THE CENTENARY OF JOHN BRIGHT.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 15302, 16 November 1911, Page 6

THE CENTENARY OF JOHN BRIGHT.

"I am not, nor did I ever pretend to be, a statesman. ... I have not set, my sails to every paajirig breew. I am a plain and simple citizen, sent hero by ono of the foremost constituencies of tho Empire, representing—feebly, perhaps, but honestly, I dare aver—the opinions of very many, and the truo interests of all who have sent me here. Let it not bo eaid that I am alone in my condemnation of this war, and of this incapablo and guilty Administration. And, even if I wero alone, if mine were a solitary voico, raised . amid tho din of arms and the clamour of a venal press, I should have the consolation I have to-night—and which I trust will be mine to the last moment of my existence—the -priceless consolation that no word of mine has tended to promote the squandering of my country's treasure or the spilling of ono einglo drop of my country's blood." It was in tho early days of the Crimoan War (on December 22, 1854) that John Bright, who was born as at this time last

century (on November 16, 1811), uttered those word* in the House of Commons, and it is hardly too much'to say that they; show the essence of his political soul There is tho proud humility of pnblio spirit which animated him /rom flnt to lost; tho resolute and even audacious courage which nerved him to face and condemn angrily hostile assemblies, legislative or popular—never doubting tho righteousness of his own convictions; tha " bloodthirsty hatTed of bloodjhed," as it has been paradoxically, and perhaps illogkally, termed; the exaggerative note, as in tho application of tho too weighty, epithot "guilty" to an Administration which (included such high-soulcd patriot!

and devoted peace-lovers as Aberdeen and Gladstone and 'Argyll; the rather aggros* give, not to say presumptuous, self-conn-dence evinced in the speaker's assurance that he represented the true interuls even of those of his constituents who did not agree with him; and, chiefly (for this will be the ultimate passport to lasting fame), tho noble eloquence, so majeatio in simplicity, so unerring in ft felicitous appropriatenem which, though not un« studied, has the arresting force of th«

art which conceals art. Or, in case it should be said that the passage we have quoted does not represent all the master impulses of John ; IWght's political activity, let us transeribo another of tho famous perorationa-\he close of a speech delivered at fiochdale on December 4, 1861, within three weeks (as we have accidentally observed) of the local event which wo celebrated yesterday, (Tho' Prince Consort, by the way, died a fort-

night later.) Little recked English sta|«smen of New Zealand during those anxious ■ weeks, though there was much talk of Canada and her military potentialities. It was tho time of tho "Trent Affair," 1 shortly after the commencement of the American Civil War, and people who da

not remember tljat ticklish juncture, at are not acquainted with tba detailed hietory and memoirs of the period, cannot conceive how closely England and the Northern Staios of. America approached to the outbreak of an unnatural straggle. This is" what Bright said (« the con* elusion of a sustained argument):.

Now, whether the Union will be restored or not, or tho South tchiore an unhonoured independence .or not, I know not, and I predict not. But this I think I know—that in a few jean, a vary few years, the twenty millions of freemen in tho North will bo thirty million*, or even fifty millions—a population equal to or cxc:cdinj* that of this kingdom. When that times comes, I pray that it may not be taid amongst them that intho darkest hour of their country's trials, England, the land of their fathers, looked on with icy coldness and saw unmoved the perils and calamities of tholi* children. As for me, I havo but this to say; I am but ono in thi" audience, and hut one In the citizenship of this country; but if all other tongues are

silent, mine shall apeak for that policy whioh gives hobo to the bondsmen of the South, and which tends to generous ~ thought*, and genetous words, and gonerous deeds, between tho two grist nations who speak the English language, and from their origin are alike entitled to the English name. Oratorically, that is not among the, very ' finest of Bright'*-perorations, but ws venture to say that it is one which he himoelf, if he were etill alive—or if, perchance, his spirit should know anght of centenary celebrations—would wish! t» ho cited in this signal year ol the' Arbitration Treaty. v > .

