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Otago Daily Times, Issue 16225, 7 November 1914, Page 8

It would be paying an undue compliment to Mr Stevens, the Opposition,, candidate far Wakatipu, to suggest that the prospects of his success in the contest, upon which he has courageously entered, merit serious consideration. The fact that there is to be an electoral contest at all in the district should secure that the polling on the licensing issue will be larger than would otherwise bo the case, but the Opposition itself doubtless recognises that the member who has enjoyed the confidence of the electors of Wakatipu for so many years, and whose age Mr Stevens apparently regards as a fitting subject for a sneer, will at the present election receive a larger majority than has ever before been accorded to him. The speech which Mr Stevens delivered at Clyde is assuredly not one that is likely to attract much support to him. The candidate does not seem even to have been supplied with

She literature •which the Opposition distribotos to its candidates to provide them with the material for their speeches. At all events his opening address was barren to a degree that has not been approached in anj of the other speeches -which have so far been delivered throughout the dominion by candidates for seats in Parliament. It -would be superfluous in all the circumstances to bestow a great deal of attention ttpon it.

A GOOD deal will be heard during the elections about tho borrowing done and proposed -by the Government. The reference to it in Mr Stevens's speech at Clyde bears a resemblance to what has been said on the point by some of the other Opposition candidates who are not very scrupulous in the use of the figures they quote against the Government. Referring to the increase in the public indebtedness from £82,193,310 on the 31st March, 1912, to £91,689,835 on the 31st 1914, Mr Stevens implied that the present Government had been responsible for the borrowing of about 9£ millions in f.hia period. "That," he said, "was the Governpient's record for the first two years."' If he had wished to state the position • correctly, ho -would have explained that the Mackenzie Government, which -was in office for three months after the 31st March, 1912, borrowed 4j millions of the amount that was added to the public indebtedness during the two years, and that the Reform Government did not even have the spending of more than a proportion of this loan, the bulk of it being required to pay back advances that had been secured and spent by the Ward and Mackenzie Governments. The additional statement that this year the Reform Government wants to go to the English money-lender for £12,425,000 is one that ■we cannot, understand any candidate mating who desires to be accurate in his assertions. Presumably Mr Stevens includes in this total the amount of three millions odd that must be borrowed in order that the unconverted balance of the MyeTs loan may be redeemed. But, if ao, does he not see that the borrowing of this sum will not increase the public indebtedness of the country—that it will mean simply the substitution of one set of money-lenders for another set? Presumably he includes also the sum of £3,200,000 which the Government is empowered to borrow in order that neglected ■works connected with the railway system may be undertaken in accordance -with the report of the General Manager of Railways. If so, however, he puts the case unfairly, because the Act which authorises the loan provides that not more than £750,000 shall be raised in any one year.

The complaint that the electoral rolls are in a defective state, and that the names of scores of electors •which should appear on them 'will be found to be missing from them, is one of a kind that is heard on the eve of every general election. It forms part of the stock-in-trade of every Opposition that is duly performing its duty of criticising the acta of the Administration. There is no reason to suppose that the complaint will on this occasion turn out to be any better founded than it usually is. If, however, the names of qualified electors have, through inadivertence or neglect on the part of the officials, have been left off the rolls, there is ample opportunity yet to have the mistake rectified. The main rolls are now open for inspection at numerous places in tho various electorates, and the first duty of every qualified elector is to satisfy himBelf on the point -whether his name appears on the roll. Until the issue of the writs, which will not be for several days, applications for enrolment are receivable by the registrars of electors, so that the name of an elector which has been improperly omitted from a roll may be restored through the ordinary process of application for enrolment. Even if he neglects to take the necessary steps to secure the restoration of his name, the qualified but un enrolled elector is not necessarily disfranchised. The Leader of the Opposition, when he said the other night that qualified electors, "who believe they aie on the rolls and entitled to vote, will fifid on election day that they are deprived of that right," was not/ speaking strictly by the book. A flection of the electoral law which was passed this year safeguards the right of every person whose name has been erroneously removed from the itoll for any district. It enacts that, upon his applying for a voting paper, he shall be provided with one, subject to hia signing a declaration to tie effect that he is legally qualified as an elector for that district and that he is not aware of the circumstances that caused his name to be removed. After all, it is preferable that a roll Aould be incomplete, when provision is made whereby the fact of its incompleteness will not disfranchise qualified electors, than that it should' be inflated and imperfectly purged so as to afford opportunities for the commission of fraudulent practices.

