THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 1909. THE BUSINESS OF PARLIAMENT.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14683, 17 November 1909, Page 4

THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 1909. THE BUSINESS OF PARLIAMENT.

Sin JosKl'n Wakd was ever an optimist, but we do not hnow that hope ever told him a more fluttering tale than when it whispered that it might be possible for him to persuade Parliament to conclude the business of the session by the 23rd December. It is only r.ecossary to Icok for a. moment at the volume of the legislation which the Primo Minister desires to see (feted this session and to notice its character in order that it may be realised how unreasonable it is to suggest that the measures which lie describes as policy Bills can be considered and passed in the .period of between five and six weeks that lie between this date and Christmas. Sir Joseph Ward indicated yesterday that there are about a score of Bills which he wishes Parliament to pass in this short time. The members would cover themselves with lasting shame, as representatives who were entirely faithless to their trust, if they assented to such a proposition. For there are few of these policy measures that aro unimportant, ami there are many of them that contain proposals of great interest and of profound significance. And the suggestion that they should bo passed at the rate of four a week, even if Parliament had no other business'to transact, virtually implies that members should accept the proposals of tho Government on trust and refrain from discharging,their duty to give duo consideration to the measures that aro submitted to them. Such Bills as that containing the Government's land proposals, to which the opposition of the leasehold section of the House—a section that, for the most part, gives its support to the Ministry—has already been announced, and tho measure embodying the outcome of the surprising compromise between tho two parties of extremists inat affect to control public opinion on the licensing question might themselves f],uite fittingly occupy the attention of Parliament for Hie whole period hat, if the Prime Minister's suggestion were acted upon, would he devoted to tho consideration and passage of the whole of the Government programme. Then there is tho very important question of naval defence and of the new position which, in accordance with the decisions of the Conference that was heid in London during tho past English summer, New Zealand is to occupy iii the Imperial plan, and there is the question of internal defence, together with the Government's proposals in connection therewith for tho institution of a measure of compulsory training. These arc subjects upon which a fair amount of discussion should reasonably be looked for. And the proposals for revising the death duties, for raising additional revenue by graduations of the income tax, for imposing a surcharge on the amount collected as duty on goods' that are already dutiable—this being the proposal that, it is understood, is now to bo substituted by Sir Joseph, Ward for tho 1 per cent, primage duty which, only a few days ago, lie could not see bis way ''.o abandon,—and for introducing tlra betterment system in regard to lands effected in value by the construction of railways are of such a. kind that ample opportunity should bo afforded for the full consideration of them. Nor are the State-guaranteed Advances Bill, of which the provisions liave lost a certain measure of their attractiveness a.s they have become better known, and the Laud Settlement Finance Bill to he ranked as measures that may be passed practically on sight. We have very little expectation that the Native Land Bill, an imposing measure of -12-1 sections, that is fraught with momentous consequences to the Native race, will receive the attention it merits, but assuredly Parliament, having -regard to the immensity of the issues that are involved, might with advantage dovote at least, a week to' its examination. Moreover, there is important business, to which Sir Joseph Ward seems to have made no reference yesterday, that must- be adequately discussed. The general position of tho finances of the country .may probably bo brought under review, not only in tho Budget debate, which the Prime Minister seemed inclined to stifle, but also in the consideration of tho taxation Bills, but tho retrenchment schema can only be discussed upon tho motion to set up Supply, and it would be absurd that Parliament should not be offered ample opportunity to • express its opinion regarding it. When we remember that tho General, Public Works, and Supplementary Estimates will, in tho ordinary course of events, occupy the, time of tho Houso for several days, and that tho Government has undertaken that opportunity shall bo provided for discussions upon the reports of the Timber Commission and the Police Commission, the absolute impossibility of Parliament completing before Christmas tho work which it is expected to transact during the session will he.manifest. If a prorogation until some date in January or Februarv should be forced upon members they must simply, we suggest, look upon it as a part- cf the price that has to be paid for the adjournment in June last. And if the Legislature does reassemble after a short recess it will bo, wo should suppose, for a long session, since it will have to sit at all events until the financial results of the current year are laid before it and until due provision is made for carrying on the business of the country pending the- opening of the last session of the Parliament.