John Bright'was a groat representative democrat, but ho was not a demagogue, though for many *reais class prejudice and anger gave him a demagogue's reputation. He kd en ample stock of aggressive and pugnacious qualities- and he fell back upon'these the more freely on account of the spiteful or ignorant misrepresentation to which, in,his early days, he was subjected by the wpportera of vested interests and inveterate Tbry-

ism; but it is impossible, to read his letters and speeches, and the tributes of his friends, without rtcognislnj the beautiful tenderness which was aa essential element k his character, tad which, indeed, wao the mainspring of most of his political ctusadea. Whatever the fight, was—whether against the Com Laws, or for parliamentary reform, or for the reasonable , independence of Canada, or for justice and sympathy to India and Ireland, or for financial economy,- or fox Peace, Peace, Peace (the perennial burden of his highest eloquence) —there was almost invariably eopw oppression, to be relieved, some weak class or cause to be aided, some more or leas evident wrong to be righted. Bight tip to the date of his enhance into Mr Glad-, stone's first Cabinet the very worst con-

struction was placed upon his motives, ;not only by pronounced Tories, but by many not unenlightened .people who ought to have judged, more generoasly; and more acutely. By a curious but not uncommon irony of fate, Queen Victoria disliked Bright with narrow prejodtcs when she knew him only by his publio utterances, and admired hint, with aa almost extravagant touch, when she had made his porsonal acquaintance. And he (no lover of coiirts)' reciprocated this latter feeling in leaving it on record-that, tho Queen was the most truthful paeon he had ever met.

We have had no thought of essaying a sketch of John Bright'* political career and influence, or even of noting all the qualities which will cause the rjttfflorj of sod soundest and most unselfish of the English politicians of ths

nineteenth century to ,be held tn abiding esteem. Unsullied integrity ead simple nobility o( purpose, a paesloxtte devotion to the interests (as lie conceived them) of the people as » whole, a contempt for shams and useless survivals and obsolete privilege!,—these, with an eloquence which has seldom been equalled and perhaps never been narpassed since the first days of political oratory, ore tho most signal of those meritorious qualities. Let us dose with one more example of the eloquence, taken from a speech (on parliamentary reform) delivered at Birmingham in October, 1858, just after his recovery from a very; serious illness:

Shall wo then, I ask you, oven for a moment, bo hopolcss of our great causa? I led almost ashamed even to aTKU« t it to such a meeting as this.- I call to mind where I am, and who are those whom I soo boforo me. Am I not in the' town of Birmingham—England s central cant. Ul; and do wt there eves, look upon tho toM of those who, not thirty vests ago, shook tho fabrio of privileiro to its base? Not a few of tho strong nun of that time aro now white with »%e. They approach tho confines of tbilf mortal day. Its evening i« cheered who the remembrance of that (Treat contest, and they rejoico in tho freedom they have won. Bhai! their wn« bo less noble thin they? Shall tho firo which they kindled bn extinguished with sou? I too your answer in ovory face. Ycu arc resolved that the legacy which they bequeathed to TOO. you will hand (town in an immolated wealth of frendniu :c your children. As for mo, my voico is feeble. I fool now sensibly and painfully that I am not what I was. I *peak with diminished flrei I act with a iMsentd force; but as I am. mv countrymen and my constituents, I will, if you let me, be found in your ranks in tho impending struggle.

There was a remarkablo demand yesterday for tho Jubilee number of the Otago Daily Times, and en exceptionally largo isaio of tho papor was practically exhausted within a few hours of the. publication. To meet the requirements of agents and others whoso demands for copies of tho number haw net yet been fulfilled a second edition of the paper will bo printed to-day. As this T"H bo limited to a few thousand impressions, early application for copies will bo absolutely necessary on tho part of pereons who do not wish to incur tho risk of being disappointed.

A Christchureh message notifies that his Skcellency tho Governor will leave Christcrraroh on Friday on on extended tour through the South Island. Ho visits Cheviot on November 17; Kaikoura, November IB; Kckorangu, November 19; Nelson, November 20; Molucka, November 21 i Nelson show and banquet, November 62; Wostport, November 23 and 24; Greyoiouth, November 25 and 26; Kumara and Uokitika, November 27; end Lake Kaniori. Ross, and Lako MaWnspua, November 28. His Excellency returns to Christchurch on November 29, and will leave for Duncdin by tho Mokoia for the Duncdin show on November SO. Ho is to drive to Portobollo on December 1, and return to Christchurch on December 2.

