CURRENT TOPICS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 6871, 15 July 1909, Page 6

CURRENT TOPICS.

trade still quiet. According to the current number of the “Trade Review” importing houses in all sections concur in describing the condition of trade as extremely quiet. The weather, though very mild for the season, has been characterised by a good deal of rain, hindering out-door work, and there is evidence of a serious dearth of employment for the labouring classes. In the soft goods section trade is said to bo practically at a standstill between two seasons, while little improvement is anticipated before the advent of spring. SYDNEY’S UNEMPLOYED. According to one of the “unemployed” agitators, there are over 40,000 meal out of work in Sydney at present, and it was decided to carry out a demonstration in force against Parliament. The response to the call for demonstrators was wofully disappointing to the organisers, however, for only about 100 men and youths took, part in the procession to the i/.itranco to tlie Legislature (says the “Sydney Morning Herald”) Three of their leaders were admitted within the gates by the police, and they had an interview in the vestibule with Mr Norton, M.L.A., during which the latter was heard to convoy certain advice to them in characteristically forcible language. Later they returned to the street, and it was stated that they were to again wait upon the member named at his office next morning, with a view to his introducing them as a deputation to the Premier. The whole squad, which had in the meantime hooted any member of the Labour party who passed into the House, then marched to the Queen’s Statue, where their loaders addressed them. One announced that they .would march to Parliament House “whatever happened ; ” and he further remarked that if work were not provided forthwith by the Government he had a plan in his head which, if carried into effect, would ensure prompt work for them all. “And lam not one to lead you into danger and then run away,” he declaimed, “I’ll be there to carry out that plan shoulder to shoulder with you.” Another speaker raised a laugh by declaring: “Wo sent men to shoot Boers in South Africa—much better if (pointing to Parliament House) we shot some of theml”

A Y.M.C.A. REMINISCENCE. Mr R. S. Smythe, in recalling the progress of the Y.M.C.A. in British oversea countries, in a Melbourne . vper, incidentally remarks“ Four years ago, at Durban, tbo steamer Geelong, by "which I was travelling to England, lay unusually high above the wharf, and as I was cautiously descending tile gangway a fresn-oomplex-ioned young gertkman in H.M.C. uniform came up' and said, ‘Let me give you a baud, Mr Smythe.’ Fearing that unknowingly I might have some dutiable goods concealed about my person, I folt a littlo uneasy ; so, having been taught to be cautious,. X asked the gilt-buttoned official if he h'kd ever seen me before. He replied, ‘Many ti-nics. in Melbourne. I am Marcus Clarke’s son.’ Delighted to meet the son of my old friend, I gladly accepted his invitation to dinner. In the evening he called for me, and as jve wended our way in the direction of a large structure in a broad thoroughfare I was astonished to find that it was not an hotel, but the Y.M.C.A. building. We fared well in the largo and commodious dining-hall, and 1 considered it an iudictation of tlio liberal tendency of modern civilisation that in this stronghold of the Y.M.C.A. the attendants were girls, all of them young, Severn! of them quite good-looking, and,'l hc-uid say. without a single exception Christians.” Mr Smythe contends that as far ns accommodation for the objects of the Y.M.C.A. , is concerned, many of the British countries compare favourably with the United , States, which are so often quoted ns being in the very forefront in this regard. Ho concludes by expressing the, hope that “in the Commonwealth the other capitals will not" long be content to rank behind Sydney.” THE MONEY MARKET. A fairly cheerful reference to the state of the money market is made in the “Trade Review” of yesterday & issue. . “An easier tone,” it says, ‘ is already noticeable all round, but there is still some leeway to be made up. It must be remembered, also, that the March and June quarters are the ‘fat’ quarters of New Zealand "finance, and the ‘lean’ quarters, the third and fourth uarters of the year, have to be met. In the September and December quarters of 1903 the imports exceeded the exports by two millions and one million respectively,' and if this experience were repeated in the current year it would mean a serious set-back in the position. There is every reason, however, to hope that better results will bo achieved this year. A larger volume of exports may be anticipated than in 1908, end it is practically certain that the volume of imports will he considerably lighter. However if for that sis months we can just keep an oven balance we shall have done well. After that we may look for another move ahead.” i - NATIVE LAND LAWS. It is understood that the repoit by the Chief Justice (Sir Robert Stout), and the Chief Judge of the Native Land Court (Mr Jackson Palmer) upon the consolidation of the law relating to native land is adverse to carrying out consolidation upon the ordinary lines followed in consolidating tjhe general statutes of New Zealand. Many difficulties are pointed out, such as anomalies in existing legislation, amendments which are obviously desirable, and modifications which would make the present system more workable. Probably the Government ill ■have to clear up the complicated maze of contradictory matter by enacting a .measure completely embodying its policy, and repealing the many Aots mow in -operation in connection wills native land. THE SUN SHINES. Even bootmakers and macintosh vendors smiled yesterday although the sun dissipated some of their chances of trade. Wellingtonians during the past fortnight have been wearing their shoulders near their ears, the gumboot has been a necessary toilet adjunct and the town has been one huge slop. Yesterday the heart sang and even the small bird, which is not yet a nuisance on the Town Belt, felt gladder and cheerily_ greeted the glowing morn. When Wellington weather likes it can he as kind and delightful an any other weather. The mudcoloured Pacific turns blue, the hills across the harbour lift picturesque

