THE OTOGO DAILY TIMES THURSDAY, JANUARY 24, 1895.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 10265, 24 January 1895, Page 2

THE OTOGO DAILY TIMES THURSDAY, JANUARY 24, 1895.

A pEBTJSAii of the speech delivered by Mr J. A. MilijAß at the North-East■ Valley on Tuesday evening hardly necessitates any modification of the remarks which we made yesterday in regard to the tone of, Ministerial apologists. We are glad to admit that Mr Miltab's conduct and bearing during his first parliamentary session were in many respects praiseworthy. He must share the blame which, in our opinion, attaches to general support of a dangerous policy, but the extravagance oE his views on many subjects did not lead him into foolish self-assertion, and he soon came to be regarded as a modest and capable member. Nevertheless, he supported the bad new policy, and consequently his apologetic efforts have the laborious stamp to which the country is rapidly ' becomingaccustomed. The plight of Ministerial members is really so pitiable that we are almost tempted to regard disingenuousness on their part as a venial sin. We will give an instance of Mr Millab'S performance in this line. "He might point out that the present Ministry were frequently condemned for departing from the policy of Mr Ballancb. The press throughout the colony,- however; condemned that policy when Mr Bailancb was alive. Then why did they condemn the present Government because they had departed from that policy ? " How plausible it seems! And yet Mr Millab knows perfectly well that his apparent poser is in reality a miserable fallacy. There were twe sides to Mr Ballanob's policy: there was the .new taxing legislation, of which the Opposition press disapproved ; there was the abstinence from borrowing — the continuation of Sir Haebt Atkinson's policy of selfreliance—which the press most cordially endorsed. It is this latter and better half of Mr Ballance's policy that the . present Government has departed from—- the half which the press never condemned when Mr BaIIiANCE was alive ; and, for our own part, we must firmly decline to be discomfited by Mr Millar's dilemma. At the same time, our sympathy goes out to the member for Chalmers in his attempt to show that, though " he was one of those who were opposed to borrowing," there was yet nothing extraordinary in his support of the Ministerial proposals. He says that he does not quibble as to the use of the word " borrow " —that is, he is willing to admit that the Government has \ borrowed; but it must be promptly added that he did quibble, and quibble most lamely, as to the distinctive character of the borrowing. Surely it is time that this kind oil farce was brought to an end. Why do not these Ministerialist members go boldly to their ! constituents and say, " We did promise to support a, self-reliant policy, we did talk about the evils of borrowing ; but Ministers swallowed their words, so we thought that it would be well for us to swallow ours, and after all a borrowing policy is the best thing

for the country"? Who knows but that their constituents would forgive them for the sake of their candour ? But the reiteration of these paltry verbal hair-splittings is becoming positively sickening. We regret to notice, moreover, that Mr Millab declares his opinion that the policy of the Government has been opposed merely because private indiyiduals, companies, and syndicates have been (as he asserts) prevented from making a corner in money and extracting any interest they like. It suits Ministerialist speakers, grievously pressed for an explanation of the widespread opposition which a dangerous policy has evoked, to pretend that interested motives produced a phenomenon so ominous to their political prospects; but it is none the less true that the complaints of companies and syndicates contribute in a very small measure to the volume of the anti-Ministerial indictment. We should do Mr Millau's intelligence an injustice if we supposed that he is himself deceived by this kind of twaddle: the fact is that insinuations against companies and syndicates flatter the class feeling which is too largely represented in democratic audiences, and Mr Millar knows his business.

No part of Mr Millae's speech was less effective or more unreasonable than that which he devoted to consideration of the Dunedin tramways question. He objects to . the proposed supersession of the present tramway system by electricity, and points out that "if electric motor power were substituted that would mean the abolition of the employment of horse teams, and the expenditure on harness, shoeing, feed," and so on. Was an old high Tory doctrine ever so openly preached by a "Liberal" politician? If Mr Millar had been an influential person 60 years ago he would have opposed the railway movement in the interests of stage coaches and ihe good old-fashioned inns; so, at least, it is fair to suppose in 'connection with what he said on Tuesday. Why, his argument is, the very apotheosis of vested interests, to say nothing of stagnation and illiberalism. But apart from this view of the* question, we must remind Mr Millar that it has been found impossible to carry on the present system with anything like profitable results, and if he and those who think with him had their way the question would soon be not Is the present system to be superseded by electricity ? but Is Dtmedin to have a tramway service at all.? We take it that residents of the NorthEast Valley would hardly thank their member if he were to bring about the withdrawal of what has become an absolutely necessary convenience to the majority q£ householders and their families.