Onr Wellington correspondent informs us that the Prim© Minister will go north on Sunday night to Papakura, where ho will deliver a policy speech on Monday Mr Massey is opening his campaign in his own electorate, of which Papakaura is the geographical centre. He will probably remain in the Auckland district for fully a week. "* The Hon. Mr Herries will leave Wellington on Sunday, and will commence his election campaign in the Te Aroha district on Monday night. The English mail which was despatched from Dunedin, via Auckland and Vancouver on October 4 arrived in London on the sth inst. The following pereons have been elected as members of the Vincent Hospital and Charitable Aid Board for tha ensuing three years:—Messrs James Ritchie, Charles Ray, John Smart, Stephen T. Spain, Charles Weaver, Edward V. Freed, William Jelley, ind Edward Marslin. At the meeting of the Finance Committee, •keld last evening, it was decided to recommend the City Counoil to take the necessary steps to borrow the sum of £30,000 from the renewal fund of the City Council. The renewal fund at present stands at £132,000, and the £30,000 is part of the £175,000 loan authorised by the ratepayers eom,e months ago. This loan, however, has not yet been floated, but to enable a start to be made on a certain portion of the schedule of works which were to be paid for out of the £175,000 loan,, an<3 to meet the necessity of providing work for the unemployed, the Finance Committee has arranged for the £30,000 to be raised in this manner. A special meeting of the N.Z. Flaxmillers' Association was held at Palmerston North yesterday for the purpose of considering what further steps should be taken to help the flaxmillers to meet the recent 25 per cent, increase on the freight on hemp. After full discussion, during which members 6tated that if the ptesent conditions continued the industry would be killed, it was decided that a deputation wait on the Government and ask it to subsidise the shipping companies to the extent of all c.i.f. charges over £3 ss. Mr Seifert (president) end Messrs J. Leggins, W. Ross, and A. Seifert were appointed to carry out tho wishes of the association. This year's exhibition by tho Otago Art Society, comprising paintings in oils and water-colours and a fine display of photographic work, should make a strong appeal to visitors, and b« a source of delight to thoso artistically inclined. A very pleasant and profitable afternoon or evening may be 6pent' inseoting the work of tho members of tho society. The members of the Lady Liverpool Fund Committee are arranging to provide afternoon tea to-day, the proceeds of whinh will go to augment the Lady Liverpool Fund. The Dresden Company haa kindly promised to supply an AcohettTfc for the afternoon.

The Colonial Sugar Refining Company announces that it has advanced the prices of all grades of raw and refined sugar by £1 per ton.

A business transaction of unusual magnitude has been concluded in this city during the past few days, the premises occupied by Messrs Forgusson and Mitchell having been taken over by Messrs Whitcombe and Tombs. The purchase includes the freeholds and leaseholds of the property, and the business has been bought as a going concern. Messrs Whitcombo and Tombs intend immediately to ereot & new building on the present frontago, and to construct tho premises in keeping with the firm's shops in Wellington and Christchurch. Tho plana for alterations are already in hand, and the work will be oommenced in the near future. Mr F. W. Mitchell has consented to remain with the new proprietors for some little time in the position of consulting manager. Tho business of Messrs Fergueon and Mitchell was established some 50 years ago by the late Mr John Mitchell.

