PELORUS GUARDIAN. TUESDAY, 26th. September, 1893. The Coming Revolution.

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 4, Issue 75, 26 September 1893, Page 2

PELORUS GUARDIAN. TUESDAY, 26th. September, 1893. The Coming Revolution.

The Australasian states that Mr Harold, marine engineer, and Mr G. Lansell, of Bendigo, have taken out patents all over the world for an engine of an extremely novel pattern. In lieu of water and steam, the engine, draws upon the atmosphere for its motive power. A jet of flame burning in a hole the diameter of the smallest needle causes a variation in the atmosphere, thereby producing a natural vacuum. The air is then compressed, and supplies the neces-, sary energy for propelling the machinery. The principle has been applied to a 2-liorse and to an 18horse power engine, the cost in each case not exceeding 2d per diem. The patentees claim that an engine of 1,000-horse power can be worked for exactly the same outlay.* The preliminary trials were very successful. If the above is an indisputable fact ! we may look forward to a revolution in the commercial world unprecedented lin history. In matters of Govern- ! menfc if any reform is proposed or adopted the Conservative element predict all sorts of evils; but strange to say, the Conservatives, who are so afraid to take a step forward along the path of progress for fear of tumbling over a social precipice, are most careful in guarding the interests ot the possessors of machinery, or, in other words, capitalists. Now, it must be admitted that the invention of laboursaving appliances is the primary cause for all the agitation which is manifesting itself throughout the civilized world. Up to a certain stage laboursaving machinery not only created more work but cheapened production, but of late years the limit has been exceeded. By the latest statistics we find that new inventions are daily j taking the place of manual labour, | and production still keeps ahead of the demand. To machinery may be I attributed half the starvation, and larrikinism on the one hand and licentious living on the other, for » Satan finds some mischief still for idle hands to do." It was a novelty at one time co hear of a millionaire, but now we hear of them on all sides; and to every millionaire there is an increase of probably one thousand half-starved human beings. This, too, may be put down to machinery in the first instance. In making these few remarks it is not our object to condemn machinery, but simply to show that the world is suffering rather than gaining by the increase of labour-saving appliances. We may talk about the reforms effected by various Governments, but they are mere trifles as compared to those which machinery will, ere long, bring to a head. The man must be intellectually blind indeed who cannot see that sooner or later there must be a conflict of a most terrible nature between the men thrown out of work and the possessors of those appliances which create wealth and starvation at one and the, same time. When we come to reflect that if all the machinery at work were used for the benefit of mankind generally, everyone would be able to live in comfort and only work six hours a day instead of millions being half-starved and the balance working at low wages twelve and sixteen hours a day. It is impossible for such an idiotic state of things to long exist with the present unviersal system of education and spread of knowledge by the newspaper Press, and before we have entered far into the next century we may safely predict that machinery will be the chief factor in bringing about a revolution of a gigantic nature little dreamt of at the present time • not in one country alone, but throughout the civilized world.

Co-operation. It is astonishing what can be done by a little co-operation. In one of the Wairarapa townships, many years ago, an acre section, on which was erected the Wesleyan parsonage, required fencing in. A number of settlers therefore contributed posts and rails while others did the carting, and on a day appointed for a tea meeting about twenty men assembled in the morning and before tea time a substantial fourrailed fence was erected round the Beetion. fhaa $U worth of work was done without srayono suffering loss or incorrvenfenee. At Qhepon, New South Wales, the Wesleyan Community have combined to sow 100 acres of land with oats iu order to reduce the debt on the parsonage property, and the farmers have responed liberally to the project, as many as 18 ploughs being at work on the ground at one time. This is another instance of what can be done by united action, and eases might be cited in this district where good work has been done on similar lines. The principle of cooperation might be carried much farther, and instead of settlers oilling to Jupiter (Government) for assist tnce, n bad piece of road might be made into a good one on the same plan, and j

the loss of time would scarcely be felt. It is very evident from the Public Works Statement just delivered that very little assistance can be expected from the Government to make roads in settled districts. It is simply a case of self-reliance, and if roads are ' required it means that settlers will I have to look to themselves and not to i the Government. In that case the choice rests between extra taxation or co-operation with the alternative of bad roads and no bridges. Public Works Statement. Now that millions of borrowed money are no longer available the Public Works Statement has lost its charm, but it is satisfacto i to know that we have got so much, under the circumstances, to spend on public works. It is pretty clear, however, that for the future the people will have to depend almost wholly on local taxation to make necessary roads and bridges. We must be content to progress in a more natural and less artificial way than has been the case in the past. This policy during the last six years has brought New Zealand to the front as a worthy example to be followed, and it we continue on the path of selfreliance there is no reason to doubt but what a solid foundation will be laid on which will be built financial soundness, thrift, and prosperity. LAND~SURVEY. Mr McFarland and party are, now that the fine weather has set in, making good progress with the survey of the small grazing runs at the back of Mr E. Jones' in the Kaituna, and hope to finish early in November. WATER BICYCLE. Mr Arthur Lett, (says the Post) the inventor of the water bicycle exhibited in Wellington a short time ago, is at present in Picton, and has made up his mind to try and cross Cook Strait on his machine. His friends in Wellington are endeavouring to dissuade him from starting on a dangerous juurney. CORRESPONDENCE. " A Traveller's " letter is altogether too personal to be inserted in our columns, especially as it is an anonymous contribution. MAHAKIPAWA ROAD. Good progress is being made by Messrs Barton & Sons, Talbot & Son, and Newcombe with their several sections, and Messrs Hutchison, and Farrelly are making preparations to start their portion. If we are to judge by the work already done we should say the road will be completed this side of Christmas. TENDERS. Tenders are invited for repairing water-race and erecting fluming in the Wakamarina. POLITICAL. The Industrial Concilliation and Arbitration Bill, one of the most important labour Bills of the Government, has been practically killed by the Legislative Council. The Railway Bill has passed its third reading in the Lower House. This measure gives the Government more direbt control of the railways by allowing the Minister of Public Works a seat on the Board of Management. It is probable that two weeks will finish up the session. THE BAND SOCIAL. We would again remind' our readers of the social to-morrow night in aid of the Pelorus Brass Band. We are requested by the Committee to acknowledge additional contributions from Mesdames Orsman, Berry, Venimore, Wakelin, Miss Brownlee, and Herbert Reader, besides valuable assistance from other ladies. If the weather should hold fine there is noi; the least doubt but what the whole affair will be a grand success, owing to the great interest which everyone has taken in fowarding the object. We are fully satisfied that the general public will be well repaid in the near future for the trouble they have gone to by frequently having the pleasure of listening to the sweet strains of a brass band.

E. J. Warner & Go, of Nelson, who are relinguishing business, are holding a tremendous clearing sale, the premises being crowded daily. They would like their Havelock customers to share in the bargains but cannot quote prices or send patterns as the stock is being rapidly sold off. If, however, anyone cares to send along an order for borne cheap goods stating whaji they require and enclosing P.O. order t<? cover the amount, Warner & Co. will send them a parcel that will astonish, all who see it.—Address: Warner and Co. Drapers. Nelson.

Shopping at Te Aro House, Wellington, means getting the choice of the largest stock ot new fashionable drapery. It means you are buying at the lowest cash price, and getting a bonus, discount. Enclose cash with ali orders and they will bs promptly executed, and a bonus Discount of 5 per cent will be returned on all purchases of 20/- and upwards from Te Aro House, Wellington. We make special efforis to please our cjuntry customers. All goods are charged at Wellington cash prices, and carriage is paid on all parcels Qt 20/- and upwards.