THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES THURSDAY, JUNE 11, 1891.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 9139, 11 June 1891, Page 2

THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES THURSDAY, JUNE 11, 1891.

The session of Parliament which opens to-day will be watched by all interested in New Zealand with the most critical attention. Many of our new representatives are without any experience whatever of public life, and only about half of the members of the late House have seats in the present Parliament. The diminution in the number of members, desirable as we believe it was, has had its effect in reducing the number of experienced politicians; while the labour troubles brought into temporary prominence a number of men who are totally ignorant of the science of politics, "whatever more or less wild and " advanced" theories they may have formed for themselves in their own little circles. A new order of things is beginning just at a time when confidence has received a shock and no one cares to put out his hand further than [he can draw it back; while the commercial and industrial progress of the whole colony, except in one or two particular industries, is stayed until it is seen what our new rulers are going to do. A few hasty speeches, a few ill-considered proposals savouring of a rabid policy of socialistic interference with individual industry, and a hindrance to investment, s. withdrawal from all sorts of new undertakings, will immediately follow, producing duller times and a ■want of regular work such as always ■accompanies a want of confidence.

', Judging from the utterances of ; various Ministers, we may assume that : the principal matters to be dealt with during the next few months will be the Labour Bills, land settlement, abolition of property tax, substitution of a land and income tax, and public works continuance. These are the general heads at least under which Government will carry on its work, though there are several minor matters, some very excellent, others doubtful, and even dangerous, which are certain to crop up. With regard to what are called collectively the Labour Bills—the credit of introducing which belongs to the late Government, —there is not much to find fault with in those that have as yet been published, while there is a good deal in them of very useful legislation. They do not at any rate contain any of those heroic efforts to remedy all the wrong 3of social life by a sweep of the pen which ingenuous youths and men of little culture or training are so fond of proposing. At the most they are cautious and tentative efforts to improve the position of the servant without [ unreasonably hampering the employer. Land settlement may mean a great deal of mischief and very little good, or the reverse. While we are far from thinking that the Land Act is perfect, and cannot therefore be improved, we must confess to some doubts as to whether Mr John M'Kenzie can improve it. Mr M'Kenzie announced at Palmerston that he desired to apply the perpetual lease system to village settlements, and that he did not desire to make it the only method for acquiring land in the colony to the absolute exclusion of cash purchasers. In carrying out this proposition, he will supply a test as to whether the Anglo-Saxon earth hunger can be satisfied with leasehold even in a village settlement, or whether it can only be made content with freehold, no matter how humble the holding may be.

The abolition of the property tax and the substitution for it of a land and income tax is the crucial measure of the session, and we do not know whether the abolition or the substitution is the worse feature in the Government proposals. We need not repeat the stock arguments so often used in favour of the retention of the property tax. It is true we have got used to it, and property owners generally have accommodated themselves, so to speak, to its incidence ; it is true that it falls, as a rule, on those beat; able to pay, and so fulfils the first

requisite of wise taxation; it is also true that a few remaining hardships inflicted by it might be removed wibh a little care. However, in defiance o£ all these advantages the Auckland people are opposed to its retention, and Ministers have taken up the parrotlike cry and propose to cut off this source of revenue. As to the taxation which it is proposed to substitute, doubtless an income tax has to some extent logic and reason at its back, though there are practical arguments against it which seem almost overwhelming. It is a tax very unfair in its incidence, inquisitorial in its nature, easily evaded, and we should judge in the present state of the colony not likely to be particularly productive. A land tax must either fall with great severity on the bona fide farmer, or if ho is to be exempted, and Mr Ballance and Mr Seddon have both said that his burdens are to bo lightened, then by graduation it must be so burdensome as to amount at least to partial confiscation of the property of tho large landowner if the result to the revenue is to be considerable. Having regard to all tho arguments in support of a graduated land tax, it is difficult to avoid the conclusion that it means, and that it is intended to mean, confiscation. AVhether it is called by the more euphonious name "graduated," or plainly a " bursting up" tax, the result must be the same—namely, not only to render it impossible for large landowners to continue to hold their estates, but to confiscate part of their value to the uses of the State. It is more especially in the advocacy of this tax that we see the extreme danger of the use of arguments which will destroy confidence, and not only drive away capital, but most effectively prevent it coming to the colony.

On the question of the continuance of public works out of conversion money and without borrowing, although we have advocated the application of the funds that will be at the disposal of the Government to a reduction of taxation, there is no doubt much to be said in favour of the intention to find employment for the people in the prosecution of legitimate public works. The .difficulty will be in settling the details, and Vhen the Public Works Statement and the allocation of sums among the various claimants are made public, the merits or demerits of the proposal will manifest themselves. There are signs that works are to be distributed to purchase votes, but as yet these are not distinct enough to justify comment. There is a noble opportunity before representatives this session to show the wisdom of the people's choice. Will they take advantage of it ? '

The second session of the eleventh Parliament of New Zealand will be opened in Wellington at 2 o'clock this afternoon by his Excellency the Governor.

