POLITICAL NOTES.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 10420, 24 July 1895, Page 2

POLITICAL NOTES.

We can hardly doubt that the Government will sea its way to grant the request of the remarkable meeting of sympathisers with the object of the Miners' Association. The association, as was stated in the resolution proposed by Mr Rylry, has been formed purely from philanthropic motives, and assuredly it belongs to tbat class of benevolent undertakings for which it was intended that State subsidies should be granted. , To refuse help, indesd, wonld be tantamount to throwing cold water on the efforts of every member of the community who is willing in a practical wav to further Urn permanent solution of the unemployed cumculty; while, from another point of view, disinclination on the part of the Premier would nerve as a enrious commentary on his olaim to he res?anl-d as a friend of tho mining industry. There was a time, according to Mr S. N. Bbown, when Government cheerfully gave £2 for every £1

subscribed by prospecting associations in I Otago in order to develop the mineral re^ sources of tbe province; and tbere is a double motive in the present caso which should ! appeal strongly tothe practical sympathies of the Government. An Monday's meeting mention waa made of wliat ba3 bean done in New South Wales in this direction, and in another article in this issue we qnote Mr Reeves's report oc the matter. The Premier, observes Mr Reeves, knows whether something of tbe same kind could ba done> in New Zealand; and' we miy take it upon, ourselves to add that the Premier knowa that something can be done, while his praclical instinct must convince him that the Miners' Association is setting about.fche work in a right and promising spirit,; Iv his telegrams to the Mayor of Dunedin,- and- in - bis speech at Christchmch, Mr Seddon had a great deal to fc say concerning the duties of local .communities in regard to the unemployed. Dunedin has answered nobly to the/call, and the latest (and.jwlsest) manifestation oE local enterprise must '_ not seek in vain for reasonable acknowledgment at the hands of the Government.

Mr J. W. Kelly and Mr Sa us ders are to, be congratulated on their- courageous determination to have no part in sanctioning the objectionable financial methods of che Government. The general political sympathies of both members are doubtless more with .Mr Seddon and his colleagues than .with "Captain Russell and the Opposition; but.neither is inclined to allow party considerations to influence his judgment of wrongful actions. We strongly suspect that the Ministerial majority : contains other members whose, consciences are far from easy, and it oaly: remains to hope that searchirgi of heart will finally bring emancipation to these also. Some there are, no doubt, who, like Mr Gkaham, are hopeless. For one moment the, member for Nelson made a show of independence: let the , Treasurer admit that the words " unpledged securities "were used, and he (Mr Gra ham), would vote with Oaptain Russell. The admission was made, and the heroic GRAHAM marched— into the Ministerial lobby. Nor can tbere.be much hope for mon

like Mr Pinkerton, .' whose experience of last session taught him- that party government isa good thing,—converted him, in fact, from an anti-party reformer into a de-

lighted partisan. That change on the part bf the senior member for Dunedin is oue of the Saddest phenomena in contemporary politics, We shall ,'nofc be surprised, however, if the results of the Genera! Election in the United Kingdom teach a thing or two to some of our ", Liberal " representatives. Their meditations on the possibility of an unpleasant reaction in New Zealand are not, unlikely to modify their subservience as the day of reckoning draws nearer. Meanwhile, Messrs Saunders and Kelly are to be felicitated on having attained to comparative freedom.- ■'.'■" v ■ '*:■'■

Certain lessons of the Home election may be specially commended to the consideration of tho Minister for Labour. The Premier, in. a speech delivered some months ago, did seem to indicate tbat, in his opinion, tbe time had:.come. for rest, as regards industrial legislation, though, the words were subsequently explained away with a view of sparing Mr Reeves's susceptibilities. For Mr Reeves does not believe in rest. His soul is set on the multiplication of statutes, mostly undesirable. The Shops and Shop Assistants' Act, with all its tyrannies and absurdities; sits lightly on his soul, and to his making"of bills there is no end. One of tbe latest paternal'proposals is the Public Tenders/Contracts, and Works Bill.'" The provisions'are to apply to all tenders called for and contracts entered into by the Government or local authorities as contractees for the construcaon of works involving the employment of workmen, and. to the making* of boots, shock, and clothing by any parson! firm, or company as contractor. Bvery tenderer is to mske declaration that, be will pay ihe "generally accepted" rate of wages and | observe the generally accepted hours of labour. He must 'furnish a list of the names of the various classes of labour he iatends'to employ, with the minimum rates of wages'; and:no tender is to be accepted if the contractce has reason to bslieve that " generally accepted " rale is not-being complied with..-The same provisions are made in regard to the carrying oat of contracts, and no contractor;is to make a sub-contract, save for suoh special portions of the work a?-,, in the opinion. of the contractee, would not! be executed by the contractor in the ordinary course of; his business. The contractor is liable for defaults of a sub-con-tractor, and liabilities and conditions are also imposed on the sub - contractor. Local authorities are empowered to let contracts on the co-operative system without calling for tender's, the "generally accepted"rate 3 and hours being the basis of contract. Eor ! the purposes of, the act the Court of Arbitration may be called upon (by the Governor on the petition of an association of workmen or employers') to fix the number of hours and the rate of wages. "As often as required," the contractor is to show his books, with ail details,' to any person appointed by the contractee; and altogether tue contractor's life: is not to be a happy .one. We cannot avoid a suspicion that Mr Reeves wishes to make it as unhappy as. possible, with a view to making ordinary contracting a thing of 'the past. At the same time the bill has its good points, and as it is probable tbat other and better, motives have had a share in actuating the preparation of the measure, we bave no wish to condemn ..tho proposals finally until Mr Reeves's defence of them is forthcoming.

