THE Waikato Independent. SATURDAY, JANUARY 12, 1907.

Waikato Independent, Volume V, Issue 323, 12 January 1907, Page 4

THE Waikato Independent. SATURDAY, JANUARY 12, 1907.

The movement in New to establish branches' of the National Defence League afforded a favorable opportunity to draw attention to our unpreparedness in the matter of defence, and to dwell on the dangers that threaten us without. Japanese and Chinese invasions were mentioned as probabilities, but what should concern us and other countries at the present time is the rapid commercial advance that is being made by these Eastern countries. One of the highest living authorities on foreign affairs says that Japan is commercially making hay while the sun shines, and contributing to the maintenance of universal peace in the universal fashion—by preparing for war. In both instances • she is going right thoroughly to work, leaving nothing to chance that can be affected or hindered by design. And success appears more than probable. A war that seemed certain to ruin Japan was ended by a peace that bids fair to enrich her, if the interpretation which her politicians in Tokio put upon, the Portsmouth Treaty be accepted ; and the monarch's or nations who recently hated her very name are competing with each other for her .friendship. China, too, is awakening to new life under her touch, and, it is considered, will one day become a faithful friend and powerful ally of Japan. As money is the nerve of war, and commerce and industry are the sources of money, the attention of the Japanese Government is being turned to the work of promoting trade and industry and winning markets and new customers. In a word, the economic struggle has followed the military campaign, and is being carried on with the same methodical thoroughness, the same signal success. The energy and enterprise which the Japanese are now successfully displaying in the service of their industry and trade are surprising. Private initiative, official foresight, and diplomatic influence are all pressed into the service of the Mikado’s subjects. During the past few weeks the Japanese have entered into relations with a Russo-Japanese trading company, with a nominal capital of one million roubles. The headquarters of the new association are to be in Tokio and St. Petersburg, while the" principal cities and towns of both Empires are to have branch offices. At present the Japanese South Manchurian railway applies differential treatment in favor of wares coming through Dalny, and as these are largely

Japanese, it is clear that foreign competition is severely handicapped. American and European goods now pay for being conveyed along the railway from Dalny northwards —rates which are 50 per cent, higher than those applied to Japanese wares. Now it is the interest not merely of Russia, but of the commercial world in general, that that differential treatment should cease. An erudite and patriotic Japanese historian, who in his capacity as member of the Tokio Parliament, seeks to apply to contemporary politics the lessons of universal history, has recently returned to his fatherland, after a visit to Europe, undertaken for the purpose of bringing France and' Japan together as a first step in the direction of a Quadruple Alliance of France, Japan, the United States and Great Britain. Such in brief is the scheme, of which the interest lies exclusively in its symptomatic significance. As a concrete suggestion for the moment it is chimerical.

