CORRESPONDENCE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 8387, 15 October 1890, Page 3

CORRESPONDENCE.

THE RAILWAY COMMISSIONERS AND THE R. R. LEAGUE'S PETITION. TO THE KDITOK. Sin, —My attention has bee : .id to Parliamentary Paper D. 2a, LoU has hitherto escaped me. It is the uply of the Railway Commissioners to the Hon. the Minister for Public Works, when he referred the League's petition to them. , They state that people are supporting my system under the impression that it is the same as the Hungarian zone system. They however do me the justice to draw attention to the fact that I have clearly pointed out the difference between the two systems.

If my memory serves me right, at least one of the Commissioners has stated that ray system is not new, and that it has been tried and has failed ; at any rate their late master, the Hon. E. Richardson, has twice stated in Parliament that he has a book, describing its trial and failure, but he has never produced that book, and never will. The three Commissioners now all sign their names to the statement that " no such system has been tried anywhere.'' They then go on to say, " Mr. Vaile's proposed stage systems" (mark the plural) would introduce great inconsistencies in charges, and there would be no benefit to the public in the stage system unless a great reduction of fares accompanied it." The Commissioners, then, are now unanimously of opinion that there would be a benefit to the public in the adoption of the stage system if accompanied by a great reduction in fares.

That ia exactly what I propose. Are not my reductions sufficiently "great?" They then give a comparative table of Hungarian fares and my fares for a 50 miles distance, which I have not checked, bub presume is correct. It shows the enormous advantages given by the New Zealand system. In a footnote the Commissionerz draw attention to the following fact :— " The fares differ in different localities under Mr. Voile's system." .Exactly I That is just where the difference between my system and the other systems comes in. It arises from the fact that I have averaged the fares and based the rating on the density of the location of the population. Neither the Hungarians nor the Auatrians have so far recognised these two vital conditions, and it is for this reason that their systems will ultimately work themselves out, while the New Zealand system will continuously improve. The Hungariau system is similar to the New Zealand system in this respect only, that it is u stage system and that the fares are the same for the whole or any portion of a stage. The Commissioners then say " But even with such a dense population and low wages neither the Hungarians nor Austrians have j:'.tempted such low fares as Mr. Vaile has proposed." Quite true, but is that any I'!:;woii why my fares will not pay ? The Commissioners' own accountant has I coved that- if they were put in force in the miole Auckland section and run for a whole year, aud that not one single extra fare was carried in consequence of the immense reductions that so appal the Commissioners, that then the loss could not reach £20,000, and that if only three fares were carried whore we now carry two that then the loss coulld only be £10,000. T.be fact is the Commissioners dare not try the new system, it would so thoroughly expose their financial incapacity. In this paper the Commissioners make two important admissions, contradicting

what they have said before. Ist. They now state distinctly that the New Zealand system is a new system, and 2nd, they admitthat its adoption would be a benefit to the» community. I am, &c., Samuel Vaile. Auckland, 13th October, 1890.

P.S.— the last line of my letter of the 11th there is an error—instead of lest than, 50 miles, it should read more than 50 miles. S. V. QUACK .MEDICINES. TO THE EDITOR. Sir,—ln this morning's Herald I read a paragraph quoting from the August number of the Journal of the London Society for the Study of Inebriety, in which it is stated that " a great portion of the proprietary preparations sold for special usefulness in the reformation of intemperate habits contain alcohol, some a 9 high as 4,2 per cent.," and the writer goes on •to indicate " the great deal of mischief wrought in England in this way." Having mvself been frequently asked by reformed drunkards whether they might take pain killer, hop bitters, and other quack medicines to allay the drink crave which ensued on their ceasing to driuk ordinary intoxicating liquors, and believing as the writer quoted by you asserts, that a great many of the quack medicines recommended for stomach complaints were only alcohol disguised, I asked Sir James Hector to furnish me with an analysis of. the two I have mentioned, and which I know to be largely consumed in this colony: He very kindly furnished me with a copy of an analysis what he had had nude on his own account by the Government Analyst, dated 17th April, 1887. The following is a copy:— " Perry Davis' Pain Killer, absolute alcohol 74.4 ; water and resins, chiefly arnica and cayenne, 25.6. It is thus proved to be one of the strongest fluids sold as a liquor, equal in strength to pure spirit of wine and I may add nearly 25 per cent, stronger than common brandy, or other spirits sold in the bars of the public houses. "Hop Bitters contain 14 per cent, of alcohol, 85 per cent, of water, and 55 grains of solid matters, chiefly bitter resins, the nature of which cannot bo discovered by analysis," whioh is about the strength of ordinary port and sherry wines. Large quantities of these professed medicines ate sold in the chemists and other shops in Auckland to any one who asks for them over the counter. They clear!;.- come within the interpretation clause of the Licensing Act, which prohibits the sale of any intoxicating liquor, defining such to be "spirits, wine, &c., or other fermented, distilled, or spirituous liquor of an intoxicating nature," and any person soiling them without a publican's or wholesale license is liable to prosecution for every bottle sold. What the particular charm of the beverage is I cannot say, for its cost to the consumer is several times more than that of th« same quantity of intoxicants purchased at the publican's bar. Perhaps the resins, the arnica, or cayenne pepper, add additional zest to the palate, or give a more " comforting" sensation to the damaged and craving stomach of the habitual drinker. Perhaps a good deal of it is sold to " respectable" women, who wouldn't for the world be seen going into the bar of a publichouse, or acknowledge to herself, or any one else, that she was a habitual dram drinker. The respectable chemist who keeps it for sale ought to know ; and, if he doesn't, Sir James Hector's analysis may open his eyes.—l am, &c., William Fox.

