The Week in Review

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLI, Issue 14, 30 September 1908, Page 1

The Week in Review

The formal opening of the Auckland School of Mines is an event of great importance to the whole Dominion, but more especially to the northern province itself. Three-fifths of the gold exported i 3 produced in the Auckland district, which, employs over 300 men in the industry. Each of our large centres will thus specialise in some one branch of academical education— in medicine, Canterbury in engineering, Wellington in law, and Auckland in mining and commerce Mining more than most professions requires a long and thorough training. The work of a mine manager is not only hard, but there is absolutely no room for the man who is only moderf ately efficient. The manager is either a success or a failure, and to be a success he needs the best scientific education that can be obtained. The aim of all modern universities is to keep in touch with the industrial and commercial life of the community. We want practical men able to make their way in the world, and the vague, indefinable something called culture rightly finds but little favour in our eyes. Not to produce dreamy scholars or thinkers, but to produce shrewd, capable, pushing men of business ought fee bo the object to which universities in a democratic community should devote their energies. The 'Auckland University College, by specialising in mining and commerce, has taken a step in the right direction. Sir Robert Stout, in his address at the opening of the School of Mines, rightly insisted on the necessity of hard work if an individual or nation is to succeed. But many think that there is little need to preach the gospel of work in an age as strenuous as our own, and that the danger rather lies in the fact that we allow ourselves to little real relaxation. Dr. Warre, the famous headmaster of Eton, and an old boating “blue”, has been contrasting the sports and pastimes of the present day with those of earlier times. He says they are no longer joyous recreations, but serious business. The spirit of the age Which fostered what he terms the “Olympic agony” has swept into its net all forms of amusement. The professional element has given rise to spectacular performances, in which the chief interest turns on the cash concerned in the issue. Self-advertisement and desire for personal distinction have supplanted esprit de corps. Dr. Warre made a fine use of the Horatian phrase, that “the soul should keep itself tempered from insolent exultation,” in reminding us that we should strive to bring into all our games a chivalrous sense of honour that should instinctively repudiate any unfair advantage or unfair method, and so help to build up a national character “sans peur let sans reproche.” How- much this advice is needed has been shown by the unseemly squabbles that took place over the decisions of the judges in the recent Olympian contests. The true sportsman scorns such things as betraying the spirit of the “pot hunter,” and the whole value of athletics is gone when the chivalry of the sportsman is replaced by the mere money-getting instinct of those who, by Wtty of distinction, are popularly known as “sports.” 'd* The Public Works statement shows that it is proposed to spend this year £2,430,450 or £330,000 iporc than last year. Of thia sum £1,279.000 is to be devoted to railways, and the balance to various other improvements. The North of Auckland line, henceforth to be known as the North Auckland Main Trunk line, is to receive £80,000; Ka wake wa gets half that amount; Gisborne-

Rotorua, has been allotted £60,000. Considering that a quarter of a million has to be set aside for the completion of the Main Trunk, and that the Midland absorbs £150,000, these amounts must be considered fairly satisfactory. The Whangarei-Kawakawa line is especially important as its completion is absolutely indispensable to the advance of settlement in the Northern Peninsula. Of equal importance is the HelensvilleNorthward line. It has dragged. along for many weary years, and it is to be hoped that now the Government is showing practical interest in the work no controversy over the precise route to be followed will be allowed to delay its completion. Tire vote of a quarter of a million for reading the back blocks is none too large. Of all public duties that of providing facilities for settlors who have so pluckily tackled) the hardships inseparable frpm life in remote settlements stands easily' first. Other details of the statement may be criticised in some quarters, about this vote the. only regret will be that it was not larger still. France has withdrawn her. troops- from Casablanca, and thus the new regime in Morocco seems to be recognised by' all the Powers, including Germany. The new Sultan is to be given a free handin organising his kingdom, and the task is not likely to be an easy one. He will have to radically change the existing social conditions before any semblance of good government can be looked for. It is doubtfid if the Sultan will, be able to exercise any' real authority over his chiefs. They will strenuously resist any attempt to introduce European methods, and the slightest approach to such a thing might easily precipitate another revolution. Unless anarchy is to reign supreme in this corner of Africa, it is inevitable that sooner or later it must be brought under European influence, and that can only be done by some agreement being entered into between England, France, and Germany. In any case, the outlook is not hopeful. JU The famous "gagging” clause introduced into the Second Ballot Bill has been condemned from one end of the Dominion to the other. Much of the criticism levelled at the motives supposed to have actuated its introduction has been unjust. There is no doubt that the Government merely desired, as far as possible, to make the election continuous. In many cases, w’here a second vote is necessary to decide election to any office, the vote is taken without further discussion. But this can only be applied where no interval is allowed to elapse between the two ballots. To attempt to silence Press and public alike for several days on matters so important as questions of policy is merely to court disaster. No law can be enforced unless it has public opinion behind it. It is safe to say that every paper of any standing would absolutely refuse to submit to anv such restrictions, and the only result would be that men would glory in breaking a law they felt to be unjust. Capable as it Is of being abused on occasions, the right of free speech has nevertheless been the main factor in securing our national liberties, and it is impossible to suppose that this right Will be surrendered by the people at the bidding of any Government, however strong it may be. Mr. Andrew Carnegie has long been known as one who recognises the re-