Mr J. E. Fulton, engineer for the high-level bridge, whs yesterday instructed by the Borough Council to inspect and report on the condition of the Karapiro Bridge. ■ The Oddfellows’ Sports Committee met on Thursday evening, Mr J. Byrne in the chair. Accounts in connection with the late gathering were passed for payment. Owing to various causes, the sports were not a financial success, and the balancesheet showed a debit of a few pounds. It was resolved to organise a deputation of members of local sports societies to wait upon the Borough Council and request that that body should assist in having the cycle track on Victoria Park, put in order to induce cyclists to compete at the sports. Hamilton will hold their annual regatta and acquatic carnival on Saturday next the 19th inst. The regatta committee have compiled a lengthy and varied programme, including rowing races, Maori canoe races, launch race and swimming races,'and to add to the attractions the committee are also endeavouring to arrange for the appearance of the Fijian fire walkers at Hamilton on that day. Cheap railway fares are announced, available for return on the following Monday. On Thursday an unfounded rumour got abroad that Sir John Hall, Mayor of Christchurch, and at one time Premier of New Zealand, who is indisposed, was dead. Upon the receipt of the news in Cambridge the flag at the Post-office was flown at half-mast, and the same was done in other parts of the colony. Some of our contemporaries published the telegram announcing the death of Sir John, and the relatives of the latter were deluged with telegrams from all’parts of the colony. Latest advices state that Sir John is much better, though not yet able to get about. ’■"•Subject at Presbyterian Church tomorrow evening; “No Discount,” a character study. Rev. W. Gow, Preacher The Argus states that very little interest was evinced in the poll on the proposal to borrow £2-500 for the erection of a horse bazaar, held at Hamilton on Wednesday. The poll was carried by 31 to 19 t Regarding the proposal to erect a horse bazaar in Cambridge, between thirty and forty farmers have signed the petition to the Borongh Council on the matter, and no doubt the number of signatures would have been considerably increased if a canvas had been made amongst the settlers. ' At present the proposal is hanging fine, and is likely to die out altogether unless the Farmers’ Club, the Chamber of Commerce, and others interested, take immediate and united action in the matter. The opening of the new saleyards, at Hamilton, which have just been erected at a cost of nearly £2OOO, took place on Thursday. There was a large attendance of townspeople and farmers, all of whom evinced a keen interest in the event. The yards, which are about 360 ft by 300 ft, are situated on the side of the hill below the Hamilton West School. The nature of the ground necessitated terracing, but the experiment appears to have panned out fairly' well. They are well drained, and the pens are floored with Te Kuiti lime-stone, which should always keep them dry and comfortable for the animals. Mr H. J. Greenslade, M.H.R. for Waikato, per formed the opening ceremony. A meeting of the Fencourt Drainage Board was held yesterday. Present: Messrs R. Swayne (chairman), F. W. Coates and H. B, Lund. The state of finances of the Board at date were: General account, credit £132 8s 3d; Loan account, credit £132 8s 3d; and the Survey Department reported they had authorised-the payment of £175 13s 2d on account of the grant of £6OO. The Clerk reported that the funds of the Board would soon be low, and that it would be nepessary to strike a rate. They had now been in existence nearly two years, and they would need £-15 per annum for interest on the loan, in addition to current expenses. They had lately had to pay £3O law costs, and there were other matters thao could not be paid out of the loan.—lt was resolved to give notice of the Board’s intention to strike a rate of Ud in the £ on lands classes 1; Id on those classed 2 ; and |d on those classed 8,

The Borough Council has had the spare firebell hung at the corner of Queen and Victoria Streets. Copies of the Waikato Central A. and P. Association’s schedule can now be obtained from the Secretary, Mr E. Yeale. Brakes will leave Messrs Crowther and Bell’s stables for the Ohaupo races on ■Wednesday next at 10.30 a.m. and noon. ; A lad named Stewart, son of Mrs Stewart, of Hamilton road, yesterday fell from an apple tree on Mr Shepherd’s farm and fractured his wrist. His injuries were attended to by Hr. Roberts. A letter from the Deputy-Mayor, received just before going to press, in reply to criticisms on the Borough Council, is unavoidably crowded out of this issue, but it will appear on Tuesday. Owing to the inclemency of the weather, the Hamilton Tennis Club wired this morning postponing the match with the Cambridge Club to-day. It is hoped that the match will' be played to-day fortnight. -The Rev. W. H. Beck, of -St. Paul’s, and the Rev, A. Heslop, of Te Awamutu, will exchange pulpits to-morrow. A meeting of the provisional directors of the Egg-laying Competition Association was held on Thursday night. A considerable amount of business was gone through and it was decided to hold meetings in future fortnightly. The rules and prize schedule are in the printer’s hands and will be distributed shortly, The“N.Z. Farmers’ Weekly ” has promised a cup or trophy, valued at £5 ss, as a special prize in connection with the competition. Other prizes, to the extent of £SO, will be offered. A thunderstorm, accompanied by a heavy downpour of rain, occurred in Cambridge at 11.30 o’clock this morning. The channels were quickly flooded, and a large quantity of storm water, as usual, overflowed on to some of the footpaths, to the great annoyance of shopkeepers, whose business was temporarily suspended, and pedestrians. The rain will be welcomed by dairymen and those who have turnip crops in cultivation, but it will not be regarded as a blessing by farmers who have been depending on the spell of fine weather to complete their harvesting. The atmosphere still continues oppressively close and muggy.