BELATED POLITICAL WISDOM.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18600, 7 July 1922, Page 4

BELATED POLITICAL WISDOM.

Ir is possible to be wonderfully wise after the event. Mr Wilford’s criticism of the Government policy of soldiersettlements emphasises the truth of this. The Government is charged with having squandered money “in purchasing land for soldiers at fabulous prices.” According to Mr Wilford, the Government “let the landowners loose on the country, and the inflation in land prices to-day was due to the purchase nf land for soldiers’ settlements.” Mr Wilford has either a defective memory or he is trusting to the proverbially short memory of the public. As the soldiers returned from the performance of their duties at the front there was an insistent demand, solidly backed by the public, that every opportunity should be afforded them to settle on the land. The possession of land was especially attractive at the time, - for the prices of the products of the ; land were remarkably high. These prices were, however, necessarily reflected in the land values. It was recognised by many that the policy of buying land at the peak of high prices entailed a serious risk, but the soldiers’ demand was not to be denied. There was only one way to procure land to satisfy promptly the popular demand, and that was to buy it. The Government took that way, andl was widely supported in its efforts to settle the soldiers on the land. By the simple rule of economics the price of a commodity always increases when the demand for it becomes abnormal. Mr Wilford himself helped to create the increase by advocating the purchase of land. “Give them (the landowners),” he urged on the Government in 1919, “a fair market price, adding 10 per cent, for the compulsory taking, and take those big tracts of valuable land close along the line of railway, so that each soldier can get hold of a good section.” In those days he joined in the popular cry of “Land for the soldiers,” but now that prices have fallen, he talks nonsense about “letting the landowners loose on the country.” In other words, he condemns to-day what he applauded yesterday.

An Australian mail consisting of 12 bags, Which arrived by the IHiraaroa, left Auckland for Dunedin by the main trunk express on Wednesday, and Will arrive here to-night. The Mafcura. from Vancouver, is due at Auckland to-day with 1920 bags of Home, European, and American mail for New Zealand. The Dunedin portion should, if it connects with the main trunk express, arrive here on Monday night. Wo understand that the General Committee of the City Council, which will meet next Monday evening, will decide upon a definite proposal for the establishment of, a municipal fidh market, which will bo presented to the council at its next meeting. A Rotorua Press Association message states that the Chamber of Commerce has passed a resolution deprecating the erroneous reports throughout the dominion concerning the effects of the Taupe tremors on Rotorua, which is nearly 60 miles from the disturbance. Such reports are seriously injuring business in Rotoma and preventing visitors from coming. The chamber is communicating with the Government on the subject.

Mr A. C. Laing (secretary of the Dunedin Returned Soldiers’ Association) acknowledges with thanks the receipt of £7 from Mr J. Wither (Berwick), being the proceeds of a concert given there recently, and also the amount of £5 ss, ..oing a donation from a “Charity” Saturday held in Roxburgh recently. The amounts are being placed to the credit of the Returned Soldiers’ Association Unemployment Relief Fund.

In the Police Court at Auckland yesterday (says an Auckland Press Association message) Douglas Creor Dent was committed for trial on a charge of manslaughter arising from the death of a boy named Andrew Green through alleged negligent driving of a motor oar by defendant at Parnell qn May 22.