LOCAL COMPANY MEETINGS. It was, us was acknowledged by Mr J. M. liitchie, the chairman of directors, an unexpectedly favourable report that Mas presented to the shareholders of the National Insurance Company at its annual meeting yesterday. On the marine underwriting side of its enterprise tho company must have suffered substantial losses through tho wreck af the Maori off the coast of South Africa and through the disaster, of whatever its nature, which has accounted for the complete disappearance from view of tho Warat-ah; but although, the shareholders were informed, full provision has been made for these losses, and

although the fire iusuranco business •;{ the past twelve months has boon hardly less than usually unsatisfactory in New Zealand, a profit of £13,000 was earned on the underwriting operations of the year, llr Ititchie did not analyse the figures in order to show what proportion, if any, of this profit accrued from the company's operations within the Dominion and what proportion was yielded elsewhere, but we can hardly suppose that the National Company was much more fortunate in its experience in New Zealand than were its competitors. Referring to the losses admittedly sustained by the State Office, Jlv Ritchie expressed a caustic suspicion that disease lurks in every business that year after year fails to earn adequate profits. The disease in this instance may probably be said to bo a general debility attributable to insufficient nourishment, and it can hardly be expected that it will he arrested until theso who are responsible for the existence of the office recognise that it is necessary that it shall be fed upon a more generous premium diet. Under existing conditions the non-insuring public is being compelled in effect to subsidise the payments that are made by insurers whoso risks are covered by the State. The investments of the National Company are expressed in this year's' balance sheet in figures very similar to those of last year, and the company is in tho happy position that its receipts from interest and rents are more than sufficient to provide for ' the dividend which it is the aim of the directors to maintain annually at the figure that has now been declared for the seventh year in succession. For the same period an addition of £15,000 lias been made each year to the reserves, it being, as the chairman explained in a few weighty sentences at the close of the meeting, the policy of the company, as it is that of every insurance company that is conducted on sound lines, to build up such reserves as wilt enable it to withstand, if need be, the shock of a possible catastrophe from which no company that is engaged in tho business can claim absolute immunity.

Tlio.se who are directing the operations of the woollen manufacturing companies of New Zealand have for some time past ncit been free from anxiety concerning Hie outlook, for while it lias been a matter of considerable difficulty for them to prevent their working expenses from mounting up they have found that the competition they are required to face through the importation of woollen goods lias certainly not been growing less keen. It is, therefore, a matter for satisfaction that Mr Fergus, who presided yesterday afternoon at the annual meeting of the Mosgiel Wcollen Factory Company, was able to assure the shareholders not only that the balance sheet for the past, year disclosed a distinct improvement upon those of the most recent preceding years, but also that the indications for the ensuing year are hopeful. The company, has, it was made clear, been put tor a great deal of expense, some of which was" not anticipated, during the past twelve months in renewing and improving its plant; hut it is only reasonable to suppose that in the yeai'3 to come it will derive an appreciable benefit in various ways from this expenditure. The advance that has been chronicled in the price of wool at the latest sales, and that has been hailed with .gratification throughout the Dominion wherever the important influence which the values of this staple product exercise upon the trade returns of the country is recognised, will involve the Mosgiel Company, in common with the other woollen manufacturers of New Zealand, in the necessity of an increased outlay for tiie purchase of its raw material. There is, however, no reason to suppose that Mr Fergus has taken an unduly sanguine, view of the prospects for the ensuing term when he says that the company hopes to obtain for its manufactures a price that will leave it the fair margin of profit which it desires, and that it is to be anticipated that the results of the year's operations will be to place the company at the expiry of the period in an improved position. The policy of the company, as was well said by him, is to prcduco nothing hut first-class articles such as will command the best prices and maintain the renown of the factory. Tho name of Mosgiel is associated in the woollen trade' with a high degree of excellence, and the community will, wo are sure, share with us the hope that this association of product with reputation may long be ! continued.

In connection willi (ho land proposals of the Ciovermiiolit, our Wellington correspondent wires that Mr T. E. Taylor }m given notice to move:—"That before this House makes any further surrender of the people's rights in the existing leases of Crown lands, or alienates any more of the remnant of the national estate still rested in the Crown on behalf of all the people, the will of the people should be ascertained by .a referendum rote on the question of (1) whether the people's interest in .existing; Crown leases should be sacrificed to secure for tho Cabinet the political goodwill of these holding bases of tho said laud; (2) whether any niore of tho Crown lands of tho Dominion shall bo sold, or whether they shall bo retained as tho property of the present and future 'generations, and the annual and increasing rentals be used in relief of taxation':"

