NOTES AND COMMENTS.

Western Star, Issue 2087, 22 February 1896, Page 3

NOTES AND COMMENTS.

Mr Jos Chamberlain is the best known man in the 'lmperial Cabinet. The South African affair has advertised him in a way no amount of speechifying could or would have done, and he is now admired so much that he has forgotten all about his promises for social regeneration. Pledged to ameliorate the condition of the aged at Home, he has suddenly developed into an Imperialist, and, like a commercial traveller, he avers he can supply every want or fulfil any order. “ This ’ere article don’t suit you ; werry well* I shall put it o’ one side, and show you summat else.” Electors, colonial and British, like the Greeks of old, are always in search of some new thing, forgetful of Goldsmith’s reflection :

How small of all that human hearts endure That part which laws or kings can cause or cure.

Opinion is gaining ground that the spread cf Salvationism in India will be destructive of the hateful spirit of Anglo-Indian insolence, and do much to make India a British dependency not only in name but in fact. The political consequences of an alliance between the Salvation Army and the lower caste natives in India are as yet but dimly perceived. .Discussing the question, the Review says “ How far India will be governable by a handful of white men if India is sal vationised is a question upon which it is possible to hold two opinions, but that it will then be impossible to govern India without a very considerable alteration in the methods, and above all in the tone at present prevailing in many sections of the Indian Civil Service, is a matter on which there is no room for any* difference of opinion ” This speaks volumes for the Army. More power to it !

In September of last year Major Steward moved for a return showing the number of mortgages registered within the year ended 31st March, 1895, the total sum of advances comprised in such mortgages, and the rates of interest. This return has just been sent to us by the Government printer. The number of mortgages registered during, the period named was 9111, amounting to £4,858,766, so that no one will venture to say that New Zealanders are not a borrowing community. The rates of interest charged varied from 2 per cent to 40. TVe will not give all the mortgages separately, but simply a few. £l3B was loaned at 2 per cent, £I4OO at 3, £822,891 at 6, £31,715 at B£, £335 at 13, £2435 at-15, £9Ol at 20, £SO at 40. A perusal of the complete return shows that there was a great necessity for cheap money.