MONDAY, JUNE 18, 1894. North Otago Times. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. MONDAY, JUNE 18, 1894.

North Otago Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8004, 18 June 1894, Page 2

MONDAY, JUNE 18, 1894.

North Otago Times. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING.

After, listoning to Mr Ward's address on Friday ovoning many of his hearors must havo asked thomsolvos what brought him to Oanwru on this particticular occasion. It is hardly enough that a political man is invited to speak at this or that placo. It in also necessary that ho should havo something to say. That tho Colonial Troasuror certainly delivered an address— and an excellent address from his point of view — but ho might aa woll havo stayod at Wellington for anything now ho told us. Tho most important subject he touched on was tho Government's proposal to supply cheap money to tho settlers, but ho told us nothing about it which wo did not know boforo. Ministers havo for moro than a year been assuring tho country that they woro going to provide for its necessitios in this respect. They have, however, kept tho nature of tho operation a profound socrok, and Mr Ward let in no light upon it on Friday evening. Ho may oven do said to havo made it more profoundly mysterious, for ho said that their project would not injuro tho financial institutions of tho colony. Now, how they could lend money at a cheapor rate than banku and mor gage companies without diminishing the business of tho said banks and companies is boyond our comprehension, but tho Trea«uror said wo must wait for tho Financial Statoment to onlighton our ignoranoo. Cheap money is a very desirable thing, but it may, so to say, bo bought 100 dear. If, however, tho Government brought forward Borne plan for low interest without danger of &ny ovil consequence in tho near or remote futuro thoy will show thomselvos bettor statosmon than wo think them, and wo shall certainly not oondomn their proposal boforo its details aro made public. Mr Ward was rathor shaky on tho subjoct of protection. Ho has, of course, all tho morcantilo prepossessions in favor of frootrado, and if we mistake not was a pronounced freotrader, but ho has gol among bad companions, and ovil communications corrupt good manners. Ho told us that the Australian colonies would probably raiso tho barrier still higher against imports from Now Zealand, and that though ho did not approve of ro* taliatory measures it was nocosaary to protect our industries, just as if imposing highor duties on Australian products would protect them. It is astonishing how soon men forget what is right whon thoy keep bad company. What boon, for instance, would it bo to the public of this country to mako them pay a highor price for thoir coal. From such protection may thoy long bo dolivored. It was, of course, incumbent on Mr Ward to pay a compliment to the Minister of Lands. Ho told ua how many people Mr M'Konzio had placod on the land, but ho did not reply to the article of the Daily Times in which tho Minister's pretensions in connection with settlement were so inorcilossly oxposod. Tho Hon. John Iffts blown hjs trumpot so long and so vigorously that ho has probably come to believe hi* own story* >M i

Ward, howovor, joined issuo with tho Auckland National Association, which (loos not boliovo in tho Treasurer's surpluses, but Mr Ward will oxcuso us for doubting if this matter of tho accounts will bo explained to tho satisfaction of tho public, oven in that Financial Statement of his which is to cloar up everything ; but perhaps tho moit peculiar part of his address was that in wliich ho took credit to the Government for rcduc* ing the interest on tho public debt. Now, how wan tho intorest reduced, if it has booh reduced ? The answer, of cour->o, is by conversion. Tho Government, ho Tovor, h<\d no hanl in initiating this process, and everybody kftows, or ought to know that tho reason why they havo carried it on so briskly is simply for their own ends. What they wanted was tho sinking fund, which is released by tho operation, and tho country wi'l not soon forget tho prico that waa paid by Mr Ballanco, and that too against tho romonstranoos of his own Agouti on- ml, for the guaranteed debentures hold by the Bank of England. Howovor, we must acknowlodgo tho courtesy Mr Ward oxtonded to his political oppononts. He axpressed his own views, but did not ridicule theirs. Ho did not make a personal matter of any subject that ho handled, and while we recognised that in many instances he was speaking ngainsb criticisms that had appeared in this paper wo wish to congratulate him on the impersonal and fair mannor in which ho handled his subject. If Mr Ward occupiod tho place in the Ministry ho is by ability and statesmanship outitled to ho would be loader.

All accounts against tho I Battery are requested to bo sent in at onco to tho trea^ suror, Sergeant-Major Every. An entertainment in aid of tho church funds will bo given in Columba Church tomorrow evening. The entertainment will consist of songs, readings, and recitations illustrated by limelight pictures, and will be of a very pleasing character. During his address at tho Public Hall the Colonial Treaiurar stated that there had been an increase in the amount of butter and cheese exported from the colony t In 1892 wo exported 95,420 cwt, valued at L.? 18,204, and in 1893 it had increased to 104,305 owt, valued at L 334.271, being an incieaso of L 30.067. This industry \ra» capable of extensive development; My OUgo correspondent (s*ya " Stragglor in the Press) write* that things aro quiet in his dlstriot. He says i I hear JMr Keid, of Eldcralio, is Bending 50 Lincoln, 25 Border Loicester, and 25 Romnty ewes, and 50 Lincoln rama to Sydney for tho fair. Wo down this way are glad to notice that the Elderslie wool averaged 9£d this year for fleece. This is good, is it not ? I Says tho Cbristchurch Press.: A now cycle, called "Tho Maori," has been invented by Mr Dennison, of Oamaru. The cyclo is propelled by the hands and feet working simultaneously Tho action of a man mounted rcsemblos rowing, tho lover for tho hands being pivoted to tho frame. Tho steering ia effected by a universal joint with rods connecting with tho stoering head. Tho wonderful uses to which ths versatile cable man can apply himself is shown in tho following message: " Arrived at Albany, Britannia. Passenger for Now Zealand, Mr Johnston." It ia gratifying to know that Mr Johnston is coming to Now Zealand, but which Mr Johnston is ho, and which part of Now Zealand is ho coining to? A "party by the name of Johnston" is too wide a description to satisfy exact people. Our Waihao correspondent writes: On Friday night the Waimate Temperance Society gave a concert at the Waihao. Tho attendance and the entertainment were equally good. Tho baud and choir, led by Mr J. Harwood, formed tho chief feature of tho concert, and the selections rendered by them were all received with much favor. Solo singing, recitations, and two short speeches tilled up tho rest of a two hours' programme, which was carried out from start to finish with great spirit. Tho speakers were Mr T. Blown (chairman) and tho Rev. H. Kelly, Tho former referred to the great sucoess which had been achieved by the tempcranco cause at tho lato election of licensing committed, and pointed out tho necessity for a fiuthcr alteration in the law. Mr Kolly, in a few stirring, humorous and logical remarks, prcssod upon all tho obligation which lay upon them to assist tho good work. At tho oloso an opportunity was offered to any who wished to take tho pledge, and several names wore added to tho roll of membership.

Mb O. Robinson, Burgeon dentist, will visit Waimato professionally on Tuesday, tho 19th inbt. English Cyolks. —Wo aro offering our largo stock of English wheels at pounds loss than landed cost. General Becston Humbera, L 26 10a ; Now Howe, L 2.1 10a ; Raleigh's Model &, L 25, fitted with Dunlop tyres and Hall's rubbor brakes. —Adams, Curtios, and Co., Christchurch, J. Ogilvio, agent, Oamaru. James Gemmell invites inspection of his first winter consignment of Scotoh and English suitings, coatings, and trouserings, ox Tekoa, A choice soloction of exclusive novelties ; a\so Oamarn and other Colonial goods of the best quality. This Establishment has long been noted for tho first-class character of its productions. Suits from 7Cb upwards. Waterproof overcoats to order and ready made at lowest current rates. —James Gemmell, Thames Street, Oamaru.