The Oamaru Mail. SATURDAY, JULY 18, 1914.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXXIX, Issue 12292, 20 July 1914, Page 4

The Oamaru Mail. SATURDAY, JULY 18, 1914.

The difference . between the Liberal

treatment of CusReform Taxation toms reduction and. Promises. the Conservative requires very little description'for a people which- has had. such close experience of both. The Liberal never talked reduction—he always carried it out first and- then explained it. The Conservative has.talked from the first and <lone nothing except to explain why lie could not do anything.good of any kind. The beauty . of this position is enhanced by the tremendous series of Conservative criticisms at the last election against the [ finance of the Liberals, who were described as having increased the taxation beyond the bearing power of the people. In vain was it pointed out that the Liberals had reduced the Customs duties by very large sums, which by the time of the criticisms had run into millions. These were derided' as inadequate: in vain was jt pointed out that'the increases of taxation complained of were not effected by statute, but were merely the result of the * good times in which the consumer spent .more money on dutiable -goods. The answers '.were incredulous criticism and abuse. Now the turn of this tide has come—Reform is in power face to face with its" promises of reduction. Nothing could, be clearer than the promise to reduce taxation through the Customs and in other way;' nothing more insistent or prodigal of promises, yet after two years there is not one of these pi-onuses redeemed, except by the concessions to well-to-do persons under the direct system of taxation and a few unimportant pension concessions, while the important average person who requires assistance i.s neglected and scorned even to the extent of: being, told that tlKup.ro mises of Reform to reduce taxation and the cost of living were mere electioneering cries. - Tin's position has been, before the countrv for some time past. The "Flying Squadron" took care to,keep it there, and the Liberal Press did not forget its duty of stirring up incessantly the mud provided by the Conservative orator of the past. Sir Joseph AYard has more than ouch made pointed reference to the fact that in spite of "Reform" promises of reduction of taxation, taxation as shown in the last Year Book has grown by 105.3d per Lead! of the population.' "This position

the .Reformers have never dared to j face, but oil Friday,, afternoon they were forced to do to in the House ol Representatives, and Mr Massey had to answer the challenge, of the increased 10s 3d per head, representing some half-million of money. His colleague, the Finance Minister, the hero of the •'mere election cry/' sat silent, and nave no help Whatever to his chief. The chief's reply was to charge Sir Joseph with having said that the Heformers had increased the taxation by statute. His .answer to the charge ot: failing to reduce taxation was that thev failed to increase it. This is ludicrous enough of itself, but there has been an increase, and the 10s 3d has bv this time been almost doubled, aiid as Mr Russell pointed out it now stands at £1.097.000. According to the Reform promise the public ought to have been:, saved that amount by this time, and a great deal more besides, but instead of trying to make nood'tlie promise to save, the Government actually declared that the promise had been a mere electioneering dodge. Within the annals of our history and for pledge-breaking the episode is unique.

According to a Wellington paper, trade is reported to be dull m the capital citv,~and buying of a hand-to-mouth description. Nevertheless engagements arc being-well met. and business is reported as of a very sound character. There has been a marked improvement in the position of suburban land, for which there, is a much better inquiry than there has been lor some time past. Building m the suburbs, too. although not brisk, has been "oiii" oil quietly .all through the winter, so far as it has-gone, and an impetus is expected in the spring. Hie local lending rates are practically unchanged. A mortgage, recently executed ivas on a basis ot 5 per cent., but the circumstances were exceptional. The current rate is 51 per cent, lor all first-class securities.

Having observed that .some people in New Zealand seem inclined from time +o time to question the accuracy of the prices cabled by the High Commissioner's offices as* representing those obtaining in the Home markets, the Auckland Star's London representative put a query on the subject: Had lie noticed the' fact, and, if .so. what wa.s hi,s rejoinder:-' "Yes," said. Mr Mackenzie. "L have observed it. and you mav possibly have noticed that those who take exception to our cabled prices seem careful to avoid quoting concrete examples of what they are pleased to term inaccurate reports. 1 am perfectly aware that my reports of prices do not suit certain people in New Zealand. At the same time, 1 am here to advise as nearly as possible audi if they 'thought the quotations were misleading, they would very quickly point out the supposed errors. They ought topoint them out if they think they exist, and until they do so this office docs not intend to take any notice of the criticisms."

