SYDNEY LETTER.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6650, 23 November 1899, Page 3

SYDNEY LETTER.

_^ [From Our Correspondent.] Oct. 30. WARLIKE DEMONSTRATION. No one con doubt the popularity of anything like a warlike demonstration in these peaceful Australian colonies. It is probably the rarity of opportunity which cauises such things to be so highly appreciated, and if the average Australian were allowed to exhaust his combative instincts in subduing the difficulties presented by his native country and in developing her resources, tile prospect of engaging in an obscure quarrel in a remote country might be less fascinating. But his country is all fenced off. Consequently he has to be content with such outlet as he can obtain for his native energy and love of adventure. Be the cause what it may, nearly all Sydney and suburbs turned out to give a send-off to the depart.ing contingent on Saturday afternoon. No question as to the righteousness of the quarrel or the wisdom of engaging in it troubled them. Once more it was made clear that by those who understand their foibles, the people of Australia, intelligent as they think themselves, can be led by the very finest and slenderest of filaments, and the day when they will wake up to their own best and dearest interests is as yet very far distant. If they could only be induced to display onetenth as much concern in their own affairs as in the subjugation of the two tiny South African Republics, they would soon be very much more prosperous than they are. SIB GEORGE DIBBS. One of the most popular, figures in the display was Sir George Dibbs, whose martial ardour' impelled him to brave the .pelting rain, and who received quite as many cheers as the departing contingent. The speeches of prominent politicians on the occasion were painfully trite and superficial. That, however, is not surprising. The smallest exercise of reflection would inevitably lead them to echo the sentiment of the French song : " Que vos tv faire dans eette galere?" THE ARRANGEMENTS.* The arrangements could, not have been better devised to try the patience of the crowd. Nothing was ready at the appointed time. Instead of starting at three, the Kent did not get away till after five, and then her departure was only a kind of "make-believe," for she anchored in Rose Bay to complete her fittings. Moreover, no arrangements had been made for the suspension of the tram traffic. Consequently the gallant volunteers had to wait at street crossings, like ordinary passengers, greatly to the damage of their dignity. The feryour of the crowd, however, was proof against all these adverse incidents, and not even the cold and drenching rain could damp ;t. "Our Boys," or the first detachment of them, havo had a good send off, and will be followed with warm wishes for their welfare. Perhaps the day will come (in remote ages, of course) when we shall be as solicitous for the well-being and prosperity of the masses who remain at home, as for that of the handful who go abroad. THE RECRUITS. The selection of the volunteers was by no means an easy matter. In spite of the numerous offers very few were really eligible It was found necessary to reduce the standard, both as to height and girth round the chest, and even then a comparatively small proportion could be certified as sound, wind and limb. Some of the causes of rejection, indeed, ore Calculated to arouse the gravest misgivings an the minds of those who have not only the physical but the moral welfare of the race at heart. Out of twentyfive volunteers from one regiment only eight passed the test satisfactorily. If only the lesson conveyed by the results of the medical inspection is duly taken to heart, the demonstration will not have been in vain. LOW V. FAIRFAX. Rejoicings as to the definition of the status of journalists said to have been established by the result of the case, Low v. Fairfax, prove to 'have b&en sadly premature. The jury, it will be remembered, found that the plaintiff had been virtually discharged by the proprietors of the " Herald," and that he was entitled to throe months' notice. The case for the defendants was that the plaintiff was not discharged, but absented himself, and that, in any case, his services i might have been dispensed with at any time without notice. The jury found a verdict in plaintiff's favour for a large amount. This, -however, has been set aside by the Full Court, and a new trial ordered. The Judge expressed the hope that an amicable settlement would be arrived at. This no doubt would be by far the best conclusion, so far as the parties themselves are concerned. But if the suggestion is adopted, many important points of law affecting the interests of journalists will remain unsettled. INDECENT ADVERTISEMENTS. " Truth " has come out, not before it was wanted, with a scathing attack upon indecent and immoral advertisements. Some are of so revolting and disgraceful a character that it is not only incomprehensible how men of any pretensions to morality can publish them, but it is also surprising that any decent citizen will admit into his household the papers which contain them. Writing against them, however, is of little use. John Norton is now in Parliament, where, he can make his voice heard in a more effective manner, and it is to be hoped that he will not neglect the opportunity. THE EARLY CLOSING BILL. Last week there was a desultory discussion in the Assembly on the Early Closing Bill. Professedly it is intended in the interests of employees in shops, to whom, However, it is not likely to da much good. The only way to benefit them permanently would be by opening the way for .them to some more productive and more healthy employment. As long as there are about twice as many of them as are really wanted, each eager to get the bread out of the next man's mouth the terms and conditions to which, they have i ■;-. 1.

to submit are necessarily harsh. The real effect of the Bill, if it becomes law, will be to crush out the small shopkeeper. This is generally admitted. Indeed, among some of the Socialist reformers, it is regarded as its chief recommendation. "Do away with the small people in business," they say ; " then all business will be thrown into the hanas of tha big firms. The spirit of individualism will be destroyed, and there will be comparatively few of these big businesses to be taken over by the State when the time arrives for the initiation of collectivism." It is just as well that the real inwardness of the movement should be understood. Supposing the scheme to be successful, it is to- be feared that a community devoid of individualism would be a community of virtual serfs. TELEGRAPHISTS FOB, SOUTH AFRICA. The Postmaster-General of Capetown has cabled to Sydney stating that he requires immediately twenty good "sound reader" telegraphists, not over twenty-live years of age, and unmarried. The salary to commence is £120 per annum, with annual increments of not less than £12 10s, passage money to be advanced and repaid by instalments after commencing the new duties. There will be a number of volunteers, and our o^yn Government will place every facility in the way of suitable men. There has been some expression of disappointment in .Melbourne because the offer was not also made to the Victorian Government. But it may be taken for granted that no slight was intended. ' ' A SMALLPOX SCARE. One of the first fruits of the South African trouble, has bean a number of cases of small-pox. A refugee from Johannesburg took passage on board the Afric. He had the disease, and a number of his fellowpassengcrs caught it also. Consequently all the passengers and crew of the Afric have to be landed at the Quarantine Station, at immense expense. They manage these things much better in England.. Quarantine was abolished in the Old, Country several years ago, and is' now deservedly regarded as a relic of the Dark Ages. It will never be abolished here, however, so long as the mercantile community tamely submit io the losses and delays which it imposes upon them. WORKING "ALONE." The Legislative Council has made short work of tha Coal-mines Regulation Act Amendment Bill. The Act, as it stands at present, specifies that no inexperienced person may work in the face of a coal-mine "alone." It is copied from the English Act, .which has been some twelve y«ars in force. It is now pointed out that^ though an inexperienced person may not work "alone," there is nothing in the wording of the Act to hinder a number of ■inexperi- i enced persons from working together ! The attempted amendment, however, aimed at excluding miners of all descriptions, except coal-miners, aud it was stated that it was specially aimed at the proprietors of a western mine, whose mon i are on strike. The Council, therefore, rejected it.