as far as he liked to lead them. It is to lie hoped that Iheir ranks will not be materially ht lengthened at the coming elections. If it should unfortunately prove that all these and 'others of the same kidney arc returned, instead of the cessation of legislation foreshadowed by Sir Joseph Ward, there will be a demand, not to be easily resistud, for more steam. Indeed, Mr Hardly has already clearly indicated that lie will not lolhnv Sir .Joseph Ward if there is lo be a "go slow" policy.

Daylight Saving. -Mr George, director of technical education for the Auckland district, who has just returned froin a visit to Europe and America, is a convert to the day-light-saving scheme. The. idea (which I drilled the subject of a bill introduced in the British Parliament) is simply to rearrange to jip-risiijgs and down-sit-tings of the people, introducing a more rational system ol tilings for the summer months. I'u order that all the available daylight 'may be turned to use, it 1s proposed to move, the clock on, some quiet night, say, a couple of hours. Then thn populace will bestir themselves two hours earlier next morning, breakfast will be at G o'clock (although the clock' says S), trains will leave in accordance with the new "time," and so, by <"> o'clock p.m. (the old 3 o'clock) work will be finished, lielore night is lowering, leaving a few hours of daylight before darkness and bedtime arrive. It is apparent., that trom the. sports' point of view, paiticubirly in the North Island, some such rearrangement would have its advantages. There the twilight is very short. Here wo can play bowls or tennis until ball-past eight o'clock or even a little later iii midsummer; but in Auckland, lor example, wlujn the sun sets, darkness conies 011 at once. If those two hours were added al'ternoop sports sliuuld certainly benefit and the weekly hull-holiday would give ample time for matches. The scheme is said to be receiving much support at Home, and Mils eorge hopes to L>e able to move tlio powers that be to such an extent as to ensure a trial being given Ijcre.

Un-British Taciins. Tlie organised attempt to spoil Mr Anderson's liiectiHig at Gore on Friday night recoiled 011 those responsible for the pitiable exhibition and has gained support for the from unexpected quarters. Though quiLe a stranger to the political platform, Mr Anderson displayed tho skill and coolness of a veteran, kept his temper admirably, and with great effect wielded an over-ready rapier, which he only exchanged for a bludgeon when it was absolutely necessary, in order to make his baiters understand, to use the heavier weapon. It was distinctly a victory of mind over matter—of brains over low bufl'oonor.v, —and ilr MeNab has good cause to pray to be delivered from his would-be friends. Indeed, wo have ho doubt he deprecates their action quite as warmly as we do, for it is undoubtedly his and not, his fault, that such eanaillo should find refugo in his political camp. The members of this little band are now engaged on another congenial task—that of spreading the most outrageous statements in regard to Mr Anderson's political .views—statements, of course, in overy sense utterly at variance with his spoken word. Those who know Mr Anderson well, and fortunately they are fairly numerous in Gore, know him to be as straightforward and honorable a man as may be ipet 011 » long day's journey—a man wlioso word in his bond,—and already thore aro signs and tokens that the unscrupulous methods of this gang of would-be political assassins arc being resented by the decent and fair-minded people 011 both sides of the fefico in Gore, and wc have no doubt that this factor will be a more important 0110 than may be at present thought ill relation to the voting tomorrow week.

Unfortunate Carpenters, The immigration question is receiving some little attention from Parliamentary candidates just now, and tho general opinion appears to bo that it is exceedingly unwise, in view of the. state of trade, that any but those willing to work on the land should bo assisted to come to tho country just now. This is emphasised by tho experionco of moro than 20 carpenters, who came to Xcw Zealand by tho Corinthic, landing on Wednesday. They found that tho state of their trade was in absolute contradiction to the information they had received beforo deciding lo leave England, and it appears that there are fully 40 carpenters, many of them married, idle in Wellington. The information the immigrants state they were given at the Labor Bureau at Westminster led then) to expect that they would get work right away, and the depressed state of the trade is naturally both unexpected and disappointing to tlieiu. No doubt those 111011 will not starve, and if they aro willing to take what comes along they may bo absorbed into the working population before long and eventually find their new quarters to their advantage, but it is hard 011 tho men with families, and it would bo well to take stops to represent the true position of the various trades to the authorities at Home.