THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 1890.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 8919, 25 September 1890, Page 2

THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 1890.

It is rather an unusual thing for the Opposition to open the election campaign ; and unless they can put before the country a promising and popular policy, such as that which Sir Julius Vogel sketched out at Ashburton in 1884, it is hardly a wise thing in their own interests. The only reason that we can imagine for Mr Ballance's departure from the ordinary practice is that he felt that the conduct of his party during the session required excusing. The speech which he made at Wanganui on Tuesday evening must probably be regarded as an attempt to obliterate the past, and to make a big bid for the future. Mr Ballance began by taking upon himself fuU responsibility for the piecemeal retrenchment effected last session, justifying the reductions on salaries as having purposely been taken off large salaries. Beneath this popular way of putting things lies concealed an idea which is very fallacious. Where holders of high-salaried appointments are not performing duties of a value equivalent to the salaries they receive, it is of course necessary that their salaries should be reduced ; but to reduce a salary merely be- ! cause it is a large salary is a process which before long will put efficiency to flight. What we have taken objection to in the conduct of the Opposition is not that they insisted upon further retrenchment, but that they proceeded to carve out for themselves the details of that retrenchment in a manner which injured the efficiency of the service and did injustice to many individuals. As regards defence, what the country wants is to reduce the number of Volunteers and increase their efficiency, without adding to the total cost of defence—conditions which seem to be met neither by Oaptain Russell's nor Mr Ballance's plan. Upon the strike, Mr Ballance takes a view which may be described as an attempt to be impartial with a bias to the unions. That is to say, he will not commit himself to any opinion as to which party is in the right, but maintains that affiliation with Australia is necessary to the maintenance of unionism—a position which he in no way supports. We agree with him, however, as to the desirability of the

situation being fully discussed. In reference to the action of the Kail way Commissioners, he suggests that an independent tribunal was required to decide as to the cause of the dispute between the Commissioners and the men, and urges generally in connection with labour disputes the necessity for courts of arbitration. We agree with a good deal of what he says as to the mischief dono by "violent and bitter " partisans indulging in hysterica" " denunciations"; but it has to be remembered that the strike is doing a vast deal of injury to many persons who have nothing to do with the shipping interests, and it is not reasonable to expect them to take a calm and judicial view of the situation. Upon the Hutchison charges Mr Ballance takes a line, the gist of which may be gathered from the sentence, "he did " nob say the charges were true—he " would not say they were true till " proved—but ... it was exceedingly " suspicious," <&c. When in the debate on the Address-in-Reply last session Mr Ballance spoke of General Edwards as a " tout" there was a feeling that the tone of Parliament was being perceptibly lowered, but we could hardly have believed that the leader of the Opposition would descend to speak of a judge of the Supreme Court as " an " impostor and usurper." The ordinary courtesies apart, the use of such language implies a terrible lack of the sense of responsibility. The principal planks in the platform which Mr Ballance erects for public approval are a progressive land tax and the Land Acquisition Bill. That he has been guided by a sound instinct in recognising that the political problem of the day is how to open up for settlement in small blocks the large estates which obstruct the progress of the colony few can doubt, though we have doubts as to the expediency of his remedy. If it can be shown that the public necessity demands it the rights of private proprietors will have to give way, but how is a progressive land tax to be imposed so as at once to effect its purpose and be reasonably fair in its incidence ? That is the question to which advocates of a progressive land tax have to address themselves. The South Australian Parliament has during the last few months thrown out a similar proposal on account of the difficulties which beset the attempt to put the idea into practical shape.- In Victoria, where such a tax has been in operation for many years, it has, perhaps because it is not heavy enough, failed to effect its purpose. The whole problem is beset with difficulties which want to be handled by someone with practical knowledge. The second scheme put forward by Mr Ballance of making it compulsory upon large landowners to sell blocks suitable for small farming to co-operative societies of small settlers at a fair valuation appears to have a great deal to recommend it. We agree with Mr Ballance as to the desirability of putting an end to the exodus of population, but upon what evidence he founds his statement that the large extent to which dummyism has been carried on is a cause of it we should very much like to know. What authority, too, is there for the statement that " large landholders are buy- " ing out deferred payment settlers " who have improved their land" 1 This Mr Ballance gives as another cause of the exodus. It is the facility with which Mr Ballance makes statements of this kind that weakens confidenoo in him. The present Government has done nothing very brilliant, but it has a steadiness and stolidity which are lacking in the Opposition. Both parties, in Mr Ballance's phrase, " have had their chance "; and who can doubt that the retrospect of 1887-90 is far more satisfactory than that of 1884-87 1

We have authority to contradict tho statement which appeared in our columns on Monday last that tbe Railway Commissioners have withdrawn their advertisements from the Napier Evening News in consequence of adverse criticism. This statement, which came as a Press Association telegram from Napier is, we are assured, absolutely untrue.

Parliament will be dissolved on October 2, and a proclamation to that effect appears in this week's Gazette.

