North Otago Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING MONDAY, DECEMBER 25, 1893.

North Otago Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 7860, 25 December 1893, Page 2

North Otago Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING MONDAY, DECEMBER 25, 1893.

Rhady m the colonies aro to roproduco tho ovils of tho Old World, they aro as yet happily frco from tho curso of anarchism — wo mean tho kind of anarchism which ia at present terrorising | Europe. Of political anarchy in tho mildor sonso wo Now Zealandors have, | like our Australian neighbors, Home Httlo oxperionco. Our present Govorn- ' mont aro Bomowhat given, metaphorically speaking, to bomb-throwing, though, as wo pointed out the other day, Mr Seddon has promised that ho and his colleagues will for tho futuro bo on their good bohaviour. But anarchists of tho valliant and Pallas stamp aro happily unknown in Australasia. It would bo rash, however, to assert that we shall novor havo to tnsto of their quality. Crime ia catching, and ia apt to spread, juat like tho cholera or tho influonza ; though it is not at alt likoly that tho colonies will bo much troubled with tho anarchist gentry. Thoy would at all ovonts bo suro to got short shrift if thoy wero to make thoir appearance among us. The old countries havo of course all tho conditions favorable to ; tho production of tho anarchist* Thoro ,

aro tho strong contrasts between tho different ranks and classes, all kind" of luxury and solf-indulgonco on tho one hand, and tho direst poverty and wretchedness on tho other. Why should auch extremes exist? That is quite a legitimate question, and tho proper answer of courso is that they ought not to exist. But many people fail to sco that gradual improvement in better for all concerned than revolutionary violence. There i ia, howovor, reason to believe that most of tho anarchists who are at present operating on tho fo'irs of tho European authorities havo no title to the designation of poli ical enthusiasts. They belong to a much lower grade, and represent the reckless blackguardism of tho several nations rather than misguided aspirations after a better stato of society. Their methods aro such as to proclaim them enemies of their kind, and they ought simply to bo hunted down like wild beasts. Nothing could bo more inhuman than tho indiscriminate murder and mutilation in which they delight. Armed with tho dreadful implements of destruction which modern science has put in their hauds, they aro carrying terror throughout Europe. This seems to be their sole aim — to terrorise by means of outiAge. They have a great disliko to public buildings, which can bo for no other reason than that theso represent a certain order and constitution ot society. Parliament and theatres como in for a sharo of their nttontions, and none can tell how soon churches and congregations may be attacked. Any day tho Hou.se of Commons might bo the scone of a much more hideous outrago than that committed on the French Legi.s'ativo Assembly, and it will be strange if cathedrals, law courts, and other buildings where people aro wont to assemble, escape Some prompt measures must be taken to deal with such miscreants. But what a libol on our civilisation that it should produco them. Their outrages are really a retribution for long ages of indifference on tho part of tho rich to tho welfare of tho poor. Tho whirligig of timo is sure to bring in his revenges .sooner or later, and whilo revolutionary measures aro to bo deprecated none who roflecb on tho subject can help seeing that society needs to bo re-organisod from top to bottom. A moro bonevolont code of social morality is tho fcruo euro for anarchism and other similar diseases of tho body politic.

Tin; Hon. Mr M'lntyro, Minister foi? Lands for tho colony of Victoria, who recently paid a ilying visit to Now Zealand, was evidently not long enough in tho place to form anything liko a reliable opinion on tho character of the peoplo of tho colony or of its newspaper Prens. In reply to a North Island ro porter, who asked him for his opinion on tho Now Zealand Press, ho said: •'For quality, editorial and reportorial ability, etc., your papers strike mo as oxcollent, but fchero is something elso which strikes mo more. I was in the colony, in Dunedin, during your general election, and I had gathered some idea of your leading papers. I was astonished to find most of the leading ones were against tho Government and tho public opinion of tho colony. I was also very much amazed to see that in most cases tho men they advocated didn't get in, and thai thoir tips were pretty well all wrong. Now, if tho Argus or tho Ago got such a slap in the faco as that, they would awako to tho conclusion that, whero thoy onco led public opinion, they had now ceased to do so, and would think it timo to re-cast their policy. May I bo pardoned for remarking that I think some of your niosfc pretentious papers will havo a similar course forced upon them soon." Mr M'lntyro is entirely wrong in his supposition that the newspapers of tho colony opposed to tho Government will havo tho necessity forced upon them of their policy. Tho fact that theso newspapers aro in tho meantime on tho side that represents tho minority of tho community does not even by inference imply that they aro wrong in tho views thoy hold. Wo do not beliovo a singlo newspaper would adhere io a lino of policy it was .satisfied was opposed to tho interests of the colony as a whole. A newspaper may bo wrong, but it is a very raro ocourronco the advocacy by a I newspapor of a lino of policy it is satis- j lied will ultimately lead to tho injury of tho colony and its peoplo. Tho majority of tho nowspapors of tho colony aro satisfied tho financial policy jof tho prosont Government will break down, and that, too, it) a manner which will leave no doubt as to its utter recklessness. It may bo said that tho Opposition press prognosticated that event two years ago. This is truo, but these papors never for a moment imagined that any Government would, in order to continue a system of reckless finance, purchase sinking funds at tho rate of L 122 for ovory LlOO in value. Had thoy had any suspicions that thoy would have dono so thoy would no doubt lnvc extended tho timo when thoy expected tho public to begin to realise tho truth of tho prophecy. It will bo tho public and not the press who will recast their political views, and that will be when the Government bring down their proposals for anothor loan, after assorting thoir determination not to borrow. Had Mr M'lntyro lived longer in tho colony ho would, wo are sure, havo given this ■»s his opinion.

