THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES. MONDAY, APRIL 23, 1917. THE DOMESTIC ENEMY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16985, 23 April 1917, Page 4

THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES. MONDAY, APRIL 23, 1917. THE DOMESTIC ENEMY.

The Acting Prime Minister and his colleague, Mr Mac Donald, have returned from their mission to the disaffected coal district, but what success has attended their endeavours to secure a settlement of the strike is still problematical. All that has been divulged by Sir James Allen is that the mission terminated with a very protracted conference with the delegates of the miners and that proposals for an arrangement were made which have yet to be definitely accepted or repudiated by the strikers. What the suggested arrangement may be has not been revealed. One thing, however, should be certain. It is unthinkable that any settlement should be in the nature of a compromise on the question at issue. While the action of the miners conforms to all the circumstances of a strike it goes beyond a strike. . The employers are relegated to the background and the pressure which the strike is intended to exert is aimed directly at the authority of the Parliament of New Zealand. War has virtually been declared against the highest, constitutional .authority in the land. With action of this character no compromise is possible. Numerically the disaffected miners

are au insignificant minority and tho Military Service Act, though it may offend the 'few, has the loyal support of the great majority of the people as a whole. ■ It is a far remote from the idea of democratic government that the many should be coerced by the few. Actions such as that of the West Coast miners amount to an attempt to subject a democratic country to the dictates of an autocracy of an intolerable kind— to subject the whole community to the will of a few who happen, by reason of the nature of their employment, to have it in their power to interfere seriously with the maintenance of services upon which the public is dependent. With the demand that the expressed will of the Legislature shall be set aside, that an Act sanctioned by the almost unanimous decision of the elected representatives of the people shall be made a dead letter and repealed, there can be no parley. The Government would stultify itself if it took any other view. This being so there 19 room for satisfaction in the fact that the Acting Prime Minister has found himself able.to express some hope that upon the terms suggested by the conference—whatever they may be.—an agreement may be reached. Much must depend upon whether the miners are going to exhibit a more reasonable and a wiser frame of mind than they have.so far displayed. But in the event of the failure of all negotiations or representations, and of a failure to reach a settlement such as will involve a continuance of the strike one side or the other gives way, it is for the community as a whole , to show its strength and to see this thing through in a spirit of determination associated with as much cheerfulness as it can command. Inconvenience, loss, and privation—unfortunately falling most heavily upon [ those least able to bear it—the public must expect to endure as long as the deadlock continues, but these things will not weigh in the balance beside the self-respect which it would for- | feit if it failed to assert its rights and beside the blow to the whole principles of democratic government which would be entailed if the community did not support the auththat represents the expression of its own will. If the strikers , remain recalcitrant the public, at the cost of some temporary self-sacrifice, can assuredly vindicate the sanctity of its democratic privileges against an undemocratic attack—an attack, moreover, which in present circumstances is seditious and disloyal— and this it should show itself thoroughly prepared to do'. When the failure of the strike has been made self-evident its collapse will speedily ensue. The initiation to-day of a trying experience ,in the reduction of railway facilities will give some indication of the spirit in which the public is ready to meet the unusual situation. We trust that it will meet the emergency in a spirit of resolution such as will effectively destroy any expectation that may prevail that it can be bludgeoned into acceptance of a tyrannical demand. A meeting of local citizens has urged the Government to reconsider the scheme for the curtailment of the railway sendees so far as Otago and Southland are concerned, in view of the suggested possibility of carrying on the railway traffic by the use of coal from the local mines. The point as to the suitability of coal that is mined in this part of the dominion for this purpose does not seem to have been touched upon, but in view of the evidence which has been offered as to the dimensions of the local output, and as to the effect upon the output of a scarcity of labour, it is not a very material point. Even if the proposal were otherwise sound and advantageous, it might, we imagine, be impracticable by reason of the very serious shrinkage which the large demands\>f the railway service would cause in the supply 'of coal available for household purposes. ' • ■

