LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 15205, 26 July 1911, Page 10

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.

THE DEFENCE ACT. Sih,—Sir Joseph .Ward and his sycophantish followers have got things into a pretty mess. The Englishman and, to an even greater_ extent, tho colonial have looked with pity and contempt on all Continental citizens, in that, willy nilly, they are forced to relinquish the linest years of their lives for the soul-killing routine and spirit-crushing dominance of militarism. But now this cursed tiling has been forced on the "free" citizens of "God's own country," and by one posing as its highest citizen. The fruit of this scandalous retrogression is now ripening, and of all the instances of it now appearing tho Pharisaic lecturing of the Christcliurch magistrate, reported in your issue of the 19tli inst., is the most icmarkable. It is true this gentleman has to administer the law as he finds it, but that a magistrate should be so lacking in propriety as first to endeavour to cajole, then to indulge in cheap sneers, then to threaten, and finally, when unsuccessful, to make offensive and insulting reference to the Rationalists of New Zealand, among whom is the Chief Justice himself, disgusts one. If this compulsory militarism had been endorsed by real representatives of the iieople, the minority (if it is a minority That objects , to militarism) would submit and wait for sensible times. But like the Dreadnought gift, everything points to the fact that this objectionable and unnecessary compulsion has, for the time, Leon forced on the people in order to secure a reputation for Sir J. G. Ward, Bart., of being a mighty Imperialist, although, by-tho-bye, this same man himself declared at Wiriton that he would never—no, never—agree to conscription ! can the people (and it is the people who must bear the obloquy and the burden) trust in militarism? If, has always boon used against them. A militarism existing in order to buttress a democracy is un-. thinkable. Look at the cablegram in the Daily Times of July 19: no fewer than 55 of the highest officers in the Russian army guilty, not merely of traitorous actions but also of criminal conduct! Undoubtedly an influence that invariably subverts all that is of the best has been introduced into a country that formerly was most free from it, by a plausible seeker after titles, But Nemesis is at hand; whom the gods destroy they first make mad.—l am, etc., TI'BANXY. ■ THE IRISH ENVOYS AND HOME RULE. Sin,—Messrs Redmond, Donovan, mid I'lazclton have come and gone. We are the richer by some rhetoric, and poorer by £10,000 (more or less). Prior to their visit to Dunedin sundry letters appeared in the local press in opposition to Homo Rule. Portions of speeches by prominent Nationalists were quoted showing that Home Rule, as advocated generally, differs very much from flint which our late visitors would like us to believe they desired. One would think that when suc'h serious charges were publicly Made while tlmsr gentlemen were in Dunolin they would have been contradicted if noL true, but as (liny have not been the •issumplion is that iho statements as published are correct. Less than a fortnight ago I he Dublin .Nationalists would not .illow the Lord Mayor officially to welcome the King, ami when he persisted they covered tho scats allocated to the civic party with wet paint. Tho editor, t commenting on tins, said :— "There is a largo measure of empty-lip service in the professions cf the loyalty of Ireland, which arc mnrlo liy the Home Rule party." (Otago Daib: Timas, JuJ* U).