crests to the clear firmament, and the citizen as he decides to leave his overcoat at home feels like the Biblical hills that “skipped like lambs.” Even on the wharves yesterday the gladness of the change was observed. Generally the wharf employee about hia duty in a dripping oilskin, his heart full of bitterness and the dankness of circumstance* Yesterday the general sloppiness of the wharves had disappeared, oilskins wore stowed and people who had avoided the bleak promenades needed no courage to face the brisk sun-tempered air that stirred the pulses and bade dull car© be*gono. Then in consonance with tho general gladness tho band of the Salvation Army broke into a blast of cheerful music from the Takapuna. “God be with you till we meet again” sounds more to the point on a fine day than during a southerly rain squall. ■

NEWS NOTES

The free '"wanted” advertisements which have been appearing in the “New Zealand Times” for the past week have resulted in bringing a large number of employers and workmen together. It has been decided to extend the principle, so that employers having work to o߀r can make free use of our advertising columns to potify the fact. The opening of the Wellington Art ciety's annual exhibition has been fixed for September 26thThe time for receiving tenders for the erection of the General Post Office, V ellington, has been extended to October 21st. Next week representations as to the advisability of instituting some better railway communication between the east and west coasts of this island will h® made-to the Minister of Railways by * deputation from the districts interested. Owing to several prominent citizens in sympathy' with the promoters of the resolution approving the principle of Mr Lloyd-George's land value taxation proposals having other engagements, tho meeting called for last evening was postponed until Monday next. A conversazione for Sunday school workers is to bo hold on July 23rd. The Sunday School Union has arranged for addresses by Mr J. Caughley on “Tho Sunday School in the Home, and Mr H. N. Holmes on “Dealing with Boys at tho Critical Period,” and for a musical programme by teachers from various schools. Arthur Charles Cork, formerly manager of the Bank of Now South Wales at Linton. Victoria, pleaded guilty at the Ballarat Sessions to charges of embezzling sums of .£414 and «£2GG, and of stealing <£1250 from the bank. Jiidgo Eagleson said that tho total shortage was abo£t .£4700, of which about .£2OOO had been used to help mining companies more or less distressed, and in which the accused held interests. A sentence ‘of three years* imprisonment with hard labour on tho larceny charge, and two years on each of the charges of embezzlement, was imposed, the sentences to be concurrent. Among tho passengers from Bremen by tho German mail steamer Gneisonau.. which arrived in Sydney last Thursday, were no fewer than nine German Catholic priests and five sisters, who are on their way to the various mission stations in German\ Now Guinea and New Britain. They -were transhipped later in the day to the Norddcutecher Lloyd Company’s steamer Manila, which, sailed last' week, and will disembark at Simpsonhafen, in New Britain. The names of the new missionaries ore: —Rev. Fathers Fos, Meier. Oscar Schiule, Richard Feutscher, Franz Felten, Aug. Sober* hag, Leo Bischoff, Herm Zwinge, Wilhelm Averbeck, and J. Weber; and Sisters Liguori, Kostka, Octavie, Yvonne, and Leouie.

