The Otago Witness, WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE SOUTHERN MERCURY. (WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 20, 1902.) THE WEEK.

Otago Witness, Issue 2527, 20 August 1902, Page 43

The Otago Witness, WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE SOUTHERN MERCURY. (WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 20, 1902.) THE WEEK.

Lasting peace between Briton and Boer m<iy be said to have been The King lirmly cemented by the reand th« ception granted Boer Generals, by the King to the three Boer generals, Botha, De Wet, and De la Rev. King Edwaid is certainly displaying tact and wisdom in the official acts of the early stages of his rei'i), and his Majesty's proposed visit to Ireland, coupled with the audience granted to the Boer leaders, evinces a disposition to placate, in the interests of peace and prosperity, the irreconcilables of the Empire. Nothing is baser than to spurn a defeated foe ; nothing more noble than to convert him into a life-long friend. The King is eminently possessed of the ffctulty of saying the rigiit thing in the right place, and at the right time, and his remarks to the Boer generals were couched in the happiest strain. What could be better calculated to inspire the brave Boers with lo} r a) feelings to the Empire than King Edward's gracious reference to the gallant manner, in which they Lad fought, and the

consideration and kindness wherewith they had treated the British, including the wounded? The King's warm wishes for their future were feelingly acknowledged by the Eoer Generals, and will doubtless help them to steer a straight course when surrounded by Dutch intriguers. But, however much we may applaud the dignified yet generous fashion in which the King received the Boer Generals, the same can hardly be said of their reception by the London crowd. It is probable that, what with Peace celebrations and Coronation demonstrations, the average Londoner has been indulging too freely of late in what, according to the most up-to-date wordcoining, is popularly known as " mafficking," and consequently he has scarcely yetregained his sober senses. On no other grounds is it possible to understand the conduct of the crowd at the Waterloo station, where, we are told, they practically mobbed the Boer Generals on their arrival in London, greeting them with shouts of " Good old De Wet !" " Brave soldiers !" "We are all united now !" There was great reason, therefore, for the rebuke administered by the London Times, that paper declaring : " While it is right to show respect to a brave enemy, and reasonable to accept assurances of fidelity, the exuberance of the emotion shown by the London crowds was much in excess of- what was appropriate, and unworthy of the spirit in which the struggle was conducted on both sides.' But, then, popular enthusiasm U provex bially fickle, and too much importance muse not be attached to it at any • time. ' ' A Glasgow merchant, writing to a friend . in Otago. says somewhat dis- " The Imperial respectfully: "The great Conference. Seddon has ariived. There seem? to be no end to his 'gas,' and it matters not what the subject may be, he opens his mouth and pours off "sjds' pure and undiluted." And what the Glasgow merchant pithily describes as " gas " has percolated W mean« of daily private cables from Mr Seddon to his col-lc.-igues, and on arrival in this colony has bec-n tersely described by one of the Ministerial party in Parliament as " slush." These two forceful, if discourteous, descriptions of the Premier's utterances seem to throw considerable light upon the Imperial Conference of Premiers, which has jusfc brought its deliberations to a conclusion. • We are informed that Mr Seddon is disappointed at the small Imperialistic outcome of the Conference, and almost in the same breath, that the proceedings will not be published, though the resolutions will be issued shortly as a Parliamentary paper. It may be taken for granted that Mr Seddon poured out considerable " gas " during the sittings of the Conference, and that he"

opened his mouth and put his foot in it frequently when airing his opinions on the great Imperial economic questions under discussion. It is not improbable that Mr 1 Chamberlain, promptly recognising the' ridicule to which Mr Seddon would be "ex- " poswl were the buckets of "slush" »f which he has delivered himself published to the' world, decided to issue the resolutions only,' and thereby save a patriotic colony from the odium which it otherwise would incus in the case of a public exposure of the colossal ignorance of its chosen representative. And consequently Mr Seddon is disappointed, for he was looking forward to seeing his speeches in print. But the . cruellest blow of all to our Premier has been the utter failure of his pet preferential resolutions. Probably Mr Barton is right when he said that the results of the Conference are as satisfactory as could have been anticipated. Briefly put, the net outcome is a recommendation to tlie Colonial and Imperial Governments to review the question of subsidies to mail ships, and that power should be obtained to acquire all future cables on equitable terms. The Conference also favoured the metric system, and mutnal protection of patents throughout the Empire. Imperial Freetrade being an impossibility, the Conference favoured such preferential treatment to British products and manufiictures as the Colonial Parliaments may approve, leaving the Imperial Parliament to make such return as is open to it. But although the Conference haa no power to carry these recommendations into effect, the most important effect of the deliberations will undoubtedly be the growth of a better understand'ni? on cbmmorcial and fiscal questions between the Motherland and her numerous dependencies.