Cyclists are reminded that entries for the Novice Bicycle race on the first day 'a games close on Tuesday (to-morrow) at 8.30 p.m. Mails for Australian Colonies, via Sydney, and for London, via Naples, close at Wellington, per Tarawera, on Friday, the 20th hist., at 10 a.m Mr W. F. Meldrttm has been granted permission by the Caledonian Society to show a number of pianos in the grain shed on the days of the sports. A report of tho exhibition of painting and fancy work at the Dominican High School j and also of tho degree meeting of tho Nga- I para Oddfellows' Lodge appear on tho Jat page of this is*iuo. At the Courthouse on Saturday, a first offender was fined fis and 2s costs with the option of 24 hours' imprisonment. The woman who was remanded from the previous day, was dismissed with a caution. Wo have received information that a man, who had been employed at Onuuama .station, had been mbsiug for several days. On Friday aftornoon his body was found in tlu river. We arc not aware of tho man's name or under what circumstances lie came by hi.s death. It is estimated that about 2000 acres of potatoes were either damaged or destroyed m the Hawkes Bay Hood, and the consequence of this will be that potatoes will probably bo dear again this incomingyoar. In Hawkes Bay the 2000 acres would represent about 16,000 tons, and that quantity cannot be taken oub of tho estimated production without affecting the price, Tho Waitaki Village Settlement School broke up on Friday for tho Christmas holidays. Homo prizes were distributed. Tho committee and parents gave a picnic in tho school ground to the children. Sports of the usual kind were got up, which tho child ron thoroughly enjoyed. After giving throe cheers for tho master and thrco hearty cheers for the committee, all dispersed highly pleased with the amusement* of the day. There vtm a crowded congregation ut> Sfci

Luke-'* Church last night on the occasion of the Christmas carol service. The ordinary service was shortened to permit of the carols being rendered. The cirola, anthem*, and bolos were capit illy rendered by members of the choir, Mr Finch presiding at the organ. In the carol, " The First Nowell," Mi« Headland took the solo part; solo, recit. Mid air, " O for the wings of a dove," Mrs Gould ; solo, lecit. and air, " Ho shall lead his flock," Misses Crawford and FTcadland ; carol, " The Manger Throne," Mra Gould and Mr Williamson. The service- was an exceptionally pleasing one, and was li'itcncd to by an cdilicd audience. We have received from the Department of Api iculturo a couple of leaflets for farmers describing noxious plants. One of these is the " Three Cornoied .lack" or " cat's heads " This plant is said to have been imported to New Zealand from Austrain in ballaib. It is destructive to all kinds of graven, as it spreads over the ground in branches over 2ft in length, choking them out. The seed of the plant is armed with three long spinet which inflict dangerous wounds on both man and boast. The plant is said to be spreading in Australia. The other leaflet contain* a description of the burr clover, the medic burr, and the Bathursb burr. The first named is the plant which grows so plcnti* fully on tlio reclaimed land, on the Cape, and along the railway line going south from Oamaru. Wo arc pleased to soe that wo have assisted the Department, somewhat against its will, to sec that the clover burrs " arc extremely injurious to wool, depreciating its value very considerably, and becoming entangled in the fleece, arc carried many miles from the parent plants, thus spreading the pest." The Department at first was inclined so look upon tbi» plant as a good fodder plant, but now, we arc pleased to see, that the weight of evidence having told against the Department's conclusions in the matter, it i<j prepared to advocate stringent steps being taken for its eradication. The Bathurst burr is also described, but the Department previously issued a leaflet on the subject of this dangerous pesb

Jam is Gemmkll, Merchant Tailor, Thames street, has just landed a Urge consignment of Summer Suitings ex Rangitira. Gentle men in want of first-da^ Suits of Rubioa able Material should see Mr Gemmell's stock. This establishment has long l«en noted for the first-cLwa character of tho goods it has produced.—-Jamex Gemmell, Gentlemen's Outfitter, Thames street. The Tecs street Butchery has again hnm opened under its old and efficient manago ment, aud Mr David Dunn hopes th \b bin old^ customers will again favor him with tlu ir patronage, as ho ia quite competent to cater for all their want 3 in this homo, David Dunn, Proprietor. Basket and Mat Manufactory.— Oamaru may now boast of a real bakcb and mat shop. Clothes Baskets, JSTursory and Bmy Chairs, Baby Cots, and any kind of Basket Work acquired made ou the premises. Buy of! the maker direct, and save tho middle* man'o protita» Our mata arc well known to wear out auv imported article. Our speciality Lames' Atteruoon Tea Tables.— Akthdk VVarrew, Tcea atrceb (clo3o to Mrs White, grocer).