THE ELECTIONS. TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —The excellent leader in your issue of the 11th instant is well-timed, and the advice contained in it is much required to be pondered over at the present very important juncture of our fair colony's history. At a time when we require our best men in Parliament, it is with regret we see such men as Messrs. Withy, Goldie, and Hobbs, leaving the shipthey being the stamp of men we require in -the House, and as you state in the latter part of your leader, men who have " Nothing to gain by political intrigue." The interests of such men as the above are bound up with the advancement of the colony, and for her to suffer they must do the same, as their best interests are identical with the best interests of the community. It is a pity there were not more men of the same stamp to represent us in the House, for there is no doubt we have far too many needy members. I fear the new Parliament will contain more of them. Manhood suffrage and the one man one vote have been a great mistake. Property is far from being represented by it, though it has to bear the burden of taxation, and the man who can shoulder his swag and clear out has as much say in selecting a member for the House as a colonist who has his all invested in the property --f the country, and whose interests are identical with it. Take "King Millar "as you call him. What does he care how property or land is taxed ? Little will come on his shoulders, or those he wishes to make serfs of; but still he is bidding for power ii) the House by his actions. I don't think he is likely to get ib after the muddle he has made over unionism. But if he does not obtain what he requires, we see he is ready to pack up and away, and so much the better for the men whom he is trying to draw into his net. The elections are drawing near, and there appears little active interest being taken over them—at least as far as our provincial district is concerned. No attempt is being made, as you suggest, to get hold of our best men to come forward and keep the craft in the right course for the future. Let the men selected by all means have some real interest or stake in the country. Then we may expect to obtain fair legislation for the land of our adoption. We have seen what vitality there is in the country during the last year or two in the way she has pulled through after all the reckless extravagance of past years. What she requires now is political rest and good management for a few years—no more - borrowing, reduction of expenditure as far as possible without injury to the public service, no further taxation, and a reduction if possible, for it is plain we are an overtaxed people already, and if more is pub upon us we must break down under its weight. I believe if electors in each district will only look up the very best men who can be got, and induce them to leave their comfortable homes and put up with a few months' residence in Wellington, some good may be hoped for. There is one thing, the session cannot last as long as usual now the talking power is reduced.— I am, etc., H. Crispe. Mauku, September 11, 1890.

RECENT ACCIDENTS. TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —Two more lives lost, and a human being snatched from the jaws of death by the prompt and decisive action of active and intelligent Constable Mackay, owing f the want of protection on the Queen-street Wharf. For twenty years or more writers to or for the Press have agitated for a chain or some sort of protection to the edge of the wharf, especially at night. Yet during this period, I might say, as many people nave lost their t lives as would nil a church, and Mr. Joseph Newman (whom I observe was lately knocked over by Robertson's whisky) and other teetotal writers have repeatedly attributed their deaths to the demon drink. Some two years ago two people were drowned in succession through walking over the Dargaville Wharf, when the Borough Council promptly had erected light iron posts, with chains, detachable at one end, along each side of the wharf, and the consequence has been that no further accident has happened there. When will our Auckland Harbour Board realise the fact that they are primarily responsible for these frequent cases of drowning, through the want of providing some protection to the sides of their wharf. am, &c., E. Hadrill. P.S.—I am since informed that the late accident to Mr. Joseph Newman was owing to the board containing Robertson's whisky advertisement falling upon him during a gale of wind. I had always considered this whisky too mild to knock any one over, TAILORS AND TIMBER WORKERS. TO THE EDITOR. Sir,—ln your issue of to-day I have read accounts of two meetings held by mill workers, one at Tairua and the other at Whangaroa. I see in both cases that they have declined to form unions. Some of the speakers were very emphatic, but I think they would have been much more so if they had gone through the same experience that some of us have done during the last month or two. With your permission, and for the benefit of my fellow-workers in the bu&h, I will endeavour to give a short account of the Timber Mill Union since its formation,

