THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 23, 1895.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 10264, 23 January 1895, Page 2

THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 23, 1895.

Ebadees of the political speeches which have been 'delivered since the prorogation of Parliament can hardly have failed to note a striking difference of tone between the utterances of the two political parties. Speakers on the Ministerial side almost invariably assume an apolog#ic attitude: laboured defence, special pleading (more or less audacious as the exigencies of the question under discussion may demand), and a_ dexterous evasion of argumentative difficulties—these may be regarded as the regular elements of the so-called "Liberal" addresses, Ministers being sufficiently prominent in giving their supporters the oratorical cue. The Opposition speakers, on the other hand, are confident, straightforward, and lucid. They have a plain tale to tell, and they tell it without sophistical verbiage or nervous half-hearted-ness. It may be. urged that the Ministerial, position in controversy must always be defensive, and, in a certain sense, apologetic: it is _ the business of the"* Opposition to criticise the doings of the Government, the business of Ministers and Ministerialists to justify those doings. True, to a certain extent; but the difference to which we have referred is far too abnormal at the present time to be fully explained in this way. The simple fact, and there is no reason for mincing it, is that Ministerialist speakers know that the main policy promoted by the Government during the last session o± _ Parliament is a policy which it is almost impossible to attempt to justify with whole-hearted confidence. They know that it is a policy which the country has , never sanctioned— nay, which (by reasonably obvious implication) the country has deliberately vetoed; and they know, too, that many Ministerial actions in the course of the session, apart from the main line of policy, were of such a clearly improper character that anything like conscientious approval is well nigh impossible. Hence it is that the speeches of Ministerialist members, where they have not been cynically critical or utterly commonplace, have been almost pitiably laborious. To quote from a speech which we are about to notice: " The followers of the Government had been aptly described by one of Ms (Mr Dbthie's) colleagues as 'dumb dogs.' This was a very, strong expression, and had caused some consternation, but he felt that if men sacrificed all independence of thought and all political principle, and plunged the country into debt wlien they had been sent to Parliament pledged to selfreliance, the term was not too strong." In the words which we have italicised may be found the secret of most of the oratorical ineffectiveness — the contradictoriness, the wordsplitting, the puzzled painfulness— which characterises Ministerialist utterances at the present time: the country placed its imprimatur upon a policy of selfreliance, upon which Ministers and their faithful supporters have deliberately turned their backs. Members of the Opposition, as" we have said, do not adopt this distressed, apologetic manner when giving an account of 'their parliamentary stewardship : they have no occasion to do so; and Mr Duthib's speech at Wellington on Friday night was a capital example of straightforward political exposition^ Not that there was anything specially new in the address: the unvarnished and inglorious story of last session has been 4 told a good many times; but since the Ministerial special pleading is continually being urged upon the attention of a too-easily gulled people, it is well that the indictment of the Opposition, in all its simple fulness, should be brought forward with periodic insistence. Mr Duthie believes, and we believe with him, that the people as a whole have no great amount of confidence in the present Government, which has broken its pledges and betrayed its trusts ; but it behoves prominent members of the Opposition to see that the facts of the political position are not forgotten. The House of Kepresentatives contains few more capable, level-headed men than Mr Duthie; and, this being the case, we rejoice to notice that the sorry history of last session has served to convince him that the system of party government is not what he once thought it to be. " During the session he did not give a vote that he said he would not give, with the exception of one vote, and that was on the Elective Executive Bill. On the platform he had argued that the system was unworkable, but when he got into the new House he found a state of things of which they had no previous example, and he considered it was right that he should vote as he did." In dealing with the Colonel Fjiaser affair Mr DtrraiE made a timely remark which we wish specially to emphasise.

Ridiculing the Premier's miserable tv guoque argument —the argument that this Government must not be blamed because previous Governments had acted likewise—the speaker remarked that the present Opposition only numbered 21 or 22 members, about five of whom only had been there continuously, " and they disclaimed any responsibility for former politicians, some of whom were dead and gone." We have already shown that the former politicians have been in many respects maligned by the Promier ; but Mr Dutiiib undoubtedly takes up the right position in regard to Mr Shddon's principle of jobbery by precedent.