Mr Miliae has a, proposal to make in connection with charitable aid expenditure which the ratepayers and citizens of Dunedin -will not thank him for. "He thought a central board ought to bo formed for the purpose of administering such aid, and that the city endowments should be handed over to this board for revenue purposes.—(Applause.)" Mr Millae admitted this would mean robbery to Dunedin, but says the question is whether Dunedin has not robbed other places out of their endowments. The dishonesty of such, a proposition is so obvious'that it is not necessary for us to further refer to it, unless it be ,to suggest to Messrs Pikkbeton and 'Hutchison the desirability of seriously remonstrating with their political comrade. There is ona other salient point in Mr Mimae's speech to which we shall briefly refer in conclusion. Speaking of the proposal to tax the unimproved value of lands, he said: "He considered his duty in the House was to represent his constituency, whatever his own views were; and if the local bodies thought the taxing of the unimproved value on.land was not in the interests of the municipalities he would sink his own views on the subject." We have no liking for Mr Millae's views on land taxation, but nevertheless we trust that he is singular in holding this opinion concerning the right nature of a representative's duty. Such an estimate we cannot but regard as lowering both to the member and to the constituency. The electors must select the man whose views approximate most nearly to their own; but, the selection made, the member must surely vote according to his own conscience, and not make himself the mere parliamentary mouthpiece of the' constituency " whatever his own views be." No member has a right to vote for a Bill of which he disapproves, and a proper feeling of independence should prevent any man from claiming the right. The new doctrine of instructed delegation points to an utterly retrogressive step.

The Hon. Colonial Secretary, Sir P. A. Buckley, who is at present iv Duu^din on departmental business, will probably stay hare for several days and then return to Wellington.

For the subdivisions of Run 206f, Taieri Lake station, recently held by Mr Scobie Mackenzie, over 200 forms of applications—a number of which contain the names of several applicants— hsve been received. Seven of the holdings are offered under the optional clauses of the act and two as small grazing runs. The balloting for the sections will take p'.aoe at the Lands Office at 11 o'clock this (Thursday) morning.

A somewhat ununual incident occurred at the Police Court yesterday, when a case in which actions and cross actions were to iced up in a m"st intricate fashion wa* called upon. Mr Hanlon, who appeared for ono of the parties named Murrell, stated that the litter had a grievance against one of their AVoi'uWps (Messrs H. Gouriey and J. L. Gillies), and although he did »iot think he would fail to get justice he wished that an adjournment be granted. Mr Gouviey remarked th:\b it was he who wss referred to, and although he sat in his usual tuvn h« would muuh rather not adjudicats ia the affair. Ha than left the baneh Rud his place wai taWen by another justice. Mr Mouat, who appeared against Murrell, observed that he atao was glad that Mr Gourloy did not hear the case, as uudor the circumstances that gentlemen would probably lean, if anything, in Murrell's favour.

Me Paulio advised us last night:—" Light to moderate 15 E. to N.E. winds nudfine; indications of slight atmospheric disturbance. wetstward of 166deg E., but this will be most lik«ly in connection with storms on the east coast of Australia."

Some particulars of the Westporb Coal Company's report snd balance sheet for the year ended 33>t Dectmber last will he found in our commercial columns. The profit for the year is £16,400 7s 2d. An interim dividend of 3 per cent, was paid for the half-year ending 30th of June, and a similar dividend for the laßt halfyear is now proposed to be paid.