Our old friend, the Undesirable .Immigrants Bill, puts in an appearance with a new name and (we are glad to admit) a reformed character.1 The Asiatic and Other Immigration Restriction Bill is the new and laborious name, and<, the avowed object of the proposal is to safeguard the race-purity and health of the people, to prevent the burdening of the .pnblic funds, and to protect Naw Zealand workmen from unfair competition. It must not -be taken for granred that the bill is altogether desirable merely because it is not the wondrods bill of last year; and Asiatic Governments may have something to say to tbe imperial Government iv tbe event of it becoming law. A ship may only bring one Asiatic in proportion to 200 tons of ship tonnagf, and' for every Asiatic a poll tax of £100 must be paid. No Asiatic is to carry on business as padlar or hawker, t'ae penalty being £50 for the offence, with an extra £10 for every day after tbe first. Exemptions can, however, be obtained by Asiatics who are in the colony at the time-of tho passing of the bill. For the rest, the term " prohibited person" includes every j contract workman, insane person, habitual j drunkard, every person " likely" to become a pnblic charge, every person suffering from contagious or infectious disease, and every person who has been adjudged guilty in^ n? country of any offence involving (in Kew Zealand) imDrisonmenS for 12 months. The first and last of tbese descriptions obvioasly afford matter for "much controversy, ihora is an ezcention in favour of contract workmen who' come to take part in a new industry, or an industry "for which suitable workmen cannot conveniently be obtained in New Zealand "—and the word "conveniently may mean a good deal or very little, ihere is the extraordinary provision that it at any time within threa months of arrival a passenger by any ship becomes a charge upon a charitable institution or asylum, or applies to any local authority or Government department for work or assistance on the ground of destitution, all expensas incurred on his behalf dnring tbe space of four years from his arrival "shall be a debt jointly and severally payable to her Majesty by the master, owners, charterers, and pate of such ship," &c. Tbi* is one of tbe old "undesirable" proposals, and we can on y say that it is too utterly riaxulous to admit serious argument. Mr Bsbvks will do well to take another year. This 7«" b^» better than last year's: next year s may be a reasonable proposal.

There was no sitting of the Legislative Council yesterday. , - - The answering of questions, and a motion for the adjournment of the House consequent upon certain replies given by the Colonial Treasurer, constituted the business yesterday afternoon in the Houee of Representatives. In the eveuing the members got through a lot of work The Family Homes Protection Bill, the Criminal Code Amendment Bill, the Adoption of Children Bill, the Auckland and Parnell Endowment Lands Bill, and the Evidence, Further Anum*""®' BiU were P:l9sed' '£ho Mmm- Compos Bill, the Asiatic and Other t ■ & n«i Restriction BiU, the Animals ProImnrgratioa i«-u . teetion BiU, a"d the I,OUCID& BIU were rescl a second time. Tke motio" for the seeon£l rond- • of the R&ting on Unimproved Valuta Bill invoked a lengthy discussion, and tho debate was eventually adjourned.

At 10.20 last night Blr Paulin advised us :— " Weather, although indications very unsettled,

will likely continue fine for about 2$ hours, with moderate to light N.E. to S.E. winds."

