Rangitikei Advocate. TWO EDITIONS DAILY. FRIDAY, AUGUST 29, 1913. EDITORIAL NOTES.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXVII, Issue 10736, 29 August 1913, Page 4

Rangitikei Advocate. TWO EDITIONS DAILY. FRIDAY, AUGUST 29, 1913. EDITORIAL NOTES.

BY a return furnished to Parliament it is shown that there are in New Zealand 48,900 people of the age of 65 years and over, and therefore that to pay each of them a pension of £26 a year would involve expenditure amounting to £1,271,400 per . annum. The fact should appal those who advocate universal pensions to be paid out of taxation, not by means of contributed funds. No country in the world could stand such a strain on its breadwinners, / even if it were free from public debt. But apart from the financial aspect of this question it may be asked why it is presumed that the State should pay pensions to all over a certain age, some of whom are well able to pay pensions to others out of their own incomes? Is it not time the taxpayers strongly protested against the actions of vote-seeking politicians which cause unnecessary and altogether avoidable waste of public money? Assuming that it is the duty of the State to provide for the aged indigent who have none on whom the duty of maintaining them devolves, is it not a fact that there are very few, of these? Why should the State pay a single penny to others who have relatives who should be very willing to maintain them, and if unwilling should be made to do their natural duty? At next election the electors should take special care to return members who will altogether remodel the pension system and reduce its cost, which is already enormous Those who really need pensions should receive more than the proposed £26 a year, which is not a sufficiency, and those who relations who can be called upon to maintain them should not be allowed on the pension list.

WE observe that the craze for pensions has even influenced members ofParliament to endeavour to arrange for pensions for themselves, and a Bill is actually being drafted to give this proposal effect. It is understood the Bill will be something on the lines of providing for a pension of 'about £l5O year for members who have served at least nine years, and in the event of death an annual allowance of about £75 for the widow. It is proposed that the scheme shall be financed by contributions from members of something like 5 per cent, of their honorarium. The fact that it is proposed to create a pension fund by contributions is satisfactory, but the proposal is still dangerous. Once the principle of paying pensions to politicians is affirmed they will not be long in securing legislation to enable them to escape from paying any cor’ribution. Politics has become a pvofession with many, and as the profits are substantial while the individuals are ia office, there is no reason why they should after leaving it be maintained by the public. And while the politicians are dealing with this subject they might consider the advisability of enacting that no one in receipt of pay or pension from the State shall have the right to, exercise the franchise.

IN its last issue the Trade Review says:—“There is not much noticeable improvement, so far, in the condition of the local money market, hut we believe there is a tendency towards some measure of improvement. There can hardly be expected •to be a very decided movement for gome little time yet. at this time of the year, but the outlook appears fairly promising. The Dominion’s trading figures for the twelve months to June 30th, show 1 a decided improvement over the preceding twelve months. . . The balance of trade is much better than it was a year ago, though there is still

room - for improvement, and it ig highly that there should a larger 'balance. . The value of exports is keeping up spleu.uidly , andr the month of July shows farther im- ‘ proven) ent. Business generally continues fairly active. . . . In

about another month the dairy produce will start, and the money from this will be circulating in country districts, and assisting business generally. As far as can be seen at present, the'outlook for the season appears very promising. ”

i Bishop Aver ill has accepted the Bishopric of Auckland. Mr T. K. Saywell has been appointed Deputy Official Assignee at Wanganui vice Mr W. Rodwell, deceased. Mr Saywell takes uo his new duties on September Ist. The case against James Henry Beau, charged with perjury, was continued in Christchurch Supreme Court yesterday. The jury, after a retirement of a little over two hours, returned a verdict of “Not guilty. ” Two Japanese survivors of a crew of six drifted ashore on a capsized boat near Double Island, Queenslaud, terribly exhausted. They clung to the boat for 48 hours The others became exhausted and dropped off.'