There was on view in Mr Todd's window to-day -a catch of very fine red cod the -largest of which weighed 111b.

One of the oldest identities of the district in the person of Mr Duncan Campbell passed away at his residence, Hillgrove. yesterday. The late Mr Campbell, who was well known and respected, was 84 years of age, and had resided in. jt-he district lor considerably over 50 years, during which time he had followed farming pursuits. The Vancouver News Advertise]- recently stated that .it .is quite on the cards that the steamers of the Cana-dian-Australian line will soon bo armed with J..7in guns, in accordance -with the policy which is being pursued by the British Admiralty. The article goes on to say that in the event of the Niaga.a. Makura, and Marama, being so armed, it is probable that a similar course would be taken with the Canadian-Pacific Railway Empresses. Foily merchant ships are now armed with two 4.Tin guns at their stern, and the Fitst Lord of the Admiralty stated the other day that by the end of 1915 the number of merchant shins so armed would be increased by 75 per cent. On "Wednesday an Otago Daily Times reporter interviewed Mr C. Holdsworth, general manager of the Union Steam Ship Company, in regard to the suggestion that the Niagara, Makura,. and Marama were to be fitted up as armed merchantmen. Mr Holdsworth stated that up to the present he had received no information that the Admiralty proposed to take the course referred to, but that he had read more than one rumor to that effect.

A Totara supplier to the Waitaki liairy Company, Oannu'u, received a letter from his brother, who is a storekeeper in the Orkney Islands, statins ■thai he frequently bought "WaitakP Ivutter, to retail it to his customers. It is .rather a novelty lor one brother to produce ereuin on one side of-the '.globe in New Zealand and the other to sell it in his .store on. the other side.

We cannot be 100 omphalic in. our assertion that "Baxter's Lung Preserver really does cure roughs and colds." For over 00 years it has been used_ by the public, and has proved an uirfailins remedy for head colds and ehr-isfc colds. Even in stubborn cases it never failslo give relief, mikl. if taken in the early -stages it almost immediate-ly-effects a complete euro. When you have tested the merits of Baxter's Lung Preserver you will always keep a bottle in the house. Sold by all-chemists' and storekeepers at Is lOd a large hottic, or you can order it direct from J. Baxter mid Co., Chemists. - Christchurch.

Once try Camp Coffee, once discover what a time-saving, money-saving treasure it is. and other coffee will cease to interest you. 11

There are some articles that should lie in every house, and a reliable speeiJic for coughs and cold's is one. If you have to run out to the chemist when you need a dose the fold is almost sure to he neglected until it has obtained a firm hold. In the .selection of a cough remedy you cannot do better than* rely on one that has proved it-self-for over 50 years to ho an unfailing cure—Baxter's Lung Preserver. Even with stubborn colds of long standing it never- fails to give relief. Baxter's Lung Preserver is sold bv all chemists and' storekeepers at Is lOd for a largo bottle; or'it can be ordered direct from J. Baxter and Co.. chemists, Christchurch. 129

A popular pleasure resort to pass away a leisure hour is at the Crown Billiard Parlor next to the Post Office (North). The- room is spacious and well appointed having three good tables. The use of a private cue in case given to any. permanent player. Tournament games will be continued during winter, both Snooker and Billiards.—Cecil Jackson, Hairdresser and Tobacconist, proprietor. The final game of the Billiard Tournament Handicap will be played off on Satnrdav night, July 18th'. at the Crown Saloon.' next Post Office. Entries wanted for another Billiard Handicap. Permanent players at my room have the privilege of selecting a cue for private use. The tables (three) are the best and playres may play their games with enjoyment.—Cecil Jackson, Hairdresser and Tdbbacconist. If dark tobacco "dizzies" you and a light brand nips your tongue—then the obvious smoke is MILD DERBY—the true medium strength "weed." A tin or a, plug will prove it.' 26

Do you smoke and work too?/Then a ligiht tobacco, plays up with tho tongue while a dark brand is miles too heavy! Try MILD DERBY— the perfect "medium" smoke—plug or tinsr 28 Manv . a lending article has" been "helped along 5 ' "bv MILD DERBY TOBACCO. Journalists like it because 'tis neither too light nor too darkpromotes ideas without worrying the palate. In tins or plug—try it! 25