CURRENT TOPICS

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 7024, 12 January 1910, Page 4

CURRENT TOPICS

HON. T. MACKENZIE’S SALARY. A Press Association message states that when tho Prime Minister was in Dunedin yesterday bo was questioned by an “Otago Daily -Times” representative concerning a paragraph in an Otago newspaper stating that “tho Han. Thomas Mackenzie is now a full salaried member of Cabinet.” Sir Joseph Ward stated that tho paper was “a bit ahead of it.” He added that some such arrangement as that suggested was under ocfnsidoration, but pointed out that anything affecting the personnel of tho Cabinet bad first to receive tho approval of tho Governor. “If you had nskod. me about this tomorrow,” raid Sir Joseph, “I might have been able to give you more definite information.” WHICH DAYP Anniversary Day, January 32nd, is mot a statutory holiday. Consequently .there is a possibility that some division of feeling _ will he manifested whether the holiday shall be observed pn tho Saturday or tho following Moniday. Under so mo industrial awards provision is made for the observance of (Anniversary Day on the date on which St falls. The shopkeepers, however, aro in a different position, as under the Shops and Offices Act they are not ihound to close. Small shopkeepers (who observe tho Wednesday mlf(hollday prefer to remain open on Saturday and close on tho following Monday, while the larger places of business and factories prefer to obsijrvo ffho holiday on Saturday, ns it will mean tho closing of only half a day additional in tho week for them. Soma (doubt has arisen in the minds of tho (smaller people as to what thoir position will ho if they docido to close on Hie Monday—whether, they will also have to. observe the usual half-holiday in the same week. This, it appears, is tho case unless tho Monday is declared n, special holiday by the Mayor. Overtures will-probably ho made to tho Mayor to make such a declaration-—■ (but, of course, unless there is a fairly ■unanimous request it would not ho 'done. In any case tihe small shopkeepers may observe tho Monday Without (rendering themselves liable to a. breach ,of the law so long as they also observe the usual Wednesday halt-holiday. CHEERFUL CANTERBURY FARMERS. A very favourable report of farming in Middle and North Canterbury was given by tho Hon. D. Buddo (Minister of Public Health and Internal Affairs), who returned yesterday from tho South. Tho wheat harvest has already commenced, and tho yield is likely to he over the average. Though the oat crop has been considerably broken down by high winds, will come out at average. Feed is plentiful, stock is looking well, and lalbliough the fat lambs have brought 3s per head lower than the average for the last fire years, this deficiency is to some extent compensated for by tho high prices ruling for wool. Tho prospects tor frozen moat aro regarded oa a little more favourable, and tho condition of the great producing industry is generally so satisfactory that farmers are to he found making early prophecies of a record -export this year, THE FINANCIAL OUTLOOK. A well-known city ■ finance and property agent informed a “New Zealand Times" representative yesterday that the financial outlook waa very bright at present. “People seem to hnvo got over the recent financial scare,” ho remarked, “and money Seems plentiful. There is absolutely no doubt about this. lam certain wo will have a good year. Tho rate of interest will b< down in a few weeks to 6 per cent.; and there will ho plenty of money available. Property is again moving, and inquiries and sales aro now very good. Things arc beginning to ‘shift’ again and tho public is gaining confidence.'” THE HALF-HOLIDAY. Mr C. I. Dasent, Mayor of Karori, got off a little joko last night at the expense of tho Wellington City Conn-* cil. Ho had just boon appointed the /borough’s delegate to attend tho /annual conference to decide on which day the weekly half-holiday shall bo /held, when Councillor Hildreth suggested that it should be a recommendlation to the Mayor to vote for Saturday, and ho moved accordingly. This evidently tickled Mr Dasent. “I have [been to several of tho meetings,” ha (remarked. “As a rule the delegates (arrive five minutes lato. The Mayor of Wellington occupies tho chair, and a Wellington city councillor jumps up , and moves that Wednesday bo the ‘ day. Tho Mayor at onco declares the .motion carried and the meeting takei in all about three minutes.” (Laughter.) In further elaboration of this Mr Dasent said the Wellington people evidently considered that Wednesday was settled upon for all time. As a matter of fact there was so much objection to tho alteration of tho day in the city that Saturday had no’hope. It occasionally happened at the conferences that: Saturday was suggested, and the person who had tho courage to move in such a direction was instantly told to go out and talk to tha shopkeepers 1 Councillor Hildreth’s motion was carried by five votes to three. The Mayor remarked that ho , would certainly follow' tho load of Mr J. W. MoKwan, Mayor of Potono. who had stated that Pctone had led tho way in regard to tho eight hours system and was desirous also of introducing the Saturday closing movement. In regard to the same question. Wednesday was yosfnrdav selected os tho day for the holiday by the’ Hutt-County Council. The Nelson "Painters' Union ban mad* demands on their employers foe new terms of emnlovjnent. The demands will l>o considered at a sitting of a Council of Conciliation, at Nelson on. the ?flth inst.. Mr P. Ually, Conciliation Commissioner, presiding.