The public discussion relative to the election of Mayor for the ensuing term has been marked by the introduction of irrelevancies which should not be allowed to affect the voting of any intelligent elector. The question of the provision that is made for the dependents of soldiers has in reality no more to do with the issue than has the question of tlie disloyal action of the miners of the West Coast or the question of compulsory service, which the "Red Fed." section of the community has deliberately introduced into the' arena of municipal politics in Christchurch. The actual question in issue in Dunedin is whether the principle, by which a good deal of store is set in this city, that the mayoral office shall be regarded as one which should be held for a single term only by any of its occupants, should be treated as so unquestionably sound, almost as so sacred, that there should in no circumstances be any exception to it. The principle is one which, in a general way, we accept as reasonable and just. But we decline to admit the validity of the claim that there should be no exception to it. It may be as desirable and necessary, in the interests of the city, that there should be an occasional departure from the principle of the "rolling office," as it is called, as that there should be an occasional departure from the principle that the mayoralty should be rererved for citizens who have already rendered municipal service. The present 'is, we strongly believe, an occasion for such a departure.

Tue circumstances surrounding the mayoral election are wholly exceptional. As an effect of the war, precedents have everywhere and in all spheres of human activity been thrown absolutely to the winds. The abnormal conditions have produced abnormal decisions. Everything is vjewed in tho relation -which it has to the war. To suggest that tho conditions which are ordinarily applicable to a mayoral election obtain at the present time is to ignore these patent facts! It is because of the war conditions that the retiring Mayor, yielding to the request of a large number of electors, has offered himself for re-election. . And it is because of tho war conditions that wo suggest, without any disparagement whatever of Councillor Green, that the electors should recognise tho desirability of returning Mr Clark for another term. During the "past two years Mr Clark has not spared himself in the performance of duties which have been continuously arduous to an extent that is without parallel in municipal history; The demand which business connected with the prosecution of the war has made upon the time of the Mayor has been exceedingly heavy. The demand which the call of patriotism has made upon his purse has also, wo are sure, been

very heavy, although that is not a matter about which Mr Clark is likely to bo communicative nor a matter concerning which he is likely to seek public commendation. The point, however, is that Mr Clark has discharged tho duties of his office during a remarkably exacting period with unflagging industry, with untiring zeal, and with a great deal'of efficiency. The question, then, for the consideration of the electors in determining how their votes shall bo recorded on Wednesday, is whether at a time like the present they should not retain for another term—as tho electors in Auckland and Wellington have done, in each case with unanimity, and as tho electors in Chrislchurch will do on Wednesday—tho services of tho Mayor who has faithfully and capably represented them during the past two years, and has ungrudgingly devoted his time and his ability to the furtherance of the cause of the nation, while he has at the same time been dnly mindful of the purely local claims upon his attention. If they take the view which appeals to us, the electors will affirm by their votes, that it is fitting, now that it is hoped the war is drawing to a close, that they should retain the services in the mayoralty of the man who has, during the past two years of the w;.r. given effective voice to the loyal and patriotic sentiments of the public.

As citizens of an undivided borough, the municipal electors will have the privilege on Wednesday of voting for as many as eighteen members of the City Council. It is a privilege of which the exercise may' be irksome to a good many electors, particularly to those who may not know, even by name, as many as eighteen of the candidates, and we suspect that those electors who will content themselves with voting for fewer candidates than are required to be elected will form, a, considerable proportion of the total number of voters. The main thing is that the electors shall vote for those among the candidates whom they consider qualified, by their training and experience, to share in the management of the large undertakings that are carried on by the corporation., It is better that they should select for support the candidates whom they know and can trust and that they should vote for these candidates only than, that they should distribute their spare votes indiscriminately among candidates whom they do not know. Out of the rather formidable list of 28 candidates, from whom the electors have to make a .choice, seventeen are members of the retiring council. Of the other eleven candidates, however, five or six have had the benefit of previous municipal experience—among them Mr Gilkison, who, although he resigned his seat on v the council a few years ago in order to visit the Mother Country, has retained his connection with the council as a member of the Library Committee. We venture to suggest that the electors will act wisely if they secure his services as a councillor. We take the opportunity, also, of commending- to the electors' notice the candidature of two aspirants for election who may be described as Labour candidates, offering themselves, however, on their personal merits and with no official backing—Mr Kellett, who is at present doing useful work as a member of the First Otago Military Service Board, and Mr M. Bradley, who has several times made effective recruiting speeches in which the note of true patriotism lias rung clearly and strongly.