News has .reached Sydney that, the first printing has been done on a print ing-press in the Solomons. It is ai Mararovo and it is the first and only printing-press in the Solomons. It it at present worked in a missionary’s bedroom. “When I began to pull proofs," he writes to tho "Southern Cross Log,” “the interest was intense. Crowds flocked round the bouse, the bedroom being packed. Sometimes a boy would pluck up courage and apnroach the wonderful piece of iron to inspect it. When I pulled ,the first proof they all exclaimed 'Alan!' 'Good Gracious.' and when it was tin-own away in disgust being unreadable, there was quite a tussle for it, and the lucky one. a youngster of about fourteen, soon made off to one of tho houses to make what he could out of it.”

Notice has just been sent to Australasia, asking the Y.M.C.A. to help ! n the building in London, as a memorial to Sir George Williams, the founder, of a headquarters, which appears on the drawing sent out to be of much the stylo of the General Post Office in Melbourne, and. of tho size of, a House oi Parliament. Mr J. J. Virgo, Sydney secretary, states that the site was in the very heart cf London. It is near where Oxford street, Tottenham Court road, and Charing Cross road meet,” he said; “a circus which is the centre of the greatest i avenue in London ftxnn east to west, and crossed by one of the most important from north to south. I hear that there have come in already four subscriptions of JCSOOO each, several of .£IOOO, and a number of .£SOO. Altogether. JHO.OOO -has been promised lo date. I understand it is to cost over ,£100,000.”

The Acting-Premier and other members of the Ministry have given their patronage to the concert in aid of tho Mayor’s fund for the relief of the unemployed, which is to be given next Saturday evening by the Victoria College Students’ Association in the Concert Chamber of the' Town Hall. With such on excellent programme as is promised there should be a crowded audience, and the result should be a substantial addition to the relief fund. The first part of tho programme will consist of concert items ,by Mrs I’. P. Wilson and Miss Rita Lyons, Messrs E. Parkes, H. Widdop and A. Newton, the second part consisting of a clever skit entitled .“Shackleton-out-shacked,” which was a feature of the recent capping carnival. Professor H. K. Birk and his party, with Captain Jones in command, will again undertake their journey to the South Pole in their speci-ally-constructed motor car, which alone is said to be worth going to see. Several local members of Parliament have promised to attend the concert. Seats may be reserved at the Dresden.

The Native Appellate Court continued its sittings in Wellington yesterday under the presidency ot Judges Eawson and Jones. Consideration bm given at length to a case in c-nnection with Kenepuru block No. 2a. in the Manawatu, Appeal was lodged by Kerehi Manupiri and others against a decision by Chiei Judge Palmer, application being made under section 2-i of the Maori Land Lawi Amendment Act of 1908 for an amendment of the succession order for the interest in the laud of the late Ngahuka Tungia. Mr Upham and Mr C. E. Palata appeared for the appellants, Mr A. L. D. Eraser for Raiha Puaha (Mrs Prosser), and Mr McGrath' for the other respondents, the appointed successors te the deceased. After hearing argument, the Court decided to forward a report to the Chief Judge. In connection with the application for a re-trial in the Wi Matua will case, Mr D. M. pindlay, acting with Mr P. E. Baldwin, asked for an adjournment until Priday morning. Mr A. L. D. Fraser, who is appearing in opposition to the application, consented to the adjournment. Owing to the illpess of the appellant in a case connected with land at Ohinepnhiawe, it was decided to adjourn the hearing sine die, and to ask the Chief Jr.dge gazette it fol consideration at Wanganui.

