THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES THURSDAY, OCTOBER S 5, 1023. THE SEPARATISTS IN GERMANY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19001, 25 October 1923, Page 6

THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES THURSDAY, OCTOBER S 5, 1023. THE SEPARATISTS IN GERMANY.

Ip strength lies in union, as we know it does, Germany is going the way of weakness. The shadow of disintegration is upon her. Whether it will be lifted or grow heavier is a point which may speedily he determined. It may be that the Separatist movement is but a passing phase, the outcome of lack of confidence in a Central Government that has certainly little in the way cf practical accomplishment to its credit, an expression of popular discontent, a manifestation of political opportunism, and generally the effect of the unrestful inliucnces of which the country is a hotbed, having origin in the extraordinary internal conditions that have arisen, particularly sinca the French occupation of the .Ruhr. Bavaria and Saxony among the States constituting the once great German Federation have developed definite ideas respecting their political destiny which they show a greater or less disposition to work out for themselves in the meantime. Defections from the coalition in which Prussia is dominant threaten to bring Germany for the time being at least back to her old condition as a loose aggregation of independent States. The position in the Rhineland, where a republic has been nroclaimed, differs from that in Bavaria. France has been freely credited with desiring to see a disintegrated Germany. Not in Germany alone has the view been advanced that the aim of French action has consisted in something more than reparations and security. Rightly or wrongly, Franco has come under some suspicion of seeking political rather than

economic advantages far beyond those which were suggested in the Versailles Treaty. Perhaps this was inevitable since the occupation of the Ruhr, though a dubious expedient when considered as a pledge for the payment of reparations, has been widely regarded as the seizure by Prance of an opportunity of exacting a quid pro quo satisfactory to herself. The Paris newspapers are busily denying the allegations that French machinations have brought about tho Separatist proclamation in the Rhineland, but it is scarcely likely that a great deal of heed will be given to their protestations in this connection. For it is more or less an open secret that French policy has aimed at the creation of an independent buffer State with a view to the security of the French frontier. Le Temps declares that the Rhineland movement is “a spontaneous reaction of the population which refuses any longer to be oppressed and exploited as a weapon against its Western neighbours.” It may be so, but in view of what has been divulged respecting the Rhenish policy of M. Poincare’s Government it must appear quite pi'obable that to the Rhinelanders, described by the Cologne correspondent of Tho Times “as like sheep without a shepherd,” there has arisen a leader capable of bringing off a political coup in confidence of the moral support, as well as the protection, if need be, of the French authorities. Now that the secession of the Rhineland from the German Federation has been brought about, France will certainly find difficulty in persuading the world that one of her objects has not been accomplished. The advantage which is likely to accrue to France must to some extent be dependent on what is behind the Separatist movement. If this represents but a surface agitation it may not count for much in the, long run. It must inevitably he suggested that in furthering the amputation from Germany of the most productive portion of her territory France is impairing the prospect for the payment of reparations. In some quarters the view is emphatically advanced that the compensation which Franco is seeking—apart from the question of security—consists in a Franco-German combine in the iron and steel industries. But as regards Germany as a whole there seems, on the score of really adequate motive, something unconvincing about the view that France is desirous of her general disintegration. If that were so, and the process were already beginning, the stamp of insincerity would surely attach to the French Government’s many declarations on the reparations question. For France has ostensibly been putting pressure on Germany with the sole object of creating in her the will to pay. Franc© and Belgium may not be perturbed over the Separatist activities in Germany, but, amid the confusion of the situation, if one thing appears more certain than another, it is that such activities have been stimulated by the conditions created by the French occupation of German territory, and that they are detrimental to the prospects for a satisfactory settlement of the reparations question.