Mr U. M. Thomson (says our Wellington correspondent) lias given notice to ask th o Minister in charge of the State Fire Insurance Department whether he ia aware of tho attempts made by the Advances to Settlers Ollico to compel mortgagors to insure their properties with tho State Fire Insura.ioe Department, even when the deeds of mortgage give the option explicitly of insuring in some other reputable office. Ho «:atcs that in the case of a uroperty in St. Kilda, Uunedin, on which an advance has been made by the Advances to Settlers Ofliee, the mortgagor insured the property u-itli the South British Insurance Co., ii, terms of his deed of mortgage, but the department has not only refused to allow him to insure with that company, but has not had the courtesy to reply to his communication of October 12 on the subject. Colonel Bates, the international auditor for tno Salvation Army, with headquarters at London, and Colonel Fisher, the Australasian treasurer, whoso headquarters are at Melbourne, "arrived in Dunedin on a flying visit on Monday night, coming from the Bluff via the Lake.; and Qtago Central, a visit of inspection being paid en route to the Salvation Army Home at Middlcmarch. The object of their mission in New Zealand i* to make a linal report on the of the separation of the New Zealand administiation from Australia. They left again for the north by the second express yesterday morning-, and after visiting Wellington, will return to Melboureo, Colonel Bates thereafter visiting the SiijDtftif)*,

In tho House yesterday Mr T. E. Taylor (says our Wellington representative) save notice of his intention to ask:—"What is the present [losition of the allegations made in October, 1908, that certain members of the Ohineimiri Licensing Cominitfeo had been bribed by a firm of brewers in Auckland, and what inquiry does (he Government propose to make in the matter?" l'-i the illustrations in this week's Otago Witness appear reproductions of some of tha principal works at the Otago Art Society's exhibition now open. The NW Zealand Cup meeting gave an opportunity of securing some interesting views. • Those interested in stock will bo interested in the photographs of some of the principal prize-winners at the rival Metropolitan shows held at Chrietchurch and fiilnicrston North. There appears to be every possibility of the industrial dispcto between the working carters and their employers being amicably settled. Mr J. R. Triggs, Conciliation Commissicner, presided over a conference between representatives of both sides, which lusted all day yesterday, and which will be continued this morning. Keeling was inclined to run high at times, and a keen battle of wits raged all day, but under the ccimiii-sioner's careful and tactful guidance, the majority of the most important points were settled. A clause involving the preference to unionists principle will probably cause sunn? argument I his morning, but once n. U out of the. way there should be no iifccssity for rhc Arbitration Court being called upon to hear the dispute.

Word ha- been received hy the local Temperance party that makes it quite plain that, even if Dominion prohibition should bo carried in 1911, all those places that poll 55 per ecu l ., of the votes cast for no-liecn.tf will adopt local no-!iceu>.e- at the end of two years. Tho only places that have to wail for live years are those areas that fail to poll the 55 per cent, necessary to carry local option. Thus if Duuedin, Dwiediu South, Taieri, and Chalmers poll tho same proportion of votes for no-license iu 1911 as they did in 1908 all,these areas wid enforce local no-license in 1913. If, in addition, the whole Dominion polls 55 per cent, of tha total votes cast, there would then automatically come upon these areas without a further vote the stricter form of Dominion prohibition. Local prohibition will not mean no liquor, though it will probably mean a stricter law than at present.

Tho case of Sinclair v. Freeman, removed from the Magistrate's Court to the Supreme Court, has been provisionally Used for hearing on the 21th inst., before a common juiy of four.

Mr J. It. Triggs, Conciliation Commissioner, expects to conclude the hearing of the carters' dispute this morning. He will proceed to Timaru by the first express tomorrow, where he will endeavour to effect a settlement of two other industrial disputes of which ho has received notice.

At a meeting of the executive of the Dunedin and Suburban Dairymen's Association on Saturday night Mr W. C. Gray was api>ointcd secretary for tho year. It was resolved that steps be taken to oppose the passage of the Wellington Milk Supply Empowering Bill, and that every assietaneo bs given to other associations throughout tho Dominion, to the same effect.

The Telegraph Office advises that correspondence for Syria and Jarah is subject to considerable delay.

At last evening's meeting of the St Kilda Council the chairman (Cr Gore) referred to correspondence which hud appeared in the press in regard to the St. Kilda tramline. The Mayor (Mr YV. T. M'Fnrlane) had told him that he had scan. Mr Alexander, tramways manager, who stated that it would be easy to run' a 7j minute service, or, at a pinch, a live-minm service, on tho line, and this should be ample for many years. In any case, the duplication of the lino would be a simple ■natter, and the existing re-constructed line would not have to bo moved.

