SYDNEY REVISITED.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 11878, 1 February 1902, Page 1 (Supplement)

SYDNEY REVISITED.

[Ny THOMAS B. DIXEEX.]

Having now been some weeks in Sydney, and taking notes of many things, I would remark that a good deal of the agitation regarding the Federal tariff is of " bogus manufacture, and it is being generally recognised that the Federal Cabinet has had a most difficult task to perform in framing it,.and that they have come through that task creditably. There is also a general concensus of opinion amongst those who have given thought to the subject that New Zealand lias made a mistake in not Joining the Commonwealth, as instead of a tariff wall around Australia she would have had the Australian ports, which have been hitherto protective, free to her products, and instead of having only some £1,200,000 per annum*' trade with Australia the amount would be nearly three times, if not more, than the sum mentioned. This would affect such a large body of producers in New Zealand that folks with whom I have been in conversation cannot understand how New Zealand people have been so slow in recognising their true interests. I find no feeling of antagonism towards New Zealand here. The Federal Cabinet has simply framed a tariff to protect Australian industries, and as New Zealand authorities do not consult other Governments as to what it shall impose or not impose a duty upon, so the Commonwealth Parliament and Government in its own inherent right to frame its own tariff is hardly likely to go cap in hand to another State or Government.

A dispute is at present on. between the members of some of the returned African Contingents and the State regarding the rate of pay. The State authorities assert that the pay was to be 4s 6d per day, inclusive of the Imperial pay of Is 2d, while the returned members of the contingents hold that the State agreed to pay 4s 6d per day, exclusive, of the Imperial pay of Is 2d, making the total pay 5s 6d per day while in South Africa. The wholematter will, however, be probably threshed out in theLaw Courts in the near future.,

Another matter oil which some of your readers may expect some information is the electric lighting of Sydney. Well, according to the statement of the retiring Mayor, Di. Graham, the large sum of £11,000, which happened to be the surplus for last year, will be applied to the purchase of plant, etc., so that Sydney councillors! are determined to make haste slowly. The business centre of the city how presents quite a brilliant appearance in consequence of the considerable number of arc-lights outside the various places of business and resort. In Redfern, the most compact borough around Sydney, although lighted by electric energy under municipal direction for some fifteen years, electrical matters have advanced but very little. Taihoa! is not bad advice in this case. I may, how.ever, give a hint so as not to be too late. Should the Council agree to give the concession to any outside party or company then the price should be fixed at a maximum of not'more than 4d per unit. This would allow of the electrical equivalent to 1000 feet of gas to be 3s 4d, which should ! be fair to both distributor and consumer. Then the City Council should claim at' least ten per. cent., of the profits from - lighting; should the annual dividend exceed five per cent. •' . ' 7 r> Regarding the electric trams they are certainly a huge success ; but they 'bear evidence that there has been a large: amount of experimenting. One thing , about them strongly objected to by ladies is the excessive height of the first step or foot-board. This, I am informed by many who know, is the cause of many of the serious accidents that only too often occur. The cars are not properly provided with the most approved fenders ox guards in front; there is practically nothing to keep, one from being run over. However, there is no doubt that the air-brake with which all the cars are fitted has already saved many lives. It is much qmclcer in its action than the ordinary brake, which is also fixed to each car in case of damage to the former. There is also the electric brake, but this except in cases of absolutely urgent necessity is seldom used. A toucii of the finger is sufficient to set the air brake in action, and no time is lost in turning a handle similar to those you see on your Auckland horse cars. ♦Now almost wined out by the Australian Customs duties.