If one was to helieve all that luis been said by the Nationalist envoys Ireland must be in a bad way, yet, strange to say, {he savings bank deposits arc rapidly increasing year by year, and lhat. with a decreasing population, An explanation nf this fact would be both interesting and in-struetivo.-fl am, etc. Ulster. July 21.' THE WOMEN'S CRUSADE. Sin,—" Interested " asks r. very reasonable qutetion,—viz,: If it is strictly right to _ indnco anyone to such a pledge l as that being forced by the individuals connected with this body? My answer is:- It may bo permissible legally, but entirely unjust. Many women \ are being forced to give this pledge who revolt at the idea, but are weak enough to sign for fear of tho consequences. " Social ostracism " by those who pose as friends. To my mind the tactics that aro being adopted by tho Women's Crurado are iinjustifiahle, unprincipled, and altogether an outrage on the feelings, of others. It is hardly conceivable to find in this democratic a.nd enlightened age, persons so mentally j weak as to advocate serfdom, yet this is what signing away ones independence means. Charles Reade wrote "Put Yourself in His Place." Is not this title a. motto worth consideration by those associated with this most unholy compact?—l am. etc., July 20. A Woman. LICENSE AND .CRIME. Sin,—Tho letter from "J, M.," in tliojinterests of the liquor traffic, is the most astouradin'giy inaccurate tliat it has been my lot to iporuse. In twelve inches of your valuable 6paeo there are at least 26 mistakes, mode up of errors, misstatoments, false deductions, and illogical propositions. May I crave space to deal with only one of thesa 26 blunders, which is a fair sample of the rcet? • "J. M." writes: "As for saying that drink is the principal cause of crime, itie tho most arrant nonsonso tihat was ever invented. . . . There would bo just as many crimes with it." For this remarkable statement "J. M." offers not one iota, of proof. He flies in tibe face of common experience and. indisputable evidence- and facts. One week's or one anonOh's returns of our own Police and Magistrate's Courts would rwovo tho fallacy of his statement. In still further refutation of " J. M.'e" assertions, and in proof of the fact that tho abolition of liquor license*, even in small areas, every time decreases drunkenness and crime, I submit returns taken from New Zealand No-lioonso districts. Tlieso figures may bo verified by anyone who cares to do so, by perusal of "tho court returns. They are gathered from official returns, and show a, very striking result between licciKO and n'o-liocnss. Every elector should ponder deeply these irrefutable and conclusive facts, In Waihi (the greatest gold .mining centre in New Zealand), for tho last year, 1908, of license (by-law eases being omitted), thero were 242 convictions. For tho first year of no-license (1910), there wcto 102 convictions. The convictions for drunkenness during 1908, under' license, were 85; during 1910, under no-license, they were 16, and eiijht of these cases came into tho district from surrounding liecn^eo , areas. Masterton, a sawmillling and dairying district, is another splendid example of the beneficial effects of no-license, as disclosed by tho following figures, culled from tho Masterton Police Court cases:— 1908. 1910, License. No-licenee. Drunkenness 202 ... 39 Vagrancy 24 ... u Common assault. 12 ... 0 Otaoenc language 21 ... 0 Indecent'exposure f ••• « Disorderly conduct 15 ••• j> Breach of peace ... • ••• 9 ... 0 j Indecent assault 0 ••• j Attempted suicide 2 ... 1 Burglary 7 ... 0. Forgery s - £ , Theft 69 ... J I'M .... 45 . —a total decrease in convictions of over 90 lKir cent. ' •. After this, should mot "J. M."_ apologise to your readers for bis audacious statement quoted above?—l am, etc., Silence, No ! THE WORKING OF THE DEFENCE ACT.. Sin,—The provisions of tho new Defence Act establishing compulsory military* training legalise the punishment of boys who obey the Fifth Commandment, which orders them to honour their father and mother. -It is thus an attack on tho family, and the home. The act also provides for the persecution of tho minority, on account of tho minority holding opinions at variance with thoso of tho majority. Let me try to prove these'two assertions.' Suppose I am the son of an anti-militarist "crank." Ho forbids me to register. I must either disobey him, and thereby break the Fifth Commandment, which tho State allows to be placarded on the walls of its public schools, or else disobey the laws of the State. If I respect my father too much to despise his opinion and disobey him I am put in gaol. Now, Sir, is not' that radically unjust? It is not my fault 'that my father has contracted opinions adverse to those of the dominant party in tho Legislature. I have no particular opinion on military training. I am not old enough to understand all tho bearings of the question. But my parents, my teachers, both religious and secular, and publio opinion generally, have let mo know that it is my duty to obey my parents. Yet the law punishes me for doing «>. Who is wrong—the la'.v or I? Then, again, why does my father object to my going to register myself as a military unit? Because, he contends, such action implies an admission lhat training for war is right, and he considers such an opinion anti-sccial, and essentially immoral. "They can register you themselves if they like." ho tells me. "They have you on the census paper They have your registry of birth. They have just as much information as you could give them if you went to register. Why can't they register you as they register dogs for the dog tax? You are a minor. You have no legal standing. Yet they prescribe certain conduct for you which I, your parent, say implies" adhesion to the opinion of the majority which favours military training. They can register you without such needless implication. I stand for freedom of opinion, and, if you respect me, you will do so too. If they put you in gaol, you will be a victim of injustice. You are not responsible for my opinions. If they want to penalise frco opinion, the only honest; way is to punish mo directly. Getting at a man through his son is like the cruel practice of whalers who harpoon tha calf whale in order to keep the mother fiom making off."

