The Silver Question.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 7294, 25 August 1893, Page 3

The Silver Question.

Mr G. D. Meudell, lecturing on Lab ur Wages and the Silver Question, at Coilingwood to the members of the Oollingw md branch of the Australian Natives’ Association, *ta «d that neither the American civil war nor the Franco-German war had been responsible so much loss of wealth, so much depression in trade, or so much discontent and distress

among millions af people, as the depreciation in the value of silver. 'I he fall in the price of that metal had caused more poverty, starvation and unhappiness than «ny other event, human or super natural, which had occurred during the past 100 years. Few realised that the business of the world bad been carried on since 1873 in the midst of monetary chaos. Yet it was so, and they were on the brink of a cataclysm which might partially submerg* civilisation The present depression in Australia area a solely through the fall in prices, and this could easily be seen by a reference to such articles as wheat, flour, hides, cereals of all kinds and wool. The two great staple products had practically fallen by half their value in 20 years. That was the primary cause l of the suspicions of banks and building societies and the unsatisfactory state of the public finances. In Australia the burden of the national debt had doubled through the fall of prices. Whether the debts of Australia were recklessly contracted or not did not concern him ; but the fact remained that whereas 15 years ago one bale of exported wool sufficed to pay its proportion of the colonial debt in London, to day two bales bad to be exported. Their depression wasduo to the low prices of their raw material, not to over production. The relation of hi metal liam to the falling off of wages came in in the restriction of the world’s supply of cash. In 1873 the Germans got £200.000,000 from France in gold, and it wss decreed that silver should be no longer a legal tender beyond a small sum. Then Germany began to sell her silver, and the European nations counter* acted this by closing their mints in silver. The prices from that day fell Wages were affected, because a vast amount of money that bad been in circa ation was now regarded as useless. The supply of gold being inefficient to carry on the trade of the world, pricss have fallen lower and lower, and trade was contracted. Labour was a commodity, and it had fallen in value with other commodities. The lecturer went on to show that the adoption of the gold standard by other nations besides English would be ;the destruction of the monetary equilibrium of the world

Messrs Shaw, Robinson, and Co., advertise some further reductions and special prices for this week.

A smart nor’-west shower fell last evening from the hills to the coast. It must have been heavy among the hills, as the Opihi was high and thick this morning. Messrs T. and J. Thomson are opening 24 cases of spring goods, a list of which is given* The Baptist Sunday School Band of Hope hold a very successful meeting last evening, the Rev. 0. 0. Brown presiding over a large gathering. Readings and recitations were given by a number of members, and ten of them gave a dialogue on “ The Choice of Trades.”

A young man named William Powell, a printer, met with a natty accident yesterday afternoon. Bo was returning on foot from the football match, and at the top of North street went towards an express,then in motion, in order to ride down. The vehicle was turning towards him at the lime, and collided with him, knocked him down, and the wheels passed over his legs, gashing the right one to the bone, and bruising the other very much. He was taken to Dr Thomas’s surgery and then home, and to-day we learn that he is doing well.

The country between Winchester and Temuka is looking splendid under the first flush of spring. The pastures are fresh looking and apparently in good heart, while the early sown wheat is beginning to shoot up sturdily. Lambing .is general, a large proportion of the ewes having two at foot. The wet weather of the last fortnight has hindered ploughing operations, and as a consequence oats will bo late this season.

The annual concert and dance was given at the Pareora public acbool last evening. A heavy rain storm which fell an hour previously no doubt preventad many from putting in an appearance, including two or three of the performers, but eventually the room was well filled. Local talent was represented by Miss Black, Mias Miller, and Messrs Moyle, Aiken, and Besley 5 while from town Miss McKeown, Mies Clarkson, Miss Bonn, Miss Higgins, and Messrs Holdgate and Bobins contributed to a first class programme. With such performers it is scarcely necessary to add that applause was hearty and encores frequent. the singing being quite a treat to listen to. Misses McKeown, Bonn, and Clarkson, and Mr Holdgate played the accompaniments. The room was then cleared for dancing, which was kept up with spirit till an early hour of the morning, young and old abandoning themselves to a thorough enjoyment of what will probably be the last last social event of the sort in the neighbourhood for the season. / There was a very large attendance of members and friends of the Wesleyan Mutual Improvement Society at its usual weekly meeting last evening The President, Bev. 0. H. Beecroft, occupied the chair, Two new members were elected. The chairman announced that arrangements were completed for the “ combined evening," next week, at which a charge for admission will be made, j Other routine business having been (disposed j of, the chairman called on Mr J. W. Blackwood to read his paper on " Phrenology." The essayist explained that, of course, be only tcok bis stand on this subject as an amateur. Still, it was cne that, speaking from his own experiences which had been invaluable, all young people should study phrenology to the end that they might he able to have sufficient knowledge of themselves to select such professions, trades, etc., as would be in keeping with their abilities and tastes. He thought that to arrive at an accurate knowledge of what is meant by “Man know thyself,” phrenology alone is not sufficient, but requires the assistance and co operation of physiognomy and a study of temperament. The essayist referred to the early studies of Or Hall in the matter, and quoted largely from the doctor's experience and examinations, and also those of Hall’s partner, Dr Spurzon- Mr Blackwood several diagrams of the formation of hsads of different classes of of persons, and explainad very clearly the groat differences there are in various heads He also dilated upon the d .fferent “bumps,” and positions, and hero and there enlivened his teaching with amusing stories In conclusion ho asked those present to give some attention to this subject, as it was one that would, he felt sure, be of incalcuable benefit to them in after life. It would teach them to improve upon that which was good in them and thus, in great measure overpower that which was bad. Mr Blackwood was iiitened to most attentively, the essay being one of great interest, and at the close of the criticism a very hearty vote of thanks w«o parsed to him. 'Jho meeting closed wfei hymn and prayer.

Mrs Hayes, wife of an hotelkeeper at Hokitika, is under suspicion of having tried to set a neighbouring hotel cn fire. The woman must be crozy, as two attempts were made in one moruing, the second while people were sitting up watching after the fire blaze had been extinguished. Bags and other rubbish were identified as from Mrs Hayes’ house, by her own daughter, and the woman was seen running away from the place.