' Something 1 for nothing is an irresistible magnet to most people, not excluding students. The students hod the freedom of the city yesterday, and by ell reports they did not fail to profit by it. A barman in a popular city hotel was busily employed most of the day in supplying thirsty young men in strange drees, who wandered into the bar in exercise of their time-honoured prerogative. The barman, as it happened, had spent a strenuous day in catering for the wants of his University visitors, and had not even had a spore hour in which to take his lunch. When a fresh batch of carnival revellers invaded the bar in the afternoon his patience was exhausted, and he announced brusquely; ‘‘Students’ booze is off-’’ ,What if we pay for it?” asked one of the crowd.' The barman gave them to understand that in that event the case would be altered, and the students, digging deep into the pockets of their disguises, sought to make up the price of a drink all round. The sum total of their capital, however, proved inadequate to the demand of the moment, and they made their exit a sadder, and it is to be presumed, a thirstier crowd. The lodgers at the hotel, whose dinner had also gone the way of the students, crowed when they heard the story. Dr C. J. Eeakes (Director-general of Agriculture) was asked if thore were any developments arising out of the recent death of a Christchurch fellmongery employee from anthrax (says a Press Association wire from Christchurch). It can be definitely stated. Dr Reakes replied, that the stock ol the dominion is absolutely free from anthrax. This statement is based on the results of thorough investigations made by officers of the live stock division of the Department of Agriculture following upon the death of the fellmongery employee referred to. The restricted hours for which the Port Chalmers Post Office is now open daily was the subject of severe criticism at a meeting of the Port Chalmers Progressive League last night. In discussing the best means of getting the postal restrictions withdrawn, it was pointed out that the port had been severely handicapped and hindered for years through its being a railway port, excessive rates having been charged for railway cargo to the city. Now, on top of all that, the Postal Department had started in further to handicap shipping operations by keeping tile .post office closed during hours when business requirements needed its being open. The Progressive League intends to leave no stone unturned in an endeavour to get the post office kept open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. as was the case up to the first ol the present month. That alarmist reports regarding earth, quakes have deterred Australian tourists from coming this way is mote unpleasantly appreciated in Rotorua than anywhere else. An Auckland business man who returned yesterday morning from a visit to Rotorua remarked upon the serious effect that the exaggerated earthquake tumours is having on tourist traffic at Rotorua (wires our Auckland correspondent). He stated _ that! hotels and boarding-houses are complaining bitterly of the unnecessary alarm caused, and' as a result of inquiries he made ho found that business in every direction was seriously affected. A bank manager told him that nothing like die present slump had been experienced in Rotorua for ten years. Rotorua and the surrounding district have not felt a tremor, though the whole earth was quivering at Ta/qpo. The thermal activity is, if anything, slightly under normal, and no apprehension whatever'is felt by people -in the locality. In short, Rotorua and the district have experienced as much immunity from earth tremors as Auckland itself. Guide Warbriok informed the Aucklander on his return from Taupo on Sunday last that he waa of opinion that the disturbance was purely local, ■ and ho thought very little of it. The shocks, although numerous, are more in tie nature of a series of concussions than of ordinary earthquakes. Mr Warbriok favours the theory that soma (airly dfiep-seated steam or water channel has beoome blodked, and superheated steam and gases striking the obstruction causes concussions.

A meeting of members of the United Sbarr-Bowkett Building Spciety was held at Hugh Mitchell and Ca’s office lost evening. Mr F. W, Mitchell, who presided, stated that 88 shares had been applied for, in the now No. 6 Group sinoe last meeting, making a total of 1619 shares applied for to date. A ballot of £SOO for the SBth appropriation in the No. 2 Group was then held and resulted in cluster No. 1 being drawn and held by two members. A ballot of £SOO for the 78th appropriation in No. 3 Group was then held and resulted in cluster No. 128 being drawn and held by one member. A ballot of £SOO for the 45th appropriation in No 4 Group was then held and resulted in duster No. 55 being drawn and held by two members. The chairman also stated that £IOOO would bo disposed C£ at a later date.

The police authorities advise that the man who disappeared from hie home at Safl® yer’s Bay on Juno 28 returned yesterday. In the City Police Court yesterday- morning, before Mr J. R. Bartholomew, S.M., a first offender for drunkenness was fined 20s, in default 48 hours’ imprisonment. A youth, 18 years of age, for whom Mr A. C. Hanlon appeared as counsel, was charged with assaulting one female and indecently assaulting another. Sub-inspector Bodes applied for a remand till the 14th inst., and this was granted, bail being allowed in the sum of £lO in respect of the first charge and £IOO in respect of the second, with two sureties of £SO each or one of £IOO. Publication of the accused’s name was forbidden in the meantime. i

The Labour conference (says an Auckland Press Association message) rejected a proposal for the party to negotiate with the Opposition with a view to coming to an arrangement in order to avoid vote-splitting at the General Election. It had been suggested that each’ party refrain from nominating candidates in the electorates where the other’s candidates were ahead at the last election, the baris of the. agreement to be that the Opposition, if returned to power, agree to pass a Proportional Representation Bill.

The Timaru Radiophone Club is increasing in membership, and the members are very enthusiastic (telegraphs our Christchurch correspondent). Every Sunday music, speeches, recitals, etc., are transmitted with complete success to members wKo have receiving telephones. Messages have been picked up at Christchurch, Oamaru, and Palmerston South.

In connection with the proposed visit of the British trade ship to the dominion, Mr H. O. Campbell, chairman of the Otago Harbour Board, yesterday forwarded the following telegram to Mr R. E, Goddard, British trade ship representative, Wellington i “Glad you have arrived. I shall possibly be in Wellington within a week, when I shall be pleased to wait on you with all details about our port. Meantime, if I cun be of any service please wire me collect.”

Comment on the old way of recording a witness’s evidence by the typewriter was made at the Christchurch Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday. Mr C. S. Thomas said it was rather a pity that a witness’s action and tone of voice could not be recorded as well as the actual words. The Magistrate (Mr Wyvem Wilson, S.M.) said he thought the time would oome when the typewriter would be done away with, and the witness would speak his evidence into a recording machine, which could then be produced again for the Grand Jury. Mr Thomas said he thought the dictaphone could already bo used to replace the typewriter.