A special meeting of the City Council, held Ust night, wss attended by his Worship tho Mayor (Mr H. S. Fish), Crs Solomon, Orr»U,

Cohen, Haynes, Swan, M'Gregor, Gore, Wales,

and Gourley. The following resolution was agreed to :—" That in the event of the Taieri County Council giving their assent to the application of the City Council of Danedin for permission to ereat an abattoir on pact sections 35, 36, 37, and 38, block V, Lowar Kaikorai district, such land being within the limit of the said county, this council hsreby agrees to undertake (he defence of aud indemnify the Taieri County Council cgainst auy sun vc action at law br other cresequences which may be brought against ii or arite:lheruf.-oni." It was also resolved—"That the f'e.d of-the corporation be affixed to the resolution and tfae B»me be forwarded to the clerk of the Taieri County Couucil." His Honor. Mr Justice Williams was engaged throughout the whole of yesterday in hearing evidence in the case of Brown v. Hood and another, which is of a peculiar character, the plaintiff (as trustee and executor of the will of his brother, the late Thomas Brown, and guardian of the latter's child) claiming the custody of tho child from its mother. At 515 the case was adjourned, and as his Honor leaves thi/ morning for Wellington to attend the sitting of the Appeal Court, the date at which it will be resumed has in the meantime been j lift, undecided.

The following gentleman have been constituted the board of trustees of the Otigo Miners' Association:—Messrs George Fenwick (chairman), A*. Lorie, Wm. Taylor, H. F. Hardy, tfohn Christian, and John Ryley. Mr Fenwick. will act as hon. treasurer, and Mr Lorie as hoii. secretary. Mr T. M. Macconald, Crown prosecutor in Invercargill, arrived from the southeast evening tn route for Wellington, where he will be associated with Mr H. Gully, the Crown prosecutor there, ■. in appearing to show cause upon tbe motion, to be made before tbe Court of Appeal on Saturday next, in the ci«e of Regina v.

Minnie Dean. Dr Findlay, of Wellington, has

besn instructed by Mr Hanlon to move for leave to appeal. It is understood that Mr Hanlon

ia endeavouring to arrange with counsel for the Ciown to conent to the flrst coming application being treated as a formal motion, and to take the argument when a case is stated.

The weekly meeting of the Roslyn Parliamentary Union was held last evening, 14: members being present. Mr A. "Matheson moved— "That ib U desirable that Freetrade should be established." Messrs Bowen,: Fraser, Scbultar, .R.Watson, Flynn, and Mellor took part in the ; discussion which followed, but eventually, the tho hour being late, the debate was adjourned until the next meeting. v

The Westport Coal Company have been endeavouring to secure vessels fur an erport trade, and have sent: ordera to the United States, the United Kingdom, and Außtrali* to charter suitable vessels to load at Westport. Tbey have also made offers, to every sailing vessel coming to tbis colony whose draught would permit of her loading at the. port mentioned, but up to this present time bave been unable to charter any vessels. .::.:;

. Messrs W. Wardrop and R. Watwn were the presiding justices at the sitting of the City Polico Court yesterday morning, when one first offender oha; ged ■ with- drunkenness was convicted and discharged ;; and another, who was drunk while iv charge of ahowe and cart, was lined ss, with the alternative of 24 hours' imprisonment. ' "■'/

An observer of animal life (says the Vienna correspondent of the .Daily News)-has collected a number of notes upon the- behaviour of animals , daring the • recent earthquake at Laibach*. A railway guard observed that.some minutes before the flrst shock was felt his owl,. chained to the tool house,.cried as if for help, and-'he was with it when the earthquake began. "Some forest- guards observed hares running as if for taeir lives up a hill before the.first shock. Partridges flew a long distance. , A gentleman: who spent the night of Easter.Sunday in acarriage saw the pigeons and hawks on a tower flying round it every time that a shock was near. Sparrows and redbreasts also nattered about, and seemed to overcome their fear of men. Tho most excited of all wer§ .the horses. They, trembled long before a shock occurred, and some fell on their knees and sides. The dogs howled the whole night. When a shock was near their cries were so 6brange that they struck tha ear as something not heard before.. V

In connection with the live cattle shipping business, wbich has'attracted so much attention lately, an interesting statistical'return has been received by a Sydney firm from the owners bf an established line of cattle steamships in the'old country. The return is given specially with the object of showing to what a small fraction has bsen reduced the loss of cattle from all causes at. sea.. Taking, the 13 cattie seasons from the year 1882 to 1894, there were 98,521 cattle, shipped by this line of vessels'from American ports to the United Kingdom, and of that nnmber 638 head were lost, equivalent to a mortality rate of "61, or three-fifths of 1 per cent, of the total cumber carried. In the single season last year, from Virginia to Liverpool (January to April), 2670 cattle were shipped and 5 head were lost, or under one-fifth of 1 percent. From Montreal to London in 1894 (May to December) this line carried 9323 cattle, 24,124 Bheep, and 513 horses. The mortality on these was 11 cattle, 190 sheep, and 1 horse, equivalent to a mortality rate of '11 or one-ninth of 1 per cent, on the cattle, '76 or three-fourths of 1 per cent', on sheep, -19 or one-fifth of 1 per cant, on horses. The Waikato Natives at Parihaka have placed the King's flag at Te Whiti's feat, and asked bim to be their ruler. Te Whiti declined the offer, as he might not hive the power to control men who were not living with him. The Natives are feasting at Parihaka in grand style.