Our Wellington correspondent telegraphs:— " The Government have received numerous replies to their circular regarding a labour conference, but all have come from the labour side and none from the employers although six days have elapsed since they were sent out. It is thought now that the employers will not as a body agree to partake in the proposed conference."

In the Supreme Court yesterday the case of Robertson and another v. Howden snd others was continued. Evidence was given in tho forenoon, and after the luncheon adjournment Mr Jellicoe commenced his address on behalf of plaintiffs. It occupied close on three hours. Sir Robert Stout followed, and occupied the attention of the court for an hour and a-half, after which his Honor intimated that he would hear counsel on behalf of the other defendants at 10.15 a.m. this (Thursday) morning. The addresses will probably be concluded this morning, and, if so, the motion for an injunction in tbe case of Atkinson v. Atkinson will be taken in the afternoon.

His Excellency tho Governor, who has been on a visit to Mr J. D, Lance's station, returned to Christchurch on Tuesday evening.

The meeting of the Benevolent Institution Trustees, held yesterday afternoon, was attended by Messrs Haynes (in the chair), Carroll, Calder, Chisholm, Brown, and Green. Accounts amounting to £129 19s lOd were passed for payment. After transacting some routine business, some 40 applications for relief wore dealt with.

Last night's proceedings at the Maori Hill Borough Council meeting were marked by that liveliness which has usually characterised them of late. It almost goes without saying that Cr Rossbotham was present, and that a great deal of the diversion was caused by that gentlemau. He commenced by making an accusation against the town clerk, which Cr Mitchell promptly and flatly contradicted. Drawing himself up to his full height, Cr Rossbotham wrathfully exclaimed, "I won't tolerate any such interruption when I am speaking." This brought up three or four councillors, and the clatter of tongues commenced in good earnest. Finding his calls to order disregarded, the mayor adjourned the council for five minutes and left the chair. The storm quietened down at length, and with some miner interruptions business was proceeded with. But Cr Rossbotham found another opening when a motion with reference to the repair of a road which he had brought forward was shelved by nn amendment being carried to the effect that the work be done when the council was in funds. Cr Rossbotham proceeded in a vi ry impressive manner to argue in favour of the work beiog carried out, but became so discursive that his fellow councillors chaffed hira in a good-humoured way as to when he intended to come to tho point. Interruptions serving only to give openings for further digressions, members concluded that, as they had not hrought their blankets with them, they would make themselves as comfortable as possible. The mayor sset the example by lighting his pipe, aod as he took up his position at the fire, with his back against the mantelpiece, he was able to regard the speaker with complacency through the smoke of tbe fragrant weed, with which the air soon reeked as members got their pipes in full blast. It was some timo before the speaker's cloqueLCO expended itself, hut tbe end came at last, and, to satisfy him, the mayor again put the amendment, and again it was carried. Tho meeting finally terminated about 11 o'clock.

The proprietors of tho Now Zealand Referee appeared before tho Resident Magistrate at Christchuroh yeaterday to answer a charge of advertising a consultation. The case was adjourned.

According to a correspondent of tho Southland Times great changes are taking place in the management of farms in the Southland district; more grass is to be seen than ever was seen before. The Fairfax Dairy Factory will probably not run this year. Mr Ayson, of Dunalister, is selling off 100 head dairy cows, and other people are contemplating a -similar step. Thero are two great causes for this ohango. Sheep have been the most profitable investment on a farm for the past year or two, while cropping has been ruinous. Tha labour movements have accelerated the pace at which tho farmera were making these changes; in faot dairying was only profitable whero tho work could be carried on by mombers of the family.

A sad accident occurred recently at Fontainebleau, in France. A young student for holy orders, who was spending his holidays with the Abb 6 Leger, went to bathe in the river Seine, The abb 6 and his housekeeper's son remained upon the bank of the river. Suddenly a cry was heard, and the young man was oarried nnder by tbe current. The housekeeper's son jumped in to rescue hiin,and was in his turn sucked down* Seeing this, tho abb<?, who.' was 45 years old, jumped into the water without staying to divest himself of his cassock; but his movements were impeded, and, although a good swimmer, ho also was soon lost to sight. When at length help arrived it was too lato, and the rescuers were only able to bring up three corpseß.

Says the St. James Gazette: —" The cosy pipe and the luxurious cigar are among those things which have no savour of salvation in them. Such is the deoree of General Booth. In the Salvation Army the smoker is not wanted. He may join the ranks if ho likes, but bo long as he smokes he will remain in the ranks. Promotion is not for him. He may not even beat the big drum if in his moments of pious relaxation he burns tobacco. Mr Spurgeon has told ns that he smokes cigars 'to the glory of God'; Mr Booth prohibits them in the name of salvation. His army seems to be in some danger of becoming an engine for tho excessive mortification of lhe flesh. Every man is already a teetotaller; and when the smokers have been eliminated there will be no reason why the eating of meat should not bo prohibited. Too much asceticism is the rock npon which a good many emotional religions movements have gone to wreck. With no beer and no tobacco it will not be surprising if the members of the Salvation Army are more than ever anxious for Heaven."