Tho Otago Daily Times and Witness Newspapers Company has made arrangements for tho despatch of papers by motorcar to tho news agents in the various districts to which trains have ceased to run on certain days in the week, and where the early morning trains have' been .cut out. Thoso motor services have been specially inaugurated, and will run to tho following districts:—From Duncdin to Ravensbourne, Burkes, Sawyers Bay, and Carey's Bay at 5 a.m. • From Palmorston to Waipiata, and thenco on to Clyde, taking in tho various Otago Central townships en route, on arrival of tho express at Palmerston; from Milton to Waitahuiia, Lawrence, and Beaumont, on arrival of the south express at Milton; from Balclutha to Owaiva and Catlin's River, via .Waitapeka, Kakapuaka, and Rcmahapa, on arrival of the south express at Balclutha; from Waipahi to Tapanui, Heriot, Kelso, etc. ; on the arrival of tho south express at Waipahi; from Riversdale to Waikaia and Switzers. Arrangements are now in progress whereby the Daily Times .will be sent from Studholme Junction to Waimate on the arrival of tho north express at Studholme. It is hoped, also, that in other districts provision will be made so that subscribers to tho Daily Times will get their j papers regularly each day.

On and after to-day coastal shipping freights are to bo mureased iby 4s per ton. This increase will affect many lines of merchandise, notably sugar. According to a private cablegram received on Friday, -all American rates of freight have been withdrawn. Exports from America are now difficult to obtain, and prices are advancing rapidly. Advices from Sydney state that shipping opportunities are now so very irregular that it is a matter of great difficulty to obtain tho shipment of any class of goods from overseas.

Anzac Day will be observed as a whole holiday on the waterfront at Port Chalmers, and shopkeepers are being asked to close for the afternoon. Several of tho churches havo arranged to hold a combined memorial servico in tho Presbyterian Church. Tho Anzac Day services in First Church and Knox Church-, Dunedin, will bo held at 8 a.m. on Wednesday.

At tho next meeting of tho Drainage and Scwerago Board the Standing Committee will recommend, in respect to tho City Council's refusal to indemnify the board against probable damago arising from the walling of the Lo.ith, that tho council bo informed that tho board is not satisfied with tho reply. In regard to a claim, by Mr F. A. Botting for £6 19s 6d, for damage to a horso and liarness, tho committee recommends that tho board disclaim all liability. Tho tender of Mr E. M'Kewen for cartage at schedule rates is recommended for acceptance. Accounts amounting to £2116 16s 3d have been passed for payment.

At Cromwell on Friday tho Minister.of Public Works was met by a deputation from tho residents asking that the Government should assist them in coping with tho sand nuisances there. They also asked for a grant towards the upkeep .of tho main road. Tho Minister promised to give each of these requests his consideration. Tho deputation also asked* that tho railway from Clydo should be pushed through before tho winter, in order that goods might be carried through. The Minister said that, whilo the Railway Department would not tako tho lino,over until tho buildings wcro completed, ho would seo if it was not possible to ha-vo produce railed to and from Clyde. At Clydo tho Minister received a deputation, which asked that tho railway regulations bo- relaxed so as to allow of coal being brought into tho district, a.s there were no local mines, and their plight in tho winter would ba 'Understood if they had no coal. Mr Eraser promised to forward their representations to the Minister of Railways, but pointed out that their case was only ono of hundreds all over tho dominion.

