The Oamaru Mail. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1910.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 10591, 21 October 1910, Page 3

The Oamaru Mail. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1910.

Wiien the Opposition take the platform to abuse ■ tho Opposition Criticism, the Government they present tho strange spectacle of men trying to sever their political enemies from tho creed that has taken them to the political front. One method of doing this rests on the claim that all the measures are stolen from the Opposition, which opposed them, the other on a general disparagement. The lirst, having not even the appearance of foundation, is unsafe. The other being favored by the abundance of rumors which are always circulating about everybody and everything may at least afford precarious resting places for a rapidly-Hy-ing foot. Such was the foot of Mr Herdman, who entertained a Wellington audience and the readers of a newspaper with a grievance with the general platitudes of his party. Grumbling of the "Doctor Fell" order, the critic made a strong point of his indictment, but it is a. point in all indictments of this sort. Inconsistencies were another, but the only inconsistency proved is the very proper change with regard to the bookmakers made after' full experience—a right thing, not a wrong thing. Four excellent measures in two years admitted by this critic make a fairish allowance for a Cabinet that has neither plan nor objective, and no ey» not dimmed by political rancor ever sees them except in company with others equally good. Had the critic been on the line of pre-dis-covery the number of measures would have been larger. Had he been suggesting that he would keep things as they are the number would have appeared greater, very much also. The true basis of the Opposition criticism Mr Herdman could not conceal. The only live part of his speech was that dealing with "the evils of taxation and labor legislation, which were striking terror, as he declared, into the heart of capital. Land monopoly aiid sweatj no -—these are the things it appears to conserve. The enemies of them must be told by all honest speakers that they are effete, useless, unenterprising, void of objective and plan and governed bv deputations. Why the fact happens to be notorious that the deputations (which we grant are numerous) are the critics of most dissatisfaction with the Government. We have heard too many trumpet blasts, which failed to shake the Liberal hold of power, tobe afraid of the tin whistle from Wellington North, squeaking of vague unrest and aimless grumbling and criticism 'lwithout either objective or plan."

Mr M'Gowen has won'a Pyrrhic victory and finds himLabor Victory in soli' in a difficult poN.S.W. sition. How lie will make good remains to be seen, but all we know with any certainty is that a majority of two is not always n potent instrument ol rule. However, such a majority has ruled in this Dominion and done good work—or bad, it is a matter of opinion—in the past. In favor of the Labor leader is the fact that his party is more homogeneons, stands solid, knows what it wants, works together with discipline and understanding. Had-the Liberals been so constituted in New South Wales in the beginning of the Labor agitation (same date as ours, 189U), Labor and Liberalism might have made an alliance as profitable and lasting as the one which has subsisted for the last eighteen years between the two forces here in the Dominion. But Liberalism over there was a small force and those who range themselves under the Liberal banner are for a large part conservatives of the various patterns known in. Australia— upholders of monopoly (especially of land monopoly), diverters of/trade from natural routes for the maintenance of central supremacy, which retards, not encourages, the development of the public resources. The Fat Man was invented in Australia hecause he was brought iuto beiug to. typifv the product of circumstances special to a certain period of Australian history' He has ' remained on Jus pedestal ever since, and he enters mto the politics of the Continent in a way peculiarly his own. Ho is more conservative than all the dukes and marquises and belted earls of all the peerages of all the world He had good qualities, which have helped to make Australia, and he has bad ones, which help to prevent further progress. As he is, he stands on the side opposed to Labor at every election, and lie calls himself a Liberal. The only thing Liberal about that statement is the extreme liberality of exaggeration. He has friends in the Press who are of lnm and Eor him, and can see no evil in its composition, regarding him as a sort of pecial creation of I'rov.deiice lhest ,ave been shrieking wildlv at the treatment accorded to then- fat lnencTs l>> Labor, and they hav* shown a lamiiaritv with strong language which