The often calm, not to say heavy, atmosphere of tho Presbyterian General Assembly was sharply disturbed yesterday at a lato stogo in tiie morning sederunt, which, by tho way, lasted till 20 minutes to 2. Dr Gibb had been moving certain amended home mission regulations, and he desired these as adopted to he put into, practice as far as po&siblo without further dolay. A motion to this •fleet was, however, declared incompetent. by the Moderator on tho ground that it was introducing fresh legislation without the formalities required by Presbyterian prooethwo. Dr Gibb then took the courso of moving that tho Moderator's ruling be disagreed with. A show of hands proved inconclusive, and th© atmosplicto became tense, as with doom locked tho clerk proceeded to call the roll of tho houso, members indicating their attitude to Dr Gibb's motion by responding "For" or "Against" For a time tho "Fors" led by a considcrahk) majority, but tho "Againste" gradually crept up as tho southern presbyteries woro reached. Tho crisis came when, after considerable delay, the scrutineers announced that the Moderator's ruling had been upheld by 70 votes to 69. Dr Gibb was on his feet .in, a. inomentj and, throwing down his papers, heatedly declared that he could have no more to do with it. Most of tho 70, ho said, had not the ghost of a notion what, they were doing. This naturally drew an outburst of vigorous protest* and dissent from all parts of the house. A little later, as Dr Gibb proceeded to traverse tho decision of tho houso, Dr Erwin asked pointedly if Dr Gibb wbb to bo allowod to "jockey" tho houso. For a minute Dr Gibb was refused a hearing, and then, at the suggestion of the Moderator, ho withdrew tho reflection he had cast on tho Assembly, and harmony was to some extent restored. A timely adjournment for lunch was secured soon after, and the morally elevating effect of a wholesome meal was strikingly apparent when the house reassembled. The electricity had disappeared from the atmosphere, and Dr' Gibb suavely explained to a sympathetic and entirely good-humoured audience how it was that "his spirit waxed within him " when it seemed that the whole work of a very arduous year had been destroyed in a moment by tho Assembly.

A poll of ratepayers in the South Ward of Maori Hill was taken yesterday on tho proposal to raise a loan of £1200 for tho purpose of erecting a public hall, library, and council chambers. Tho result, which was mad<i known by the returning officer (Mr C. Grater) before a small crowd of people last evening, showed that 114 perbogs had voted for tho proposal and 45 against it. The proposal was therefore declared carried, and at no distant date a. handsome structure should graco the Borough of Maori Hill, as tho council intends to proceed with tho work forthwith.

Nearly ball the timo during which tha City Council est last evening was opent in discussing, ia committee, the desirableness or otherwise of increasing tha Tramway Managers salary of £500 per annum by £100. No application tor an increase hasbean asked for by tha manager, and the discussion was the outcome of a proposal that ha Alary should bo raised with tha object of letaining his cervices in view of his application for tho position of manager of the Wellington Municipal Tramways. After going exhaustively into tho question the council decided that tho present talary was as much as could be attached to the position. •

A Grejmotith message states that tho zaanager of the local branch of tho Union Company has roeeiTed a letter from tho Waterside Workeife Union demanding tho removal of one of the company's foremen, Tho manager asked that o deputation bo appointed to wait on him, which was agreed to. It is reported that a meeting of the union will bo held to discuss tho proposal to be made. There is every likelihood of satisfactory arrangements being made.

At Mr G. M. Thomson's mooting at tho Nortb-East Valloy on Tuesday evening ono of those discreditable rumours which obtain currency at election timo was exploded. Mr Thomson told tho audience that ono of hia friends had stated to him that a statement was bouig circulated that Dunedin North had been practically disfranchised by liia absences from Parliament. This ho emphatically denied. Tho only times that he had been absent woro when he came to Dunedin in tho first Bession on account of the death of his only daughter. Then last session ho had lost bb wife, also by death, and on this account had been away from Parliament for a little while. Roferenco to tlto records showed that Mr Thomson attended tho sommittces of tho House an average of 15 times out 16. Mr W. G. Liunlcy, in moving a vote of thanks said such electioneering tactics a 9 tho above wcro despicable, but assured Mr Thomson that tho electorate had not lost faith in him.

Mr G. B. Nieholia desires us to state, in justice to the Rev. T. R. B. Woolloxall, of Ashburton, that tho report given to this paper by o member of the No-liconso party as to tho lattor's having stated that Mr Danes, Mayor of Ashburton, had Been looking for a place to " bring up his family if any'appealed to him more than Ashburton" woa in error as regarded tho reference to tho family. Mr Davies is quoted in tho Ashburton Guardian as having said: "Tnero is no town which has anything approaching our good streets and footpath!, our channel, and our highpressure water supply, our beautifully-kept, charming domain and sports grounds, ,to say nothing of other numerous advantages. I have decided not to sell out."

The Wakatipu Mail states that it loams on very good authority that tho election of councillors of Shotover Riding is likely to be upset owing to the illegal voting of poreons folding miners' rights, but who have not resided tho necessary period in the riding prior to tho election.