We do not think it necessary to go through Mr Duthie's speech in detail, seeing that most of the opinions expressed havo been advanceel on previous occasions in these columns. One remark we disagree with: Mr Duthib thinks that Parliament should have refused to pass the Bank Guarantee Bill, and he declares that he is the only member of the House of Representatives ■who was prepared to vote against the second reading. " His opinion was that if things had been allowed to take their course no such, disaster as was prophesied would have occurred." Be this as it may, Ministers came down to the House and threatened members with the disaster, so to speak; and under the circumstances Parliament would not have been justified in assuming the enormous responsibility of refusing to pass the Bill.. Far better was it to accede to the demand, and leave the responsibility of ■ future developments on the shoulders of the Government. Mr Dfthib's remarks on the Pomahaka purchase were reproduced in our issue of yesterday, and his recent visit to the estate lends a special value to his unfavourable opinion. Taken in conjunction with some of the remarks of the special reporter sent by the Ch.ristch.urqh Press to Cheviot, the words spoken at Wellington must make somewhat unpleasant reading for the Minister for Lands. Mr Duthib observed that Mr John Douglas was understood to be negotiating for the sale of another estate, and aptly suggested that " it would be well if an eye were kept on the transaction." In conclusion we will quote a few words from another part of the speech:—■ " The task of the statesman should be to reconcile all interests. In order to settle land there must be capital, and he maintained that capital should assist labour, and labour capital. Harassing legislation had assailed every interest, and confidence had been shaken. . .

OwiDg to continued harassing legislation confidence amongst ail classes was disturbed, and all the "people were suffering in consequence." Yes, " the task of the statesman should be to reconcile all interests," and there will be no permanent prosperity for New Zealand until this truth or truism is duly^ appreciated by Ministers and Parliament.

We are utill without any European cables, none having been received since Saturday lsst. The Sydney Morning Herald, referring yesterday to the cable interruption, states Jhat the sudden silence of the whole service, with its duplicate wires and triplicate cables, will accentuate the demand that the colonies should have an alternative servioe under totally different conditions, and such can only bo Bupplied by the Pacific ronte.

The Colonial Treasurer has taken credit for the decline in mortgage rate 3of interest on the ground that the Advances to Settlers Act has exhilarated the movement. But the truth would seem to be that the decline is a general movement in accord with the universal decline in values all over tho world. Our Melbourne correspondent, writing on January 16, states that the latest mortgage transaction concluded in Victoria is at 4-} per cent.; .while it is a significant fact that a leading firm of solicitors advertise in the Argus their desire to advanca £30,000 on Riverina properties at G per cent.

Sir Patriok Buckley, Attorney-general and Colonial Secretary, arrived in town last night from the north.

Ihe police authorities are about to institute proceedings against two well-known bookmokero for "tote" betting. The cases, which will come on for hearing to-morrow, will be laid under the Gaming Act of last year, which provides for a penalty of £20, in default three months' imprisonment, or for both imprisonment and fine.

A young man named George Elliott wns arrestad at Mosgisl yesterday on a charge of stealing, at Wingatui, a set of buggy hornets,

She property of Donald Ksid,

His Worship the Mayor (Mr H. S. Msh) and Mr M. Fraer presided at the Police Court yesterday, Annie Smith, convicted of drunkenness, was fined ss, in default 24- hours' imprisonment, and a charge of breaking a pane of glass belonging to Joßepb Cragg, preferred against John Stewart, was adjourned until this morning, '

Mi J. Rennie, 8.A., of the Caversham School, has been selected to fill the position of rector of the Port Chalmers District High School,- in Succession to Dr CcilGon, who recently resigned.