'I'he past, present, and furyr« of Mr_ Seddon would afford good maMr SrddoiiN terhl for a magazine article, Futnre. for tho Premier of New Zea/

land looms large in the woiM'f. eye ft the present time. Hii past life, with its humble beginnings, ha< been prominently brought before the public in ihe lenythy reports published of the v\s\i paid by Mr Seddon to his birthplace in Lancashire. The most interesting item in connection with his present is the rumour that the King personally pressed upon Mr Seddon the acceptance of a titular distinction, but that the Premier declined with thanks the baronetcy so graciously proffered him. The reasons 'with which Mr Seddon is credited in refusing a title are that his work is not yet finished, and that he has strength and opportunity to do much more yet in public life, and that he believes the acceptance of a title would hamper his hands and impair his usefulness. There is more in this incident than meets the eve. When in Dunedin, Mr Seddon distinctly declared that whatever honours weie offered him while in England would be accepted as a compliment to the colony which he represented, and for him now to state that " he had publicly declared that he should return to New Zealand as undecorated as he was when he left tho colony" is clearly beside the mark. It is evident that Mr Seddon seeks a larger field of activity than this colony presents, for with the example of Sir Joseph Ward before his eyes, it is idle to suppose that the acceptance of a title would impair liTs usefulness so far as New Zealand is concerned. Perhaps he is playinjr for lar

re, and the rumonr circulated by Mr T. Stead may possibly prove to be Veil within the mark. This is to the effect that Mr Seddon is impressed with the need bf a strong statesman in South Africa, and that he intends becoming the leader of the Labour party in the Rand ; and that behind it all lies an aspiration after the first tPremierjgßip of the South African Federation foreshadowed id Mr Rhodes' s will. It will be interesting to ts ,uch whether this forecast of Mr Seddon's future turns out anywhere near the mark.

JYhether or no Mr Seddon has had

enough of New Zealand re-

TTanJ or mains to be seen, but it is guidon— Wirieh I beceming increasingly cvi-

dent that New Zealand is tired of Mr Seddon. Already a peculiar development «an bs noted in political circles — viz., the likelihood of tlie most burning personal question amongst Ministerialists at the coming election being "Ward or Seddca;— Which?' 5 The probability of Sir Joseph Ward being selected to lead the Government — -whether Mr Sedpon retires or cg — is being actively discussed. Tbe Acting-Premier has surprised even his opponents by the tact, skill, and Expedition, "with which he has conducted the business of the House. In the place of the old regime of browbeat, bully, and blow, Sir Joseph Ward has invariably displayed c courtesy in reply and a dignity in debate wnich takes members back to the good old faallance days. The contrast of this session with those which have preceded it is j»o marked as to reflect greatly upon Mr Beddon's methods, and it would now be exceedingly difficult for the Pi-emier to regain his former ascendency over his followers. 'Add to this the fact that during his absence in London Mr Seddon's mistakes and follies have, like curses, been coming home to |-oost, and should he again occupy his feat 3b the House, he will liave to run the gauntlet of such a crossfire of awkward questions as might well daunt a braver inaan than the indomitable Richard John. (Everything points, therefore, to a bowing to the inevitable, and before long we may fee in a position to chronicle the fact that t-he hind which has known him for so long shall know him no more. In which case we reverently write against his name, 8.1.P.