Such, I opine, is the reasoning of (ho?e who arc offering passive resistance to the Defence Act. Surely it was a blunder to enact, a law which pomife.s a boy for obeying bis father or mother. The Kdncation Act fines the parent if lie. <!'3es not send his ton to school. Why docs not tho Defence Act, follow a precedent which has ■worked well?—I am, etc., Dubious. ECONOMICAL MARINE ENGINES. Sin,—l was much interested in a letter from Mr J. F. M. Fraser appearing in your issue of yesterday concerning tho results obtained by the use of a producer gas outfit in a 25 h.p. launch in America,, and this morning procured a copy of the Rudder mentioned by r.> Fraser, in which the fuller details were i,iven, and notice (hat the running cost is given as 4s 2d per day of eight hours. Although this running expense no doubt appears very small to anyone used to operating wasteful engines using expensive spirit fuel, Ilio results lire not as good as have been obtained by a marine engine concerning which I made investigations during u recent visit to England. Tho figures guaranteed by the manufacturers for fuel consumption of this vnignc are from .72 pint per b.b.p. lo .58 pint per b.h.p. per hour, according to '.izc, the engines bring made in sizes ranging from 10 to 160 h.p. Taking: an engine of 30 b.h.p.--which .is 5 h.p. linger ihan the American engine referred to by Mr Fraser—the running cost with the cheap crude oil fuel which is used in these engines would not exceed sjd per hour, or lor eight hours Ibe running cost would be not more than 2s Bd, or aijout 10 per cent, cheaper than the American performance. In addition to Ibis slight saving in fuel, there is the advantage that an oil engine is supplied with fuel automatically as it operates, whereas by the log of a day's running of the American engine we find Iliat fuel had to be added 11 times (luring the day, in addition to which the lire needed fairly frequent attention in the way of slicing;ind poking. An illustration of the producer gas plant, used on this American launch shows that Ihis part, of the machinery takes up more room than tho actual engine itself, which, alone would be a big objection in many' , boats, particularly as a large drum is shown extending to some height above the engine over ils full length. The fuel tank for an oil engine can bo placed in any convenient part of the boat, and made of any shape to suit its structural peculiarities. Personally, I am a admirer of maw? tilings American, especially their

