The Waikato Argus [PUBLISHED DAILY.] A Guaranteed Circulation of Over 7500 Weekly. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 1905.

Waikato Argus, Volume XIX, Issue 2983, 16 September 1905, Page 2

The Waikato Argus [PUBLISHED DAILY.] A Guaranteed Circulation of Over 7500 Weekly. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 1905.

With this issue wo circulate a full report of Hr Lang’s speech on the laiitl question, which was delivered in the course of the debate ou Mr iSeddon’s resolutions. It is well that there should lie no misunderstanding as to the position the member for Waikato takes up on this question. That it will be approved by all settlers who arc far-seeing enough to recognise in which direction their future prosperity is to bo found goes without saying. The series of resolutions which gave rise to the debate can only ho looked upon as an abnegation on the part of the Premier of the duties and responsibilities which appertain to the ollice he holds and a complete upsetting of the system of government by party. Custom clearly defines the duties of Ministers and those who occupy the Opposition benches We commend Mr Lang’s remarks on this unprecedented position to the careful consideration of the people.

Mr Lang no doubt succeeded in defining the reasons for the desire of leaseholders to have the right to acquire the freehold, lie gave as one of the main reasons the interference of the Land Boards with their systems of working their lands and the fear that they may at any time be called upon to face a Fair Rent Bill, with all its far-reaching consequences. This Bill, as Mr Lang explains, in the form it was introduced to tbo House by MrSecldon’s Ministry would have been equivalent to breaking faith with every Crown tenant in the colony; it would have placed the power in the hands of Government to revalue all properties and rack-rent the tenants. As evidence of the unreliability of the Premier, Mr Sodden said at Hamilton that “The Government of which he was the head had never in either thought, word or deed suggested that there should be any alteration iu existing contracts.” In spite of this statement it is matter of history that in 1895 a Fair Rent Bill was introduced by one of bis colleagues. Wc must be excused for repeating the quotation from the speech of the Minister for Lands delivered in the debate on this Bill. He said ; “ I have in my mind a very strong feeling that a Fair Rent Bill may not pass this session. A Fair Rent Bill is coming, and therefore the sooner honourable members who are opposed to such a measure make up their minds to the fact that it must become law the better it will bo.” In ISOG another Fair Rent Bill went to its second reading. In 1.898 such a Bill was again mooted by one of Mr Seddon’s Whips. In 1899 Mr Hall-Joncs said, “ He hoped to be able to bring down a Fair Rent Bill. The bon. member was no doubt aware that the Government had always favoured a Fair Rent Bill.” 8o much for the memory of the Premier! Where the wonder after all this that Crown tenants are anxious to secure the right to acquire the freehold ‘I It is true that there wore a few belated individuals amongst them who said that they had no desire to acquire the freehold. If the facts with regard to the Fair Rent Bill bad been known to them wc can hardly believe that any one of them would have made such a ’statement. The speech of Mr Lang ou the land question is exactly what could have been expected from a conscientious representative of a country constituency, and the people of tbo Waikato are to be congratulated in having such a sterling and honourable man to represent them. A man who is above resorting to underhand tricks and is not afraid to expose others if they arc guilty of them, even if the offender be the Right Honorable R. J, Seddou himself. Mr Lang would never be guilty of having two suits of political clothes to bo worn as circumstances dictated. The Premier, by the mutilation of a speech delivered before a town constituency previous to allowing it to be circulated in a country district for electioneering purposes, has clearly demonstrated that his wardrobe is supplied with at least two sets of garments with which to deceive those who, at this late stage in Ins career, are silly enough to lie deluded by appearances and political bunkum.

In our report of the musical examinations in yesterday’s issue we omitted to state that Misses Florence Mandeno and h’essio Uanstead (senior candidates who passed) were pupils of I the late T. 11. Uosworth. Through the instrumentality of Mr \V. li. Paul, a nice lot of porch were liberated in the Hamilton Lake yesterday. The fish, some of which are three inches long, were sent up from llawora. They should do well in the sluggish, muddy waters of the lake. On Saturday next Messrs Davis and Go. will offer for sale the lease of 8J acres at Hamilton East, near Mr Coates’ property, and 145 acres known as Graha,m’s landing, on the banks of the Waipa River, near Whatawhata. Further particulars may bo obtained from the auctioneers. The dissatisfaction of Christchurch shop assistants over the Shops Bill found expression in the following telegram to the I’rcmier; —“The shop assistants of Christchurch like to work all l ho hours there are, including Sundays. They very much appreciate Parliament's efforts ia that direction.” In the Public Works Si atom cut £300,000 1b asked for the Main Trunk railway. At present there are 1,300 men employed on tills work, and the number will be increased during Hie year. £20,000 will bo asked for Hie Oisborne-Rotoriia line and £15,000 for the Stratford-Ongarue lino. Farmers generally express the opinion that the season’s lambing will be very good in most parts of Canterbury. Though there has been an abnormal amount of rain it lias caused no great loss of lambs, most of the rains having boon warm aud unaccompanied by driving winds. At Lincoln College lambing has been very good, and the director says that it will probably bo by far the bust since ho took office. Mr Bywater, the New Zealand