11w balances of the various accounts of tho Hospital and Charitablo Aid Board as at November 14 are as follow:—General account, debit, £4347 12s 6dj* creditsbuilding and extension account, £11,801 8s 7d; Campbell interest account, £371 8s lid; laboratory account, £590 3s Id; Hospital Saturday account, £1600 7s 9d. Tho net credit balance of tho beard now stands at £10,015 15s lOd.

The Financial CommaUeo of tho Otago Hospital and Charitablo Aid Board reports that tho Bum of £624 18s 10d has been received from tho Tapnnui Hospital Committee as the amount subscribed in the Tapanui district towards tho erection of tho Tapanui Hospital and providing for an amiulanoo waggon.

Tho Rev. R. Wood gave notice to tho Presbyterian Assembly yesterday that ho would movo tho following motion when tno ovorturo on tho ne twnero docroo come up for discussion:—"Tho Assembly having considered tho ne tomoro decree which has boon promulgated in this Dominion in its historical sotting and practical working, and while recognising tho right' of every branch of tho Christian Church to forrmilato its own terms of communion and to exerciso ecclesiastical discipline upon its members in accordance tlnrewith, but inasmuch as'tho application of this decree in ovory case of a mixed marriage affects a party who is not undor the jurisdiction of the Church of Rome and traverse* the law of the land and the law of all non-Roman C&tholio Churches by declaring invalid a marriage duly solemnised according to those laws, and inasmuch as this decreo lias been so applied as to disturb tho peace of families and broak up homes and seriously affect tho social standing' of members of homes, tho Assembly call upon Government to deviro means for tho protection of tho social interests and the oivil rights of all parties affected by this decree; and in view of tho grave risks to ddniostio happincm and religious wellbeing involved in mixed marriages, thoy exhort their faithful people to avoid contracting marriages of that nature; and tho Assembly further directs that a copy of this dcliverrooo be sent by tho olerk of Assembly to tho Government through Bir Joseph Ward."

Mr E. Clifton, tho director of experimental farms and chief inspector of stock, is at present visiting Central' Otago in reforonoo to tho regressing operations which are being conducted by tho do'■partmonl in an experimental way, for the improvement of the nigh country'. In addition to tho run at E&rnsolcugh thoro ere three similar stations established in tho Mackenzie Country. A portion of these is now being: netted off. Although if is too early to indicate that definite results have been obtained, vory encouraging growth lias bcon mode by several of tho grasses selected for tho purpose, notably with a recent importation from Chili—namely, Fcstuoa dunaturum-and others, including prairie grass. The importance of tho subject is such that & solution of tho problem of regressing much of tho high country of tho Dominion is being earnestly sought by tho officers of tho department. .

In the Juvenile Court yesterday morning, before Mr H. Y. Widdowson, S.M., thrco lads woro charged with {browing stones and damaging property at South Duncdin on the 3rd inst -Two were discharged, tho Magistrate advising thorn to keep off tho streets at night and occupy tbomsclvcs in a profitable mannor. Tho third had bcon beforo, tho court on two previous occasions—on one for cruelty to a cat and the other (or thoft. The boy's father said his son was not out of control in his own homo, but ho could not account for his conduct elsewhere. Mr Axelscn said tho lad's employers gave him a good character, while Sub-inspector Cruiekshonk stated that ho was decidedly tho best of tho throe. Ho was admonished and discharged —the father being ordered to pay tho amount of tho dam&go (7s), " which," said Mr Widdowson to tho boy, "will probably come out of your pocket." *

Tho goncra! question of granting recognition of tcochW services on their retirement or superannuation was considered yesterday by tho Education Board. The tubject camo up on tho resignation of Miss Janet' Fleming of tho position of mistress of. the Pukeiwitahi (Shag Point) Sohool. Miss Fleming had been 31J years in tbe board's eervioe, 26 years of which had been spent in her present position. Appreciation of Mia Fleming's long service- was expressed, and tho suggestion was aiado that a retiring allowanoo shw.d bo made, notwithstanding that superainavion was to be received. It was advocated that other teachers who wore retiring at t!n> em I of the year should bo accorded similar recognition. These teachers two ' Sir John Whyto (head master, Higheliff), Miss Marv M'Laren (mistress, Tokomairiro), Miss Jano Beatrice Fowler (mistress, Lawrence Distrust High School), and Miss Mary Kinlooh Allan (mistress, Balolutha District High School). Mr Israel moved and Mr Mitchell seconded-" That each of these teachers be granted two months' salary from. January 31, 1912." Mr M*Kinlay, objected to establishing tho principle, although quito prepared to consider each caso on Its individual merits. Mr Borrio also objected to tho establishment of a principle in' tho matter, but denied that tho proposal was, if agreed to, tantamount to that, Tho motion granting salary to March 31 was adopted, Mr M'Kinlay dissenting.

