THURSDAY, JULY 26, 1917. EDITORIAL NOTES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12069, 26 July 1917, Page 4

THURSDAY, JULY 26, 1917. EDITORIAL NOTES.

t GENEROUS GIFT. Were oratory not an almost lost art, yesterday's ceremony at tho Hospital, on the occasion of the opening of the Chalmers Wards, would have afforded a unique opportunity to expatiate upon the blessing accruing to those who dedicate their wealth to ameliorating the lot of the poor, and a notable adI dress might have been delivered based on tho test " It is more blessed to give than to receive." In contrast to this picture of benevolence there could havo been painted, in language that would appeal, another of the avaricious who go on accumulating wealth for its own I sake until the end, ultimately going to their graves without having conferred any benefits on their fellows, although they had ample opportunity to so. The story of the early Canterbury settlers, of whom John and ; Peter Chalmers, the uncles of the lady responsible for the magnificent gift wards •which were opened yesterday, would, if properly handled, and dealt with, by one possessed of tho rare gift of eloquence, havo been a theme worthy of the occasion and the donor of a noble block of buildings. But most of lour publio men lack tho powers requifiistte to enable them to deal with such themes as they ought to be dealt with, and consequently it was disappointing to find that the speakers handled the eubjeot in such a prosaic manner, and that they quite failed to take advantage of the opportunities which tho occasion afforded. Mr Horrell's dissertation'was anything but inspiring, being in fact decidedly halting, whilst his excursion into controversial subjects, such as hospital and charitable aid expenses, was scarcely germane to tho occasion. The honours of the occasion probably rested with the llov I' 1 . Rule, whose part, however, was a minor one. The occasion was certainly worthy of something in the :na- ! ture of an epic, of words that would burn themselves into the memories of listeners, but eloquence and imagination were conspicuous by their absence. That is a pity, and it is regrettable that such an occasion should have been allowed to pass without even one speech that will live in the memories of those who were present. But Miss Chalmers can rest assured of this: that although '' the speakers lacTTed the orator's N art, there was in the hearts of the large gathering ' "£■*. &iei hearts

oT thousands who were unable to be present, a feeling of deep gratitude to the donor of the noble gift, which will stand as a lasting memorial to the memory not only of Miss Chalmers herself, but of her uncles, the late John and Peter Chalmers. Miss Chalmers has set an example that is worthy of emulation, and wo hope that she will have many Imitators in the noble art of giving. Wealthy New Zealanders cannot do bettor than follow the excellent lead of Miss Chalmers.- "Go thou and do likewise" should be the injunction to everyone in a position to confer similar benefits on suffering humanity. Such a monument as' the Chalmers Wards, which were opened yesterday, is certainly more enduring than tablets of brass or marble.

RUGBY FOOTBALL. At its meeting on Tuesday night the Canterbury Rugby Union received, and agreed to, certain proposals presented by a sub-committee which had been set up to report on various matters in connection with the well-being of the game in the Dominion. Matters of such importance as those dealt with ought to have emanated from the governing body, hut unfortunately the N.Z.8.U., even in its liveliest moods, has never evinced much spirit of enterprise, and for some time now it has been very lethargic. The union, moreover, cannot be said to have ever really realised its true functions. From time to time it has met and has spent a deal of labour over various matters of more or less importance—mostly less —but of recent years it has been either too indifferent or too oblivious to the position into which the Rugby game has been drifting. At regular intervals the facts were placed clearly and impartially, and occasionally forefbly, before those who professed to control the destinies of tho N.Z.R.TJ. But without the slightest effect so far as sane and sensible action were concerned. And now the Canterbury Rugby Union has stepped into the breach. In effect the local body says that tho English Union is out of touch with overseas unions, that the International Foard steeped in conservatism, and that there is absolute necessity for the revision of the rules, particularly as regards professionalism. All dicso things are true enough, and what is more, with others they have been presented to the notice of tho N.Z.R.U. at various intervals, by various writers, and in various forms, They really nre very old friends to those who have closely followed tho fortunes of the Rugby game here. They break no new ground; but all the same tho local union is to be commended for coming out so boldly. With a reckless disregard for tho feelings of a somnolent Rugby camp it has hurled a high-charged bomb which is calculated to bo distinctly disturbing to persons who, we aro willing to believe, would much prefer not to be disturbed.