Tho Mayor of Alexandra (Mr Ash worth) and several councillors waited on tho Hon. \Y. UVaser at Clyde on Friday and thanked him for having fulfilled his promise in connection with tho Manuhcrikia water raco, Tho council was unanimous in saying that it considered itself deeply indebted to' tho Minister for what ho had done, and had decided personally to thank him. Tho Minister expressed his gratification at tho appreciation of his work, and said that such expressions of gratitude - wore all tho more welcome because they wore so rare.

The Hon. W. Frasor (Minister of Public Works) returned to Dunedin on Saturday evening from a tour of his electorate. On arrival ho was met by a private deputation from the Cromwell Development Company at tho Grand Hotel. The Minister, accompanied by his private secretary (Mr M'Alistcr), will leave by the first express for the north this morning.

Anzao Day was observed in the Moray Piaco Congregational Church last evening. Tho Rov. W. Saunders gave a very interesting address on the subject of Gallipoli, based on Masefield's writings. The choir contributed two anthems—" To tho Great Lord " (Rossini) and " Givo Peace in Our Timer" (Callcott). Mrs livans sang " Requiem," by Sidney Homer, set to words by Robert Louis Stevenson; Mr W. Thomson sang ."Arm, Arm, Yo Bravo" (Judas Maccabeus); and Mr Douglas Saunders sang "Give Peace" (Ernest R. Ball). A scheme, which appears to bo an excellent one, for carrying a "touch of homo" to our boys at the front has been inaugurated by tho Mayor and tho Dunedin Photographic .Society. It is proposed to collect lantern slides of local views and of groups ot mothers of lads who have gone away to fight for tho Empire. A most successful garden fete was held in tho grounds of St. Dominic's Priory on Saturday afternoon. Tho opportunity was seized by mauy of tho ex-pupils to meet together again and to discuss old times together. Tho grounds wero tastefully decorated for tho occasion, and. although the weather could have been liner, all present, including many happy children, thoroughly enjoyed the afternoon. The fancy goods and tho confectionery ' stalls were well patronised by tho visitors. A feature of the day was the excellent music supplied by the College Orchestra, which contributed in no small degree to tho success of tho gathering. Another very popular haunt was the tea rooms in tho "Glass Cloister." Tho staff responsible* for this department was kept busily employed all afternoon in supplying a welcome cup of hot tea and light refreshments to those 'present. Altogether the gathering was most successful, and tho worthy object for which it was organised will benefit largely. It must bo pleasing to all who worked to mako it a success to know that the result attained was so satisfactory, and that the outing was so much enjoyed by tho children and thoir older friends. A tolegraph linesman working between Palmcrston and Nascby had a narrow escape from' a serious accident on Friday afternoon. While ho was descending Horn Hill, near Waihomo, tho fork of tho front wheel of his motor cycle and sidecar broke off, and tho machine ran down the steep hillside. Tho young fellow found it impossible to bring tho machine under control, and threw himself off his seat, receiving a severe shaking, while the cycle continued its career, which was stopped only by a fence 30 yards further down the hill. The man received every attention at Mr A. "D. Bell's homestead. The damaged car was taken into Palmcrston on Saturday.

On Saturday, the last day of tho full timetable on the railways, tho traffic both into tho city and out of it was heavy. Talcing the advice tendered to them, nuyiy people visiting in town or country returned to their homes, fearing that delay might bring with it even greater inconvenience than the curtailment of a holiday by a few days. Tho Railway Department has decided that while tho present restricted time-table is in operation, only persons holding tickets will be admitted to tho platform on the Dunedin station until after departure of tho north and south mail trains.