eponslbilities of great wealth. No one has been more munificent in endowing and founding libraries and other public institutions. He has now given a quarter of a million, producing an income of £12,500 a year, towards the foundation of a hero fund in the United Kingdom. The object of the fund is to provide for the maintenance of the widows and children, of those who may lose their lives In performing deeds of heroism in times of peace. Few things could be more deserving of public support than this fund, and Mr. Carnegie’s generous gift is likely to be largely supplemented by other donations. Our roll of heroes is a long one, and includes men and women in every walk of life. Our method of rewarding them hitherto has consisted in giving them a medal of some sort if they survive, and if they die . we leave those dependent on them to either starve or be supported by casual charitable contributions. It is not that as a nation we do not recognise and appreciate deeds of valour, but we have short memories, and it has not been to our credit that many .of. our greatest heroeS both in peace and war have been allowed to reap neglect and poverty as their sole reward. We trust that some of our own citizens will start a hero fund for New Zealand. When thousands ct pounds are forthcoming to support r itical and other fads of every descrip«n>n, surely the two pence of the Good Samaritan could be spared towards the support of those whose breadwinner has laid down his life to save his fellows. JS The Admiralty has at last been convinced that it is not wise to flout Mr. Deakin’s scheme for establishing an Australian navy. Mr. Abbott, the president of the Pastoralists’ Union of New South Wales, recently delivered a very forcible speech, in which he drew attention to the fact that we took Australia from the aborigines by force, and we must hold it by force against the swarming millions of Asia, who are not likely to pay any more attention to our rights of pre-emption than we did to those of the aboriginal inhabitants. Our only title deed to our colonial possessions is the power of the British navy. We contribute 1/- per head per annum as against 15/- per head contributed by the inhabitants of the United Kingdom. Sir John Golomb, the well-known writer on naval questions, supports Mr. Abbott in his contention that something more could be done by the colonies, and Lord Brassey expresses cordial approval of the suggestion that Australia should organise a fleet of her own for coast defence. He suggests that the inauguration of the scheme should be done with all the pomp and spectacular effect of which Admiral Sir John Fisher is a pastmaster. The Lords of the Admiralty have promised co-opera-tion, and nothing now remains but for the colonies themselves to push the matter forward before public enthusiasm cools. Mr. Deakin’s scheme proposes that, the Commonwealth shall equip and maintain a flotilla of six destroyers, seven submarines, and two depot ships. Australia will supply as many of the men a» possible, the Imperial Governmen' providing the rest. The cost of the ships is estimated at £1,277,500, and the annual cost of maintenance at £340,000. The administrative control is to remain in the hands of the Commonwealth, subject to one or two conditions. England is to loan cruisers and give every help possible towards forming the proposed fleet. There Is no doubt that the project is likely to receive far more support and excite more widespread interest than any proposal for increasing the contribution to the Imperial navy could do. Australia is already a nation, and it is feeling the need of adequate expression