representative of the Harvester Company, interviewed at Christchurch on Thursday, claimed that the concern was not a trust, but a company. Before Parliament accepted the statement that when the company secured the whole trade prices would be raised, tbo company should be afforded an opportunity to give a guarantee that they would not raise prices. Wai-oa Geyser was soaped on ’Thursday, by instructions of the Government, to enable Mr T. J. West, of West’s Pictures and the Breseians Company, to take a cinematograph picture for exhibition in the Homo country and throughout Australasia. It was a magnificent success, being considered the best shot ever seen, reaching a height of over 130 ft. It was witnessed by a large crowd of residents and visitors. Some interesting scenes of a Maori wedding and native customs wore also procured. The Melbourne Argus, comment

ing editorially upon Mr Seddon’s laud resolutions remarks: —“As an abdication of Ministerial responsibility, without resignation of office, Mr Seddon’s more ia unparalleled, and tbo Loader of the Opposition lias naturally tabled an amendment calling upon the Government to show its hand. AA’ere it not that Mr Seddon is so clever at manipulating parties and in gaining a material hold upon politicians and constituencies, it would be difficult to expect him to weather the storm which has so long been brewing. AA’hatevor tbo outcome of the debate, his strange attempt to cast upon Parliament a duty which ought to be peformed by the Ministry suggests that his power is waning.”.

The Oamaru correspond cut of the Christchurch Press states that the local potato market is decidedly easier, and sales were effected ou AA r ednesday at £lO 10s per ton for prime Dorwonts, as against £ll 15s f.o.b. last week. This is attributed to the drop iu prices in Invercargill to £9 per ton, indicating that stocks in Southland are larger than was supposed. Wellington buyers are not operating at present, ns Tasmanian potatoes, owing to a sensible drop in values in that colony, can be landed in Wellington at £lO 10s per ton in sufficient quantities. A local farmer who had demanded £l3 per ton for his stocks, after communicating with Dunedin, was glad yesterday to take £lO IDs. As far as the Oamaru district is concerned, Auckland buyers aromore anxious to do business than those of Wellington. Homo hundreds of unclaimed articles from the Dead Letter Office were submitted to auction iu Wellington a few days ago. Many queer lots wore included iu the list submitted. The cheapest and most varied assortment comprised “ one box goitre cure, one box frutex, false teeth, one box mustard plasters, one menthol plaster, ouo packet dental rubbers, one tin tooth powder, two tins ointment”—and the whole lot went for hnlf-a-crown. A buglo was sold fur Bs. Ten Maori kits brought 13s, but seven Maori Testaments went for 6s. Umbrellas and walking-sticks realised fair suras, and silk blouse lengths also fetched their value. One article disposed of was a bicycle, and queries were made as to how that could be posted. It turned out that the article was sold on behalf of another client.

The libel case in which Mr Bed

ford, M.H.R., claims £IOOO from Mr Twomey for libel alleged to have been contained in an article headed “The Soiled Doves,” which appeared in defendant’s paper, has now been settled out of Court. The case came on for hearing before Mr Justice Denniston at Timaru yesterday, but the settlement which has been in progress for the past two days was arrived at yesterday morning. Messrs Adams and Stewart, of Dunedin, were engaged as counsel for the plaintiff, aud Mr Raymond, of Timaru, for the defendant. The terms of settlement are that the defendant shall apologise and pay all reasonable and agreed-upon costs. It has been decided at the same time that this shall apply also to the case pending by Mr Taylor against the defendant, but Mr Taylor is to get £SO in addition to his costs, and an apology is to be tendered by the defendant to Mr Lnuronson.