Tho Rev. Percy Knight, who succeeded the Rev. C. H. Laws at the Durham Street Methodist Church, Ghrittchurch, liae accepted the invitation of the Dunedin Central Mission Trustees to visit this city and conduct speciaj anniversary services in the Octagon Hall early in December. The Kev. Mr Knight came to New Zealand last March from Victoria as exchange for the Rev. J. W. Burton, who is Foreign Mission secretary for Victoria. Ho will also deliver hia well-known lecture on " Dante," which is illustrated by over 100 excellent slides.

Two juvenile offenders appeared beforo Mr J. R. Bartholomew, S.M., yesterday on a charge of haying, on September 26, at St. Leonards, stolen the sum of 3s in pennies, the property of Charles Richard Gooch. Chief Detective Herbert, who conducted the' prosecution, stated that the money was taken from a box in the Presbyterian Church at St. Leonards. This was not tho first occasion upon which these boys had been up to mischief. Some little time ago Deteotivo Hammerly had received a complaint from a man employed at Lindsay's foundry to the effect that tho accused had taken some goods left at his home by a tradesman. This was not an isolated case. The fact of the matter was that the boys were not under proper control. He believed that tho younger boy was under the influence of the older lad. The magistrate decided that the elder lad should be under the supervision of Mr Axelsen, and then admonished and discharged the offenders, both of whom had been chastised for their misconduct.

The summer festival and sale of work in connection with the South Dunedin Presbyterian Churoh was concluded auspiciously last evening, when the Reid Hall was well filled with patrons. Tho results of the sale have proved most gratifying. The final entertainment was heartily appreciated. Items were given by Misses Sophia Vivian and Betty Dallas, and by Masters Ralph and Olive Vivian. Miss Baker played several excellent pianoforte selections, and Miss Gladys Stoneham efficiently presided at the piano. Tho utmost enthusiasm prevailed throughout tho complete proceedings, which terminated successfully and witn expressions of thankfulness.

Passengers from Wanganui by the first train on Wednesday morning witnessed a rather unusual incident (telegraphs the Palmerston North correspondent of the Christchuroh Press). Two young people had boarded the train with the intention of making a runaway match, but the bridegroom, not being of age, was hustled out of the train by his relatives with his luggage at Aramoho, leaving the lady to go on her journey alone. The young man, however, had not exhausted his resources, for he immediately rushed away and secured a motor oar, and overtook the train at Turakina.. and rejoined the lady.

There are comparatively few who are aware of the area of land lying in among the hills suitable for outting up into, say, 6GO to 1000-acre blocks, within easy reach of the Mandeville railway station (says the correspondent of' the Southland Times). There is a time not far distant when there will be many more settlers using tho Mandeville Retreat road than at present. Of course, the further one travels this interesting road the less suitable tho land becomes •for agricultural purposes; but as the rabbit disappears the carrying capacity of the land increases; hence a demand to have this block cut up for closer settlement will follow.

The correspondent of the Christchurch Press telegraphed that in the House of Representatives on Wednesday night there was a brief discussion on the question of

a further grant 'to Mrs Laurenson, widow of Mr George Laurenson, M.P., The Prime Minister said the friends of tho late member for Lyttelton had not brought the matter under his notice this session, but if there was a possibility of doing a little more, he would see what could be done.

Mr Horton, of Hastings, has (writes our London correspondent) been in Siouth America staging & comprehensive exhibit of New Zealand fruit, which proved a great attraction, and has done a great deal towards advertising New Zealand fruit'in that country. Now ho will make a round of the leading nurseries in Great Britain, and later on, when he leaves for the dominion, the journey will be made via tho United States, with a special stay in California in the fruitgrowing areas. On account of the war, Mr Horton expects to remain in this country for a short time only.