At yesterday's meeting of the Land Board Me Hodgkina applied, on behalf of Mr F. H. Daniels, of Glenorcby, for a grant of land for tha purpose of erecting huts for the accommodation of tourists and others visiting Mount Enrns'.aw. Mr Hodgkins explained that a large number of tourists frequented Mr Daniela' hotel at the head of Lake Wakatipu, and it was intended to erect these huts in order to afford further facilities than existed ab present for tourists who wished to mako extended explorations into the upper portions of the Wakatipu district. The board offered ao objection to the erection of the huts, but as tfcat particular part of the country in which it is proposed to build them is leased to a runholder, it was thought necessary that his permission should be obtained, and it was left to the chief commissioner (Mr J. P. Maitland) to arrange about the matter.

At the usual meeting of the Standing Committee of the Diocesan Synod, held on Tuesday

evening, Bishop Nevill mentioned that the Eev. Mr Lucas had arrived to take charge of the Waikouaiti and Palnierston districts, and alto drew attention to the very arduous work undertaken by ministers in country oures, instancing that of the Rev. Mr Martin, of Clyde, who had the supervision of a very large district, entailing constant journeys on horseback ia all kinds of weather, and calling for an amount of physical endurance to which few men were equal The Bishop read an extract from a letter he had received from Mr Martin, showing the immense amount of work that was got through in a year. Ho also referred to the question of raising funds for the carrying on of the Maori Mission, a work which was greatly needed, and it was resolved that the matter be brought before the synod at the next session. Notices in reference to the general election of synousmen, to be held in September next, were prepared and approved. The question of those churches that had not complied with resolution of synod to forward certain offertories to the Bishopric Endowment fund was brought forward, and it was resolved that those ia arrears should be written to asking them to forward the offertories at once lest the grant made by the general synod be lost.

Tho usual weekly meeting of the committee of the Dunedin Poultry, Pigeon, Canary, and Dog Society was held last night, and attended by Messrs Lossby (president), Lillico, Ralph, Russell, Hides, Fox, Carlton, and Anderson. The president reported that he had effected an insurance for £150 on the society's plant, the policy being made out in the names of the trustees. A letter was received from ths new Kennel Club calling a meeting for the 17th, and hoping the society's representative would be present. Affairs in connection with the show are in a very forward state. Promises of entries still continue to como in freely, and it is estimated that in the dog section alone the show will be an unprecedented success.

The Land Board having received a memorandum from Wellington suggesting that they should hold an inquiry into an alleged case of evasion of the Land Act, and, being in doubt as to their power to do so, resolved, at the ordinary meeting which was held yesterday, to refer the matter to the Crown solicitor to advise whether an inquiry could be held under subsections 2 or 3 of tbe " Land Act of 1885 " into the case of a pastoral deferred-payment licensee suspected of dummyism, whose license wa3 granted in Sep-

;ember 1880, and exchanged for a small grazing

license in November IS9O, having, with the consent of the board, been transferred to a purchaser from the lessee; also, whether the original licenseo can, under the circumstances above stated, be prosecuted, under section 29 of the " Land Act 1885," for having made a false declaration,

Already over 300,000 sacks of grain have been carried on the Southland railways this season to Invercargill and Bluff. The building trade at the Bluff is very busy, over 100 men being employed in erecting stores, &o.

The Lyttelton Times takes it that the gist of the decision of Mr Justice Denuiston in the Sydeuham licensing petition case is that the members of the committee cannot legally, and must not, approach their duties in any other way than as judges, elected to administer the Jaw as it is laid down, in the true spirit of the act. If tha law does not go so far as the Prohibitionists desire, they may set about securing aa amendment of it in a constitutional way; but the committee they elect must not make a law to ! suit itself. This was the burden of the decision in the case of Sharpe v. Wakefield, which his ! Honor referred to in his judgment. In that ease, whilst the House of Lords held that magistrates had power to refuse renewals, they laid it down clearly that the refusal must bo legal and regular, and not on arbitrary and fanciful grounds. The Law Lords also insisted that the application to renew muat be dealt with in a spirit of judicial impartiality; and, aa the Birmingham Post said in reviewing the decision, its result is that " every application has to be considered on its merits, and finally, one of the con> ditions in respect to every application has been judicially laid down to bs the ' wants of the j neighbourhood.'" i

F. B. Bearfc has been committed for trial of; Dargaville, Auckland, on a charge of embezzling the £1020, the moneys of Dargavillo County Oounoil,

It is reported from Christchurch that the adjustment of general averago connected with the barque Banca, which arrived at Duncdin with cargo tor Lyttolton and other ports in February last, has been submitted to a competent authority, who advises that legal proceedings should bo taken to sot it aside.

