The Week in Review

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLI, Issue 15, 7 October 1908, Page 1

The Week in Review

Labour has been aptly described as the modern sphinx propounding riddles, and as yet no Oedipus has arisen to answer them. There can be no doubt that the (Arbitration Act has enormously beneifited the position of the wage-earners, but many of them, while wishing to reap to the full the advantage of these benefits, wish also to retain the right to strike if they deem it fit and proper to do so. The thing is manifestly an impossibility. If the workers retain the light to strike, the employers might with equal justice ask to retain the right to lock-out, and then the whole system of Bottling industrial disputes by peaceful means would fall to the ground. In the game way. the wage-earners demand high wSges and cheap rent and food. But s>igh wages mean increased cost of production, and this in turn Involves increased prices for the things produced. It is a popular cry with many that jp,ll wealth is produced by Labour. Let its for “wealth” substitute “marketable goods” and we get, perhaps, nearer the mark. Granting this, it by no means follows that the full value of the price realised for these goods Belongs exohtsively to the worker who produced them. Jt Men are employed, for instance, in building a large ocean liner. They require to use expensive machinery, and ■for the use of this a certain amount of ithe money received from the ultimate sale of the vessel must be deducted. 3- hey require to be paid weekly, whereas it ia some two or three years before the (product of their labour can be sold. For this advance a further deduction is necessary. Then a market has to be found for the completed vessel, and those i>vho find the market have to be paid. ■Now, the employer provides the. machinery necessary for any enterprise, advances pay to the workers, and finds the snarket for their products, taking all risks. The duty of the Arbitration (Court is to decide what proportion of itl.e money received for any finished product belongs to the worker, and what to the employer. It has also to see that jnnrkets are not lost through an undue inflation of prices caused by an excessive rate of wa res. Any man can get the full price realised by the sale of any article he produces, if he likes to supply his own machinery, provide for himself till be has effected a sale, and find his own market. Short of this, he gets the full value of his labour when lie is paid a fair and equitable wage for that labour, find the employer is granted a fair and equitable return for the capital he employs, and the skill and business capacity he exhibits in finding a market and Opening up fresh fields for industrial Enterprise. Sir Walter Scott said in his journal that mechanics would combine to raise the price of wages for one. week, though they destroy the manufacture for ever. We fear that what was time then is true to-day. Many of our "bikers tail to realise that it is of more sital importance to secure steady wages ana permanent employment than to gain pay to-day at the cost of starvation to-morrow. J* Several Christchurch booksellers have ieen convict,.,| on the charge of selling immoral literature, the books in question conmstmg of certain novels by Victoria Cross and Huliert Wales. A charge was. aiao preferred against, one firm for havng sold one of Shakespeare’s works, but 1 * 1 "o' J9,| iißsed. The decision places POsiUon Th" ” n CXCRwlin « l y difficult X UQn. Thjr are supposed to be ac-

quainted with the contents of all books they offer for sale, but with the many thousands of volumes that pour forth annually from the press, it is not easy to see how they can do this and also attend to their business at the same time. Many old established classics contain passages to which exception might .well be taken. Dryden, Shakespeare, Rossetti. Swinburne, all come under the ban, as do the novels of Fielding and Smollett. It would lie no difficult task to cull extracts from the pages of the virtuous Richardson himself at which some people might be shocked. Virgil, Horace, Juvenal, Aeschylus, and the charming idyls of Theocritus, Bion, and Moschus would all have to go, and we would lie compelled to fall back on the poems of Robert Montgomery and Isaac Watts. For if exception, is to be taken to any book in the ground that it contains passages likely to offend the superior person, it is difficult to see how any of the ancients or the Elizabethans can escape. 3 J» Coleridge described Fielding as one of our greatest moralists. He pictures life as it actually is. No book can lie really moral which gives a false view of life. It is quite possible for a book to be wholly immoral in its tendency, and yet not to contain a single isolated passage to which the most fastidious could take exception. It is also possible for a book to contain many isolated passages to which objection could be made, and yet to be wholly and soundly moral in its teaching. All literature is pernicious which gives a false view of life, and many books which Would be called “ goodygoody ” are the most pernicious of all. Ruskin said that tracts which taught us that we ought to be good in order that we might gain material prosperity in this world were subversive of all right motive. They teach a wholly false and immoral view of life by leading people to ■believe lliat the spiritual life finds its greatest satisfaction in gross and material objects. If we are. to proscribe all books which contain unsound morality the task will be a heavy one. If we are to proscribe some and not others, then the matter becomes one of arbitrary exclusion, depending on the literary judgment of different magistrates. In rooting up the tares we may also be rooting up the wheat with them. What is really wanted is that more care should be exercised as to the class of person to whom certain books are isold. Students of ancient life in Greece and Rome should have the freest access to all literature bearing on the subject, but it would be wrong to place Suetonius and Bion in the hands of schoolboys. To an Eastern scholar Burton’s Arabian Nights would possess great value, but no one would dream of giving it to a girl in her teens. Novels are widely read by young and old of bothe classes, and undoubtedly many of those now published are calculated to do harm if allowed an indiscriminate circulation. At the same time, it is not easy to see why Shakespeare’s “Venus and Adonis” should be allowed to bo sold to all and sundry, and works far’ less indelicate lie prohibited. We clearly cannot keep all harmful literature from our young people by any process of law, nnd it would be far better if. instead of invoking the aid of the magistrate, parents themselves would exercise a greater supervision over what, their children read, and endeavour to foster a love for the beautiful and the true, which la the only true safeguard against corruption.