Oar correspondent wires fcb&t the question of tendering a banquet at InvercrtrgUl to the Hon. J. 6. Ward, Colonial Trer.surer, prior to his departure for London on the 29th inst., is being discussed in influential circles, and it is sore to eventuate if the hon. gentleman's arrangements will Dermifc. 9

A crisis has boen reached in the history of tho Mount Cook Hermitage, out of which something definite ought to arise. J. Adamson, bolder of the license, was on Monday charged before the stipendiary magistrate at Uairlie, on the information of Mr Rdper, wine and spirit merchant, of Christchnrch, with failing to provide sufficient accommodation as required by the conditions of his license. Defendant explained how he was situated, between the mortgagees on the one part and the nominal owners en the other, and his Worship inflicted a nominal penalty of ss, with costs (9»). Mr Adaoison wag in Tiinaru on Tuesday, and he informs the Herald that the Hermitage is now closed altogether, and that unless Messrs Garrick, Cowlishaw, and FisherJ agents for the mortgagees, instruct him to conj tinue to hold it, he will forfeit the license.

The Mail says that Mr Piper, of Addington, has been appointed stationmanter at Oara&ru, Mr Marcus, upon whom the appointment was at first conferred, having, for some reason unexplained, withdrawn. Mr Crombie will remain at Oamaru for another week to " ins Sa l" Mr Piper, and will leave for Dunedin to take up his duties there on Wednf sday next. ,

At a meeting of the High Schools Board in lavereargill yesterday it was decided to grant free education to 12 scholars freaa the primary schools. Only three candidates filled the required conditions, but to extend the privilege »9 far as possible the board increased the age from 14- to Hi, and lowered the percentage required from 60 per cent, to 59. For tho past two years the board have bsen offering this privilege to 20 pupils. This is a more liberal arrangement than that nnder discussion by the Secondary Schools Conference in Christtsburch.

Mr J. P.,Grossman, of Christchurch, who is to lecture to-night in the Oddfellow*' Ha.ll, Rattray street, under the auspices of the Bimetallic League, arrived from Christchurch by the express yesterday, and was met at the railway station by members of the council of the league.

There is (says the Westminster Gazette) only one entirely satisfactory feature in the Coding of the New Zealand court on the wreck of the Wairarapa, viz. — " The stewardesses displayed great heroism." Such a tribute to women's heroism is of special interest in the colony -which was the first to recognise Women's Rights. As at the same time " the ship's company did not do all that was expected of British seamen" perhaps the next experiment which we may look for in New Zealand is a ship manned by British seairomen.

At a puhlio meeting held in Oimara on Tuesday night it was decided to recommend that Thursday be fixed as the half-holiday. Exception was taken by several speakers to the compulsory clauses of the act compelling offices to shut on Saturdays, and Mr Duncan, M.H R., having been called on, expressed the opinion that the bill bud been badly framed; but, if Onmaru were unanimous as to one day, the act might be altered on the meeting of Parliament in a few months. He fought hard to have the act left open, but the representatives of the big towns where there were factories were all for Saturday, as it was expensive getting up steam twice a week. The act was evidently a bungle. Ie was refolved—" That this resolution fee wired to the Premier: 'That, as Oamaru had agreed to Thursday, and it had been successfully carried ont, the Premier be requested to t&ko the necessary steps to have the compulsory clauses of the act relating to offices suxpended, as far as Oamaiu is concerned, till Parliament meets.'"

Two New Zealanders are abonfc to devote themselves to the work of the China Inlsnd Mission—the Rev. William Malcolm and Mr James H. Todd. Mr Malcolm has lately resigned a ministerial charge at Gisborne. He studied for the ministry/at the Theological Hall of the Otago University, and while there took an active; part in the Sunday echool and outfield work of Knox Church, Dunedin. Mr Todd at one time was an officer of the Colonial Bank of New Zealand, and his been widely known for his active Christian work in both the North and South Islands for many years. Some three or four years ago he entered the Otago University to study for the ministry, and two years ago left for America to enter Moody's Institute at Chicago.