The work of rescue carried out by the crew of the Katoa when the Wiltshire was lost has been recognised by the owners of the wrecked steamer. Those who took actual part in the work have received a substantiali monetary reward. The party who mode the joumoy overland to the scene of the wreck and remained there until all the shipwrecked orow were ashore consisted of the chief officer, purser, third engineer, and two seamen Although they did not belong to the landing party, the strenuous work of the wireless operator and of the chief steward of the Katoa has also been recognised and suitable (rewards made. Prior to the advent of the tramcars adopted from those used in the North Island cities, a big oar, now known, as “Big Lizzie,” was built as an experiment. The latter is now running regularly on the Oastlo street and Normnnby routes, and is very popular,with both motormen and conductors. The'former find it most easily controlled, and the latter speak of it as one conveniently managed when the traffic is heavy. It is also popular with travellers, who regard it os the least draughty of the mn.

So far this season 350 of the fish token from the Water of Leith and stripped have been liberated ' in the Lagoon with the object of providing sport for anglers during the coming fishing season; They constitute lota of fish taken from the Leith, and weighed from 6lb downwards.

A new telegraph form for received messages 'is being brought - into use. It is smaller and thinner paper than that used for the “Globe” form hitherto in use. Suburban offices are already supplied |vith these new forms, and all the offices are to use them as soon as the present stock is exhausted

Community, singing was continued in Coal Creek last Tuesday night with increased enthusiasm. The capacity of the schoolroom was well taxed with joyful songsters, some of whom went from Roxburgh to join in the proceedings. Mr John Bennetts again conducted the “sing,” while Mns Frank Tomblyn officiated at the piano. ; '

The head of a well-known Dunedin firm expressed a desire to a Daily Times reporter yesterday to amplify a paragraph we published last week regarding the difficulty experienced in finding employment for boys getting oh for 17 years of age. He said that he would like to state the case from the point of view of the Warehousemen’s Association—an association which covers the soft goods, hardware, fancy goods, orookery, and wholesale druggists’ businesses. Under the award coveting these .trades, if a boy starting work is between the ages of 17 and 18 he has tq be treated as if he were entering his second year oi service, and ho has to be paid accordingly. If he is between the ages of 18 and 19 he has to be treated as if he were in his third year of service, and he has to be paid accordingly. Under the award, a boy between the ages of 16 and 17 has to be paid 24s 6d a week, 17 and 18 325, and IB and 19 59s 6d. It can therefore be seen that employers are not inclined to take on boys of older age when they oan secure younger lads to do the same work. The employers, however, would much prefer to have boys with a sound secondary education, but the award handicaps them in this desire. Moreover, as was stated in our previous paragraph, it is better under the circumstances for a boy whe desires to start in any of these vocations to go to work after leaving the primary school and continue his studies at night classes. The benefits to be derived from secondary education are also nullified to the extent that they do not assist a lad to secure employment. The business man referred to .then pointed out an anomaly in the Government service. Entry into the post and telegraph, service for the past 20 years has only been as a messenger boy—a boy who has finished his education at, say, 14 years of age. On the other hand, other departments of the civil service are open to successful candidates, under examination after leaving the secondary schools or the University. The post and telegraph service cannot, therefore, be said to be open to these youths.

Apparently the German/sailor has no love for hisßritish brother, according to an incident that happened on an American steamer lying at the Dunedin wharf rather less than a week ago. The Britisher in question is a Royal Naval Reserve man, and had been here for about seven months, during which period he passed through a rather trying time owing to his failing to gel employment.- He, his wife, and two children, were assisted by various kindly-disposed people, who interested themselves in the case, and the man finally signed on as a member of the crew of an American vessel. About a week ago he went on board, and was greeted by one of the crew, who, like a number of the men, was Gorman by birth, or extraction, with a very hostile demonstration, and was informed that they did not want any Britishers on board, an invitation being given to those near at hand to assist in putting the new-comer off the ship. The response was not slow, and was started by a negro member of the crew stalking the men over the head with a Weapon of some sort. Then the encounter became general, the other German sailors rushing into the fray, and the man w*fl forced out of the ship. When be himself a few minutes later before someone who had befriended him he presented a sorry spectacle, being badly injured about the head and bearing unmistakable evidence of rough handling. He was again assisted, and was sent to his home, and it is needless to say did not make any attempt to return to the ship, which has now taken her departure from Dunedin. His injuries, though not serious, were quite sufficient to lay him up for a day or two. Details of a terrific hurricane that swept over Torres Banks and .the Northern Hebrides early in April have just been received in Auckland (wires our correspondent). The story shows that the Melanesian mission has suffered severely The hurricane started in Torres Islands, where the damage done was slight, and, gaining in force, it worked its way southward through Banks Islands, and on to New Hebrides. Photographs of the places visited by the hurricane indicate that it must have been an appalling experience to residents. Huge trees were uprooted, while native houses and even strongly-built schools and churches wet> demolished. The yam crop, fortunately, was too far advanced to be affected by the hurricane. The concrete buildings of the French mission star tion at Namaram appear to be levelled to tjie ground. At Lolton the priests’ house is roofless and the oh arch badly damaged. The nuns’ house intact. At Lamaloma Miss Hardacre’s house is a wreck. Th© church of St. John is levelled to the flooring but the Rev. M, Tariloo’a little wooden hut is intact. Luckily for him he had nailed himself up inside it. Of some 60 churches on th© island only fqur are left. One is in Central Raga, and three in North Raga. Not one church is left standing in Northcentral Raga. Prom every village comes the same news. All th© houses were destroyed except on© or two, in which people sheltered. Tie hurricane did not reach the Solomon Islands, so that the damage to the Melanesian mission is restricted to ita churches and stations in the New Hebrides and the Banks Islands. The loss/ however, is a most serious one.

