Wairarapa Daily Times [Established Third of a Century.] WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 1909. A NEW ALLY AGAINST CONSUMPTION.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume LXII, Issue 9700, 3 November 1909, Page 4

Wairarapa Daily Times [Established Third of a Century.] WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 1909. A NEW ALLY AGAINST CONSUMPTION.

Medical science aud philanthropic efforts for the extirpation of consumption are beiug powerfully re-iuforced iv tiie crusade against tuberculosis, by a commercial corporatiou. The economic and the hygienic are hero in perfect accord, which is a sufficieutly uncommon circumstance. The Metropolitan Life lusurauce Company, of New York, is seeking legislative powers to build and equip a sanatorium for tue treatment of its employes or policy-holders, who may have developed this deadly disease. Commenting on the proposal, the Manchester Guardian states that those who have a material interest in keepins us alive should try to do so, give us some sense of assurance, and it is not; easy to perceive the objections that remain if the economic ones are surmountable. Persons who are confident that nothing bufc extreme age or accident can trip them up might object to pay higher premiums to support a sanatorium, buteveu they might agree when the general increase in the length of life makes insurance cheaper.

It is provided that every policyholder is to be charged 10 cents annually for the maintenance of the asylum, aud such payment is to entitle him to free treatment if attacked. The scheme certainly has a certain attractiveness about it; but at the same time, the possibility of an extension may occasion some misgivings to the New York Sun, which fears that "if tuberculosis hospitals are set up, other prevalent diseases, it is suggested, may be combated in the same way, and the insurance compauies might presently become the chief sanitary authority. " We shall watch the germination of the idea with interest.

Will the world ever be ruled by ghosts? Just now the ghost of Mr Gladstone is depicted as appearing in Mr Stead's seance room, aud expressing an opinion on the political crisis in Euglaud. When we find this opinion cabled out to all parts of the world, we begin to recognise that it is a force. It may be assumed, but it cannot be proved, that the opinion emanates from the late Mr Gladstone. There is nothing new under the sun, and thousands of years aeo inquirers settled intricate problems by au appeal to supernatural beings who were called Oracles. The supernatural Gladstone is the oracle of to-day, and many will ridicule his alleged deliveries of opinions as spook messages. Still, there is now, there has been iv the past, and there is likely to be stilt more in the future, some belief in communications between those who have left the physical life on this plane, and those who still remain in the physical form. The problem cannot be ignored bocause, as yet, it is only partly understood. Lord Beacousfield, speaking after the death of Mr Cobden, said that this great reformer was still a member of fhe House. Are Mr Gladstone and Lord Beaoonsfield still, from another sphere, guiding the House of Oorainons?

If a visitor happens to pass along in silence, without! remarking upon our scenery, climate -or social institutions we set him down as a "chump." If, on the other hand, he drops a chance remark of a critical flavour, albeit, merely in conversation, and institutes a passing comparison between us and some other community and spots any trifling defect in us, we fall upou him with all the power of the Press and denounce him as a travelled snob with a swelled head. The traveller therefore is in continual peril while he is amongst us. This seems to have been pretty forcibly illustrated during Mr Foster Eraser's visit. This peripatetic writer was bombarded with requests for his private opinion concerning our manners, customs and institutions, from the moment lie set foot on our shores. He does not appear to have obtruded his views upon us, but on the other hand, he is a very observant man and iv congenial society he may quite honestly aud innocently have expressed ideas that struck him as he "went along. How could he help comparing the ways of the various communities? It seems a pity that this should be so, for the knowledge of it will undoubtedly put visitors very jnuch on their guard and muzzle them. Surely there is no need to take umbrage at the comments of visitors, provided tney are not made with evident malice. The mere fact that we do so, is a sign of a colonial weaUness.

A nation builder was Prince Ito, one whose ambition was of a lofty and patriotic character. That it was also unselfish was shown by his perseverance in pursuit of his ideal in face of discouragement aud popular disapproval, threats of assassination, and other set-backs. His experiences in Euglaud many years ago made him long to Westernise his countrymen, aud lie set himself to introduce Western ideas aud practices among them. To the populace this chauge was not wholly unwelcome, but many of the upper classes bitterly resented it. The Prince's perseverance aud the success lie achieved, however, raised him to the highest rank in Japanese estimation, and he was regarded as the most astute statesman of the Empire. Only he could be selected to administer the affairs in couuection with the Japanese protectorate of Korea. That his policy would be vigorous and fearless was certain, aud in pursuit of it he has now laid dowu his life, diedattiie post of duty. England cau honour her ally's hero, for he was made of the stuff of which our own patriots throughout tho centuries have been composed.

Dr Shipley, F. K.S., has been speaking in a very disrespectful manner about some very grave and exalted persons. Speaking of the rapid extinction of some of the most interesting of the world's animals, such as the bison, the beaver, the seal, the whale (whose flesh by the way was being made into sausages in Norway), Dr Shipley challenged the administration of the British Museum, in the interests of scieuce, evoking no end of laughter in remarking upon the constitution of its body of Trustees, which comprised the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Lord Chancellor aud the Speaker. He wouud up au enter taiuing address with an ancedott , . of a President of the Board of Trade whom Sir Joseph Hooker once iutroduced to Mr Bentham, the great botanist. "He (Mr Beutham) works in our herbarium," said Sir Joseph, in making the introduction. "Dear me," said the politician, "1 hope he doesn't get his feet wet." The poor man thought he workeil in the aquarium.

It is as yet early to form a deliberate conclusion as to tlie loss or gain to Masterton by the advent of Prohibition. Mauy believe that there is some loss of trade through fewer visitors coming to the town, and there is undoubtedly some force in this statement. On the other hand, the gain is fairly obvious. The town is more sober, aud money is begiuuiug to accumulate. For the three mouths which preceded the coming of NoLiceuse, there were eighty-five courictious for drunkenness; but for the three months which followed the coming of No-License there were but fifteen. This chauge is a great gain ns far as the happiness aud comfort of the comuiuuity is coucerned. Last mouth there were but two convictious for drunkenness recorded in this town; Mastertou has changed from a drunken town to a sober town.