The projected closing of traffic on the Balclutha traffic bridge for a period up to a month is causing considerable alarm in Balclufha. The secretary of the Clutha and Matau A. and P. Society has communioated with the Public Works Department to ascertain what means would be taken to keep the bridge open on the day of the Clutha Summer Show. The Balclutha School Committee is also viewing the situation with anxiety* as about 60 children, have to cross the bridge in order to attend school. Even if it were possible to conduct a supplementary school at North Balclutha while the bridge is closed, there is little prospect of getting a suitable building in that locality. At a meeting of the committee the rector said he thought the best thing to do would be either to close tho school altogether from the date of tho stopping of traffic, or else get some concession on the school's average attendance for the year. Tho committee resolved:—" That in the event of the Education Board agreeing to take the year's attendance as from the date prior to the closing of the bridge, tho school continue open, but children from the north side of the bridge bo exempted from attendance until it is reasonably safe to cross the bridge."

The Y.W.C.A. held its annual break-up and display of class work in the Y.M.C.A. rooms last night. There was the usual largo audience. A display of dresses, coats, hate, and underclothing, of various productions of homecraft, and of ornamental work was made, and reflected great credit on the teachers—Miss Aburn and Miss Rodger (dressmaking and underclothing), Miss Edmunds (millinery), Miss Clarke (painting), and Miss White and Mrs Henderson (homecraft). Mrs Wilson (president of the association) presided, and, in a few brief remarks, expressed her pleasure at the display which had been mado, and said that it was plain evidence that the ornamental was combinod with the utilitarian in the work of the association. Elocutionary items wore delivered by Misses Short and Ellis and Mr Crawford, and songs were given by Misses Blacklock, Gale, and Pridham. Miss Gourley rendered a violin selection, and interesting items were given by Y.W.C.A. members tho first being entitled " The Tender Care of the Sick," illustrating tho difference between modern methods of healing and the crude methods of a less scientific age" and' "The Hearth-fire Girls," belonging to tho club for girls between the ages of 12 and 18, gave an illustration of their ritual of lighting the four oandles representing the objects of their club— health, happiness, home-making,' and helpfulness. The entertainment was concludcd by the exhibition of a new set of waxworks by " Mrs Jar ley" (Miss M. Short).

In reply to a telegram from th 6 Clutha Leader, Mr Malcolm, M.P. on Thursday, telegraphed:—"Since the Estimates were tabled I have been urging the Minister to make an immediate Btart with the Tuapeka Mouth railway, and I now have the Minister's assurance that a start will be mado almost at once."

An alarm of fire was received at 9 o'clock last night by tho Mornington Volunteer Brigade, which turned out with commendable promptitudo to tho residence of Mr Henry, in Havelock street. Tho brigade quickly extinguished the outbreak, though not before tho front bedroom and the pas. sago had been guttod. But for the promptitude and efficiency of tho brigade, however, much more serious damage would undoubtedly have resulted.

" At present there are pro-Germans going about in Dunedin," declared Mr T. A. Maitland at the mooting of the executivo of tho Dunedin Municipal Association last evening. "I think that if tho Mayor took his proper stand they would be sent to Somes Island. They have no right to be in our tnidst at tho present time, earning their bread and butter, and as disloyal as they can be." The chairman (Mr J. Connor) said that he knew of one case of a German resident in Dunedin who was in the habit of placing tho German flag over the British in his residence. " Some of them give good donations to the Patriotio Fund, so it's all right," eoid Mr G. Beath drily. " There are some very patriotic Germans, about, judging by their donations." A deputation was appointed to approach the Mayor and find out his position in regard to the Germans residont in tho city.

The following have been elected members of the Vincent County Council: —Messrs P. J. M'Carthy (Hawea Riding), James Ritchie (Carrick), 3. T. Spain (Dunstan), J. Sheppar (Matakanui), C. Weaver (Earnscleugh), W. A. Scaifo (Clutha). Messrs D. S. Middleton and R. D. Poison have been nominated for Lindis Riding, and Messrs B. Flannery and John M'Knight for Manuherikia Riding.