The last of the series of socials for the season in connection with St. Andrew’s Church, Cambridge, was hold ou Thursday evening, and appeared to be appreciated. The following programme was very successfully negotiated; —Piano, Miss Williams ■ vocal duet, “ Oh, That AYe Two were Maying,” Miss Onions and Air Rowe; song, “In the Cathedral,” Air Richardson; song, “ AVhon You Speak to Ale,” Aliss K. Young; piano solo, Aliss Skeet; vocal duet, “ Home to Our Alountains,” Aliss Bell and Air Rowe ; song, “ The Last AYa.tch,” Air Richardson ; song, “ Because,” Miss Onions; song, “ The Light of the World,” Air Rowe; song, “ Ora Pro Nobis,” Aliss Bell; song, “Spring and Winter,” Aliss AVillis; recitation, “Farmer John,” Airs Heirons. The Alisses Onions, Young, and Bell, are pupils of Air Rowe, and the two first-mentioned made their debut. They evidently suffered from nervousness, but, nevertheless, did very well, as also did Aliss Bell. Aliss Richardson always pleases, and Alessrs Richardson and Rowe were much applauded for their songs. Refreshments were partaken of, and the meeting terminated with the singing of the National Anthem.

The first statutory mooting of the shareholders in the Raglan Co-opera-tive Dairy Company was held iu the Kauroa creamery recently. Tbo Chairman explained that the following tenders had been accepted ; Plant, Alessrs J. li. AlcEwan and Co.; building. Air AY. J. Smith, aud all would bo iu readiness for starting work on the Dth of next month. It was then decided that the provisional directors, Alessrs AY. J. Henry (chairman), C. E. AlcDouald, J. Belcher, A. Husband, E. AYatkins, E. Pretty, C. li. Swoctman, J. A. LaTrobe, W. Belcher, J. B, Somerset and A. Curtis, be appointed directors tor the ensuing year. The chairman read the cow guarantee, which explained that the yield of butter-fat per cow had been taken at 15Ulb. Over 30, ho said, had applied for appointment as factory manager. This number had been narrowed down to four, and it would bo

left to tbo directors to appoint a suitable man. The meeting agreed to bring pressure to boar on the Government to erect a bridge over tbo Oketo at the present ford. At a subsequent meeting of directors it was decided to appoint Mr West, of Mangorei, Taranaki, as manager of the factory.

A clearance sale of horses, dairy cattle, fat and store sheep, farm implements and furniture will bo held at Mr 8. Knight’s homestead, opposite the "ew butter factory, at Frank ton, on Wednesday, October 11. Catalogues will he sunt to those interested on application to Messrs Davis and Co., auctioneers. It is stated in the Public Works Statement, which was presented to the House yesterday afternoon, that the Government hope that, prior to the opening of the Christchurch Exhibition, it will be practicable to take the through journey from Auckland to Wellington by rail and do the journey via the West Coast to Christchurch in a single day. In the House of Representatives yesterday petitions were presented by Mr Taylor praying for a public inquiry into the alleged payment to Captain Seddon, and by Mr Graham in favour of Slate control of the liquor traffic. In Committee of Supply the Estimates for the Stale Forests Department, Government Printing Djlico, Hospital aud Charitable Department, Defence Department, and Railway Department, passed unaltered. In Hie Legislative Council the Shops mid Offices Bill was road a second time. RHEUMATISM CAN BE CURED. Do not suffer from rheumatism. One application of Chamberlain’s Pain Balm gives relief aud its continued use will bring about a permanent cure. For sale by W. Dey (Hamilton), Thos. Wells (Cambridge), Geo. M. A. Abler (To Awamutu), Green and Colebrook (Ngaruawahia), L. de L Ward and Co. (Taumarnnui), and T. H. Chapman (Kihikihi). SYNOPSIS OF ADVERTISEMENTS Good footwear at Salmon’s. Wanted—Waitress, Hamilton. Wanted—Young girl to assist, Pousouhy. Sale near Franktou on October 11—Davis aud Co. Sale of leaseholds next Saturday—Davis and Co. Kirikiriroa Road Board—Candidates nominated. Hamilton Town Hall, to-morrow evening —Sacred concert. Wanted to rent—Six or eight-roomed house, Hamilton. Buff Leghorn eggs 10s per doz.—Mrs Cusseu, Hamilton. Hamilton Town Hall, Wednesday next—- “ Shamus O’Brien.” Dainty neckwear—B, 0. Randle’s Ladies’ Emporium, Hamilton. Nursing home, “ Cluny,” Hamilton East, ou and after Ist November. For general drapery and clothing— Edward Hall, Kaiapoi House, Hamilton.