Another big estate is about to be broken up. The Glenraark aud Waikari estates, containing some 75,000 acres, are in the market.

Messrs J. h. Allan, J. H. Barr, T. Kennedy, T. Meek, and Captain E. Turpie have been nominated as Moderate candidates for the Oamaru licensing election! which takes place on the 10th; while Messrs B. Billing, D. Dunn, T. Hilliker, J. Oliver, and G. T. Evans are the Prohibition candidates. The North Otago Times states that as the result of the contest the rates have como in au thoy never came before. Last year the number on the roll was 733, while this year the number is 864.

An unpleasant incident happened at the iiitting of the Resident Magistrate's Court, Wellington, last Friday afternoon, during the hearing of the charges of falso pretences brought by F. W. Cottrell against J. F. Robs. Mr Jelliooe (says the Evening Press) was examining the prosecutor, who had just replied to a question, when Mr Gray, who appeared for the defendant, was heard to mutter something in a very low tone of voice, whereupon Mr Jellicoe turned to the presiding magistrate, Mr Robinson, RM., and accused his learned friend of having made a most improper remark regarding the answer of his witnesB —that he had said, " It's a d d lie." Mr Gray admitted having made the remark, but in a very low tone. "Mr Jellicoe, however," said Mr Gray, " like a great tell tale of a schoolboy, wishing to get a schoolmate into trouble, had rushed off to the master to repeat it. He most certainly withdrew his observation so far as regarded the court, which he never intended it to reach, but he had not thought his learned friend's capacity for eavesdropping was so great. Ho questioned Mr Jellicoo's right to mention such an observation as he had made." Mr Jellicoe said he had only done it in the interest of his client, to whose evidence the remark bad applied. Mr Robinson said he, of course, could not allow such language in the court. He, himself, had not heard it, but hoped the members of the bar would not cause any further trouble in this way. The case was then proceeded with.

The Northern Advocato says:—" Mr Simpson, district engineer, has received instructions to survey the Government land at Purua into areas suitable for the settlers whom the Belgian Consul, Mr Masy, is introducing from Belgium. As stated in a previous issue, about 50 families have already|arranged to come from Europe and settle at Purua as soon as the land is surveyed. This will be chiefly a Belgian settlement, though come Frenchmen and a few of other nationalities have also decided to take up land at Purua. If the settlers who are coming are of the same class as the Belgians already settled at Farua, the settlement will be a great success, as those we have in the district have proved most excellent settlers. They give one the impression that they have come to stay and intend to make this their home. They are cheerful, and speak of the district and of their chances of success in the most hopeful manner. Their houses are comfortable and very ' natty,' and the little flower and vegetable gardens show great taste and a thorough knowledge of the work. We hope that the Government will deal liberally with Mr Masy in enabling these people to get nothing but good land and on bottom terms. A more promising settlement was never started ia the I colony."

We have received from Mr Braithwaite several specimens of T. Nelson and Sons' school book series, which we shall notice shortly.

We are requested to draw attention to the announcement in another column that perions desirous of belug enrolled bb electors and of voting at the election of Church of England Bynodsmen must be registered within one month.

Messrs Donald lisid and 00. sell 30 draught and light harueto horses, an entire colt, 250 balfbred ewes, and 40 eteers and heifers, at Greytown, on June 16. They also hold a clearing sa'e of stock and implements at Maungatua on June 19.

'ibe Farmers' Agency Bale at Balclutba has been postponed until June 12.

Mr George Todd (on behalf of the Mutual Agency Company) soils dairy cowa, horsos, Sea., on June 15 at Fine Hill.

Mr D. M. Speddlng sells wines, spirits, &c, on June 16.

A series of five lectures_ by Dr Stenhouie, under the auspices of the St. John Ambulance Association, will ba commenced at the Fire Brigade Station this overling.

I)r Dryedale, by advertisement, accedes to the request of tho Port Chalmers residents who asked him to allow himself to be nominated ks a representative to the Harbour Board.

Have you read Kd*n George's announcement in a oolumn advertisement on another page ? Everyone who neglects to purchase a deposit ticket will ever regret it.—[&r>VT ]

Marriage Presents.—lntending purchasers of above are respectfully invited to inspect the new goodß just opened at G. and T. Young's, 38 Prineea street, Dunedin. Two shipments new goods received this month,- [Advt.]

Money can be obtained from 11. Fransis, Octagon (next Athenaeum). Kepftid weekly, monthly.—Advt.]

JOHJf Hhi.op, Watchmaker and Jeweller, li Prine&j etreet. The oldeit established houtein town Repairs of all kinds, flood assortment Wfttchet, Olooki. and Jewellery. Spectacle! to ooit a)! rights.—[Advt.]