The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE. Equal and exact justice to all men, Of whatsoever state or persuasion, religious or political. SATURDAY, SEPT. 22, 1888.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 2528, 22 September 1888, Page 2

The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE. Equal and exact justice to all men, Of whatsoever state or persuasion, religious or political. SATURDAY, SEPT. 22, 1888.

Prominent amongst the great problems of the clay is, How to cope with the terrible poverty of the masses, the social plague spot of pauperism. It is not to be understood that the trouble is one of modern origin; on the contrary, it is a heritage that has been transmitted, generation to generation, from remote times when the people of the earth began to herd together in towns and cities. And with the increase of population, the birth and growth of nations, and • the spirit of aggrandisement and power, these sorrows and perplexities of society have continued to accumulate until they have attained those frightful proportions which are now agitating the minds of rulers, statesmen and philantrophists. During the past quarter of a century strenuous exertions have been directed to discover the best and most practical solution of this terrible state of tilings, by ameliorating the distresses of tin; lower strata of the people in Great Britain. A groat movement in this direction has bum attracting attention in the old countries of Europe, swaying tins fabric of constituted society in all its parts. The course assumed by the leaders of the movement present different phases according to surrounding circumstances; but the one most familiar to us is that called Socialism, a comprehensive term, and in which is found the doctrine, that the spirit of modern human laws is contrary to the Divine law, favours one set of the human family to the serious injury of another and larger section, and leads to an unequal distribution

of God's gifts intended for the use of si.ll. Thus we see that at the present moment one-sixth of the population of the United Kingdom r.uik as poor and destitute, almost wholly dop.ndent upon public and private eleemosynary aids for subsistence. The divine design of the Almighty Creator, by who.se fiat this planet has been peopled, could never h;ive contemplated such a fearful disparity in the conditions of His eivatures. It is just reasonable to b.'liftre that equal opportunities to fulh'l the duties and obligations of life were, intended for all, to live industriously and happily. It is owing to human laws only that the design has been violated, and certain numbers enabled to grow rich, accumulating wealth by abstracting from their neighbours the fruits of their labour. One section grew stronger and wealthier, with the power of making the laws entirely in their own hands, whilst the other portion of humanity grew pobrfef, more helpless and at the mercy of the former. As poverty increased so did crime, and the privileged law-makers legislated to suppress crime, not to alleviate the cause of crime. The attitude of the Church of England towards this huge question, and towards Socialism, has drawn upon it universal notice. The Pan-Anglican Conference at Lambeth has given serious thought to the subject, and to the duty of the Church in the cause of human poverty and suffering. The Times approves of the neutral nature of the Encyclical Letter, which embodies the report of the Committee appointed to enquire into the socialistic movement, and it considers that the progressive tone of the resolutions adopted by the Conference exhibits a broad spirit of toleration, and is of a thoroughly democratic character. It is but proper that the great social problem should exercise the minds of the foremost prelates of one of the leading churches of Christendom. No doubt there has been, at times, culpable apathy displayed by the Christian Church as a whole towards the terrible evils, and that it has been attracted towards them even now by the force of events. But there is nothing inconsistent in Christianity holding out a hand to Socialism. Its Founder gave Himself to help and save the poor, whom He reminded His followers they " had always with them." When the rich young disciple came to Him to know what else he should do to win salvation, he was told he lacked but one thing, and that was that he should sell all he possessed, give it to the poor, and then follow Christ. This was the practical test of his sincerity, for the young mar.' went away " very sorrowful." The whole spirit of Christ's teaching was directed towards levelling human society, which had even so far back as that time, become corrupt and terribly oppressive. The fundamental principle of Christianity is purely democratic in character and would have all things just and evenly balanced amongst men. Thus the Church in devoting her energies and power to procure relief for the suffering masses is but following the footsteps and teachings of the Divine Master. Legislation for the purpose of providing remedial measures to effect the much needed social reforms noes not rest with the Church ; that belongs to the temporal power and appertains to the politics of the nation's economy. It is, however, within the functions of the Church to instruct and influence the State. Aml every State that is justly and wisely governed should regard it as its primary and imperative duty to protect the poor, to provide every opportunity for thorn to live industriously and orderly, and to oblige the wealthy to contribute out of their super-abun-dance, according to the extent and value of their possessions, towards removing the masses from the depths of penury and misery into which they have been led. The old Mosaic laws were more just and liberal than our own in that respect, and even the Brahmins make it a canon of their faith that the tenth of the rich man's receipts shall be given to the poor.

As an instance of the inconvenience, which may easily become misery, caused by the strike of the Newcastle miners, may be mentioned the case of a D:inedin machinist who went to Melbourne and got employment at a large factory. He was just making arrangements to get his family over, when he was, with all hands, discharged at a moment's notice on account of the strike cutting off the supplies of coal required at the works.

Thursday's Herald quotes the Lyttelton Times re a big egg, six inchos by three, and four ounces weight. Cambridge can givo Lyttelton a big start in eergs if that is the best they can do. Host Bach, of the Criterion, has an egg laid by a Langshan hen, boutrht by him at Buckland's mart, and bred by Mr Arch. Wallace, Pukerimu, which weighs over four ounces - tipping the scale handsomely—and measures, lengthways, eight inchos in circumference, and six and a half inches the other way ; at least it did when our reporter saw it, but the egg was broken while he was verifying the measurements, when it proved to contain two yolks.

We have frequently had our attention called to the number of dogs that wander about the roads at night, in the neighbourhood of Cambridge, the Victoria road being especially mentioned as one of the parts most affected. A farmer tells us that tie is in mighty dread of his sheep being worried, and asks what remedy we can suggest. Another, a working' man, who is fond of gardening, complains that stray dogs make rendezvous of his cultivated plot of ground at night, and do him serious damage ; and that during the day his neighbours' fowls carefully rake over the earth, and pick out all the seeds that he has planted. Like the fanner, he also requires a remedy. The best remedy probably in both cases, will bo shot. The aggrieved parties should publicly notify that they intend to destroy all dogs or fowls found on their properties, and then go in for a regular battue. It is better than poisoning, about which there always appears to be something mean, and the blame is otten put upon the wrong person.

We in Waikato have long been aware of the anomalous manner in which railway rates are charged upon goods forwarded either to or from Auckland, and we have, from time to time, in our columns given many instances of the absurdity of tho freights upon different classes of goods. Another case has just come under our notice, and as it refers to agricultural pursuits, we publish it so that our readers may know how zealously the Government watch over and encourage the farming interest. A merchant of Cambridge sent to a firm in the old country for a number of ploughshares, colters, etc., which were duly forwarded per sailing vessel, packed in two small cases and one cask, the whole weighing 24cwt. They arrived safely in Auckland, the charge for the journey—about 10,000 miles—per sailing vessel being 275. They were then forwarded per rail to Cambridge. 101 miles, for which £2 10j was demanded and paid. Is not this preposterous ? It is surely time to try Mr Vaile's scheme when agricultural implements are taxed to this extent.