of national instincts. The beginning is small, and of course for many years to come she will have to rely on the British fleet for protection. But once begun the scheme will grow, other parts of the Empire will follow her lead, and the healthy rivalry engendered between the fleets of the different countries will go far to maintain, if not increase, the high slate of efficiency for which the British navy is so justly famed. el . The trouble over the ‘"Wilford clause" in the Education Bill has been ended by the House definitely rejecting the proposed amendment in favour of uniform school-books. At the same time the incident has done good because it has drawn attention to tlie very serious cost to parents with large families when they are always being called upon to provide fresh books for their children. It is urged that uniform books would not. be in the best interests of education, but even from an educational point of view, there is much to be said in favour of Mr. Wilford’s clause. A multiplicity of books is apt to retard a pupil’* progress by causing some of the ground to be traversed over again when it has been previously thoroughly covered, and other important parts are apt to be neglected. .If uniform books are used a pupil moving from one school to another knows that he has done up to a certain point in the book, and thus he can go steadily on. Latin was far better taught at Home when all ths schools used the old Public School Latin Qnunniar than it is nt present, when each chool has a book of its own. JI But it is not likely that any Buch system will be established in our national schools, owing to the inability of experts to agree as to which is the best book in any subject. Different teachers prefer different books, and while one would find a particular book exactly suit his needs, another would find it next door to useless. The real solution of the difficulty will probably be found to lie in the dierction of providing all books and other educational necessaries absolutely free of ' cost. For at present, the tax on parents who have several children attending school is undoubtedly a heavy one. There is no reason why the Educational Department should not print and publish its own bocks. This would considerably reduce the cost, and would akr enable teachers to get works more suited to our require ni’iits than many of those at present in use. The matter is one that eatla for serious consideration, and though the expense of free books may seem to many a decided obstacle, yet the relief afforded to parents with large families would be great, and also books would be more carefully chosen, and we should not have such frequent, and often, bewildering, changes. dt Jt The Newcastle by-election has resulted in a great victory for the Conserve tive candidate. He polled 2143 more totes than his rival, whilst the Socialist candidate was nowhere. At the last general election tlic Liberal member got in by the largo majority of 720 C votes, and though doubtless the whole Cathol.'o vote was* thrown into the scelo against Mr. Asquith’s Government on account of his action in prohibiting the Eucharistic procession, yet this only partly accounts for the result. The current of public feeling has for long been setting steadily against ths present Liberal policy, mainly, we telieve, on account of the obstinate refusal to even consider the question of tariff reform The English workers—and Newcastle Is essentially a labour constituency—are beginning’ to realise that free trade closes both Homa and foreign markets against them. Not all the sops thrown to them In the shape of temporary relief and. measures aimed against the

wealthier clause* have served to reconcile them to a Government whose flseal policy has filled the streets with armies of the homeless and unfed. There is little doubt that the next general election will see the return to power of a party pledged to reform in this respect. JI JI The full text of the Lambeth Encyclical Letter is now to hand, and will cause disappointment to many who looked for a more deflnite pronouncement on some of the controverted questions of the day. The document is bulky enough, there being over 10,000 words, but it contains little of a practical nature. The bishops affirm their faith In the historic facts stated in the creeds. 'J'hat was only to lie expected. But men want guidance on such subjects as the nature of inspiration, the relation of Chriatianity to other religious, the meaning of tlie Fall and the Atonement, and many other difficulties that present themselves to thoughtful laymen. Members of the Church are also urged to recognise the moral responsibility involved in their investments as regards the social effect of any enterprise, and the treatment of persons employed. But how is this to be done? A broker buys for his client, say, Anglo-Argentine tram debentures. How can the client know whether all the people employed are properly treated? Of course it is the duty of all right-minded men to see that they do not invest in any business that exists by sweating, but it is scarcely possible to personally examine the working of all companies in which one invests. That being so, the advice savours of platitude,. Jt Ji But in regard to divorce, the Letter is even more unsatisfactory. By 87 to 84 the bishops decided that the innocent party to a divorce may not be remarried by the Church. This runs counter to all popular feeling on the subject, and it is also opposed to the declared opinion of many leading divines. The narrow margin by which the resolution was carried shows how much ecclesiastics themselves are divided on the matter. As regards marriages with deceased wives’ sisters, the bishops gave no definite guidance. This is especially to be regretted. It was more than anything else the one subject on which we looked for a plain statement. They arc sorry, but, to use their own words, “they have left without an adequate or general declaration of judgment the difficulty which has been constituted for the Church of England by recent legislation concerning marriage with a deceased Wife’s sister.” Jl dl On the all important point of Christian re-union, the Conference is singularly retieent. Re-union with the Greek Church is dealt with, but that is not a very practical matter. What we want to see is some working basis by whieh all the great evangelical churches can be brought together. The national church Boould be the church of the nation, and strength can only lie in union. The present state of things leads to loss of power, and to an immense waste of both money and energy. Four separate buildings are often erected in small places, each attended by only a handful of worshippers, and ministered to by lot half-starved parsms who ride up on four half-starved ponies. And all for what? That each community may keep its own shibboleth while the cause of real religion is left to perish. We want the widest possible basis, the widest possible latitude for differences Ot opinion. What better basis eould we have than that for which we pray when we say: “And grant that all they that do confess thy holy Name may agree in the truth of thy holy Word, and live tn unity, and godly love.” J| J* The labour troubles at Home seem lo be as acute .is ever. The truth is that work is slack, stocks have accumulated far in excess of requirements, and owing to trade disputes many large orders have been placed abroad. Not a few employe) s would welcome a strike, as they could then get rid of their over•eeumulat ion of stock, and many firms »re conducting operations at a loss. The Durness Withy Engineering Co. threatens to close its shipbuilding branch at Bartiepool; rnoyt of the big eotton mil io are anxious to close for a time In order to reduce their stock*, and though the •trike of engineers engaged in the ship-

