THE Marlborough Express.

Marlborough Express, Volume X, Issue 765, 24 November 1875, Page 3

THE Marlborough Express.

" Givb me the liberty to know, to utter, and to argue freely according to conscience, above all otber libertira — Milt on

WEDNESDAY, NOV. 20, 1875

There are few persons possessing any knowledge of the world who are not aware of the value of first impressions. Where personal or pecuniary interests are at stake, this value is seldom lost sight of, but where the interests of the young are concerned, how little care is taken, comparatively speaking, of the "first impressions" on the infant mind. Among the families of the wealthy and the well to do, the early surroundings of our embryo citizens may be fair enough ; but amongst those whose lives have not fallen in pleasant places, and to whom each day must bring its share of toil to the father as the bread-winnex*, and t» the mother her share of domestic labor, mingled with maternal care, how often are the little ones perforce neglected and left to i-oam about the street from meal to meal, exposed to all the vitiating influences of scenes which, even to those of mature age, are admitted to be demoralising. 'Great as the advantages are which the working man in this Colony possesses over his fellow toiler in the old country, there are many things to be taken as a set off to these advantages, which only those who have to win their bread by the sweat of their brow, can understand or appreciate. The lady who finds it difficult to obtain a servant is only sharing in the same inconveniences which affect her less wealthy neighbours, especially where there are young children, the anxious mother being compelled either to neglect her children, or her domestic duties. We are drawing no fancy picture when we say that in many instances this has resulted in both being neglected, the home uncomfortable, the children dirty and fretful, the woman's

strength and patience alike exhausted, and to escape from which the husband repairs to the public house, thus aggravating the evil. It does not require a very vivid imagination to fill up this hasty outline,— a task, however, which we have no desire to dwell upon, for while we know there are many honorable exceptions to the scenes we have briefly sketched, our own observations have convinced us that they are far too numerous. One of the remedies we would propose for the amelioration of the evil we have pointed out is the establishment, wherever practicable, of Infant Schools ; not rigid academies, nor military drill sheds, but peaceful, happy institutions, where the little ones may be taught the true business of childhood, how to play, where they may be protected from the damp and cold of winter, from the heat of summer, and screened from the filth of the gutter ; where cheerfulness, cleanliness, and order may be their daily companions, and a gentle and conscientious friend their daily guide. The result must be beneficial ; the parents would be relieved of much anxiety, and the little ones as they grow old enough to be removed to a higher school, instead of having a great deal to unlearn, would have their minds prepared like the virgin soil for the seed, the evil weeds of passion, and the roughness of neglect removed by the gentle hand of discipline enforced by love.

"The Melbourne Age suggests that, in view of the rapidly increasing population of New Zealand, it would be wise to follow the example of Victoria, and by adopting a protective system develope the industrial resources of the couutry with the view of making it self-supporting, and able to sustain the financial burdens that the borrowing policy of Sir Julius Vogel was imposed uponit. " — So runs a paragraph in one of our exchanges, and doubtless the people of this Colony should feel grateful for the kind suggestions of the Melbourne Age, but for our own part we should prefer the opposite policy, and endeavor to make the Colony self-supporting, by unshackling the limbs of commerce, and bidding it grow into a denizen of the forest, not a mere hot-houseplant. The industries of this Colony will develope themselves naturally and healthfully, if they are allowed to do so, but if a lot of old wives and political quacks are permitted to interfere with them, they will simply grow up like exotics, incapable of withstanding the sharp gales of competition, and conferring no benefit on any except the privileged few. We have only to turn to the States of the American Union to be convinced of the baneful influence of Protection, consequently we decline to accept the gratuitous advice of the Melbourne Aye.

The managers of Mechanics' Institutes and Public Librarians have for a long time been laboring under peculiar difficulties, arising from the fact that they had no legal status in society, nor any legalised right to protect the property entrusted to their charge, by enforcing the rules and bye-laws of the respective institutions. We are happy to say that it is not necessary that any institution in this colony should continue in such an anomalous position. We have received "The Public Libraries Powers Act, 1875," by which institutions are empowered to become corporate bodies, with powers to make rules and by-laws, and levy lines upon members for contravening the same ; such tines being recoverable in " any Court of competent jurisdiction." The process by which corporate powers ai'e to be obtained is very simple. The second clause provides for the establishment of new institutions, thus : Not less than ten persons, having subscribed either money, or money's worth to the amount of £20, for the purpose named, may make and sign a declaration stating their intention to so establish a Library, Museum, Athenaeum, or any similar institution, at any specified place. They must also state the corporate name of the institution, its purpose, the amount of money, &c, held for the use thereof, the names of those who are to be the first trustees and managing body, the mode of electiDg or appointing their successors, and a general digest of the laws and constitution of the Society. Such declaration to be made in duplicate .and lodged with the Registrar of the Supreme Court of the district. One copy is to be filed by the Registrar, and the other to be certified by him, and returned to the persons signing the declaration. When the formalities aforesaid have been complied with, the Trustees, or Committee, &c, and their successors, shall be a body corporate and politic, and shall have the powers, rights, and immunities vested in such 'bodies by law, &c, &c. With reference to institutions already in existence, the facilities to becoming incorporated by Act of Parliament are equally great, being a slight modification of those we have described. It will scarcely be necessary for us to point out the great advantages this Act confers upon all such institutions as are within its range, and we trust our own local Institute, will not be slow to avail itself of that protection, by the law which it so justly merit i, and not unfrequently needs.