The Kentucky mountains in the neighbourI hood of Pikeville have been practically controlled for many years by outlaws, illegal distillers, and desperadoes, and little attempt has been mado to put down the lawlessness that constantly prevails in that section of the State. Within the last five years more tban 200 murders have been committed and not a single person has been arrested. In Perry county, which is the centra o£ disorder, there is not a church, school, or telegraph offlce. The outlaws burnt the courthouse two years ago, and no attempt ha» since been made to hold court in tho county uQtil August 1, when Circuit Judge Lilly, guarded by several companies of militia, arrived in the town of Hazard, tho connty saat, and hold court in a large tent which had been erected for that purpose. With great difficulty the judge induced 16 citizens to act as a grand jury. In his charge he .aid that the county was 70 years old, and while only one man had been convicted of murder and sentenced to a short term, it was on record that over 500 murders had been committed. He said," I have missed several terms because I was satisfied that a court could not ba held. My life has been threatened, and I havo had every reason to expect assassination,but I have determined to do my duty." The jury consented to indict several persons for horsestealing-, but frankly admitted that they were afraid to indiot a number of tho outlaws charged with murder. So complete was the terrorism that Judge Lilly was obliged to adjourn tho court.

What our navy wants, according to Admiral Sir Geoffrey Hornby, is seamen, and by " seamen " he means men " bred under the sails." Steam is triumphant; bnt that in nowise affects the proposition that it is in the handling of sailiiiir ships that men become sailors. Are these (asks the Daily News) thu mere prejudices of an old naval man? Admiral Hornby, in reply, points to the rule of tho gi-eat Cunard Company: "No man shall take charge even of a watch unless he shall have commanded a sailiDg bhip for two years." The chairman of that company fold him once that whenever they found a promising young man growing up in their service they advised him to take a turn in a sailing ship. After that they might advance him. By whom, it is asked, were all the groat steamships commanded that bave done notable things —say those that laid the first Atlantic cables, aad still more those who firi'fc picked up a cable from the bottom of the AHautic? The answer is-—" By men bred uuder sails."

The members of Trinity Church "Wesleyan choir met ou Tuesday evening at Mrs Silk's to present Mr T. Faulkner, their organist, with a marble clock, suitably inscribed, as a token of respect on the eve of his marriage. The presentation was made by Mr G. H. Marsden, who referred to the able manner in which Mr Faulkner performed his dutieß, and his willingness to assist the choir on all occasions. There was a large attendance yesterday at the church to witness the marriage. The bride was Miss Skelton, and the ceremony was conducted by the Rev. W. Banmber. The choir sang hymn 998 as the bridal party entered the church, aud as they left Mr A. J. Towsey played the Wedding March.

The Pinafore Opera Company repeated the programme of Tuesday evening last night to a very good house. The " Queen of Leon " was exceedingly well sustained throughout, and most of the items were roundly applauded. After an interval "The Rose of Auvergne" came on, and was gone through to the entire satisfaction of . the audience. The part of lleurette, taken by Mrs Murphy, evidently suits her vivacious style, and she was deservedly applauded throughout. "The Merry Blacksmith" had to be repeated. In referring to this song yesterday we stated that the words had been set to musio by Mr Vallis. This is scarcely correct. The words and tho original symphony and air were written by Mr Umbers, and Mr Vallis slightly improved the air and set it to a fresh accompaniment. To-night will be the last of the short season, and as it has been decided to include* "Pickwick" in the programme, there should be a largo attendance. In order to allow those attending to get home in reasonable time, the performance will oommence at 7 45.

Tho alterations at the Princess Theatre are being rapidly pushed forward, and everything is 1 expected to be in order for the opeuing of the short season by Mr J. L. Toole aud his company which commences on Wednesday next. The celebrated comedian will open in two of his f.ivourite and most famous characters, namely, Chavtles in Byron'a " A Fool acd his Money," and Mr Spriggins in " Ici on Parlo Francais." Mr Toole has had imitators, and very good imitations some of them have given, but these two characters he appears to have made specially his own. His Mr Spriggins was first introduced to the London public in 1859, yet it still maintains its popularity in the veteran's hands. An English critic, referring to onr coming visitor, says:—" Toole is the best low comedian in farce at present on the English stago. If he is himself on any one evening no audience can complain, for he will be sure to thoroughly amuse them. He has a wide range of characters, aud although a real genius in farce, he has great ability in serious drama. Wo have seen many in a largo audience in tears at his performance of the old toymaker in Dickens' ' Dot.' Ho is a wonderful mimic. There is no look or sign at any time iv his irresistibly comic manner that would indicate vulgarity of any kind." ,

See G, and T. Young's stock of watches, docks, jewellery, sterling illver and electroplated gooda. Five first-class awards received N.Z. and U.S. Kxhibition 1889 90. Prices strlotly moderate. Largest and finest stook In N.Z. to seloet from.- (Advt.]