DOMESTIC SERVICE. It is improbable that anyone is very sanguine that the inquiry which has been in progress for a considerable time past under the auspices of the .British Ministry of Labour respecting the domestic service problem will have a satisfactory outcome. It will probably result in very much the same way as an inquiry conducted at Home upon similar lines by the Central Committee on Women’s Training and Employment. This committee has established to its own satisfaction that all women are not suitable for domestic service, that fear of loneliness is a great deterrent, and that the chief factor is a “psychological problem rather than merely a question of demand and supply.” This is not a highly illuminating conclusion, but it may be quite as useful as any at which the committee appointed by the Ministry of Labour will arrive. A wealth of evidence of a kind has been taken by this Committee, but what it will make of much of it is beyond telling. For example, the Superintendent in London and Leeds of the domestic training centres under the Central Committee for Women’s Unemployment made a dramatic suggestion. “ All women of every class,” she asserts, “should be conscripted for a period of domestic training. Every woman should take a certificate after six months’ training. Each town should have compulsory domestic training centres.” This British matron has evidently the courage of her convictions. She is reported to have declared that the inability of so many women to organise their own homes was at the bottom of the servant question. Even, however, if these be words of wisdom, the time is scarcely ripe for the application of a remedy so searching as domestic conscription. Moreover, if domestic duties be already distasteful, the effect of compulsion would only be to render them doubly so. The evidence heard by the Committee has reflected at eveiy turn the aifliculty attaching to the status of the domestic servant. It was the argument of one witness that men could popularise the domestic girl by marrying her. She asked why the latest toe-dancer and her millionaire should he photographed in the press, when “we never see a man photographed flatteringly because he has manned a woman with domestic service training.” Another illustration of the injustice of the situation is furnished in the embittered comment that “ the hospital nurse is regarded as a ministering angel and the domestic servant as a necessary evil.” It-is to be hoped that a statement made by one witness has received wide circulation at Home for the stimulus of it upon migration to the dominions of a class that is greatly desired may bo valuable. This witness described “the colonies ” as places “ where domestic service was an honourable profession and, given a certain amount of charm, a sure matrimonial bait.” A groat deal of the evidence secured by the Committee has been given by Women who have a standing as experts in some sphere of life. “But are they really experts,” asks the Daily Chronicle, “in regard to the life and work and aspirations of Mary Jane and Mrs Brown P” The Committee might perhaps be better employed, the same journal suggests, if its members made bouse to house visits in various residential areas of England and asked average, normal mistresses and maids what they thought about the whole matter.

An English and Australian mail arrived at Auckland by the Manuka, from Sydney, and most of the Dunedin portion of it should reach hero to-night. The quantity expected to-night is seven bags of letters and 24 bags of newspapers. Thirty bags of parcels from the United Kingdom are duo here to-morrow night.

A conference is to be held at the Harbour Board office on Friday morning between members of the board and representatives of the Otago Importers’ and Shippers’ Association, the Dunedin Manufacturers’ Association, the overseas’ shipping companies, and the Chamber of Commerce with respect to the charges for the receiving and delivery of overseas cargo.

All fat stock, with the exception of pigs, showed a decline in price at Burnside yesterday, cattle declining from 20s to 30s per head and sheep from 2s to 2s 6d per head. Fat cattle totalled 270 head, compared with 257 a week ago. The quality ranged from fair to good, with a sprinkling of unfinished bullocks and heifers. Competition lacked animation from start to finish. Prime handy-weight bullocks made from 36s to 38s per lOOlb, prime heavy-weight bullocks to 37s fid; second quality bullocks from 34s to 355; prime heifer beef to 31s fid; cow beef from 25s to 27s fid. Fat sheep w r crc not numerous, but the entry was more than ample for butchers’ requirements, tile penning consisting of 1871, compared with 1957 last -week and 1663 the week before. Some 200 shorn sheep were forward, all of nice quality. The “woollies” were a mixed lot, and included some good ewes. The price of woolly sheep cased to the extent of 2a to 2s fid a head. Extra prime heavy-weight wethers brought up to 9s. Prime handyweight wethers (in wool) brought, up to 7jtl per lb, medium quality and heavy-weight Wethers from 7d to prime shorn wethers from fid to 6Jd, prime ewes (in wool) up to fijd, aged and unfinished ewes from sjd to fid. Thirty-six head of spring lambs were entered, compared with 17 last week. Prices ranged from 29s 3d to 47s (equal to Is per lb), as against Is fid last week. There was a small entry of store cattle, only