It is said that a few weeks ago a little girl, about 13 years of age, who had gone to the hospital for some simple throat trouble, was found on examination to have her heart on the right side instead of the left, and that all her internal organs were transposed (says the Auckland Star). She was quite a strong, healthy little girl, and had won competitions at children’s outdoor games. The case caused a good deal of discussion at the lime, and it is stated that the Clinical Society had the matter under discussion. Such oases, however, are not unknown in the Auckland province. Only recently a pioneer settler well up to threescore years and ten, and healthy-looking enough to see another score of years, related that when he wae a young man and wanted to get his life injured, he was told that on no account could his life be insured. He went on his way, doing whatever hard pioneering work fell to his lot, and is still able to dp a hard day’s work He says he has often excelled at work' many big robust looking men, and that if he haw! to live his life over again he would just like his heart in exactly the same place as it is now. The farmers of Southland have not agreed to let the Arbitration Court continue its functions so far os they are concerned. No definite move has been made since Juno 12, when, at a sitting of the court in Invercargill, Mr Justice Frazer administered a publip rebuke to the senders of letters which he censured as autocratic and disrespectful. The Southland Executive of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union is now preparing a petition designed to be broadcasted through die dominion. ' The petition prays the Prime Minister to pass legislation exempting all primary producers from liability to Conciliation and Arbitration Courts Acta, “leaving us that freedom of contract with our employees which hitherto has been satisfactory and successful.” The petition states that farmers are seriously perturbed owing to the onerous conditions imposed on the growers of grain by the Arbitration Court and fear that owing to the lack of knowledge and sympathy the court does not appreciate the conditions under which they have to make a living. The petitioners submit that the system with commercial firms of passing increased costs on to the buyers is impossible when applied to farm production, as produce values are governed by the world parity. The weather renders cast-iron awards governing hours of work inapplicable to farm work, and if persevered in will strangle production. They are desirous of doing their beet to increase production, but, threatened by uncertain weather and adverse awards, prosperity by increased production is jeopardised. The petition has been printed and will be finally endorsed by the executive next week before being circulated-

Pull, pull, pull; that’s all the HarleyDavidson motor cycle knows. Otago ageiits: W. A. Justice and Co., Imperial Garage. 252 Princes street. Dunedin.—Advt The run is on “Keep Smiling” pumice Soap, “Golden Rule” Cocoanut Oil Soap, and the famous “No Rubbing” Laundry Help. Exceptional merit—that’s the reason why.—A. F. Barrows, agent for “No-Rub-bing.”—Advt. Hero’s another snip:—Unbleached .-Table Damask, 50 inches wide, heavy make, good patterns. Clearing price, 2a lid yara, at Mollison’e Sale. —Advt. Why pay more? High-grade tailored suits, from £6 10s to £9 10s. Dress suit specialists. Every coat guaranteed tailored by hand. Satisfaction guaranteed. G. S. Roberts, tailor, Stock Exchange. Late night Friday.—Advt. Tlie Pacific Starr-Bowkett Building Society invites apolioations for shares in' the New (No. 4) Group. Office, 86 King Edward street. —Advt. The nip for nippy winter 'weather, Wateon's No. 10. Fine old Scotch whisky'... A E. J. Blakeley, dentist, Bank of Australasia. corner of Bond and Rattray streets (next Telegraph Office). Telephone 1859. • Advt. Save your Eyes.—Consult Peter G. Dick. D.8.0.A., F. 10., London, consulting ami oculists’ optician.—“ Peter Dick,” jeweller* uid opticians, Moray place. Dunedin.—Advt