Untitled

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 16680, 1 March 1920, Page 2

The visit of members of the Dominion Parliament to the South Sea Islands will be particularly interesting to Mr. Holland and his friends, who will see carried into practice many of the reforms which they are advocating. The miners and other strenuous workers in this country wish to restrict the hours of labour to six hours a day on five days a week; the natives of the Pacific Isles have gone oven,farther than this and work hardly at all. This happy state of affairs is possible only in a more tropical climate than we enjoy, but there is no doubt that if Mr. Holland had the direction of affairs here he would be able to approach very nearly to the conditions prevailing in the Islands. Another point in which he will see his policy carried out is that among the natives, except where influenced by European capitalists, there is no private property in land, A country in which there is practically no work done and where no one owns land is so near an approach'the ideal set forth hy the Dominion Labour leaders that it should prove a most interesting object lesson. It is true that there are chiefs who to some extent control the lives of the ordinary native, but the Labour leaders here already exercise a considerable amount of control over the workers, and would certainly he quite ready to extend their power. Unfortunately the capitalist serpent has already entered the Labour Eden of the South Seas and hisi presence there is bringing ruin in its train as everywhere else, hut Mr. Holland may he trusted to counteract this evil force so far as time.permits. Of course, as a matter of fact, Mr. Holland will not see the things .pointed out because he will not want to see them, hut for the unprejudiced observer it is curious to note in how many points the South Sea Islander has forestalled the ideas of the deep-thinking leaders of Labour.

A conference between the watersiders’ representatives and the employers will open at Wellington tomorrow- to consider the former’s demands for higher rates of pay and for variations of the conditions of labour on the wharves. If the demands are those published some little time ago their concession would mean a further substantial advance in the cost of living. The increase in the rate of pay demanded was substantial, but the effect upon the cost of handling goods was intensified by the new conditions demanded. For instance, in handling certain classes of work it was demanded that five men should be employed where four have been accustomed to do the work. During the war it was a matter of urgent necessity to get the work of loading and discharging steamers done as expeditiously as possible. Steamers were not to be delayed and cost was not considered as it is in normal times'. Therefore the big shipping companies found it better to concede the men’# demands rather than have to delay, especially as they were in a position tp pass the extra cost on to the community—which : they did not fail to do. The public therefore have been between the upper and nether millstones of labour and shipping companies—we leave our readers to decide for themselves which has been “top dog.” There are three parties to individual disputes of this nature—the employer, the employed, and the public but one of them, the public, seldom gets a hearing. Under the Board of Trade Act, 1910, power is given to the Board of Trade to make investigations into any industry and to order the production of books and documents. Under that Act we take it that it would be competent for the Board of Trade, in pursuance of its duty of protecting the public, to ascertain whether the other parties had agreed to unreasonable conditions, either as to wages or methods of working, which prejudiced the general welfare of tho public. The public as a whole has rights superior to those of sections of the public, but these rights are too often ignored when w .question.

'Auckland bakers have decided .to increase the price of bread to sixpence per 21b. loaf. . During the past month there were 31 births, 12 deaths, and 17 marriages in the New Plymouth district (Mr. J. S. S. Medley registrar). The figures for the corresponding month of last year were 30, 4, and 10 respectively.