head being forward, compared with 300 last week. The quality, with the exception of one pen of good three and four-year-old steers, was indifferent. This particular pen of stefers sold at from £7 5s to £7 ISs per head. There was very little demand for young and backward cattle, and prices were unchanged. There was a short supply of pigs, and prices increased to the extent of from 5s to 7s fid per head. Prime porkers brought up to 9.)d per lb, and prime baconors up to 7|d per lb. la yesterday’s issue it was made to appear that the amending order filed by the Arbitration Court in relation to the coal mines awards operated in order to reduce the current rates of wages. This is not strictly accurate, though the wages scale that is to come into force on November 1 is lower than that which was in operation it the peak of the cost of living. The effect of the order just filed is to increase the rates of remuneration now in force by 5d per day in the case of time-workers and irom 5d to 8d per day in the case of pieceworkers. The cost-of-living adjustments for coal miners are based on the food statistics only, which have shown a slight increase during the six months just ended. This basis was adopted from the coal mines national agreement of 1920, in which it was recognised that miners "were not affected by the increases in rents and the prices of fuel that bad to be borne by other sections of the community.

The damage caused by the fire in Mr R. S. Black’s fur store early yesterday morning cannot be estimated at the present time, but it amounts to several thousands of nr/unds. When tho City Fire Brigade arrived the flames had a strong hold, but. with the aid of two strong leads of water, the firemen soon had them under control. In the meantime, however, serious damage cad been done, the ton floor having been tutted and the roof damaged. Some thounanda of rabbitskins were destroyed, and the ground floor (occupied by the James R. Hayne Proprietary) and the cellar of the building were damaged by -water. Though the cause of the fire' is unknown, it is thought that it started in tho vicinity of the centre of the building. Mr Black’s stock of furs and skins is insured in tho Liverpool, London, and Globe office for 26500, and the building itself is insured in the Northern Assurance office for i The fittings are insured in tho New Zealand elpco for £350, and in the same office the stock of the Hayne Proprietary is insured for £650. This stock is also insured in .the Standard office for £350.

A pro re nata meeting of Dunedin Presbytery was held on Wednesday morning to deal with the licensing of Mr W, H. X 3. M'Kenzie, 8.A., M.C. The moderator 'Professor Gumming) presided. The' Revs. IC. J. Tipler, W. Trotter, and G. H. Jupp,' who had each examined various exercises submitted by Mr M'Kenzie, all presented most favourable reports on the high standard of his work. The Rev. J. J. Cairney, convenor of the committee on licensing, moved that the trials be sustained and Mr M'Kenzie duly licensed. Mr W. H. Adams seconded the motion, and expressed his

•roat pleasure in doing so as one who had watched Mr M'Kenzxe’s distinguished career from boyhood and also as one who had istoned to the arresting and original sermon he had delivered in First Church a fortnight ago. The Rev. H. Maclean also ire testimony to the high qualifications and valuable and varied experience of Mr M’Kenzie for the work of the ministry. After the adoption of the motion, Mr M'Kenzie was duly licensed according to the form prescribed. Mr J. Priestly, dominion organising secretary cf the Sudan Mission, delivered an address in the Hanover Street Baptist Church Hall last evening on “Mission Work in the Sudan.” Owing to the wet night, the audience was small, but those who were present evinced a keen interest in the address and listened attentively tnroughout. On the motion of Mr G. W. Gibson (chairman of the local committee of the mission), a hearty vote of thanks was accorded the lecturer.