methods of business, but I like to see justice done to British articles when they arc quite ns good, if not butter, than the foreign.—l am, etc., | Duneclin, July 21. Kelb.ch!JE Edge. LICENSED MONOPOLY. Sir,— "J. M.," in last Tuesday's issue, in tho midst o£ a- long letter of imtccuru- j cics, accuses "all thoso who oppose the liquor monopoly as being 'men of 0110 idea, in whoso brt-ins thero is no room for anything else.'" Reformers on tho liquor question tro used to abuse, but for virulence and- for attacks on individuals commend'inu to the letter of "J. M." Tho'.question at issue is "tho benefit or otherwisj of tho liquor traffic. Then what good can it do defenders of tho traffic to bo constantly attacking the persons of the reformers? Mud-slinging cannot justify tho continued existence ot tho licensod salo of drink, Lot_ tho letter of "J. M." bo, now tested at this one- point: " Prohibition and nolicense advocates arc men whoso brains are not largo or strong, or capablo enough to grasp any other idea.". Tho oldest trick this of tlio liquor trafßo! 1 ask "J. M." what then of tho present Chancellor of the Exchequer of tho British Government, Mr Lloyd George?—a man who stands out on his own to-day from among tho statesmen and reformers of tho wholo world, nn ardent member and supportor of tho United Kingdom Alliance for the total suppression of the liquor traffic. Does. "J. M." dare call him a man of one idea? Next, turn to tho present Bishop of London, a man who to-day is in the forofront of progressive Anglicanism in tho Old Land, and who this year said: "I am not going to sit down under an annual drinkbill of £166,000,000, and the loss of 60,000 lives from among our fellow countryuen and women. Tho apathy of tho Church on this matter appals me. It is quito a mockery for us in our legislative bodies and deliberative assemblies to sit down and diecuss tho reason for crime, poverty, and misery; and not fnce tho fact that 75 per cent, of it is duo to drink. It is stupendous ignorance that is tho cause of tho apathy of the Church on tho question. We must make a big effort to stamp out tho most unnecessary and demoralising sin in our midst." Is this great and good man (tho Bishop of London) a "one-eyed man"? Again, lot Mr John Burns speak: "Alcohol pollutes whatever it touches. It enprvates where it does not enslave. It destroys slowly whore it does not degrade quickly." This man, whoso heart warms for the welfare of his fellows—this John Burns, with his foreseeing intellect and breadth of character and power, is he, too, a "man of one 'idea"?

One other of "J. M.'s" " one-eyed men," Abraham Lincoln, that glorious and robust American President, of whom tho whole world will glory for all time, said: "The liquor traffic is a career in society, eating out tho vitals and' threatening destruction, and all attempts to regulate it will not only prove abortive, but will aggravate tho evil. Thero must be no more- attempts to regulate- tho cancer; it must ho eradicated—not a. root must bo left, behind, for until this is done, all classes must continue in danger of becoming victims of strong drink. If it is a crimo to make a. counterfeit dollar, it is ten thousand times worso a crime to make a counterfeit man."

If "J. M." wants more proof, thero is an endless array of statesmen, judges, doctors, philosophers, authors, editors, popes, bishops, ministers, generals, manufacturers, artisans, etc., etc., that may be produced.

Let me close with General Booth's testimony: "I am a pichibitionist. The Salvation Army has always been, is now, and will for over bo against the drink trafficlock, stock, and barrel."

Humanity cries for more "one-eyed mop" of this variety—not of that class which makes sordid pelf their bo-all cf existence. Tho men who aro fighting for tho liquor monopoly to-day aro those who make money by its continuance.—l am, etc., ! Solid Facts. THE TRICE OF BUTTER. Sir,—ln your issue of the 20th inst. Mr Win. Nicolson, in referring to tho letter forwarded by mo on bahalf of thb Labourers' Union to Sir James Carroll, makes a charge of inaccuracy against me, but ho has not given one specific instance to show whero I made an erroneous statement. Mr Nicolson misunderstands me, for ho says I have no word of sympathy for the worried, toiling dairy farmer, who has to pay wages, rents, etc. As neither Mr Nicolson nor any other dairy farmer is responsible for high rents and for the high price of butter—which, on Mr Stevenson's showing > in your issue of Saturday, the farmer does not get, and which I never accused him of getting,—l fail to understand how Mr Nicolson could regard my ktter as attacking tho dairy fanner. On the contrary, the Labour movement lias always advocated a closer settlement policy, with a view to placing the dairy farmer on tho land and saving him from the unrestrained rents of tilie private landowner. And as people oomo between the dairy farmer and tho consumer and raise tho price, which tho farmer does not get and tho worker has to pay for, then both tho farmer and the worker should make common en lisa against the common enemy. Did not the Trades and Labour Council make an iisuo beforo the last municipal election of a municipal milk supply? Were the City Council to start a creamery and eu.ppjv tho people with milk, tho cost of distribution would bo cheapened, njid I am convinced it would be to the mutual beteSt of both the farmer and tho consumer. Mr Nicolson speaks about the wages ho pays. Is he a philanthropist, and does he pay men for doing nothing? If so, then he has himself to blame. If the omployeo doss useful work, then he is entitled to be paid for it, ami why cry about it? Who was it, when Mr Hogg resigned from his Cabinet i>csition became the Government would not issue- State notes- at a time of depression to aid tho settlers, approved of Mr Hogg? Tho Labour party, Did not tho unions from ono end of the country to tho other pass resolutions supporting Mr Hokk's stand? How, then, can any man twist cur statements in opposition to t.';o monopolists, whether land monopolists or thoso who " corner" commodities or currency, and torn the victims of such depredations against their friends,—l am, etc, J, MacMaxus.