■\Vhen his name was called at the Magistrate’s Court in Wellington on Thursday as a military defaulter, Ernest Humphries stepped up before the bench crowing gum. The Magistrate noticed the chewing, stopped the case, and told the hoy to leave the court and get rid of the chewing gum. Miss Louise Mack, writing to a Wanganui paper, says her £IOOO wager was made with Mr. Bryon Brown, of Otaki, who now contends she did not fulfil hor part of the agreement. Miss Black says sho walked over the Tararuas, did not have to be carried, and can produce witnesses to this effect. Hugh Walpole, the novelist, tells of a delightful reply which Arnold Bennett made to Ins rather sad statement that after one had started in one groove in life one never seemed to bo able to change. “After fifty years of observation,” Arnold Bennett said, with a stutter which Mr. Walpole can imitate but which cold type can not, “I have come to the conclusion that once you are born you are done for.” What is probably a record for New Zealand was established on Monday by the chief beef butcher at the Canterbury Frozen Bleat Company’s Pareroa works, Blr. Johnston. His tally of killing for the day was 37 head of cattle—a remarkable performance. Experts who saw the results of the day’s work say that in spite of the enormous speed attained there was not a blemish, Blr. Johnston’s care and accuracy being wonderful. , A general meeting of members of the New Plymouth branch of the New Zealand Veterans’ Association was held on Saturday pfternoon to decide upon the manner in which to celebrate the diamond jubilee anniversary of the Battle of Waireka; ths date upon which it falls is Biarch 28 next. A church parado will he held on that date. The younger men of the town invited the veterans to a motor outing to the scene of the battle on the following Biouday, and to a tea and entertainment. The invitation was accepted with, thanks. A parade of the veterans will take place on the occasion of the Prince of Wales’ visit to New Plymouth. In view of the inability of the Public Works Department to -carry out hydro-clectric schemes expeditiously, a Wellington engineering authority considers that an opportunity should be given some of the larger firms in Great Britain to tender for complete Installation on condition of employing a fair proportion of ex-service men and paying a minimum wage upon which the capital cost could be based, with a substantial bonus for the delivery of the energy within a stated time, all concerned to share in the bonus. The great thing was to get the work 'Sons quickly under conditions fair to all. If present methods Mailed in that respect, then the Government should he prepared to allow others to be tried. Another famous London newspaper has passed out of family control into the hands of a shipping magnate. Sir John Ellerman has just purchased for £150,000 the Ingram interest in tho Illustrated London News and the Sketch. Sir John, who also- owns tho Sphere and the Tatler, is one of the richest men in the world, his income being put down at something like a million stcrlin" per annum; yet he ■ started life without a penny. He is a shining example of what determination and courage can accomplish. He wisely leaves tire administration of his newspaper enterprises to the men who have built up their reputations; thus Blr. Bladdick, a well-known figure iu Fleet Street, retains the management of the Illustrated and' the Sketch.

• Following is a Japanese letter, which was actually received at the London office of a Tokio engineering house not long ago.—“ Regarding the matter of escaping penalty for non-delivery of the machine, there is a way to creep round same, by diplomat. We must make a statement of' big strike occur in our factory (of course big untrue). Please, address my firm in enclosed form of letter and believe this will avoid penalty of case. As Mr. B. is a most religious and competent man and also heavily upright and godly it fears me that useless apply for his signature. Please attach name hy Yokohama office making forge, but no cause to fear prison' happening as this is often operated hy other merchants of highest integrity. It is highest unfortunate Mr. B. so godlike and excessive awkward for business purpose. I think much better add little serpentlike wisdom to upright ' manhood and so found a good business edifice.” To-morrow at 2.30 Webster Bros, are selling 500 boxes choice assorted Auckland and Nelson fruit.

No doubt the music-loving community of Now Plymouth will be delighted to learn that the annual grand Irish national concert which is held on tho occasion of tho evening of St. Patrick’s Day is to bo repeated this year. Tho committee has been successful in semiring the assistance of the host of local talent, and patrons will be presented with a varied programme of exceptional merit. Owing to the increasing popularity of this function the Good Templar Hall has been engaged. Ad--vantage is being taken of the occasion to make a suitable presentation to the Queen Carnival candidates in .connection with tho recently held Catholic bazaar. ' The programme, which is now being compiled, will be seen' published in this paper at an early date.

The first dance and euchre party of tho season will bo- held at Kawaroa pavilion to-morrow- (Tuesday) evening The music will bo supplied hy Miss Rita Sole, and Mr. F. Moverley -will act as! M.C. Supper will be provided. Tho committee will prepare the floor for the dance this evening, which will receive special attention. Tho East End Reserve Committee are holding another of their iearners’ classes to-morrow night. Judging from tho large turn-out, considering the wet night, on the opening night tho committee may be assured of a largo class. The committee request that learners start punctually at 8 pan.,"so as not to be too late in getting away to their homes.

Brisk demand for the pure Golden Rulo Coconut Oil Soap, “and so say all of us.”—New Plymouth Grocers.* To-day is positively the last day’ of The Melbourne’s great annual stocktaking sale. Last chance for indigo print, Is 9d yard; 30 : inch flannelette, Is 6d yard ; cotton and wool cashmere hose, 3s 9d pair; tohralco blouses, 9s lid; lovely silk and crepe de chino blouses, all reduced; nurses’ cloth, Is lid.* A much-needed shipment of ladies’ chrome one-strap shoes just to hand at Tire Regal. In spite of recent rises on all footwear, wo aro still able to sell these shoes at the old price, 13s 6d. They aro an ideal shoo for school girls.— Regal Shoe Store, next Everybody’s Theatr.B.*

Tlie Solway workers’ homes, in the vicinity of Masterton, to each of which five acres of land are attached, have been eminently successful. One of the workers has a poultry run with about 1000 head of poultry and 500 ducks. Mr. Massey states that an increase in the price of bread will not be finally determined until he discusses the matter with the Board of Trade on his return to Wellington.—Press Assn. A story is told of 'the composing staff of a London daily. Being anxious to get back to tho bosom of their fatnilies on Boxing night the men made a written request to the proprietors “to go to press early so that we might be able to get" home to our ‘various’ wives.”