The practice work of the Dunedin Navals in camp at Central Battery was watched by a crowd of interested spectators last evening. This morning, at 5 o'clock, the corps will indulge in big gun shooting.

On Monday last the Port Chalmers Marino Labourers' Union and the shipping and stevedoring companies commenced to work under an industrial agreement which has been arrived at between the parties and confirmed by the Arbitration Court. The agreement was arrived at by representatives of tho union mooting the companies' agents and officials and discussing the points at issue. The union conceded some points in connection with the working of coal, but in return got the labour engaged at repair work classified and put on a more satisfactory footing, The principal change is that all labour is now employed from a central bland mutually agreed upon. Preference lo unionists is a clause of tho agreement.

A meeting of tho Albany Street School Ex-pupils' Club was held on Monday evening. Mr Rennio occupied tho chair, and there were present Mr M'Laren and about 40 ex pupils. The following office-bearers were ctected—President, Mr Ronnie; vicepresident, Mr M'Laren; secretary, Mr Robert M'Phcfsoh; assistant-secretary, Miss A. Armour; treasurer, Mr H. Armour; committee—Messrs R. Francis, 3. Houston, Misses Aburn, M. Mathsson, L, Broom, and M. Divers. A motion that the club present to the school a gold medal for dux at the end of tho present year was carried unanimously,

An Auckland telegram says that Mrs Emily, Nicol, very well known in Auckland as a social reformer, is reported to have left her home in Arch Hill yefcterday morning and to have disappeared. A letter left by her with a relative, and communications rnudc by her to the police, havo created a fesling of anxiety as to her welfare. The missing lady, for whom a search has been instituted, is 6tated to have been dojpon dent of late owing to certain domestic troubles,

Tho prisoner named Frederick Creagcr, who escaped from llamncr prison camp about $ix weeks ago, was captured yesterday afternoon at Rolleston, where lie had been living in a tent made out of woolpacks (says a Press Association wire from Christchureh). Ho was living on a quantity of preserved meat stolen from the Islington Free/in? Works; also damper made out of pollard and potatoes, cooked in a bucket. Ho had been filling in his time making horsehair watchguards, of which he had nine when arrestod.

The secondary schools shooting competition, inaugurated in 1903, will be continued this Mason. Last year 16 out of 21 schools took part, including every important school in which shooting i« made part of tho outdoor work. As showing ithc im provement made in marksmanship duo to this competition,' it is interesting to note that in 1905 nine schools competed, and tho average value of each shot wae 1.1, while last year, with 16 competing teams, the average was 3.6. In 1905 the beat score at 200 yds and 600 yds waa 55 Last year no less than 53 boys teat this score, two making £6 out of a possible 70. In Duncdin the Hoys' High School is eligible.

_ The question of reopening the pound at St. Kiida was finally settled last evening by the Borough Council, when Cr M'Dcnald moved a ;;orios of motions to reopen the institution. A desultory discussion toon place, and finally the motions were carried by a majority of ono vole. The question of the appointment of a ranger was held over in tho meantime

'l Tlio Turak'na, wliich arrived yeetcrday at Wellington, brings some deer for tho Canterbury Acclimatisation Society. A meeting of ladies and gentlemen of the district interested in the Hospital Saturday work mot, J ns t night to arrange, the division of tbe Caverslwn district Mr R. W Rutherford presided, mid aroaswerc allotted io tha following supervisors :-Glen road corner, Mrs Oscar Biisgs; Main South road and David street coiner, Mrs 11 W. Uutlierford; Hrbury corner, Kew, Miss Machorsy. Assistance h as Ix , LM , oKmd by tho Uvorshan, Nii W ii, B Club, and a local lirm has offered to provide refreshments. Mr Isaac Stevenson. ~, , he firn| o{ Stevenwn and Cook, engineers and ironinkers, fort Chain,*,*, ~tur„*l by tho -Moeraki yesterday from a v j s j t (o bourne. Mr Stevenson informed a nor of our stuff that while in >i«lUm,!,Th, received it mtmlw of orders for ironwork ou-3 of the jobs ut present ou i„ lml Victoria being a mining dredge. In connectiou with the linn's Victorian trade, he also montiuued that, notwithstanding the duty of 12J \m cent, formerly, and 25 per cent, at present, Ids linn had put through work fop Victoria amounliii" to £100,000 during the i>st 10 years.