The Education Board yesterday received a request from tho Otago A. and P. Society that Show Day, November 30, be obsorved as a sohool holiday. .Mr Israel suggested that a half-holiday would bo but tho Chief Inspector remarked that if any holiday was granted at all it should be a, full day, otherwiso the attendance would bo 6criously interfered with. Mr MUinlay was not favourably inclined to incrcaso tho number of holidays, but acquiesced in tho "board agreeing to mako country show days separate holidays for tho schools concerned. Tho board finally decided to invite tho school committees of Dunedin and suburbs to grant their schools a whole holiday on People's Show Day, November 30.

In oonscquonce of the unpropitious wcathor conditions prevailing yesterday tho number of people who found thoir way to tho Art Gallsry Hall, where the society's annual exhibition of pictures U on view, was comparatively small. The interior of tho hell just now prescnta a particularly attractive appearance, and connoisseurs of art will find much upon which to excrete) their critical faculties and much worthy of high tomracndalion Only ono sale was ofTooted yesterday—a picture by N. Welch, entitled "On tho Coast Near Wellington," finding a buyer at £6 6*. Tho exhibition will bo open {or tho usual sessions again to-day. Tho friction between tho Norlhcoto Borough Council and tho local firo brigado "reus reached an acute stage. An Auckland telegram reports that captain and officers of the brigado havo forwarded their resignations to the council in consequence of tbo local body hiring rofusod to pay a sum of £9 for boot monoy, and also on account of tho little interest apparently taken in tho brigado by tho counoil. Consideration of tho resignation was deferred for a fortnight.

Tlifl next competitions to make a bid for public recognition is tho Auckland event of this kind. A telegram roports that entries from all parte of Now Zealand have been received, tho number exceeding 19~00.

Some timo next month Maori electors in certain Maori Council districts will have an opportunity—tho first—of recording their vote at a licensing poll, tha quostion to bo determined being whether liquor shall bo supplied to tho Natives in theso districts or not. Tho poll will not aftet tho number of licensed houses. If tho bare majority principlo is adopted and prohibition carried; tho effect will bo that on the expiry of ono month from tho declaration of tho poll any person who; within tho district, supplies liquor to a Nativo will be liablo on summary conviction to a fino of £100. Licensees and licensed premises are not oxompt.

Wo have received 1 from "Snno" 10s for Y.M.C.A. Debt Frco Fund, which we havo banded to tho secretary of tho Y.M.C.A.

Wo havo to acknowlodeo recoipt _of calendars for 1912 and a handy blotting pad from tho' Norwich Union Insurance Society.

Tho Railway Depart men I has again mado arrangements for tho issuo of through oxcursioti tifkot.i from Dunodin and Caversham to Taicri Mouth, via Honley or Titri. Tho tickets will bo issued daily from Ist I>cx>cml»r until 30th April iroxt, and will bo available for return for four weeks after date of issue.

Messrs Thorn. M'Doiigsll, and Maddox, riding their "trusty" Triumph motor cycles, covered 214J, 198J, 156 miles to tho gallon of petrol. Thorn wins cup. This explains why tho Triumph is £10 premium. Stedman and Wilson, Dunediu agents.— Advt

A. E. J. Blsholey, dentist, Dank of Au*< tralasia, corner of Bond and Rattray (treats (next Telegraph OIBee). Telephone ISS9.— Advt.

Japanese crepes just opened, in navy, butcher, sky, red, and cream. Special quality and "value—9d per yard.—Mollisons Limited.—Advt

Wo do expert watch and jewellery repairs of every, description on tho premises, and aro confident we can do nny you require to your satisfaction.—G. and T. Young (Ltd.), 88 Princes street.—Advt.

" Dolly" Feeders aro tho most suitablo for humanised or other milk; so little trouble and so cleanly. Is each.—Wilkinson and Soii, Pharmacists.—Advt.

For wedding and birthday presents try Eastabrook, 71 Princes street—Advt

"Camp" is the easy coffee; mads in a moment—Advt.

Yesl When your stomach i« disordered, liver and kidneys sluggish and inactive, tho mind soon becomes despondent and tho body weak. " Wahoo " is a complot© euro, taken in time, 2s 6d, ohomists and storekeepers.—Advt

Wno ts Psteo Dick?— The most tsiiabls Watchmaker, Jeweller, and Optician, opposite Palace Hotel, Morav olaco, Dunedin. Charges strictly moderate.—Advt