On Friday afternoon the First Otago Military (Service Board had tho uniquo experience of sitting in a hall in which a church salo of work was being, held! It happened at Rankuly, ' and in place of tho usual prosaio environment of tho board appellants found themselves confronted on tho left with a table of cakes, fruit, and sweets; on the right, .with a display of children's frocks, fancy work, lingerie, and suchlike; while-at tho rear there was a, collection of vegetables, Tho ladies in charge graciously refrained from doing their work while tho board was in session, and for the nonco became interested auditors of the evidence in support of appeals. Tho sitting was not a long one, and the ladies again took charge of tho hall, among their best customem being the members of the board.

in Cromwell on Friday the Hon. -AV. Fr&scr (Minister of Public Works), in replying to questions put to ilim by u. deputation oi whicii Mr Brodriok (Mayor) was chairman, answered a query by oho of those present as to the reasons why the Right Hon. Ala- Massey had'not returned to New Zealand. , Mr Fraser said ho was glad of an opportunity to refer to the- Eight lion, gentleman's absence. No one, he said, was more anxious to return to tho dominion than Mr Massey. Ho and Sir Joseph Ward (the Leader of the other side of the National Government) wero annoyed and disappointed at the delay in their return which had occurred. Mr Massey had hoped to have been buck in March, so as to take up his work, but both gentlemen had been invited Home to attend tho conference with other members of the Imperial Government, which was dated for January. Owing, however, to tho difficulties tho Prime Minister of Australia had met with, and tho postponements from time to time of tho conference in order to try to meet his desire to. bo present, tho conference had been postponed several times, until it was finally recognised that Mr Hughes could not possibly attend, and he had to admit as much. It would havo been a waste ( of timo if tho New Zealand representatives had come away before the important business to bo transacted by tho conference was finished. There are many important matters to be dealt with by that conference, owing to tho war and other things, and, as the Council could not sit every day, as it had other most important work to do, tho conference had not taken place at tho timo anticipated. Mr Fraser assured thoso present, and everyone else, that Mr Massey would bo back here before the opening of Parliament. The War Council would not conclude its business before tho end of the present month, or possibly the middle- of May, and Mr Massey would probably be back some time in June. It was not his desire io remain in England, ,but he had to finish the work ho went for before leaving there. The people who said ho was staying voluntarily were doing him an injustice. Of course, Mr Massey had received very many invitations, public and private, and tho people of England wero anxious to show him! every courtesy and respect as representative of this dominion, and that would account for what somo people considered' the "high timo" ho was having in England. It was well known there that he was very anxious to got back Jicro, and Mr Fraser cordially wished ho was here. It w;ts only fair to say this, and ho was glad of the opportunity to say it, and thoso who said tho opposite wore not stating the fact. Thoso present knew tho speaker well enough to understand that he was wiving tho true reasons and merits of th© case.

Mr J. Forrester, of South Invcrcar<nll who recently returned from a trip Homo, brought wifh him a new potato, which, by all appearances, will become extremely popular when it is available for general -use (says the Times). This is the Lang-worthy, and it is ono of the latest potatoes of the celebrated Findlay 'of Markinch. Tho results obtained by Mr Forrester show that the Langworthy is a prolific cropper and a hardy grower. From one sliaw, grown without special preparation, Mr Forrester obtained 29 potatoes, 12 of which were very large. Mr J..R. Bartholomew, S.M., presided at tho sitting of the City Police Court on Saturday morning. Henry Charles Doyle, who was brought before him, was fined 225, in default 48 hours' imprisonment, for drun. kenness, and Rosella Bracegirdle was lined 2s, without costs, on two charges of failing to send her child io school as required by tho Act. .

Mr J. G. Brechin, of Pahiatua, secretary of several cheese factories (says the Herald), received cabled information that tho Imperial Government proposes to pay Sfy<i f.0.b., New Zealand, for consignments iW choose shipped prior to January 16, and thai all costs incurred .from the time the chceSte :s placed on board the .steamers at WeV lington will be a charge on the Government, which lias also agreed to pay agents' commission amounting to 2£ per cent.