The wandering Lama has arrived at Pekin, where his presence is likely to considerably embarrass the Chinese Government. Four yeans ago Sir Francis Younghusband rudely disturbed the pious meditations of the Ocean-priest, as his worshippers call him, by suddenly appearing before Lha.ssa with a column of the British army. The feet of infidels defiled the sacred city of bTsong Kha pa. and his illustrious descendant has ever since been a wanderer over Northern China. Accompanied by his 80 faithful attendants, he has blessed with his presence various cities in turn, and all efforts to induce him to once more wend his way to his mountain home have proved unavailing. The Dalai-Lama is a much more important personage than the BogdoLama, with whom the ignorant soine- ■ times confuse him, and he is not one to be offended with impunity. China is at present particularly anxious to reorganise the administration of Thibet, and so she is making the most of her distinguished but slightly expensive visitor. It is believed by all pious Buddhists that in order to ascertain the particular person in whom the soul of the departed Lama will re-incarnate itself, recourse is had to the sacred books and the astrologers, lint sceptics affirm that the re-in-carnation is settled by the Court at Pekin without consulting the soul as to its own private predilections in the matter. China’s ultimate ambition is to control Thibet; at present the wily Celestial is puzzling out whether by ways that are dark and tricks that are mean he can persuade his illustrious guest to go back home. ■Connolly's confession has set at rest t.ny lingering doubts that might have been entertained regarding the innocence •at Hallinan an.l Anderson, who were re cently sentenced to seven years’ hard labour for the manslaughter of Burke. Connolly admits that he concocted the story of their connection with the crime in order to clear himself. The case hrs been one of the most remarkable in the criminal annals of the colony, and shows the great risk that always exists of innocent men being wrongfully convicted, both judges having attached great credene'- to Connolly's evidence. But for the unti; ing energy of their solicitors, it is more than probable that Hallinan and Anderson wo.ud have served their full sentence, whilst Connolly would have escaped scot-free. Our present system of administering justice is grossly unfair to persons accused. The Crown obtains the s< .'vices of the best lawyers, and pays the expenses of all the witnesses. The p.’.s, r.er, if a poor man, is practically undefended, and often cannot secure the attendance of those who might be able to give evidence in his favour. If he retains counsel and calls witnesses, he is left, to bear all the expense himself. A verdict of acquittal may often carry with it what is virtually a fine of £59 or £lOO. Innocent men have be-n known to plead guilty to smalt offences bt-causc it was cheaper ‘to pay the fine titan to go to the expense of a defence. Many a man has had his last penny taken from him in proving his innocent", others' have gone to gaol because they have had no money to pay for counsel. The duty of the Crown is to see justice done, and justice demands that equal skill should be employed in presenting both sides of a ease. A man who is honourably acquitted should not be allowe I to suffer in pocket because someone has ■blundered, nnd the poorest prisoner brought to trial should have equal facilities with the richest for disproving the charge brought against him. The Shah of Persia has at last yielded li> the pressure put upon him by his own people and by Great Britain and Russia, and has summoned the Mejlisw, or National Council, for November I I. Thus from Constantinople to Pekin there has