A etrike of doctors is threatened in Cork. After meetings at which it was declared that ib was no longer possible to go on giving medical attendance for the sum of 6a a year to the members of all the medical benefit c!nb3 in Cork, and after asserting that many members of* these clubs, were persons in the enjoyment of incomes rangiog up to £1000 a year, the wadical men j signed a rouud robin unanimously agreeing upon tbe. terms which they would accept from the clabs, and declining altogether to attend at oldb rates the families of | members whose incomes exceeded £200 a year. The officials of the dabs raised a howl of indignation, and said the proposals of the doctors j were extortionate. These proposals were that i the heads of families with incomes under £100 a year should pay Ts6d a year for attendance on themselves and their families, while those j j with incomes betwaen £100 and £200 should pay ' 15s a year for a like privilege. The doctors : replied by giving formal notice of the j termination of all contracts on December; 31. Thereupon the club officials addressed ' letters to thoir medical offioers, offering to come to terms with them individually. The medical officers held counsel together, and j replied through tb.B secretary of their organisation that communications from the clubs could only be received by that gentleman and not by individual doctors. Finally the clubs i assembled, and passed a. resolution protesting against the interference of this medical organisation between them and j their club doctors, and expressed their I intention to find medical men to take the place of the resident Cork doctors. There the matter at present rests, and the farther j development of this—the first serious profes- j sional strike — will he watched with some interest. Tha dramatised version of " Oliver Twist" wan played for the »econd time by the Kennedy Company at the City Hall last night, and was well received by the audience, though the absence of Mr Kennedy from the caat through illness was regretted. For Saturday night the Hibernian drama, "Peep 6' Day," is announced.

Messrs A. Lorie and Co. hold a fruit sale this morning. : Messrs J. Samson and Oo; will sell household furniture at their rooms this afternoon. Messm P,ivk, Reynolds, and Co. will sell houeehold furniture at Caversham this afternoon.

A promenade concert and entertainment, in which member 3of the crew of H.M.S. Royalist will take part, will be held on the tongue wharf thi« evening. The Green Island public school picnic will be held on Saturday. I'rom uex1-. week, Sunday fares from Danedin and Pelichet Bay to Port Chalmers will be instituted.

Messrs Wright, Steptenson, and Co. will sell draught mares and geldings at the horse saleyards on Saturday. The half-yearly purple lecture and paafcomcera' degree meeting of the M.U.1.0.0.P. will be held at Waikoututi to-movrow.

The annual niceting of the Westport Coal Company will be held on the 13th prox., and the transfer books will be closed from the Slat inst. to the lath prox. A reduction in the rate of freight to London on the New Zealand Shipping Company's steamers is announced.

Messrs'Howden and Walton will sell freehold property in Hieh street on the Bth prox. AH our euits are made to latest London fashions by expnrt cutter who has never been nreustomed to anything but first class work. W. Scott and Co.—[Advt.l The finest display of perfumery, Japanese goods, toilet cases, suitable for Christmas presents at A. M. I.oasby's, 171 Princes street. See windows.— [AnVT.I John' Hi-slop, Watchmaker and Jeweller, 74 Princes street. The oldest established house in town. Repairs of all kinds. Good assortment Watcl.es, GloiVs, and Jewollery. Spectacles to suit nil sights.—JA.mT.l Messrs A. and ,T. M'Fari,ane beg to call attention to their advertisement over the leader. Any orders entrusted to them will receive the best attention. —fADVT.]

See G. and T. Young's Christmas advertisement on first page, and note, "hat watch, clock, and jewellery repairs receive personal supervision of Mr T. G. Young. Competent; workmen only employed. Satisfaction guaranteed. Moderate prices.—{Adv.] Specially prepared sodawater for invalids, aa supplied by Thomson and i o. to the Dunedin Hospital, Union Company's entire fleet, and other public in-titutions. In nearly all cases of sickness Thomson and Go.'s sodawater is held in high esteem by physicians for its purity and wholesome action in assimilating with milk and othar nutritious liquids. Labelled with name and trade mark.-[ADVT.] Moluson ANK Co., George street, are ua doubtedly selling the cheapest line of purses we have seen. Note the prices r 6J, Is, Is 6d, Is 9d, 2s. 2s 6d. 2s lid; worth from Is to 7b 6d.—£AdvtJ-