in tho courso of liis thirty-eighth aruiivwibary sermon preached in St. Andrew's last night on the words "Ihe Spirit of the Lord clothed itself with Gideon, and he blew a trumpet," D r Waddell had .something t<J say as to why the nation is being held backso long from victory. Gideon, he said, did not blow his trumpet against the Midiauitos till ho had first smashed the Baal within. Tho first tiling that God bade him do was to make an end of Baal in his father's house, to make his own homo clean. We had blown our trumpets, but we had not destroyed our Baals. That was what was wrong. There was the drink traffic, for instance. He had just been reading the letter of a merchant, who complained that ho wanted to get a small package of goods to Auckland, and was told the ship was full. He went down to tho wharf, and what did he find tho ship full or*? Ho counted there 300 casks of beer. Britain and we were ready to sacrifice any number of men on tho red fields of war, but we must have our whisky and our beer, and make free way for the brewer's cart. Tnat. was the perii that beset us. Wo were blowing tho trumpet, and were not clothed with the Spirit. Wo were sending out abroad to fight when wo had not smashed our Baals at home.

Two of tho principal matters to be discussed at tho Dental Conference at Wellington this week will be tho Hon. G. W. Russell's proposals regarding school children's teel;h and the treatment of soldiers' teeth. It is understood that delegates from other places who are going to the conference havo shown some anxiety regarding tho question whether, in view of tho present labour troubles, they will be able to get away from Wellington after the conference. Tho local executive states that from thorough inquiries they havo made it feels quito certain that delegates need havo no fear of being held up in Wellington.

Judgment was given by the Court of Appeal on Thursday in a caso in which the Attorney-general appealed against a decision of Mr Justice Hosking in an action in which the borough of Napier proceeded * against the Australian Mutual Provident Society on an application for a declaratory judgment on certain .questions. Mr Justice. Hosking decided that the borough could raiso a special loan under the Local Bodies Loans Act for the purpose of paying off, an overdraft, incurred in respect of money spent in constructing a public work. The court held that the council had no such power, and allowed the appeal.

The street sale of flowers and produce conducted by tho Women's Patriotic Association on Saturday resulted in £230 17s being received, this including proceeds from tho sale of Dardanelles buttons (Anzao remembrances. It is not often that the Women's Association make these appeals. They have the right to every third Saturday in tho month for the purpose, but it is only when funds are required that an appeal is made, and a good response is alw.ays. looked for.

The Fire Brigado was called out just aftor 7 o'clock last evening to suppress an outbreak at No. 15 City road, lloslyn, where a washhouso was in (lames. Tho lloslyn Volunteer Brigade also turned out promptly, and was at work before tho motor from the city arrived. Tho washhouse was totally destroyed, but no other damage was done to tho property, which is owned and occupied by Mrs Martin. There is an insurance p'olicj for £30 over tho destroyed building.

A six-year-old child named William Mort, whoso home is in Bow lane, off Castle street, was admitted to ttlio Hospital on Saturday in condition, as tho result of being run over by a spring-cart, a wheel passing over his body and causing internal injuries. W. Wilson, of America, has (declared war on Germany. W. Wilson, of Dunedin, is selling 1917 model liarley-Davidsons. Remarkable machines having no equal—Advt. Mollisons offer this week lovely Jap. silk dressing gowns, 37s 6d for 255; dressing jackets,- 22s 6d for 15s; all new colourings.— Advt. Your health demands best. Watson's No.10 is choicest of whiskies. —Advt. "No • Rubbing " Laundry Help has no rivals —only wretched imitations. We stock tho genuine Is packets, and! give a "Thinker's" Notebook free.—W. M. Roberts, North-East Valley. l —Advt. For Influenza take Woods'" Great Peppermint Cure. Never fails, Is 6d, 2s 6d.— Advt. A. E. J. Blakeley, dentist, Bank of Australasia, corner of Bond and Rattray streets (next Telegraph. Office). Telephone 1859.— Advt. Launch owners, motorists, and others, don't have trouble. Buy our Columbia Hotshot Batteries. We-have a fino assortment of Dry Batteries, Accumuktors, Lamps, Holders, etc., for ignition and lighting purposes. —Turnbull and Jones (Limited), elec-' trical engineers, Dunedin.—Advt Who is Peter Dick? —Tho most reliable Watchmaker, Jeweller, and Certificated Cottsuiting Optician, 490 Moray place (off Prince* street), Dunedin. Charges moderate.—Advt.