The* Rf*ooTnl term at Victoria College will begin next Tuesday. All students ar« jerjucsted to on tho top floor at, a p.m. ou W’ednesilay. Tbrj Rev. S. Lawry states that up to lliy present forty-*ix circuits have ennfcidered tlu> proposal that the Methodist Church in New Zealand should have au independent conference. The number of votes recorded iu favour of independence was 570, and tho number against 2IM. At the 1 ram way power station yard Jorvoirf quay, a trial will bo made at 4 p.m. 10-day of a new automat c cutout for trolley wire*, by NewbouUl Patents, Ltd., under the supervision of tho City Klectrical Engineer. The object of tin/ invention is to instantaneously out off the current when a break occurs iu a trolley wire, and to enable the broken wire to bo handled immediately / willi absolute safety. Tho Tourist Department recently purchased thirty pheasants from an Auckland breeder (suys the Rotorua “Times’';, and out of these twenty-six are alive. It is not yet settled whether they will be released or kept iu captivity to breed groin. Tho decision depends largely upon whether tho Stock Department uses loxine or phosphorus for poisoning rabbits. In the latter cause the members of tho Kod and Gun Club hold that it would be preferable not to release tho birds. Touching on the domestic servant problem iu tho course of his lecture at tho Choral Hall, Auckland, on Monday evening, the Rev. W. J. Mayers, who is conducting the present tour through New Zealand of boys from Dr Ifurnardo’s homes, stated that ho had been approaches!. by a New Zealand resident who had suggested that a number of girls fitted for domestic service should bo sent out to tho Dominion. Mr Mayers said that not only was it impossible to do so, but they wore unable to fully supply the demands for these girls at Home. “We get, on au average, thirty-three applications daily at Homo for girls for domestic service,” added the speaker. Forty-six members attended the monthly meeting of the Wellington Accountant Students' Society last evening at the Chamber of Commerce. Mr D. T. Stuart, president, occupied the chair. A very interesting lecture was delivered by Mr ii. F. von Haast on “The Effect of Ihinkruptoy on Antecedent Transactions,” in which ho dealt exhaustively with the salient points of fraudulent preference, settlements, covenants in consideration of marriage and parte of the Chattels Transfer Act. Ho quoted a largo number of interesting legal cases bearing upon the various points. The lecturer, who consented fo allow tho lecture to be printed in tho transactions of the society, was accorded a hearty vote of thanks.

A matter of some importance and involving- a Maori estate in Hawke's Bay worth, about .£20,000 will corny before the Native Appellate Court in Wellington tomorrow morning, when argument will bo heard on the application for a re-trial of the Wi Mafcua will case. Messrs C. P. Skorrett, K.C., and A. L. IX Fraser are opposing the application, Messrs P. -E. Baldwin and D. M. Findlay appearing for Pamoa, the applicant. The first hearing of the case was before the late Judge Butler, who, however, died Before decision could bo given. Then Chief Judge Palmer heard the case, but his decision was appealed against by a European numeU Reardon and others of the beneficiaries under the will. The next hearing was before tho Native Appellate Court, which decided not to grant probate of tho will in favour of Reardon and another. After this, leave to appeal to tho Privy Council wad sought and refused, and now application is being made for a now trial on the ground that new facts having an important bearing on the case have lately been discovered. Thirty-five members of the Wellington Rose and Carnation Club were present at fho sixth annual meeting last night in Godber's Cuba street.rooms. Mr C, W. Tringham presided. The annual report indicated that satisfactory progress had been made during the year, the shows held being very successful. The subscriptions received had totalled .£9O, the year ending with a bank balance of .£4l Is Gd. The assets were set down as being worth «893 18s 2d. with liabilities nil. The following officers were elected for tho ensuing year:—Patroness, Mrs A. K. Newman j president, Mr C. W. Tringham j vice-presidents, Mesdames Tuokey and Samuel, Messrs J. A. Tripe, E. Davy, and H. A. Fox; secretory, Mr W. G. Talbot; hon. treasurer, Mr G. Jeffrey; committee, Messrs W. Bourte, A. Richards, G. Remington, W. C. Read, F. Gale. A. Brown, and S. Lord. Hearty votes of thanks wore accorded to Messrs H. A. Fox and S, Lord, the retiring secretary and treasurer respectively, for their services last year, and the sum of ten guineas was voted to purchase suitable presents for them. Mesdames Tuckey and Tringham were also heartily thanked for collecting ten guineas for the purchase of a ladies' trophy for the exhibitor of the six best roses. It was decided that tli© rose show should bo held in the Town Hall some time in November, and to put arrangements in hand at once. Tho Lux Light Co. wish it known far and wide that the Lux Kerosene Gas Lamps give tho Cheanest and Most Brilliant Light on Earth Seeing is believing. See Te Aro House Bates and Lees', Wardell Bros/, Petone Workshops (where Lux replaced the latest devices in lighting). House lamps. 22s Gd. Lamps up to 2000 candle-power S §'^ 7 ' 39 *,P l<J Customhouse street (back of Opera House), Wellington. *