makes up for the lack of strength \vhick .their style has long exhibited •' past. Nevertheless, the defeat of their side. came. The weakness of their side is the Fat Man who is calling .himself a Liberal—would have called; himself anything to avoid being mixed.Jap with Labor—from' the ranks of J .ivh"ich much part of him arose —and dragged down the Liberal side. He it was."who forced on the Government the drastic strike law which sent the Labor leaders to prison in spite of their good fecprd, and kept them there in spite of;.tli6 rare opportunity for clemency afforded -by the new King's accession. , That policy completed the unification .of-La-bor',.which stands in front with a majority of two. It has announced; a virile, sound, sensible, necessary policy of reform which aims inter alia at cutting down the usurpations and aggressiveness of the capital, setting tliu population free from all monopolies, commercial as well as of other sorts. The Fat Man will, in consequence, be weeded out of the Liberal nyiks almost uri- ' mediately, and the Labor chiefs'policy will appeal to the best men .of tho ranks depleted of the octopus. .Then shall we see the possibility of stable government and the sound hope, therefore, of tho resumption of the rate of progress which deserted New South Wales long before her youth was spent.

Our Wellington correspondent wires that the Oauiaru Harbor Enabling Bill has passed the Council, and will probably finally pass the House this afternoon.

The distribution of prizes in connection with tho recent skating carnival will be made this evening in tho Drill Hall by his Worship the Mayor. As this is positively the last night tho rink will be open this season, patrons will probably tako advantage of tho opportunity of enjo\ing a iinnl skate.

.The anniversary services in connection with the Wesley Sunday School were continued hist evening, and those in charge of the proceedings should have occasion to feel gratified at tho splendid results attained. Right throughout the services records for tho school have been the order, and at both the tea. and public meeting last ilight there were again large attendances of parents and adults. Needless to say the children who attended the former

meeting did ample justice to the tilings they took in hand, and a similar compliment is due to them for the splendid manner in which they carried out the programme or. songs, dialogues, recitations, etc., at the latter service. Mr Williams, who presided, gayo a few remarks at the commencement, and later in the evening Mr F. G. Marshall, secretary, read the annual report, which was of a most encouraging nature. Both the number of scholars on the roll and the average attendance were larger than the previous year, and altogether the year's work had been most successful. The only regrettable note in tho report was the fact that tho teaching staff was decreased in numbers, and an earnest appeal was made for two ladies and one gentleman teacher to cope with the ever-growing number of scholars. Mr J. C. Yorke (superintendent) mado a few remarks on tho work of the school, and exhorted all present to do their best by the scholars, in encouraging them in their work and assisting them in every way possible. The future of tho Church lay with tho children of the present day, and ho knew of no better work than that of instilling Christian principles into tho minds of tlie growing generation. At the conclusion of the proceedings Mr Williams caTled for a vote of thanks to all those who had assisted at tho anniversary services and to the teachers, and this was most heartily given.

The following note-, just received by a citizen from a friend in Wellington South, will prove of interest to thelarge number of persons who are looking forward to the Anglican mission : "We have thought it very probable you would like to know about the-mis-sion hero being so well- attended and apparently most successful. Not only Anglicans, but all denominations, have signified- the help it has been to them. We at this end of the city were fortii-

nate in having tho Rev. Stuart, and, as he is going to Oamaru, just take the golden opportunity of hearing him and getting anyone you can, old or young, to hear' him. His very broad Christian principles and teachings are sure to lie helpful to all and' sundry, lie was equally successful with children, women, and men;' there were services for each. The general mission

services were crowded- every evening. Mrs thinks that the afternoon

meetings for women would greatly interest Mrs and the girlie, while you would rejoice in the other addresses."

Kakanui people are to bo treated to a visit from the members of the Wesley choir and friends on Thursday evening next, when a concert will be given in the. Athenroum Hall in aid of the renovation of tho Kakanui Church. A splendid programme of musical and instrumental items has been prepared, and in view of the entertainment being for a. local purpose a large attendance should bo the result.

Flags were flying to-day over tho Government offices and principal business establishments in honor' of the Trafalgar victory. The Parishioners of St. Luke's held their annual social in St. Luke's school-

room last evening. This social is generally held on the night of the patronal festival day; hut other events being already fixed for that date this year it was postponed for a couple of days. The affair last night proved most successful, a really excellent progra-inme of musical items and recitations being provided, and supplemented by tho ladies with plentiful and tasty refreshments. Ladies and gentlemen who contributed to the entertainment of tho evening were the Vicar (Rev. J. G. S. Bartlott), Mrs Batson, Misses White, GifrorcL Messrs Armstrong, Powell, Burry and Woodward.

