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Otago Witness, Issue 3099, 6 August 1913, Page 11

The General Labourers’ Union (says an Invercargill Press Association telegram) passed a resolution expelling their president (Mr M. J. Forde), one of the delegates to the recent Unity Conference, who is opposed to the strike policy. At the recent council by-election Mr Forde opposed the candidature of Mr Glass, a Social Democrat, who was at the bottom of the poll. The secretary of the Department of Agriculture has written to Mr Hugh Mitchell, secretary of the Otago Farmers’ Union, asking for further information as to the steps which the union considers should be taken to place Now Zealand farmers on the same footing as the farmers of other British possessions in regard to the importation of stock. The union contends that the. farmer here has to pay too much for the importation of his stock. The necessary information on the subject is now being collected for transmission to the Minister. The prospect of the Cromwell Development Party’s irrigation proposal being reopened has caused a great deal of interest during the last few days (says our Cromwell correspondent). Messrs Neill and Butterfield have been in Cromwell for a few days pursuing matters in connection therewith, and local residents appear to entertain some hope that the scheme will be taken up. The limited area of land available appears to be the chief obstacle, and the result is that several additional areas will likely bo brought under tho scheme. The local authorities are offering a lease of 200 acres included in the Town Belt, and will also move in tho direction, of having a large area of Crown sections submitted for tho purpose, of tho scheme. It is possible also that the Racecourse Trust will deal similarly with the large area which it controls. At last week’s meet ng of the Borough Council a resolution was unanimously adopted conveying to tho Minister its opinion that tho reservation of 10 chains on tho bank of the Kawarau River from tho land to bo granted to the party is unnecessary, as such a reserve will not, in the opinion of the council, ever bo required for mining. Tho resolution was supported for various reasons. It is now hoped that with the area of available land being increased and tho prospect of several obstacles boirig removed the party may undertake the proposal. Tho local residents favour it unanimously and arc bent on giving tho party every assistance and encouragement. It is felt that tho member for the district, in Iris capacity as Minister of Mines, will do likewise. In the past the coast between the Turakina and Otaki Rivers has been the scone of many strandings and has borne an evil reputation. The latest victim was tho Indrabarah. and taking a lesson from her mishap the Wanganui Harbour Board on the Ist (a Press Association message states) decided to attention of the Marine Department to the number of vessels which have been driven ashore on the coast in cjuostion. The board expressed tho opinion that the coast is subject to rapidly changing ocean currents, which are insufficiently defined on tho Cook Strait chart or other publications. Tho Marine Department is to bo asked to take steps at once to ascer-

tain if there be such currents or other phenomena endangering shipping, and that the mercantile marine be fully advised and warned through the proper channel. A Press Association telegram from Napier states that the Hawke’s Bay Education Board warmly endorsed the Dunedin Teachers’ Institute’s resolution with regard to the need of an increased scale of salaries, and fussed a resolution regretting that the Minister cannot seo his way to deal with the question this session. One of the disabilities attached to being too well known was discovered by Sir Joseph Ward during his recent visit to London. Ho referred to the matter jocularly in his reply to the welcome accorded to him at Auckland yesterday. Soon after he arrived in the great metropolis, he said, ho found that two-thirds of the taxi-men knew him. The consequence was that whenever he rodo in a taxi he found it impossible not to recognise this compliment by parting with “ the humble shilling. As showing how familiar with his features total strangers were Sir Joseph told how a shopkeeper in a modest way from whom ho had purchased two shillings’ worth insisted' upon sending the purchase to his hotel. He protested that the tradesman did not know who ho was, but was met with the reply; “Don’t I though! Why, wo all know you.” v The preferential rates given to Germanmanufactured goods by British shipping companies were strongly condemned by the Agricultural Conference on the Ist (says a Press Association telegram). It was pointed out by Sir W. Buchanan that German goods were landed in New Zealand at less freight charges than British' goods shipped from London. The only remedy lie could suggest was to increase the preferential surcharge against such goods if such rebates could bo proved. At present the preferential tariff was quite nullified by such methods as were practised by shipping companies The conference resolved that the Prime Minister ho asked to consider the wisdom of giving increased preference to all British manufacturers, seeing that the present preference was discounted by various shipping companies carrying German manufactures and goods from Londoh at lower rates than British manufactures and goods. The Bleriot aeroplane presented to New Zealand by the British people should shortly be on its way out to this country, according to Sir Joseph* Ward. In an interview on the Ist (says our Auckland correspondent) he described the machine as a beautiful one, valued at about £1750. One contributor in the Old Country, lie said, gave 600 guineas towards it. It cost Lord Dcsborough (chairman of the Aerial Fleet Committee) 50 guineas, and the Standard newspaper 100 guineas. The aeroplane, he said, had a magnificent engine eminently adapted for aerial purposes. It will he remembered that after the machine was christened by Lady Dcshorough Sir Joseph Ward went for a flight with Hamel the aviator. Sir Joseph described the flight as quite eventful. ‘‘You cannot tell from below what is going to happen up above,” said Sir Joseph. “It was quite puffy when wo got up. We travelled at the rate of 90 miles an hour, and the terrific noise from the propel lorn was simply deafening. We struck two pockets of air, and once we were only saved from capsizing by a breeze striking the bottom wing. The machine assumed an angle of 45 degrees, and I looked down perpendicularly at the earth. I really thought we wore going to turn over, but kept cool, though I was not tied in.” Sir Joseph expressed the opinion that there was nothing to prevent aoroplaning being carried on in New Zealand. He had not hoard that an expert was coming out with the machine, but thought that if a skilled and daring aviator like Hamel could be induced to come out the result would be more educative from the point of view of tho public. The Executive of tho Wairarapa branch of tho Teachers’ Institute cn Saturday (says a Press Association message) passed tho following resolution: —“ Whereas tho teaching profession of the dominion, though re-cognised as tho most important body of civil servants in the country, has for years lain under grave disabilities, the worst of which are totally unreliable methods of promotion and totally inadequate pay, whereas necessarily the demands of a progressive democracy are making increasingly higher demands on the capacity, energy, and integrity of the teacher, which ho has, with very slight encouragement striven his best to meet, and whereas tho income, private and public of the dominion, has during the last decade been immensely enhanced, this body of teachers representative of the Wairarapa schools respectfully and emphatically protests against the decision of the Minister of Education not to introduce amending legislation this session.” On Saturday (says a Press Association telegram from Invercargill) the Southland Educational Institute resolved: —“That in view of tho repeated failure of the Education Department to afford due recognition to the voice of practical experience in formulating a primary school syllabus, and reasonably limiting its demands, the institute urge the setting up of a Council of Education, as recommended by the Education Commission and endorsed by tho Now Zealand Institute, and that th : s council should assume final responsibility in framing tho syllabus ”

