THE Western Star AND WALLACE COUNTY GAZETTE. Established 1868. Vincit Amor Patriae. FRIDAY, JULY 8, 1898.

Western Star, Issue 2220, 8 July 1898, Page 2

THE Western Star AND WALLACE COUNTY GAZETTE. Established 1868. Vincit Amor Patriae. FRIDAY, JULY 8, 1898.

Throughout the English - speaking world the memorable Fourth of July was celebrated with more than usual fervour. No doubt this -was due to the fact that every American knows that in the struggle with Spain, Britain is with the States. At Auckland there was quite an enthusiastic meeting presided over by the Mayor, and patriotic songs of both nations were sun:;. It is equally well known that Mr Chamberlain, in his fatuous Birmingham sppech, openly advocated an alliance with America. The opening years of this century are in striking contrast with its closing years in the matter of the relations between the two countries

Jn 1813 the States were at war with England, and made repeated attempts

to conquer Canada. Tn 1814 the naval engagement between the British frigate Shannon and the American frigate Chesapeake, which took place in front of Boston harbour, settled the matter as far as the sea was concerned, the Shannon sailing proudly away with the Chesapeake in tow. A victorious army, after defeating the Americans near Washington, entered the capital, but as it was no part of the plan of cam. paign to retain a footing in the country, but simply to curb the towering assumption and tame down Brother Jonathan's proud belief in his invulnerability, only a few public buildings were destroyed preparatory to a withdrawal from the territory. After reverses in Canada and the loss of 50,000 men this the last fratricidal wat between the two countries terminated without the matter in dispute being settled—viz., the right of England to search American vessels for English seamen—by a treaty signed at Ghent.

The war betweei America and Spain should not last long now. This week's cables brought news of the American victory at Santiago, and the complete destruction of Cervera's fleet, the " mysterious Cape Verde squadron, of which so much was expected. Before the terrific fire of the American ships they disappeared like matchwood. Crippled on the sea the struggle, so far as Spain is cotcerned, is hopeless. Unless Santiago is surrendered at once it is to be bombarded, and after its fall, Spanish rule in Cuba must soon end.

It does not follow, however, that the demolition of Spain's squadron will bring an immediate end to the military and naval operations of the United States. Nor will the evacuation of Cuba and Puerto Rico by Spain put an end to active work by the military and naval forces of the States. There is something else to be done besides driving tho Spaniard out of the Western hemisphere. A new government must be established in Cuba, the starving mu,sl be fed, and peace and order must be maintained in Puerto Pico. Order has to be evolved out of chaos, and this will mean the employment of a large militaiy force for an indefinite period.

The matter of more trucks to carry grain is one of serious moment to the farming community who have had their tempers and their patience very much tried owing to the great scarcity of these during tho grain season. A large deputation of members of the House have urged on the minister for railways the absolute necessity of increasing the rolling stock, and there is every probability of this being done.

The estimated cost of the uncompleted railways in the North and South Islands, some 521 miles in all, is £3,686,000. These, of course, cannot be completed without money, and money cannot be had without borrowing. Several members strenuously advocate borrowing, but the Premier says he is against it. The opinion seems to be "that the matter will be left over till the next general election, when the voice of the electors will be taken.

There is quite a little list of railways asked foi Wallace alone. They are —Lumsden-Mararoa, Orepuki extension, Otantau-Bayswater, Heddon Bush-Wright's Bosh, and WaicoloMerrivale. Bequests for railways and double lines are being made all over the colony. In fact, a plunging policy is oponly advocated, but we have had too much of that in the past.

The AVages Protection Bill was before Parliament this week, a measure designed to prevent employers from deducting money from employes' wages to pay to accident insurance companies, all negligent employers being liable under the Employers Liability Act. In committee an attempt was made to bring the Government employes within the scope of the bill, but this was opposed by the Premier, and the proposal was defeated by two votes The Opposition argued _ that what's sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander, and the Government should not make private employers do what they were not prepared to do themselves.