Writing from Perth, West Australia, a young mail wjjo left Hawera some months since, says in a letter to a Hawera resident :—"Things are exceedingly bad here on account of drought, aqd ,the harvest is an utter failure. Whett I was in South Australia one farmer sold horses for 15s, as there was no feed to keep 1 them. Hundreds of horses are being shot daily to save them from painful death from starvation. Under the present oonditions I would not give a foot of Taranaki land for either the whole of Western or South Australia! On account of farms being idle, hundreds of men are in Perth out of employment, and tho Government is issuing meal tickets to hungry men. Dozens of small farmers are absolutely ruined. Australians seem to be prejudiced against New Zealaoders. I'll be glad to get back to New Zealand."

Tho rumour as to forged £1 notes on the Commercial Bank of Australia being in circulation in Auckland has been brought under the notice, at Wellington, of Mr E. P. Yaldwyn, general manager in New Zealand for that bank. He stated that the matter had been brought under his. notice from Auckland, but he was quite unable to state whether the rumour was a hoax or not. Tho , forged notes had not been brought under the notice of the band's officials, which would soon be the case if they were in circulation. Mr Yaldwyn stated that only on one occasion had the notes of hi 6 bank been forged; that was many years ago now, and the forgery was so crude that it was almost immediately detected. As a matter of fact, he said, the Commercial Bank notes were perhaps the most difficult to forge of any of the Australasian banks, as, in addition to a very complicated engraved design, there was a variety of tints employed that was difficult to imitate without some research arid a very fine plant.

The secretary of the Money Club reports that applications for loans to the amount of £500 were received at this week's meeting of trustees.

Mr and Mrs Philip Snowden will open their season hero in the Garrison Hall on Sunday at 8 p.m.

Mr Watson, who has been appointed temporary assistant to Dr Waddell, will be introduced to the congregation at the morning service in St. Andrew's Church tomorrow.

The world-wide week of prayer arranged by the World's Alliance of the Young Men's Christian Associations will be observed this year from the Bth inst. till the 14th inst (inclusive). At the local association meetings have been arranged for each day during the week. On Sunday, at 4 p.m., a special men's meeting will be held. At the close there will bo the usual social tea.

Notices for the following Sunday services will bo found in our advertising columns: — Anglican—St. Paul's, AH Saints', St. Matthew's. Presbyterian—First, Russell Street, Knox, Stuart Hall, St. Andrew's, Roelyn, South Dunedin, North-East Valley, Opoho, Gaversham. Congregational—Moray Pl&oe, St. Clair. Baptfet-—Hanover Street. Methodist—Trinitv, Woodhaugh. Central Mission, Cargill Road, K"w, Fairfield. Abbbotsford, Duudaa Street, North-East Valley, Ravensbourne. Church of Christ —Tabernacle, R-oelvn. Salvation Army. Theosophical Society. Unitarian. Christian Science. Spiritual Science- Order of tho Star in the East. Christadclphians.

Douglas Labour Day victories: Dannevirko Handicap, let; Christchurch Handicap, Ist and 3rd; Napier, Open. Ist; Lipht-weierht, Ist; Timaru, Ist, 2nd. —Wilson and Co., Dunedin.—Advt.

The " Howard " " Dustlees Duster" supersedes all others; invaluable office, hotel, household use. —Mollisons Ltd.—Advt.

A. E. J. Blakeley, dentist, Bank of Australasia, corner of Bona and Rattray streets (next Telegraph Office). Telephone) 1859.— Advt.

Off oolour? Take a nip of Watson's No. 10. It is a 6plendi<l pick-me-up.—Advt.

Who is Peter Dick?—Tho most reliable Watchmaker, Jeweller, and Certificated Consulting Optician, 490 Moray plaeo (off Princes street), Dunedin. Charges moderate.—Advt.