Six farmers were called upon at the Magistrate's Court in Milton on Monday to auswer charges of failing to keep the rabbits under check, and in five cases convictions were recorded, and fines varying from 20s to 4-Os, with costs, were inflicted. Tho sixth information was dismissed, Mr B. 8. Hawkins, S.M., holding that the defendant had used his bast endeavours to cope with the evil. Commenting 03 the cases his Worship said it seamed quite evident that the farmers were all try ing to keep down the rabbits on their respective properties. The trouble, however, was that every man was working independently of his neighbours, the result being that while one man was working another was idlo, and wben he started the first had just finished. He wsb satisfied that until systematic and united action was taken throughout the district they would nevar arrive at a satisfactory solution of the difficulty. At Balclutha last week Mr Hawkins inflicted a fine of £15 upon Mr J. W. Thomson for failing to keep down the rabbits on (ha Lakeside property.

A meeting oE tho Ssa Nymph Lodge, 1.0. G.T., No. 70, of H.M.S. Royaliofc, was held in the Choral Hall lodgi room last evening, when there were over 120 msmbere of the order present, representing all thsj local lodges. Bro. Kobinson, C.T., presided, Bro. BtalliQg> L.D., being with him on the platform. Three members were initiated, and other routine business was transacted. Tbe following were daly instilled a? officers for the. ensuing quarter by Bro. Stalling, L.D., assisted by Sinters Payne aud Cameron :—C.T., Bro. Reynolds; V.T., Bro. Daymoab; P.C.1., Bro. Kobinoon ; chaplain, Bro. 0. War;!; secretary, Bro. Far-

low; A.S., Bro. Hopkins; treasurer, Bio. Patton; F.S., Bro. Hocking ; D.M., Bro. Pond; M., Bro. Murphy; G., Bro. frith; and sentinel, Bro. Lauder. Six members applied for and were granted permission to receive their district degres, which was conferred upon them later in the evauing. Songa, recitations, and speeches, contributed by members, made the msetiug a pleasant aud profitable or.c. There beingno accommodation on board theabip to kold meetings, the lodge in only able to hold meetingo when in port. The memberehip is over 20. The lodge has been inotitufced about 18 months.

Not abashed by what happened last Friday night, Mr J. M'Lacblsn, M.H.E., addressed his Leeston constituents on Saturday, and actually received a unanimous vote of confidence.

The Minister for Lands is to be entertained at a banquet at Kurow.

Mr Paulin telephoned last night:—" Light to moderato S.hl. to N.E. winds; mist on east coast; fiuo elsewhere."

A special meeting of the Port Chalmers District High School Committee was held on Monday evening, and attended by Messrs Morgan (chairman), Mill, Kettle, Walkor, Allen, Ness, Cook, Gardner, and Thoincon. A lotter was received from the Education Board dficlining the assistance claimed by the committee. "It was resolved that the matter bo again praised on the board's consideration, and that a committee, consisting of Messrs Nes», Mill, the chairman, and secretary, aofc accordingly. The secretary of the Tennis Club wrote asking permission to uoe one of the school rooms oocaflionally, and to be allowed to remove the bellpole to some other site. The chairman was commissioned to grant tho use of one of the rooms only on special occasions, it being left to the Visiting Committee to decide how bast to deal with tho removal of the fccll-pole. The resignation of Dr Chilton'wns received, owing to his intention of entering on the study of medicine. The committee expressed deep regret at losing his valuable services, and tha (secretary was instructed to notify Dr Chilton to that effect. Accounts amounting to £5 3s ware then passed for payment.

A telegram which haa besn received from Auckland state* that the mission there by the Rev. Thomas Cook, WesleyaD evangelist, has been opened mos'o auspiciously. The Pitt street Chutoh had a large and representative congregatiou in it on Sunday morninglistening to a thoughtful and impressive discourse from the preacher. On Sunday afternoon the body of the cciurch was filled with Sunday school eebolars of the agea of 12 and over. After the close 4-0 names of girls and 30 boyß were taken down as having made the great choice. In the evening all available space in the church, including the communion rail and pulpit steps, was packed. Between 30 and 40 names were t&ken of those who had conscientiously received pardon of sins. .This, Mr Cook sayo, is his most successful beginning so, far in a colonial