been an irresistible movement towards self-Gowrnment. Absolutism is doomed in the very places where it seemed most deeply-rooted and most permanent. The Occident hao shown itself capable of influencing the Orient, and it may soon have to reckon with the sleeping giant it has aroused. The .Siamese at Bangkok are agitationg for reform, the Egyptian Nationalists are clamouring for a Parliament. Turkey has gained a Constitution, China has promised herself a House of Representatives wit hin 12 years, Japan is in full possession of representative rule, and now the Shah, after vainly trying to keep insolvency and rebellion at bay, has changes! bis mind, and yielded to the popular agitation. It may he that there will be a period of reaction both in Persia and Turkey. Many difficulties lie before these Oriental parliaments, and Loth Abdul Hamid and the Shah may ba acting on the advice Guido da Montefeltro tendered to Boniface VIII.; “Long pro mise and brief performance shall make thee tritrnph in thy lofty .seat.” But the pet pie arc bound to triumph in the end, and their triumph is likely to mean a day of reckoning for the West. /* Sir Joseph Ward's political majority was made the occasion of presenting him with a very handsome candelabra, which Mr. Hornsby, who made the presentation described as emblematic, a column of strength surmounted by light, which would show to all the path which Sir Joseph had already followed. It is twen-ty-one years since the Premier was elected as member for Awarua. The political situation was disquieting. A heavy cloud of financial depression hung over the colony, and in his first speech Mr. Ward advocated a vigorous system of retrenchment, proposing to reduce expenditure by £300.000 a year. It was, however, in postal matters that he made his influence chiefly felt. Three years after he had entered* Parliament, the Ballance Ministry was formed, and he was alloted the portfolio of Post master-Gencral. The New Zealand post and telegraph service has progressed ever since, until it is to-day for its size the finest in the world, and this is entirely due to the Prime Minister’s exceptional administrative ability. Sir Joseph Ward has not only proved himself an able staesmnn and a capable administrator, but he has brought to matters political a high-minded and generous spirit that has scorned all mean and party tactics, and men of all shades of opinion will join in the ho|H> that he will live to celebrate the jubilee of his entrance into political life. J* 'lhe "I'imes” has ended the book war by joining the Publishers' Association, and'thus a most undignified squabble a 13 been closed. An evil genius sems to ha ve pursued the paper since the days of the famous Piggott ease. American methods of business were introduced with the view of improving the financial posit on, and Englishmen were Ironitied to find th: great traditions of Delaney changed for the traditions of Petticoat lane. The now role of book agent and registry office suited ill the sublime majesty qf the ■•Thunderer," and while little was gain -.1 from a monetary point of view, everything was lost from the point of vi-w of prestige. The recent action brought I*/ Mr. Murray revealed the fact that tie paper was using its correspondence cd umois to advance private business emcerus of its own, ami this tended to still further shake public confidence. It is sad to see a |*aper, that was long looked upon as almost an institution in Hie British Empire, sacrifice the prestige md reputation so honourably built up for over a century, in order to gain a few extra dollars by undignified Yankee had • dodges. It is doubtful if the “Times” will ever regain the position it once held, though it still possesses unique chinnela