Respecting a letter published by us yesterday, in which a complaint was made of the train arrangements for last week-end, the Railways Department informs us that previous experience showed that two expresses for the north were not required on the Saturday before Labour Day, and further, that one express was ample for the traffic that offered on Saturday last. Although the oxnres? for the north left Dunedin a few minutes late, it was on time at Palmerston. The down express was, it Is stated, not delayed owing to heavy traffic, but because of the late arrival of the ferry steamer at Lyttelton. It was held at Christchurch for through passengers and mails and loft that station 41 minutes late and arrived in Dunedin at 5.29 p.m., 44 minutes late. On Monday morning (Labour Day) an extra express for Oamaru left Dunedin at 7.35 a.m., and the ordinary express for Lyttelton at 8 a.m. In the evening the ordinary express left Oamaru for Dunedin at 6 p.m. and an extra express at 6.50 p.m. Although there were a good number travelling bn Saturday and Monday, there was, we are assured, ample accommodation on the trains, and the services provided were sufficient for the traffic. Had the two expresses been run from the north on Monday, the Department concludes from past experience that the first would have been poorly patronised. The 6 o’clock express from Oamaru had only nine cars, and it is admitted that it would have been better if an additional oar had been provided from Palmerston owing to the number of shortdistance passengers using this train instead of the specials that were provided. The great bulk of the passenger traffic on Labour Day is to seaside resorts close at hand and to stations within a short radius of the main centres. As cheap suburban fares are in force up to 20 miles, the issue of excursion tickets is confined to places at which there are special attractions, such as Labour Day sports, shows, or races. Last night’s Post flies a political kite about the possibility of an early session of Parliament, and gives alleged reasons why there should be one. So far (says our Wellington correspondent! there is not the least ground for supposing that there will be an early session. There is just as much likelihood of an early General Election—perhaps more.

Recently a lady visitor lost in South Dunedin a purse containing a pound note, return ticket to Gore, and private papers which gave an indication of her address. Acting on the advice of the police, she advertised, and in response received the private papers only, torn into fragments and in an unstamped envelope.

The male patient who escaped from Seacliff on Tuesday afternoon, was captured by the police yesterday.

At yesterday’s meeting of the North' Canterbury Hospital Board it was decided (says a Press Association telegram) to offer Miss Ti-ood, at present chief dietitian at Vancouver Hospital, the position of dietitian at the Christchurch Hospital, at a salary of £450 per annum, with board and lodging and travelling expenses to New Zealand. Dr Fenwick said the dietitian was a modern thing. It was necessary to feed the patients with food which would most quickly restore them to health. He stressed the fact that science had shown that proper dieting saved lives, and the board should have a proper dietitian.

The proposal to establish a radium department in connection with the Christchurch Hospital was advanced a stage at a meeting of the North Canterbury Hospital Board yesterday (says a Christchurch Press Association telegram), when the Rex - . J. K. Archer moved that the board should consider a proposal to raise £IO,OOO or over for the formation of a radium department in connection with the institution. The matter has been before the board for some time, and full information is being obtained from Home concerning the benefits of radium. The board decided to give consideration to Mr Archer’s proposal.

The question of immigration was touched on at a meeting of the executive of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union (says a Wellington Press Association message). Mr W. J. Poison (president) said he was pleased to hear that the Immigration Commission had indicated that the group settlement scheme of Western Australia was very favourably regarded. That scheme could well be applied to New Zealand, especially in the northern part of the country. The Farmers’ Union was not at all satisfied with the nomination scheme. The country at times was getting men who were a charge on the State from the day they arrived here. Junior immigration was touched on in a general discussion, some speakers saying that a splendid selection had been made at* Home. No satisfactory arrangements had been made with the visiting commission, but it was suggested that the Government should set aside a suitable area for the development of the group system.

“It is easily seen that the Labour Party is not in power,’’ said Mr Bennett (employers’ representative) in the dispute between the shipowners and seamen before the Conciliation Council (says a Wellington Press Association message). “From soma legislation just passed it looks like it,” said Mr Smith (employer's’ representative). “I wish to goodness they were,” said Mr Young; “the talk at this table would bo different.” “No free speech then,” remarked Mr Smith. Mr SToung: “No, not for the employers. We would do the same as they did in Russia—send the employers to work or else disfranchise them.” "‘Well, that would be no hardship on some of us,’’ said Captain Paterson.

# Tho Court Enterprise of the Ancient Order of Foresters celebrated its diamond jubilee with a dance in the Early Settlers’ Hall last night. Despite the inclement weather, there was a large attendance. The dance was interspersed with musical items. ■Messrs D. Auld. S B. Brettell, and T. Bastion were M.C.’s. During an interval, P.C.R. W. M. Hogg gave an account of the progress made during the last 10 years. Contributions amounting to £12,337 had been received, he said, and £6293 had been earned in interest. The total funds to data stood at £16,016./ Sick pay amounting to £4576 had been distributed, financial claims amounted to £1405, and £570 had been paid out of the surplus funds. Funeral claims totalling £1259 had been paid, and during the past five years £582 was given in maternity allowances. The last-named sum had been refunded by the Government.

