The Rangitikei Advocate. FRIDAY, JULY 5, 1907. SECOND EDITION. EDITORIAL NOTES.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXII, Issue 8856, 5 July 1907, Page 2

The Rangitikei Advocate. FRIDAY, JULY 5, 1907. SECOND EDITION. EDITORIAL NOTES.

IP Sir Joseph Ward sees a marvellous charm in the word “Dominion” it appears that some of his followers most certainly do not. Possibly their natures are not like that“of the old lady who found such consolation in “that blessed word ‘Mesopotamia, ’ ” or it may be that they lack the imagination of the Premier, who hopes to go down to posterity as the first Prime Minister of a newly created “Dominion.” Of course, the change of name will not add a single farthing to the wealth of New Zealand. Its laud will produce no more, and it will have no effect on the seasons. It may enable us to borrow more, but that is an extremely doubtful benefit. But there appears to be a lurking danger in the adoption of a high-sounding-title for this land. Already some of the Premier’s followers, though they can see no benefit to bo derived by the colony from the change, are hinting that when it is made the politicians in Parliament should no longer be known as M’s.H.R. They will not be the ‘ ‘ common or garden variety” then, but must be known as Senators and M. P’s. The danger is that with this supposed increase of dignity the M.P’s. will bo found cither doing another “£4O steal,” or voting themselves and the Senators very conisderable increases to their salaries. For, of course, a Senator or an M. P. must naturally be worth much more to the country than an M.L.O. or anM.H.E. That is not quite so clearly demonstrable as a mathematical proposition, but the averago’elector is not influenced by logical reasoning. Ho is more frequently swayed by impulse or by a plausible tongue wagging in a brazen cheek. And, unfortunately, calling our political adventurers and professionals by any other name will not gift them with greater intelligence or make it less necessary to watch such of their actions as can be seen. Tiiey will go on in the same old blundering way, making laws defying all principles of polh tical economy, wasting public money on all sorts of useless objects, and every year taking a few months to amend, alter, or abolish laws they thought the year before were among the highest performances of human intelligence. But wo are truly a great people, and we ought to have some Senators, and pay them well, if only to show the outside world that we have money to waste, even if we have to borrow it to make the display.

FORTUNATELY, our “ Dominion” is not unattached to the Empire, hut is under the protection of its flag. Fortunately, also, Japan and Britain are in alliance, and hence we may escape trouble which would otherwise be imminent. For, according to latest reports, Japan is beginning to very strongly resent the harsh and unjust treatment of her people who are in Am erica, and there are mutterings of war. And as some of our legislators are loudly cackling against the admission of Asiatics it is just as well that our Dominion has not to rely merely on its mimic defences, but has the protection of Japan’s ally. Most assuredly the nation that talks about attacking the United States would send powerful and convincing arguments to Australia and New Zealand [to prove that humanity has rights, whether it is brown, black, or yellow, but for ouf protector. The fact that there is at least some danger of an outbreak appears to be supported by the reported action of President Roosevelt in 'preparing to make a naval demonstration in the Pacific. Though this has since been denied the denial may be purely “diplomatic.” . While we do not believe that the Japanese could have been victorious against Rugisa but for the disorganisation of the Russian Empire and its lack of true patriotism, wo also believe that in any conflict with a white power, such as America, the newly fledged nation would be stripped of its feathers. In its war with Russia patriotism of the highest was fighting against entire lack of patriotism and absolute disloyalty and total corruption. Free men, animated by the highesfprinciples, were warring against men taken from convict settlements and soldiers and sailors who had actually to be driven by others to force them to go to the'front. The inevitable, therefore, occurred. But the result was not proof that the "Western races are not Wperior to the Eastern in every respect, and it is certainly not likely that Japan will reverse the process that has been going on for centuries as the forces of the West have been subjugating the peoples of the East. Bu,t at the same time a war between America and Japan would be productive of enormous loss on both sides, and it is to bo sincerely hoped that no struggle will be forced on either, nation,

THE railway guards are sending a circular to members of Parliament

which discloses a rather curious state of affairs. It has apparently been loft to the Government to devise a .system under which the man who does his duty in a higher grade of work receives less pay than those in lower grades. But it is a fact that if a guard, through some indiscretion or neglect, is reduced to the position of a shunter, his pay is immediately better by the amount of sixpence per day. It would appear, therefore, that it would pay a guard to secure reduction of grade, and it speaks highly for the spirit that animates them in their arduous and responsible work, that so many still continue to faithfully perform their duty. Their circular asks for their pay to bo increased from the rates of 8s to 10s per day to a scale of 9s to 11s per day, and it sets out solid reasons why the increase should be made. It is pointed out that not only are the duties of para-’ mount importance to the safe running of the trains, hut great responsibility is also incurred, while there are also more guards injured in the discharge of their duties than any other men working in any capacity on the railways. No other arguments should be necessary in support of their equitable claim, but the circular supplies yet another, aud a strong one. It is pointed out that though every other grade has received more than one increase the guards have not received one penny increase during the last 30 years, while the cost of living has increased 40 per cent. As a matter of equity, the guards are certainly entitled to better pay, hut at the same time the last fact set out, and the fact that the pay in other departments has to he increased to meet the higher cost of living, should induce Parliament to inquire into the causes of the increased cost of existence in a country which is producing more than ever it did, aud getting bettor prices for its produce.