©f information, and will probably for lon-t lemain as one of the best Informed of our great English dailies. 3 3 "By the death of Sub-inspector Gordon the .New Zealand police force has 10-i one of its most capable officers. A marked feature about the late sub-inspector was bis scrupulous fairness. Never was he known to try and gain a victory it the expense of what he felt to be just and right. He was - looked upon as t friend • nd adviser, rather than a stern officer of the law, and few appealed to him in vain for help and advice in trouble. Many tributes were paid to his integrity and efficiency as a police officer by Bench and 'Bar alike. But his real worth is best known to those who knew him as a friend, and many throughout the colony will mourn the loss of one who was ev:v of a kindly ami genial disposition, and always ready to give a helping hand to those who were in need. ‘ st The situation in Bulgaria is anything but re assuring. The great Orient railway is on? of Turkey’s most Important public assets, and recently a strike occurred which caused considerable loss to the .Government and completely disorganised tea Hie. A portion of th.? railway runs through Bulgaria, and this portion the Bulgarians seized, alleging as a reason that Turkey was clearly unable to administer the railway successfully, and the publie interest demanded a change of Ownership. The reasons given for purposes of diplomacy are not always the reasons that have had most weight with the rulers of a country. It is significant that th,? seizure of the railway took place jqst.ftfter the Bulgarian representative at Constantinople had,.,.been refused an official audience by th.? Sultan. The authorities disclaim any connection between th® two incidents, and claim to have acted solely-in the interests of the travelling public. But Germany, Great Britain, .Austria-Hungary. and France are all inclined, to accept this explanation with a grain of salt, and have notified the zealots for railway .reform that, their,zeal is not appreciated by the Powers.' j.,, , ,7*5.-- T”! ' r'-ilo ~ rg» e.k: Tlik truth i's L tsiiat •Bulgaxid istainning,: at complete independence.• It will be remembered that aftny thq. Bulgarian atrocities when the Turks ntassayred over J2jotXt mem women and children,-., the treaty- of Berlin eoneedqjl .a..,:<?er|ain. amount of. autonomy*, bjit made the clee-. tion of any prince to be subject to the approval of the Porte. The Christian subjects have always strongly resented Moslem rule, and are prepared to try their strength .single-handed against Turkey. Their national ambition is to ■ocirre that .part of Macedonia, of which they consider they w ere robbed by the interference of. Austria and .Britain offer the treaty of fSan Stefano. But the*’recent revolution in Turkey 'has considerably altered- the position of affairs in Macedonia. The reign of bloodshed and anarchy, haq ceased, and the members of th?. Young Turki-li party are deling thejir best to make the Maeedoniahs pekeeful and contented. This does'not suit Bulgaria's projects, hence her desire to force on a war before the effects ’ofthis new policy can be widely felt. But the European Powers ore not at all anxious to see another Balkan blaze, which anight have lai-reaching effects on all the ' neighbouring nations. They therefore, intimated in very plain terans. that Bulgaria must give . up .her com trol of the railway., and if Bulgaria is wise she will bow to their wish, aiid not attempt to force on. a war that e.o.uld Only result in disaster to herself.. \ J* J* The shipwrecked passengers and.cre.w. of the. Aeon had a veritable Robinson Crusoe existence on tlieir desert island. The worst part was during the first day, when they were left without any shelter under the scorching glare of the tropical sun. The vessel struck at .night but it was not deemed advisable to dry ami effect a landing bofore daybreak. Those hours of dark nesA, when none wl?r<- Certain blit what- 1 Hie ship might fill anil sink any moment, were born'c with greiit calm affd 'fortitude. Fortunately, Hie island was easily reached j a hd as the days wore on a considerable amount of tinned provisions and Other stores were gradually brought ashore. Frosh water was, luckily, discovered, but the only sign of.animal life was in the form of a wild cat, which was captured after an exciting chase. It is sa,id by one passenger that the Chinese aboard cairned

some trouble through looting the wreck, and they had to be constantly guarded by the Europeans. Apart from this, splendid discipline seems to have prevailed, and everything possible was done for the women and children. The castaways were very glad when the Manuka eventually brought relief, and echoed Alexander Selkirk's sentiments as to the charms of life on a dessert island having been grievously over-rated. JB While it is undeniable that we want to increase our population, it is doubtful if we always get the right class of immigrant, as the result of our policy of assisted immigration. Mr -P. M. Mackay recently gave some rather disquieting statistics on this matter at a special meeting of the Auckland Hospital and Charitable Aid Board, held to discuss the question of preventing consumptive and destitute persons landing in . the Dominion, and becoming a burden on the country. One man hail landed suffering from locomotor ataxia. He became a burden on the Board, which had eventually paid his passage back to Scotland. Another man had had his passage back to Fremantle paid, whilst another landed without .a penny, and had, together with his wife and. family, to lie supported by charitable aid. One immigrant had gone to the Costley Home soon after arrival, and was costing nearly £3O a year for his support. In six years close on a hundred new arrivals had become charges on the Board. Another speaker said that a. large number of destitute persons landed here from Australia. We want, and can amply provide for, energetic, industrious workers, but it is not fair on the New Zealander that he should be, expected to support the destitute and indigent of other lands. It is intended to draw the attention of the Government to the matter, and doubtless there will be a more stringent examination into the "health and financial position of person's seeking to enter the Dominion. Mr Fisher has been giving the House his bpinion of newspapers, and from the tone of his remarks, we should imagine that the newspapers must have been giving the public their opinion" of him.’ He-.says-'thqt the “gutter-snipe” press of the colony' misleadh. misrepresents, and lies .day by day. It apparently fights against morality and iiberai' , views, and “hits, kicks, and assassinates ’’hi man, regardless of fair play.” It also flogs a man for six successive days. •Tt is the tool of vested interests, and ought to be hung, drawn, and quartered. All the papers are alike, apparently, as the honourable member said it would take him half ■an hour to merely give the names of those he referred to. The Wellington papers especially he considers unworthy of being given any power to comment or criticise. Poor' Mr Fisher! What has he been doing now! Have the naughty papers been daring to hint that he is not impeccable, or has he perchance been writing spring poems, and having them returned with thanks? If the latter, doubtless tire editors will mend their ways, lest they be annihilated by the wrath of such a stern censor.