A speaker at a recent meeting of the Olago Employers' Association was reported to have said that tho three Conciliation Commissioiwrs in the Dominion were competing with each other, insomuch that each wished to bring about the largest number oi industrial agreements between employers ami \vorktr=. Mr J. It. Trigg*. Commissioner for Otago, said yesterday that he took strong exception to the statement. He was not competing with anyone to Iji-iii" about settlements of disputes. Thcso were the linos on which ho did his work: if ho found that, the workers in any district were getting les: wages than ho thought they ought lo get, ho tried to persuade the employers to bring them up to the other district'. He hail done that iu the past, and would continue to do it in the future. It he found that the workers were getting what was d fair wage, he tries:! to get them to agree to a fair thing by tho employers. lie eared not what tho other commiusionere wroro doing. What he was trying to do was to bring about a fair and reasonable agreement between man and man. He thought it was a very unfair and uncalled for thing for a member of the Employers' Association to spesk of what he knew nothing about. It had been said that so long ae the commissioners could get the employers, to give more every time they sat ; that was all they cared about. That was not hi 6 way of doing things. All he tried to do was to arrive at an agreement that would be satisfactory to both sides.

At a meeting last evening tho Citizens' Band decided to enter for tho band contest to be held at Wanganui in March

The reference-room at the Frco Publrc Library is tr. be publicly opened at 3 o'clock on Monday, 22nd inst, Speeches will be delivered by a few prominent citizens, who have interested themselves during the past few years in the establishment of tho institution. Tho librarian (Mitt'. B. M'Ewan) is rapidly pushing on the work of cataloguing and classifying the 3000 volumes which will be made available to tho public on the opening of this department of tho library.

A number of interesting geological specimens havo been forwarded to Dr Marshall, of the Otago University, by Mr J. T. Large, representative of the New Zealand Government at Mangaia (one of the Cook Islands). These epeoimons were exhibited at a meeting of tho Otago Institute last evening by Dr Marshall, who said that they wore of considerable- value, insomuch as they told something of the past llistoiy ot a place that had never boon geologically explored. Darwii (concerning whoso work? Dr Bcnhaoi was to address them that evening), in tho survey he had mado of tho Pacific Islands, had disrovored that practically all of those in tlio neighbourhood of tho Cook Islands had suffered more or less from the effects of a period of general depression—some t> that extent that they had becomo mere atolls. But Mangaia had been subjected to a different force; it had been raised up, and though only 36 miles in circumference, was 650 ft high. Among the specimens shown wae a native axe, made of stone. Dr Marshall observed that the composition was volcanic rock, and remarked that that showed a difference between tho South Sea nativo and the primeval man of Europe, who made his axe of flint. There was flint in Mangaia, but tho native of that place, not being a flesh-cater (except, maybe, when ho was unusually successful in battle), was content with the duller edge afforded by a small polished slab of volcanic rock.

Father O'Sullivan's )a6t lecture in Duncdin will be delivered in tho Town Hull, South Duncdiii, this evening at 8 o'clock. Among some 250 beautiful views will be seen all the sacred places of Palestine and nearly every spot of picturosqitenoss or historic interest in Ireland, as they impressed . Father O'Sullivan when, after an absence in Africa of many years, he recently visited his native land.

A sale of work will opsn this afternoon at St. PaulV Schoolroom for tho Maori and Mclanesian Mission, and will remain open until to-morrow night. At 7.30 to-night a farce, "A Kcgular Fix," will be staged, and in addition there will be lableaus and maypolo dancing.

We recommend for watch, clock, -am! jewellery repairs A. J. Shaw, 13 Rattray street. Absolutely the- best in Dmicdin.— Advt.

Novelties in jewellery and silverware for tho Xraas season aro now being opened up at Messrs G. and T. Young's showrooms, 88 Princes street. The public are cordially invited to pay a visit ot inspection.—Advt.

Beware of constipation I Liver complaint, dyspepsia, hoadnchc, vertigo, and that tormenting di?caso piics are only some of the direct results of constipation. " Wahoo" acts as a gentle laxative, stimulating activity, and restoring tone and normal action. "Wahoo"; 2s 6d, all chemists — Advt.

Ladies!— You should wear our famous Wl-•em-all kid gloves at 2s Gd pair; without doubt llio best value on the market; every pair guaranteed; in shades of brown and beaver. Only procurable at Mollisons Ltd - Advt.

\Vho is X'nin Jjite.'-Ihfl nio*t reliable Vatclmiaker and Jeweller, opposite Coffee Ulacp, Moray puce. DunecJiii. Chp.rnea •'tfictly moderate.—Advt,