Referring to the question asked in the House by Mr Dickson (Parnell) concerning the use of feather beds, carpet*, and heaters by English officers at the Palmerston North camp, a Standard reporter made inquiries. Ho found (says a Press Association telegram from Palmerston North) in tho first place

that there were no English officers in camp at all. Those who were in Palmerston North as instructors were staying at hotels and paying personally any expenses above the camp allowances granted. The privilege of allowing them to lodge outside the oamp was owing to their having to remain six weeks in town, whereas the Territorial officers were here for three weeks at the most, and some for only a week. Japanese matting was provided by the department for the use of Territorial officers and noncommissioned officers, while the temporary barracks were also heated at the department’s expense. The mattresses used are personally hired by the men. Twenty-eight delegates to the recent Unity Congress in Wellington have issued a circular to “ all industrial aud political organisations of workers and electors generafly,” replying to the statements in the circular issued by the Hon. J. T. Paul and Mr D. M‘Laron respectively. The signatories seek to prove (says the Wellington Pest) that the intentions of both parties at the congress, so far as strikes are concerned arc identical, and state that tha United Federation of Labour is opposed to strikes, but believes that by being strongly organised it will make a strike of any magnitude a remote possibility, but that : f a strike is forced on it will be justified and will bo backed by the organisation’s full force. Mr M'Laren’s circular is declared to bo “ a libel on and insult to the intelligence of the delegates present at the congress and the workers whom they represented.” A Press Association message from Tiniaru states that a full meeting of the Provincial Executive of the Farmers’ Union? representing all parts in the agricultural district, d’seussod the replies of the branches to the question as to what is the best time of tho year for bolding territorial camps. The conclusion unanimously adopted was that as two camps must bo held tho defence authorities be requested to hold one at Easter and tho other in October. These dates, giving the farmers alternative seasons for sparing their men, would lessen tha inconvenience, and the largo employers could arrange to let Half their men go to each camp. A committee was appointed to confer with tho officer commanding the district regarding the substitution of a few whole day parades for many evening parades. It “was remarked that the training system was costing a lot of money, and the best should bo made of it. This was not possible if the drills wore put in by tho after a day's work. Tho Gaelic League (Ireland) has issued a manifesto, in which, premising that tho language of Ireland is one of her most priceless national treasures, that that language must not bo permitted to die, and that it is the imperative duty of this generation to revive and re-establish it whiio there is yet time, it appeals for funds to be expended on propaganda and teaching' in tho Irish-speaking districts. The manifesto recites: ‘‘The language of Ireland must and shall be saved. To save it tho efforts of tho league—and of those outside the league—must be redoubled, probably quadrupled. Sacrifices, personal and pecuniary, will be necessary. Money, men, and enthusiasm, and unflinching determination, are wanted. And they are wanted now. Tho Irish-speaking districts are the last stronghold of the Gael. If they tall Irish is dead, and with it will die, beyond doubt and beyond redemption, Ireland’s nationhood. But that stage must never lie reached; and while tho league can command either cash, credit, or a single volunteer worker, it will leave nothing undone to avert that catastrophe.”