There are at present eight families in occupation of the Central Hotel under the Mayor of Masterton’s housing scheme. Each family has a number or children, and the building js fully occupied. The boxing saloon, for which also Mr. Jackson negotiated, is in fuil occupation, and the schemiy has been fully successful, ans lias contributed to casing the housing situation in Masterton.

When a certain case was called in the Magistrate’s Court this morning a solicitor who appeared for the defendant said that his client was ill in bed with influenza and his doctor said that in no circumstances could he go out in less than a week. The defendant’s wife had been taken to hospital suffering from the same complaint. An adjournment of the case for a fortnight ■was granted.. Tlie long-suffering public is about to have another shortage thrust upon it. (says a Gisborne telegram to the Auckland Herald). This time it is sausage skins. A reporter learned that the local butchers were all very short ot this necessary article of their business, and that the prospect of supplies was somewhat remote. This state of affairs has been brought about by oho firm effecting a corner in the supplies. ’ A rumour gained currency in Invercargill last week' that the Defence Department was sending a territorial force to Samoa. The rumour was entirely without foundation, but it dis, closed that a largo number of the youth of the town are eager to go abroad for service. The local Defence office was besieged all day by enthusiastic territorials, who were obviously disappointed when they were told that there was “nothing doing.” In the Magistrate’s Court this morning, Mr. T. A, B. Bailey, S.M., gave judgment for plaintiff by default in the following undefended cases: H. L. Jury (Mr. C. H. Croker) v. Annie Tapiki (£5 (costs £1 16s Od); J. Waddle v, E. George, £l6 16si Od (costs 16s). In two judgment summons cases, Ernest George was ordered to pay £4l 16s Od at the suit of L. A. Nolan and £l2 10s Od at the suit of F. H. F. Washbourne, in default six weeks and twelve days’ imprisonment respectively.

Some indication of the class of music now being studied by the Citizens’ Band is afforded by tho fact that during the last fortnight Owen’s “Heroic” (W'eber), “Boberto Le Diable” (Meyerbeer), and “'Wagner’s W 7 orks,” have been tried. The two latter are tests at Dunedin this week. To-night being tho only practice this week on account of the show, “Verdi’s Works” will be rehearsed, and a full muster is anticipated. At the .meetingl of the Taranaki County Council to-day the chairman referred to damage w’hich had been done at the Waiwakaiho during the recent floods, and expressed the opinion that the maintenance of the weir should be a charge upon the Government, who liad, contrary to the Council’s wishes in the-matter, persisted in the erection of tho,weir, which.might be of great advantage no doubt as to the railway bridge, but was of no benefit at all to tho county- bridge. ■He gave formal notice to move at next meeting that a previous resolution dealing with the question of maintenance he rescinded and that tlie Government be requested to undertake the whole of the liability. It was also decided to ask the borough council to take similar action. A settlement in the Hunt Club trespass action was announced’ in the Magistrate’s Court this morning. James L. Hamilton, fanner, Waitarn Road, had sued Edward Mason, huntsman to the North Taranaki Hunt, for £7O, and the action had been adjourned with a view to the parties agreeing upon the it mount of compensation which the hunt should pay. This morning Mr. R. H. Quillinm (for the plaintiff) said that a, very satisfactory settlement had been arranged. He used the term satisfactory because, as a. result of the settlement, all tho bitterness that hail been apparent at one time, had disappeared and the club had offered to compensate the plaintiff for his loss. Mr. T. P. Anderson (for the defendant) confirmed this and the case was struck out.

The swimming carnival which was to have been held in the Municipal Bail's on Thursday next, has been postponed until the 18th iust.

Mr. N. Hamblyn. proprietor of the Uruti-Ncw Plymouth motor service, wishes to contradict the rumour that it is his intention to raise the present scale of fares, to and from .New Plymouth. A tablq of fares appears in this issue.