Wo understand that the Hon. Mr Ward will be entertained at a social gathering to be held in one of tho city halls on Saturday evening next. The programme of the proceedings will include » speech by the hon. gentleman,

> . The AlbaDy street School Committee held a to special meeting last night, at which there was a l' full attendance of members, Mr M. Cohen 3 was present by invitation to explain the scheme g for ihe classification of pchool teachers sub- > mitted by him to the Otago Education Board. _ After an exhaustive explanation hard been made, , Mr Cohen was accorded a votß of thanks on the motion of Mr Eggers, seconded by Mr A. T. Anderson. The nomination of candidates for 5 election to the Education Board was adjourned " for a week. ' Major Young, of Winchester, Sonth Canter- > bury, has bien awarded the Imperial decoration I for volunteer officers. This decoration was ; institWedin 1892forthevoluntear9intho United r Kingdom, and was subsequently extended to the voiunteerfl hi Canada «.nd the colonies. The 'Ximaru Herald understauda that length of ' servico is one <of the qualifications for* ths reward,' and in this respect there are very few volunteer cflkers in New Zealand ahesd of : Majo? Youag. The past season has (says the Oaniaru Mail) 1 evidently been highly favourable for the pro- ■ dnction of shsop"'flt for export as frozen mutton. ' For some time past the Eveline abattoirs hare i been working at high pressnrc, the daily [ average of Bheep ri&nghtered aud frozen being fuily 800; but it has nevertheless been found impossible to meet the demand, and yesterday a mob of some 1200 grand freezers were railed to Burntide to be slaughtered at the company's worka there. The sheep thnt are being killed in Oauiarn this season are n prime lot, and it ( is asserted by competent judges that the lambs j are the finest ever shipped away as frozen meat. I The excellence of the condition of the iheep is r attributed to the plentifulness of goad feed— m r.ot rank growth such as that of the previous wet season, but well-matured and luscious grass. ' • The question of employing shorthand writers in law courts has been revived in Victoria by a letter from Sir Henry Wrixon, which has been received by the Premisr. , Sir Henry states that when he was at Washington ho saw Judge Hajes, who is liosd of tho staff for reporting cate3 beforo the Supreme Court of the United States. He was told tb'afc the reporters were all officers appointed by the Government, but that their reports mainly cotuisted of the written judgments of the court, and the cases were all legal arguments not involving the tailing of evidence. In Massachusetts there was a system of appointing a stenographer for each regular ssisions court, and the stenographers so appointed were sworn officers of the court, having salaries ranging from £300 to £Woj«sr antmm. The nystem there is described i a"B only'a partial succes-i. The courts get into the way of hwinj every little case reported, and the work Vf>.z invownee, requiting a larger staff shau io provided. < A somewhat cmious point was raided ia the Police Court at New Plymouth on Thursday lest. Thn News reports that several charges weie preferred against three youths, two of whom pleaded not gnilty, whilo tho other acknowledged his guilt. Sergeant DufSn, who was conducting the prosecution, s«d' he would Ksk that toe information against the boy that pleaded guilty be withdrawn, as he would be the principal witness against tho other two, whereupon counsel for the latter (Mr Weston) mined fcba point as ta whether the applioation could be legally granted. The boy had been charged with1 the o2euce, and had pleaded, and thsrefore he contended ttat sentence must be passed upon him. The Bench, after a short deliberation, ds tided to defer their decision until next day, when the lads would appear again. Sergeant Dnffin also asked that tho defendant that pleaded guilty bo admitted to bail,, and the others be kept in custody, advancing &s his reason the Btatsment that if the boys were allowed to get together the evidence of hin witness would no doubt alter very materially. Counsel remarked that it was a rather pcculi?.r position. The two bojs who denied the offence were to be denied their liberty, while the boy who admitted ho had committed a breach of the law waa to be set free. Tho Bench decided the question by refusing bail to the lot. Mr John Outhie, M.H.R., who is leaving this week on a trip Home, was entertained at dinner at the Wellington Club on Satutday evening, by a number of his mercantile and political friends. Mr John Ems (Sargood, Son, and Kwen) oooupied the chair, and Captain Babot tho vies-chair, while ths Hon. E. Mitchelson, M.H.1!., and Mr W. C. Buchanan, M.H.R., were amougat those present. Tho Dune'Jin Burns Club have put forth a very attractive programme for the national gathering, to be held in the Garrison Hull on Friday night, in celebration of the anniversary of the poet's birth. I'hSre will be numerous musical selections, but tho main featureof tt.6 entertainment will hi an address by Mr Scabie j Mackenzie, who, stranger as he is to the public platform in Dunedin, may reckon on a hearty welcome, and who may be depended upon to I j give the audience, sn interesting and psssibly j r.-.cy spasch. The appearance of Miss Frances j Raos, who ia to give a recitation, will be another feature of tha gathering. Misn Ross has ' ! hsd a dramatic training, having played in ! 1 ■ Messrs Brough and Boucicault'a Company, ! ( : with Mr G. C. Miln, and in Mr Augustin [ i Daly's Company, in which she supported Miss ■ Ada Rehan. She har, recently returned to New , j Zealand, where her relatives reside, and the : [ Burns Club are fortunate in having secured tha j first engagement of her for Dunedin. Those who have had the opportunity of hearing her recite state that she is a really powerful elocutionist. » Messrs A. Lorie and Co. will sell a large consignment of fruit this morning. i Mr J. A. Millar addresses the Port Ohalmcvs : section of his constituents this evening. ; I Tho Farmers' Agency Company will hold their | t fortnightly stock sale at Clinton on the 31st inst. • , Messrs Wright, Stephenson, and Co. will sell small grazing runs on Saturday afternoon. c The appointment of the police constables at t Green Island, Mosgiel, Outrarn, and Middlemarch n as collectors of the dog registration fee on behalf of the Taieri County Council ia notified. Dividend warrants are now payable by the Roxburgh Amalgamated Mining Sluicing a Company. : y' I In connection with the Canterbury Summer n races, cheap excursion fares to Christchurch will fbe issued at the Dunedin railway station.