, It has bst-n seriously suggested in England j that, in recognition of his remarkable perform- | ances on the cricket field, the honour of knighthood should be conferred on Dr W. G. Grace. The Westminster Gazette says the proposal is not without a parallel. The Lord Lieutenant of Ireland his, as is well known, the : privilege of bestowing knighthoods, and on one occasion that honour wss conferred by aa Irish Viceroy for a feat of skill aad prowess which appealed to popular svntiment in a manner similar to the aohievemants of Dr Grace in the cricket field. In 1785 a balloon was announced to ascend from the Ranelagh Gardens, a placa of public amusement in Dublin. The Duke of Rutland, who was then Lord Lieutenant, and all the elite of the Irish capital were present. At the last moment the courage of the proprietor of the balloon, who had been announced to make the ascent, failed him. A student of Trinity College, named Richard Maguire, volunteered his services, and made a successful voyage. Ho was knighted after his descent by the Lord Lieutenant, amid great enthusiasm, and a proposal was made to the University Historical Society, of which Maguire was a member, " that a medal be given to Sir Richard Maguire for his intrepid conduct." Another performance will be given in the City Hall this evening by Messrs Collins Browne, and Stapleton's combination. The programme to be submitted includes tbe laudable farces " Disappointed Lovers" and " Helen's Babies."

Mc3srs Park, Reynolds, and Co. will sell fruit tro-s at tho Provincial yards thi* afternoon Messrs J. Samson and Co. will hold a sale of household furnituie, 4c, at their rooms tomorrow. The premises of MessTS A Lorie and Co. will be closed to-day, and olso on Thursday and Friday to enable them to prepare for their sale coir' mencing on Saturday, of an English stock of drapery and clothinc Messrs Park, Reynolds, and Co. will sdl valuable household furniture at their rooms ou Friday The annual meeting of the Taieri Acriciilhi'rii Society will be held on the Ut prox BrlCulaiMl "The Police Department: Its Demoralisation Demonstrated"!* the title of a bro-W fo-vSded to us by the author. (Mr Thea. Wake! of Et church), whp<e mam contention all through is that tne police have.besn proved to be'n"«li"ent m thoir administration of thu licensing laws I have much pleasure in certify?,-." to the S'FZ^Ji?^!«>Js£7i Mesnrs&iDD and Co mM i„i , , . , dentists, notify that tieyCJf ™I * ad mechanical nnoosito On-ill* m77s, l ec °uimenced businesu opposite virgin s Monument, Princes st.-fAnvrJ

Having admitted Mr R. 11. Scott into partnership, \v<: shall now trade under the titVof VV, and R. Scott, Tailors and Clothiers (late W. iJcottatid Col -[ADVT.]. .Toiin iliSLor, Watchmaker anri Jcwelier, 74 Princea street. The oldest established lioui-e in town. Repairs of all kinds. Good assortment Watches. Clocks, and Jewellery. Spectacles to suit all sights.—[Adto.]

Mollison and *>.'s annual sale now on. Send for price list of 12 pages. ■ Post free. Mollison and Co., drapers and clothiers, 195 and 197 George stieet, Dunediu.—[ADVT.] Mu.-sni A. and J. &VYaiii.AHV beg to call attention to thoir advertisement over, the leader. Any orders entrusted to them will receivo the best attention. —Tadvt.] ' See G. and T. Younn'6 Christmas advertisement on first page, and note that watch, clock, and jewellery repairs receive personal supervision of Mr -T. G. Young. Competent workmen only employed. Satisfaction guaranteed. Moderate prices.—[Any ] Specially prepared' sodawater for invalids, as supplied by Thomson ano Co. to the Dunedin and Wellington Hospitals, Union Company's entire lleet, and other public institutions. In nearly all cases of sickness Thomson and Co.'s uodawatens held:in high esteem by physicians for its, purity and wnolesome action in aasiinilacing with milk and other nutritious liquids. i Labelled with name and trade mark.—(Anvr.]