building trade is virtually over, yet so much work has gone elsewhere in consequence of the dispute that it is doubtful if the trade lost will ever be recovered. Meanwhile, in all the great cities processions of tens of thousands of unemployed parade the streets, and the Socialists openly preach revolution. JI JI The great difficulty lies in the fact that the worker does not realise that the most important thing for labour is to secure good markets for that which labour produces. At present the manufacturers are overstocked, and could not employ more hands if they wanted to. The private employer has every bit ns much interest as any State could have in extending his business and opening up new markets. Every corner of the globe is ransacked by keen, pushing commercials in search of customers. The heads of large linns are perpetually engaged in finding a sale for the goods which their workpeople produce. If the supply is greater than the demand it is certainly not through any fault of the employer in neglecting to push his business. Therefore, State control of all industries would not touch the root of industrial trouble. To produce a piece of work is one thing, to sell it is another; and the State would find it no easier than the private person to secure a permanent market. Industrial disputes and strikes intensify the evil by driving trade out of the country. Neither Socialism nor State doles would be of the slightest use in solving the problem of the unemployed. They aro unemployed because there is no market for their productions. Mr. Asquith promises early legislation on the subject. The only legislation that would do any real good would! be a reform in the tariff in the direction of granting protection to British workers and British goods. But we fear the English Premier docs not contemplate making any move in this direction. J* Jl It is not easy’ for us, living amid so much prosperity and in a land where the general standard of comfort is so high, to realise the amount of poverty and distress at present existing at Home, where the first application forms for the old age pension were issued, over 60,000 people applied from the East End of London alone, and most pathetic scenes were witnessed. It is estimated that even on the coldest nights the only sleeping place for more than 10,000 of London’s poor is under the seats and arches of her bridges and other publie places. Colonel Seely, When the first aplicntion forms for the Colonies, admits that nearly 9 per cent, of the total working population are at present unemployed, and the police have had to use their batons to disperse crowds who have been made reckless by hunger and want. The depression in trade is more widespread than has been the case for many years past. Hands are being turned off daily by the big manufacturing firms, and there has been an all-round reduction of wages. Those v. ho ore in a position to judge predict that this depression will not be confined to the United Kingdom, but will spread to the other parts of the Empire. Seeing that England is the main purchaser of our produce, financial stringency at Homo is bound to make itself felt here to some extent. It is wel Ithat we should remember this, and see to it that we do not let any unwise demand for excessive wages jeopardise the stability and expansion of our industries. Not a little of the present stagnation of British commerce Is due to the strikes and labour disputes, whieh have driven trade away to other countries end thrown thousands of men idle on the streets. Economic law can be as ruthless and pitiless as Nature’s laws when it is disregarded, and not a few have found that in forcing wages up beyond their rightful level they have killed the industry itself and so lost their all.