Whether or not the Canterbury Rugby Union will receive the support the importance of its propositions demands remains to ho seen. The Rugby Union game unquestionably is losing ground in the Dominion. While the N.Z.R.U. lias been dozing on its welltilled coffers, well satisfied in the belief that it occupied an unassailable position, and somewhat indifferent to that end of the game from which must come the regular supply of young players, rival sports bodies have made enormous progress and much of it at the expense of the Rugby Union game. On the manner in which tho Canterbury Rugby Union's propositions are received really depends tho future, position of Rugby football in .New Zealand. Two courses appear to bo open to our football legislators. One will necessitate a thorough reconstruction based on tho broad and democratic principles which we expect to find in this country; the other will mean the narrowing of the sphere of operations to an extent that will confine the game to a comparatively small section of the athletic community. To adopt the former will be a great wrench to those who are happy in the traditions of tho past, but its adoption will enable us to create a Rugby structure which, free from convention, strong in its construction, wise in its laws and enlightened in its operations, will be a model for the world wherever the Rugby game is played. The adoption of the second course will compel the original Rushy game to drop from first grade position to second, perhaps to third, for its sources of playing power will bo practically confined to a comparatively small section of the community.

(THE AGRICULTURAL ADVISER. During the past few weeks some southern members of the House of Representatives, apparently for tho want of something to say, and possibly with a view to gaining the support of those "patriotic" farmers who seem to spend all their waking hours in bemoaning having to pay the excess profits tax, havo thought fit to disparage tho agricultural adviser to the Canterbury Efficiency Commissioner. In tho course of 'discussions in the House the members for Temuka and Waitaki made pointed reference to Mr E. P. Burbury, and endeavoured to persuade their fellow members that that gentleman is wholly unqualified for tho position ho holds—tho innuendo being that he is neither a practical nor a theoretical farmer, but especially that he is totally unacquainted with the practical side of ihn agriculturalist's life. If these insinuations were true, then, of course, they would be justified in their deductions- but the facts are entirely against them. To those unacquainted with the actual facts, rhetorical fulminations of this; sort might possibly be accepted as virtual gospel ; the ignorant might possibly conclude that the members were speaking from a full knowledge of the subject on which they were endeavouring to enlighten the country. We hold that in thus endeavouring to belittle Mr Burbury's services, and in discounting his influence with the agricultural community, Messrs Talbot and Anstey were guilty of dojng a grave injustice to one of the most practical agricultural authorities in the Dominion. The members for Temuka and Waitaki are themselves practical farmers, but they should not arrogate to themselves a monopoly of wisdom in the domain of agriculture. We hold no brief for Mr Burbury, Mr Frostick or anyone else, but we like to see everyone obtain a " square deal," and it is because wo believe that justice should be a guid- | ing principle in evarv walk of life that

we must protest strongly against the fictions of those who are endeavouring to discount the valuable work of a patriotic gentleman, whose services have been placed at the disposal of the country gratuitously.