The Court at Saon in France decided that a passenger reserving a seat on a train by placing an article thereon is entitled to the seat though he temporarily quits the compartment. Nelson reports that a man named Frank Cottier who was returning to Colling wood after whitebaiting fell out of the boat. He was immediately recovered by his companion, but death had been instantaneous. Apoplexy probably caused his death. He was aged 38 and formerly resided in Nelson. His two brothers died with equal suddenness. A debate is going on in the London newspapers regarding the Channel tunnel. .Lord Sydenham warmly advocates the scheme, but Lord Lamington prefers a girdle of water to protect England from invasion rather than a steel structure which, even if rendered useless by disablement, might be rapidly repaired. At Sydney, Brown’s appeal on the ground of misdirection to the jury and wrongful admission of evidence, was dismissed. He was found guilty of the murder of Sergeant Hickey, with a recommendation to mercy on the ground that he apparently was in an eccentric state of mind. The death sentence was formally passed. The following haye been appointed commissioners to enquire into the past administration of the Westport Harbour Board, and make recommendations regarding the future policy:—Messrs J. S Evans (chairman), William Fergusson, and Gerald Fitzgerald. Tom Burrows, the Australian champion club swinger, is abont to enter upon another of his endurance feats, in London. He has undertaken to swing the dabs at Earls’ Court for 100 hoars at a minimum rate of 120 to the minute, Sir George Reid is at the head of the list of those who have pledged themselves to keep Burrows under observation throughout the display. Thomas Sutor, proprietor of a business which combined a scheme whereby prizes were won by chance, was fined £25 at Auckland police court yesterday. It was explained by the police that the business was really a fancy goods shop in which the attendants sold a penny cake of chocolate for a shilling, the purchaser being entitled to draw for a prize. Two assistants, Rosa and Firth, were eadi fined £5. All the accused pleaded guilty. Alice Sarah Williamson, married woman, was charged at the Auckland Supreme Court yesterday with the murder of Ellen Ahlgreen at Henderson on July 17th. The case arose out of the death of the woman Ahlgreen by burning, and was based upon her dying depositions, Evidense was similar to that at the inquest and lower court proceedings. The jury returned a verdict of not guilty, and accused was discharged. /■■ A writ has been served by Messrs Smith and Timms on the Minister for Works of New South Wales claiming £93,000, the aggregate amount of disputed claims and charges for additional works in connection with the, north coast railway from Taree to Gloucester, the contract price for which was half a million. There was a bridge built iu connection with the north coast railway which was the second largest steel bridge in Australia, the Hawkesbury river bridge being the largest.

While two men named McDonald and Mason were proceeding along the rdad in the vicinity of‘ Lumaden they were attracted by the peculiar behaviour of a dog. The men followed the animal to some rushes where a man named David Muir lay, and by his side was a whisky flask He was removed to comfortable surroundings and looked after by the men, but be expired next morning At the inquest evidence was given to the effect that deceased was 60 years of age, single, without any relatives in New' Zealand He was employed at the Centre Hill station, near Lumsden A verdict was returned that death was due to heart failure brought about by exposure while in indifferent health

Messrs E. Lloyd and Co. commence their first new season’s display of new novelties this week. Large shipments are now arriving weekly from their London buyers. The variety and stales for the coming season arc the most charming yet exhibited, and the values are on a competitive basis with the keenest competitor. A cordial invitation is extended to the residents of this dis triot to inspect their latest fashions *

BOX 23, MANGAWEKA, is always crammed full of mail orders from every corner of the district. We have the goods that sell, and the public are not slow at finding out where the good thinas are to be bought at a small cost Almost every boac that enters the harbours of the Dominion bring something new and novel for Stewart’s Central . Book Arcade, Mangaweka. r

Messrs Spence and Spence, Feilding, have just opened up magnificent selections of new Spring millinery and hats. These will be on view in the showroom on Thursday next and following days. For Influenza take Woods’ Great Peppermint Oure. Never fails. Is fid 2s 6dL