It is wearisome work, week after treek,

to have to return to the Trade With same old subject, and dwell fioatta Africa, upon the unsatisfactory na-

ture of this colony's present «teamer communication with South Africa. One of the latest and most flagrant instances of how New Zealand's industries are hampered and energies crippled owing .to Governmental Wangling has just been published. . A Durban merchant, deluded (by the idea that the steamer Sussex would (leave New Zealand for South Africa direct, tearly in July, shipped large consignments Jof potatoes and other perishable products by Jthat vessel. The Sussex, however, hung iaboul> until the end of the month, in order p> pick up cargo, and finished up by going kia Australia with a lot of sheep for Sydney. The indignant consignor declares that he does not know when the boat will reach South Africa, but in all probability his produce will have perished. Thus, by Its neglect to furnish direct boats, sailing on settled dates, regardless of the amount . nf cargo they carry, the Government is Inflicting upon the mercantile community Knd the colony at large an infinity of harm. It •would be amusing, were the matter not Bo serious, to note that the Acting- Premier 9ias expressed surprise that "an attempt fehould have been made to find fault with the Government in connection with the South African steam service." So far pom an attempt havine been made to find j&ralt, we deem the charge pioved right «p to the hilt. But apparently the ActingjPremier is quite prepared to make a scapegoat of Mr Seddon's erstwhile white-haired boy— Mr H. C. Sleigh, of Blue Star nolioriety> for despite the efforts of "all King Dick's horses, and all King Dick's men," fchat joint-stock company has never been floated, and a notice has been served to terminate the contract. The nature of Ibne "other steps'* which the Government propose to take to secure a service to South Africa is nob yet disclosed, but will be anxiously awaited. Mr Seddon's sentiments on the occasion of the launching of the Union Company's new steamer Moeraki are an entire contradiction of his Blue Star bungling and .Sleighcoquetting.

The latest instance of Government incom-

petence to deal with public Mr Dnnaw's questions iR afforded in tlie Delicacy. reply made by the Minister

of Lands to a deputation of Wellington butchers, -who waited upon him to urge the Government to put a big export daty on stock. Whereupon Mr Duncan sagely said that the matter was a delicate lone to handle, but he promised to consider it. Wherein the delicacy consists, and Why there should be any need for consideration, may be appai'ent to Mr Duncan, but .obviously the proper it ply would have been an emphatic refusal to even sntertain such a request. What folly for the colony to Kpend time and trouble in building up an export trade in frozen meat, if we have not enough and to spare for our own requirements, and what constitutes the difference between exporting live stock and frozen meat it would puzzle even the Wellington butchers to explain. Considering the drought-depleted condition of the flocks and herds of the Australian Commonwealth, there was reason for the action of the West Australian 'Government in forbidding the export of stock to fiouth Africa ; but no such conditions prevail here. And quite ■apart from the mhumanitv of a proposal to refuse to come to the help of Australia in the time of her distress, it is absurd to argue that the presort demand on the flock* of the colon y is likely to cause a future shortage. The real point where the shoe pniches is that the high price* ruliucr for stock are mnking inroads on the butchers' profits ; but that is merely one of the ineide&ces to which all trades ore exposed.

The stockbreeders and stockraisers are justly entitled to the increased price which the accident of the Australian demand has brought about. Indeed, it is one of Nature's compensations to the farmer that the high price of stock should be an offset against the low price of wool. And Mr Duncan need have no delicacy about speaking the truth. ;

It is only about four year* s-ince xhat renowned British scientist. Sir A Solution Win. Crookes. startled every-

of the one by his warning prophecy Wheat Problem, that by 1950 the biead-eat-ing portion of the world would be faced t& ltli practical starvation. He advanced the undeniable facts that the unit consumption of wheat had increased of late years by a considerable proportion, and that neither in the British colonies nor is the United Stales was there much more land available for wheat production. Estimating the average crop needed for man at present at 2.070,000.000 bushels, Sir William Crookes contended that by 1951 the world's wheat requirements — 3,600.609,000 bushels — could not possibly be raised by present methods, but that it would need cxncily 12.000.000 tons a year of some such substance as Chili saltpetre to bring the whe:-t crop in 1930 up to the lequisite standaid — viz., an aveiage yield per acre of over double that which now obtains. Chili saltpetre is becoming exhausted so rapidly that but 30 years' supply can now be seen, and it is being exported at the rate of 1,200.000 tons per annum. This eminent scientist declared that Nature could not long sustain these drafts made upon her supply of fixed nitrogen, and that at the present rate of consumption mankind would have very quickly to find a solution of the wheat problem, adding that the solution would probably be found at Niagara. And curiously enough it is exactly at Niagara that a far-reaching discovery has been made, for which the inventors claim that it has solved the wheat problem. The Atmospheric Product Company of Niagara Fa 1 Is has been incorporated in New Yoik State, with a capital of £250.000. Taking air as the rnw material, the company effects the fixation of nitrogen, and by leading the gas in contact with caustic soda, it becomes Chili saltpetre.