Mr Burbury is a man of about nfty years' colonial experience. His early training was on a farm, where he obtained a clear and practical insight into the manifold problems of the land. His experiences were wide; his preceptors were among; the ablest and most successful agriculturists and pastoralists which the Dominion has produced. From the farm he graduated to commercial life, and for more than thirty years proved eminently successful as manager of the New Zealand Loan and Meroantilo Agency Company's extensive business at Oamaru, where, of course, he was in close touch with tvery seotion of the agricultural community. For five and forty years he has owned land, which he himself has farmed, attending to every detail, and yet we ore told that he is not a practical farmer 1 We contend that Mr Burbury's experiences have been quite exceptional, and that the Efficiency Commissioner and the. farmers of the province should regard themselves as particularly fortunate in having secured the services of euch an expert. There arc few men in the Dominion who can point to such a record, and if he is not. abundantly qualified for the position we would like to know who is. When critics set out to disparage Mr Burbury's qualifications for the position which he holds they are simply exposing themselves to ridicule, since "they know not what they do." In I hi,s addresses to the farmers in different centres Mr Burbury has spoken clearly and distinctly, and we are sure his transparent sincerity and his enthusiasm must have won the support a<nd approval of all farmers who are not suffering from incurable bias. When he has been asked to adopt courses or to make recommendations which he considered would be inimical to the interests of the country at large, as distinguished from a section, instead of hedging he has always given his answer in terms that would admit of but one interpretation. His declaration at one meeting that while the majority of employers treated their men generously others did not, seems to have aroused the ire of a section of farmers, possibly because the cap fitted, hut who can deny the accuracy of the statement? His refusal to be a party to conscripting farm labour at the same wages as is paid to soldiers clearly antagonised a section of avaricious farmers, who hoped to use the Efficiency Board to obtain cheap labour for their own sinister ends. But we have, we think, said sufficient to emphasise our point, namely, that the nocturnal attacks made on Mr Burbury under shelter of parliamentary privilege and anonymous correspondence, are entirely without justification, and have done a cruel wrong to a man who is labouring assiduously in the public interests without fee or reward. The appointment came to him unsought, but he is unquestionably the man for the post, and if nV. the Government appointments were equally satisfactory wo would have little cause for complaint.

THE SITUATION IN SPAIN. Tho revolutionary movement in Spain, the outcome of general dissatisfaction wi'th tho mismanagement of military affairs and a demand, for more democratic institutions, and also due in large part to disapproval of tho Government's peace-at-any-price policy, will in all probability strongly influence the nation towards active intervention in the war. There has been little disposition on the part of any sootion except tho,pro-Germans to bo contented with the recent Cabinet change. A lending Republican organ calls the Administration a " Kaiser Government," and tho German-owned or subsidised newspapers regard it as a passive friend of the Central Powers. "When the hast mail left news was anxiously awaited in Spain regarding the further action of the South American republics, and particularly tho Argentine ; and as tho Argentine Government has now definitely decided for the Allies the new development is certain to exercise a very considerable influence upon the Spanish mind. Spain in general, according to tho most recent advices, entertained au acutely uneasy feeling, that she was being isolated, and it is extremely likely that the irritation with tho existing form of government, together with resentment of German interference with shipping and German use of Spain as an espionage base, will before long irresistibly send tho country into arms on the side of tho nations to whom sho is most closely bound by racial and commercial ties.

While Spain is troubled with political dissensions her economic position is, however, extremely satisfactory. A Madrid correspondent says that during tho war period something like a miracle has occurred an.l that the country has been transformed from a state almost of poverty to one that has rather more money, and that in solid gold, than it knows exactly how to use. While other countries have done something to remedy the unfair working of the exchange as the result of the decrease of production by the Allies engaged in war, and there being so much less exportation from them to other countries, whereby the exchange might be balanced, Spain has done nothing, and the case is difficult in that iron is really tho only export to Britain that is essential tc tho latter country. Commercial authorities declare that the era. of prosperity through which the country is now passing is so splendid that it could not have been imagined three years ago. Tho banks show what is being done in the way of making •money, and an examination of the annual balance-sheets of the ordinary commercial and the savings banks shows that in 1915 and 1916 there was an increase in the amount of current accounts by about 350,000,000 pesetas, of about 100,000,000 pesetas put on deposit in the savings banks, and of 1,250,000,000 pesetas in securities deposited. To these impressive figures there may bo added a further sum of 400,000,000 pesetas, representing r.he increase in those two years of the fofal of notes in circulation of the Bank of Spain, and it is concluded that the national wealth has increased in that period by not less than 2,000,000,000 pesetas. Whatever trouble may be caused with the exchange, and the special" sufferings of a section of

the Spanish community, as they regard them, in consequence, the one fact remains that tho national wealth has been enhanced by the enormous exports of Spain and hy the big business ehe has done in freights at increased rates. Now the great question before Spain is to decide speedily upon an international policy which shall assist her future interests.