Sir,—lt seems to mo that people do not , flop to think before they rush into print. Mr A. Stevenson, for instance, docs not ask the- T. ond P. Company to reduM t!:e price to consumers, but to raise it to him, and he expects the company, which must 1)3 carrying on at a heavy loss just at present, to work at a greater loss in order to give him a profit. It seems to me that the company is keeping its doors open just to help matters nl; present, and I venture to predict that when the annual balance sheet eemes out this will be seen. I may fay I am not in any way an interested r>3ison, hut one can all tho better we the truth when unbiassed by any personal interest. —I am, etc., Rat.

DMNKING IN RAILWAY CARRIAGES.

Sin,—Tho secretary of tho No-licenw party attributes the evils of drinking in railway carriages to the roving farm worker. The real reason w " Prohibition." Being unable to get their wants supplied on a moderate scale in the no-lieens-a district, those who drink in trains supply their requirements in the nearest licensed place. If '' Oamaruite" will look back to the time when railway refreshment rooms were in existence lie will realise that no complaints were then made regarding drinking to oxeroi on our railways. Most of your readers will remember the timo when Port Glialme;* wiw under no-lieonso. What a pandemonium it was on the Inst train from Duncdin to Port! Was Dunedin or Mm rovin» farm worker to blame for that? Prohibi" tion does not prohibit; not oven national prohibition will stop a, pen-on from obtaining what lift considers is his just and lawful right.—l am, etc., Mac. " AN AMBITIOUS PROPOSAL." Sill,—Respecting the proposed scheme of turning the Leith Stream in order to reclaim an area of land from Dumlas street bridge to where it discharges itself, I l nlr Ilia committee or the individual who lias brought it forward at present has not given attention to the configuration of the surlTiindinx i'.djiicent ground or watched tho Water of Leith Stream and its tributaries i,:i flood. Why, the quantity of water in Lindsay's Creek alone, apart from the watershed of the Leith Strra.ni, would require u tunnel one chain wide with a depth of about 12ft, or an urea not less than iho present, dimensions from bank to bank, notwithstanding the reservoir which Ims bonn formed at Maori Hill, for this ooiiut.s very -little except during dry weather. If Iho adjacent area would odin't rtf fonnin" ii large impounding or compensation pond" which might he. regulated hv floodgates without injuring adjoining properties, tho scheme would have something to recommend it; but with tho statistics of former years as <i guido it is a work of such magnitude us _ would entail an outlay out of all proportion to tihe value of the land reclaimed and Iho maintenance of bridges along the tou<o In short, this scheme has beoa sr.U thoaafct awy jeors mto, an<J