Some '.hro® months ago, or about the time the great union agitation was at its height, our works were continually visited by agitators during the dinner hour, who made it a point to persuade us that we were nothing more than slaves, and that by forming a union, and placing ( ourselves under their control, our position would at once become better ; wages would go up with lightning speed ; in fact, if we believed all they said it would soon be a matter of very high wages and no work between meals. Some few had the hardihood to argue against this, and to hint that the agitators were looking after the paid billets when the union was formed, but all to no purpose the bait took, and at length a preliminary meeting was called, when it is needless to stite the usual crowd of spouting agitators were present. ' ->eechea were made, and we were patted c . -vck like a lot of children. Howevr . jlution was carried, and we were ft into a union. At our next meeting thv. action of officers took place, and a gentlen.«..j for whom we had every respect was induced to become president. He thanked them for the honour, and also thanked the self-made delegates, but told them for the future he thought the mill people were quite able to manage their own business. The next and more important office, that of secretary, being, of course, a paid one, was secured, not by a timber worker, but by a gentleman who follows the more easy occupation of a tailor's traveller. Now, it often puzzled me to know what affinity there was between a tailor and mill hands, until I happened to see in the paper an account of an alteration in the tailors' log. This explains it; they both work at logs ; but I am afraid the mill hand has the heaviest one. However, the union was formed, and for a while everything went on very well. We were all working full time, and paying our contributions ; the secretary's salary of course was fixed, and we had accumulated the sum of £30. It was then considered by some that we ought to become affiliated with the Trade and Labour Council. An application was accordingly made, but it was discovered that no affiliation could take place while any of the bosses remained in the union. When this became known Mr. White and others gladly availed themselves of the opportunity to sever their connection, and the union, from being what Mr. Desmond states was the best-conducted one ha had ever belonged to (and he ought to be an authority, as he appears to belong to them all) became (to use his own words a few minutes after) one of the rowdiest unions he ever was connected with ; and this is saying a good deal. However, the next thing to do was to give our secretary a pleasure trip ; so it was worked that he receive £8 for a trip to the country, and as he took his sample bag with him, no doubt) he did a good thing in taking orders for suits. However, on the first meeting night? after his return a further sum of £5 was voted to him, making a total of £13 in about three months. This is better even than Mr. Bust, who says he receives next to nothing. In conclusion, I would say to the bush mill workers, " If you wish to sell your liberty and become slaves, if you wish to forfeit your employment without rhyme or reason at the dictation of someone you don't know in Dunedin or elsewhere, if you wish to see your hard-earned money go to give pleasure trips and pay salaries to fellows who won't work, then form a union and affiliate ; but if you wish to preserve your independence stick to your Knights, and you will avoid having the painful experience of yoursA Disgusted Unionist."

THE SOCIAL iELSTROM. TO THE EDITOR. Sir,—ln reading your leading article In this morning's paper, I was led to reflect on the inevitable consequences which musb result if the leaders of the labouring classes continue to pursue the policy they have initiated, of encouraging the workmen to make war upon capital. Let it be granted that your remarks anent the disinclination of the labouring classes to submit to the hardship and self-sacrifice involved in settling upon the land, and then we are brought face to lace with what, I think, may be aptly described as a social maelstrom. Experience emphasises the fact that the disinclination to leave the luxuries of the towns and settle down upon the lands, is almost universal amongst the working men or the present generation. The early settlers in these colonies had to endure hardships and privations which the self-indulgent workmen of these days would by no means submit to. There are those who have settled on the land, those who by a long course of industry and selfdenial have raised themselves above actual want. But if these are to have the rewards of their industry so taxed as to become practically valueless, the disinclination to settle on the land wBl be increased ten - fold. For who will submit to toil and self - sacrifice when the fruit of it all will be taken from him, and distributed amongst those who had not his courage and industry ? If the peaceable possession of property is nob secured to the owners thereof, or (which comes to the same thing) if property is so taxed as to make it valueless, there will be no motive left for anyone to seek to acquire it. " The result will not be far to find. The whole community will drift into idleness, poverty, and wretchedness. It is quite a mistake to suppose that the masses are to be raised by confiscating the wealth of the few to distribute it amongst' the many. When the property to be distributed is exhausted and consumed, what then ? There is no incentive left to bring about a reproduction of wealth. What is to be done How are the industries of social life to be carried on ? Shall the Government appoint task-masters to drive the people to work, as the Egyptians treated the Hebrews? Or shall we expect that men will set to work from motives of philanthropy ? Have we not had a specimen of how philanthropy works in the case of the strikers in some parts of Australia and other places, where those out on strike have endeavoured forcibly to prevent others, willing to work; in order to support their families, from doing so; and have wantonly destroyed goods which were urgently reqqired for the use of their fellow-men? Not by leading men into the fatal maelstrom of anarchy and destruction is their condition to ba improved ; but whosoever would do a solid and permanent benefit to his fellow-men must learn that such things are only purchased and bestowed on the cross of selfsacrifice.—l am, &c,, Spectator. Auckland, October 14,1890.

PRICE OF FLAX. TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —In your issue of the 11th instant, "Flax Mill Owner" writes complaining of the existence of a wretched narrowminded little ring of Auckland merchants," who control the price of flax in this market. I can only assure the writer of the said letter that if such a ring does exist, the members of it have not brought the price down sufficiently to make shipping to London a very profitable business. As lam not a flax dealer, ray experience may interest your correspondent. In the month of March last, when good flax was obtainable here at £16 per ton, I purchased a small parcel, and shipped it to London per Pleiades. By the last San Francisco mail, I received the account sales, and although my London friends report that the demand was good when the parcel was sold, it is Bad to relate that the venture has landed me in a loss of £5 a ton, and I am told that I should be thankful that it was nob much heavier.—l am, etc., Edward Morton.