Taranaki Herald. TUESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 1903.

Taranaki Herald, Volume L, Issue 12439, 17 December 1903, Page 4

Taranaki Herald. TUESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 1903.

THE FAR BAST.

Our cables of the last two or three days -have indicated great tension, between Russia and Japan with regard to Manchuria, and the position to-day is such that only the, utmost forbearance on the part of "both Bowers can avert ah outbreak of war. Japan, it will be 'rememtiered, ' recently agreed to recognise that Russian "interests * are _ dominant ,in Manchuria, but subsequently insisted upon the recognition by Russia of treaty rights, OS- the opening of ports -to; foreign trade, of /the integrity of • China,- and of Japanese influence in Korea. Japan, in fact, has taken the stand with regard; to Russia ought to have been taken "by other Powers year;s ago. She wants a definite understanding with her, powerful rival as .to where their individual interests meet. Russia is welcome to Manchuria, subject to 1 certain treaty rights, "but must not .. encroach upon \ Qorea or upon China proper. Russia hasi however, been so long accustomed * to weak opposition, which has contented itself with mere protests and subsided before active measures, that she apparently believes the same thing will occur again and that she, need x not regard Japanese opposition too seriously. The immediate matter in 'dispute between the two 'Powers is the position of the port of Yongampsho, which Japan insistes upon (being opened to foreign trade. Russia, on, the other hand,

considers that the opening -of tho •port would threaten Russian interests arid complicate the difficulties in -Manchuria. Yongampho, contends, is too near the ! Yalu River, the dividing line between Manchuria and Korea, to permit of it being, made an open port. Japan> on the other hand, fears that utoless Yongampho is an open port "Russia's next step may v lie an aggressive one- / towards Corea. The ' attitude of both Governments i» pacific, but the Japanese people are showing signs of restivenesk. Russia will temporise as- long as she is permitted to 'do ■ so — and. stand her- ground. Whether Japan, will also stand to her guns, and insist upon the opening of Yongampho, even if she Bas to 'declare war, remains to be seen. Among the other Powers events seem to be shaping towards a complete recognition of Russian influence over Manchuria, and the chances are that, with that important point gained,. Russia* will give way to Japan in. the other .matter and war will be averted. /There ought, (however, to be an understanding that Corea is not to be ericroatehed upon.

THE HIRE SYSTEM.

Mr Haaelden, the Christohurch Stipendiary Magistrate, expressed himself strongly the other day upon the hire system of purchase. It is becoming, he said, a detestable kind of tnisiness, anid most dangerous to certain classes of people. He thought the ,way. bicycles and other thing* are

thrust on people who cannot pay for them, and the criminal law held over them to compel payment, is a grave mischief. Mr Haselden is. not singular in this opinion, for there are many ivjio have seen reason' to deplore the growth of this system, \\iiieh, ■vyithin reasonable limits, has its advantages, but when carried t<^ an excess, ' is little short of a curse. The objections to the system _are that it encourages people to purchase articles' they do not really want, or, even if they wanted them, that tlrcy would' do better to do without until they could afford to pay, for ithera. The risks run -to the 'vendors necessitate a large addition td the. price, so. that' the un- | fortunate' purchasers are often compelled to pay Jrbin sfifty5 fifty io v a hundred per cent. ,inor©'th*ah"if Hhey ( were able' to pay cash. In some circumstances j it may be a great convenience, to j>ay i by instalments, but 'generally speak j ing tlie hire system is a ■ mqst un- j economical • method of obtaining j goods, and Mr Haselden has done a ' public service by, directing attention to it.