lias been reckoned among tho hazardous undertakings which may bo deferred till more urgent works aro completed.— I am, etc., J. 11. THE SCARLET TROUBADOURS. Sir,—Being .a. patron of the above comlwny at His Majesty's Theatre last night, I was considerably annoyed and disgusted by the action of a party of ladies and gentlemen , 'in the dress circle. During the .performance fcliov nersisted in carrying on ii.very animated conversation amongst themselves, to tho annoyanco of other people. This conversation resulted in a burst of laughter just as rmo of the principal performers was about to give an eircore item. The audience was very pleased to observe that the performer refused to start his item till order was restored. It is a pity that tho guilty parties, when visiting a place of amusement, could not arrango to leave their jokes, etc., at home, and bring their manners with them. The decided snub given them by tho porfornier was justly merited, and I was surprised that ho <l # id not go further, and remonstrate with 'them. Travelling companies do not come here for amusement, but to earn a living, and it is a pity that people who appreciate a good performance should have their pleasure spoilt in tie manner indicated,—l am. etc., Duncdin, Juno 25. Duess Cikcle. INSTRUCTION IN THE USE OF FIREARMS. Sir,—Will you kindly allow me space to comment on some remarks passed at a recent inquest held iu South Duncdin. The Coroner said it was a pity that tho schoolmaster did not take the trouble to instruct the boys in the nso of firearms. If tho Coroner will read over the replies made by one of the boys to the sergeant of police, he will perceive that the vory boy whom he (the Coroner) had been addressing did know his danger and had been instructed in the uso of iirearms. . M a matter of fact both boys were junior Cadets, and both had boon-taught tho use of arms. Naturally, some unthinking people, who know little of boys, will say, "Why did they net as they did?" Sucli people have never hoard of the Garden of Eden and the forbidden apple. Had the Coroner, in his questions, displayed as much legal acumen as the police officer he wduld have had nc foundation for the unj list.'and uncalled for remarks that lie made. 1 should like to point out to him that a schoolmaster has. charge of a boy for 1 ?. l .< hours a week; others are responsible for the remaining 143 hours. In the past the schoolmaster has been altogether too lenient towards those.who are ever ready, to make him tho scapegoat for the ills of the community.—l am, etc., G. W. C. Macuokald, head master. Macandrew Road School. THE EASTERN CHANNEL. Sm,—l have read with sonic interest th? report of the conferona) between a cominilbo of the Harbour Beard and the directors of tho Ferry Company with regard to tho improvement of tha Eastern Channel. 1 notics tho chairman remarked l that the . board'had-not a dredge to work.there at present. Would it not ba possible to make some uso of tho dredge* that have boon used for mining? I spsnt some years on Ilio goklfields, and havo seen vwy rough places in strong currents dredged out by these dredges, which stacked the tailings up to 80ft high. Of course, they would require- a launch to shift them, and )>orhaps punts to take away the spoil. Of lata years those, dredges -have boon cold at from £500 upwards, through dredging companies going into liquidation. I think they could do useful work in odd works''like this. Tho cost of two dredges at £1000 a-pieoo would not, bo a big item if they did their work. This is merely a suggestion. I am not an export in harbour works, but I liko to sec our city and harbour going ahead in all improvements and trade.—l am, etc., So\ of as Old Pioneer. Duncdin, July 25.

THR A.M.P. SOCIETY. Sin,—l lmcl un insurance policy on my lift) in the fumed A.M.! , . Society (or £200, payable ut (loath. Tho premium was £9 18s 4d yearly. Having paid £198, I withdrew tlio policy. My bonus scrip in land was over £66. The amount of surrender value received for both policy and bonus was £146. Tho society must have put an enormous value, on tha death risk of tho insured. From the foregoing I do not think it should be much of a mystery that this society has become such a largo moneylending concern.—l am, etc., . Disappointed. [Wo referred tho above letter to the local manager of the A.M.F. Society, who informs us that " Disappointed " has overlooked the fact that ho surrendered portion of his bonuses during the currency of tho policy and received tho equivalent cash value. Had ho not clone this tho surrender value, of the policy would havo been £12 or £13 more. Ho was insured for a term of 19£ years for a sum varying from £?00 to £270 16s ut a net cost of £46 only, and ho should boar in mind that the society lias in many cases to pay out in settlement of claims amounts considerably in excess of the premiums received.—Ed. O.D.T.J