A man was arrested by Detective Roycroft yesterday on a charge of making a false doctor’s prescription for the purpose of obtaining heroin, a drug which is allowed to be sold for medicinal purposes only. The man will appear before the CityPolice Court this morning.

Tho unfortunate incident at the City Council meeting a fortnight ago, when Cr ''acManus declined to withdraw unconditionally a reflection on the tramways engineer, was referred to again at the council last night by Cr MacManns. He rose immediately when the motion for the confirmation of the minutes was put and began to read from them. He expressed a wish to have “the truth’’ added to the minutes. Tho Acting-Mayor (Cr Douglas): “You cannot discuss this just now. You must sit down. All you can do at this stage is to affirm the minutes. It is a correct record.” Cr MacManus: “It is not a correct record.” Cr? Wilson and Scott contended

■it Cr MacManus had a right to question, the correctness of the minutes. Gr Dougins; “When this resolution was put Cr MacManus was not present.” Cr MacManus referred to the statement in the minutes that he intimated he was unable to withdraw the expression unconditionally, and quoted from the newspaper reports his statement that he would withdraw “to allow the discussion to go on.” He that should also bo included in the minutes, as he had never at any time committed a lawless act. Cr Douglas said he distinctly remembered Cr MacManus saying he would withdraw for the purposes of continuing the debate. Cr MacManus; “I ask that that be included.” The Town Clerk, Mr Lewin, pointed out that minutes were not reports of debates but records of decisions. The minutes were confirmed as read.

Sheep-farming in the backblocks of Taranaki has many disadvantages (remarks the Daily News). The difficulties of getting the wool out to market are well known. Then there are the bush vines and a bid-a-bid, that cling to and pull out the wool. The worst menace at the present season is the wild pig. These ferocious brutes know that young lambs are a toothsome dainty and easy to capture, and the result is that heavy losses have occurred during tire past few weeks. One station with over 4000 sheep mustered only 40 per cent, of lambs last season, and this year the percentage is likely to be much less owing to the ravages of the wild pigs. In one small lot of 40 ewes the nigs destroyed all but two of the lambs. Without doubt pigs are increasing and settlers fear that it is only a matter of time when the flocks of grown sheep will be attacked. The wild pig is a very speedy animal and will sometimes out-distance dogs and horses for a distance up to half a mile. That being so, it is easy to see that the hogs could readily run down a sheep. The menace is a very real one, and will have to receive much more serious attention hy the Government than the offering of one shilling per snout royalty. The position will have to be met with thorough organised effort, and the sooner the effort is made the better, as each season sees the pigs increase by thousands.

One of the most interesting things from a fanner’s point of view is the price of cattle to-day (says tho Wanganui Chronicle). The average price for four-year-old store bullocks is about £8 per head, while last year £5 10s was the ruling price. This improvement has been brought about by the shortage of store cattle in the country, the "eat more beef” campaign, and the ex. port trade, which has helped to clean out the sin-plus of aged bullocks. Dairy farmers hare also been knocking their steer calves on the head for some considerable time, as they have not been worth rearing. It looks as if steer cattle will prove to be a payable proposition to the farmer in future, and that the experience of the slump will soon be a thing of tihe past.

Curios for the Children's Exhibition, which will open in the Brydone HaJ! on Monday, may be left at the Brydone Hall any day this week. Only 90 shares remain to ha disposed of in the No. 7 group of the United StarrBowkett Building Society. Members of the Dunedin Y.M.C.A. men’s and women’s gymnastic classes will give a display of apparatus, oalisfhenie and physical drill in the Garrison Hail, Port Chalmers, to-night. The Pacific Starr-Bowkett Society invite membership in the new group, No. 5, and advertise appropriations totalling £4OOO for October 30. 86 King Edward street.—Advt. A. E. J. Blakeley, dentist. Bank of Australasia, corner of Bond and Rattray streets (next Telegraph Office). Telephone 1859. Advt. Diamond Engagement Rings.—Before purchasing compare our values; large selection, superior quality.—Peter Dick, direct importers jewellery, watches, etc,, 490 Morv» place, Duaodin.—Adri.