Tho attention of shippers is directed to tha fact that the rates of freight to London by the Port Melbourne and Btoomere to follow her have been rcdnced. Particulars will be furnished by the Shaw, Savill.and Albion Company and tho New Zealand Shipping Company.

Fruit will bo very cheap to-day (Wednesday), aa Messrs Loriu and Co. are cellins, without reserve, an enormou* shipment at 10.30.—[AnvT.] All our suits aro made to latest London fashions by expert cutter who has never been accustomed to anything but first class work. \V Scott and Co.—[Advt.l The finest display of perfumery, Japanese goods, toilet cases, suitable for Christmas presents at A. M. IiOASDY'S, 174 Princes street. See windows.— [Advt.] John HrsLOF, "Watchmaker arid Jeweller, 74 Princes street. Tha oldest oatabliahod honae in town. Repairs of all kinds. Good assortment Watches, Clocks, and Jewellery. Spectacles to Bult all Btehtß.—[Aovt.l Messrs A. and J. M'FARLANis.beg to call attention to their advertisement over the leader. Any orders entrusted to them will receive the best attention.—fAm'T.]

See G. and T. Young's Christmas advertisement on first page, and note t hat watch, clock, and jewellery repairs receive personal supervision of Mr T. ti. Young. Competent workmen only employed. Satisfaction guaranteed. Moderate prices.—[Adv.] Specially prepared sodawater for iuvalidß, aa supplied by Thomson and Uo. to the Dunedin Hospital, Union Company's entire fleet, and other public institutions. In nearly all cases of sickness Thomson and Oo.'s Bodawater is held in high esteem by physicians for its purity and wholesome action in assimilating with milk and other nutritious liquids. Labelled with name and trade mark.—[Advt.]

Molt.ison and Co., George street, are un doubte'Jty selling the cheapest line of purses we have seen. Note the prices : 6d, Is, Is fid, Is 9d, 2s, 2s 6d, 2s lid; worth from Is.to7s fid.—[Advt..