The experiments which led to thi° important discovery were made A TTenderful when following out ideas adBlte»Tcry. vaneed so long ago as 1785

by Priestley. He discovered that when an electric spark was discharged the aii immediately <{ hti ounding it vnd-ei-wenl a chemical change, and Cavendish next ascertained that an electric arc caused a similar chemical change. Ever since then the subject has been one of vast aud continued scientific research, and it is .safe to say that no .single problem has so perplexed scientists and chemists as has this possibility of performing on a commercial scale the experiment which Priestley conducted in liis laboratory. It wah in 1898 that a Mr Charles S Bradley, a chemist already credited with a numbrr of important patents, took up the question. Biadley selected as, his ais>i«l.mt Mi D. R. Lovcjoy. and the first experiments of the two chemists soon piovcd that sparks were practically ineffective to produce the desired results. They then set to \*<nk to discover just that form of electi.cal discharge which wou!d induce the diemicnl mixture of nitrogen and oxygen in the air. As the result of their very costly and elaborate experiments, it has now been found that a hiizh voltage, direct current, made to act in a particular way in a closed chamber, will convert air into nitrogen tri oxide, with a large yield, arid thus the great pioblun ot the fixation of intio>jeii on a commercial scale is claimed to have been sulvpd By this means, it is asseited that Chili .saltpetre can be manufactured in sufficient quantities 1o supply the world, and it will be recognised that if this Niagara discovery proves to be all that is claimed for it. the wheat crops of the world are safe, even though the natural supply of Chili saltpetre be exhausted. A cheap fertiliser, compounded from the air. is thus made available, not on!y for wheat, but for all plant life. May be it is a direct step towards cheaper bread. At anyrate. in place of the dangers prophesied by Sir William Crookes. man should be much better off when this "dominant manure' 1 is both cheap and obtainable iv any quantity. During a visit recently paid to the United States, Lord Kelvin spent half a day at Niagara (Falls in examining this nitrogen fixation piocess. and he pronounced it the most wonderful thing he had «-een in America.

Bin while, on the one hand, it is comfort-

ing to reflect that by the t'oUly Insect discoveiks of scientific men Pests. the woild's future wheat

supply is assured, yet it is alarming to be told that the annual loss inflicted by insect pests upon agriculture and stockgrowinc; in Ameiica alone is estimated oy leading entomologists to amount to no le»& a sum than from £60,000.000 to £80.000.000 per annum. The figures quoted by Mr H. C. MjCook in an article on " Insects and Civilisation,' 1 published in Harpei's Magazine, are certainly astounding, even to farmeis who daily come in contact with these insect pests which war on the food supplies of the world. Descending to details, we learn that the chinch bug caused a loss of £60.000,000 in 1871. more than £20,000,000 in 1874, and £17,400,000 in 1887. The " grasshopper,' oi Reeky Mountain locust, in 1874 caused a direct loss to crops of £20.000,00*. and an indirect loss to the States of Nebraska, Kansas. Missouri, and lowa of ;is much moie. The cotton caterpillar has caused £6,000,000 loss in a single >ear. and the codhn moth destroys fruit Worth as mi'ch as £6,000.000 to £8.000 000 annually. wliiM the giain weevil i<- accused of destroying £3 000,000 worth of stored cram annually. Even to the uninitiated, the figures, after allowing for the fact that they hail from Am«-nc-a, seem surprising. Unfortunately the:»e losses ajjpear to be iu-

creasing rather than decreasing, and they are the moie appalling, because, like the annual Joss by fire, ther are, so far as can be seen, accompanied by no compensating benerit. The obvious moral is the necessity of wagiDg incessant warfare against all j such mischievous pests.