The programme for this evening might be termed a special holiday bill. Of the scenic class of film, there is an series illustrative of . Aixje-Thennes, and which might be expected to produce some excellent' views. The .dramatic studies are represented in "The Poem of Life," Sealed Instructions," a and "The Woman Who Didn't." The necessary relief will be afforded ill "Wouldn't It Tire You" and "Ted •Wants to Marry his Cousin."

A bold attempt to obtain £2O worth of cash and enjoyment for 20s was mado at the racecourse yesterday. A young man went to the ticket box at tho entrance to the saddling paddock with-a postal note for 20s folded so as to show the "twenty,'' but not the "shillings. This he handed in at the pigeon-hole, saying to the attendant, "Here s a postal note for £2O, give me £l9 10s change." In the rush and hurry tho attendant fell into the trap and gave the change and a ticket. Directly it was discovered that the changes had been rung, the police were informed, and Sergeant Stagpoole and ConstableCassidy effected a clever arrest. At the Court this morning thfc arrested man, Daniel Connor, was charged with the theft of £l9 10s. tho property of the North Otago Jockey Club. Sergt. ■ Stagpoole asked for a remand to Monday. This was agreed to, and at therequest 08 Mr Hjorring, Mr G. Brownlee, J.P., who was on the bench, fixed bail in two sureties of £25 each. At the meeting of tho Otago Education Board yesterday, the resignation,of Miss Helen M. Hunter as mistress at Papakaio was accepted. , A complaint was mado by tho Kia-Ora Committee that the pupils were kept in class books too long and kept back 'when they should be put,-forward. In refer.iphco to this Inspector Richardson reported, that tho present slow progress of the pupils was due to over-cln'ssilica-tj'qn, and that "tho: teacher deserves credit rather than blame for withstanding'the. parental pressure to promote pupils before they are lit for it." A largo number of people found their way to tho Opera House last evening to witness an excellent programme of moving pictures shown by Mr M'Donald. Two very interesting scenic pictures were "Northern Venice" and "Scenes in the Vosges Mountains." "Shooting an Oil Well" proved ;\ very instructive picture, while the story of "Red Eagle's Love Affair" was watched with great

interest through its length of WOOft of film. "The Thread of Destiny," "A "Baby's Power," and "A Son's Forgiveness" proved very ploasiiw dramas, and were loudly applauded. The comic lilms were of 'an exceedingly amusing nature, the chief heinu "Calino Goes Travelling." "The Clown and Tlifl Dogs," and "Wafer on Kvery Floor."

' T^tf.'necessary musical accompaniment was supplied by the Patho Orchestra under the able direction of M.r Jesse Stroud. There will be another excellent programme shown this evening. A Press Association message states that his Excellent the Go\oinor left Hastings, per motoi car, for Featherstone this morning. He intends to inspect the Te Ante Nati\e College en route.

"The North Otago Highland Pipe Band held competitions this week tor trophies presented b\ Messrs Robt. Whyte (Ngapui:i) .md Jas Stevenson. Pipe-Major Koheit Thomson officiated as judge, and hoiioiai\ member W. W. Blair acted as supervisor. The conditions of the (oi'ij)f lition were that each player should play two tunes, and the awards should he made on points gained. Alter an excellent competition, in which man} members took part, the judge announced that Pipers W. Smart and D. Jackman were the successful members. Pipe-Major Thomson in giving his decision, complimented all the playeis on the improvement made, and urged- them to piactise steadily, paving attention to their fingering etc." He desired all the-mem-bers to attend' the weekly practices so as to get into good'form for their engagements.* Hearty votes of thanits were passed by acclamation to Messrs Thomson and Blair for the manner in which they had conducted the competition; It was arranged that the annual meeting "be held on Tuesday, Ist jNovember, and the officers were empowered to make the necessary arrangements for the social reunion, to be held immediately after the business was finished. The secretary was instructed- to convey the Band's sincere sympathy with Mr M. Francis, of Duntroon, in his recent sad beieavement A vote of thanks to the chairman closed a most pleasant evening. . Do you get as much exercise as jou should ? If not, take Steams' Wine or Cod Liver Extract—increase your appe-tite-rbuild up weakened tissues—gain in strength. "■

-It makes one anxious—any loss of '"weight. PHOSPHOL will rebuild a constitution. Large bottles sold by all - . Chemists.