The Week in Review

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLII, Issue 10, 10 March 1909, Page 1

The Week in Review

The Allocation of Public oMney. GJ~Y CORRESPONDENT in the / I "Dominion” . has drawn attention to a passage in Anthony Trollope’s book on New Zealand in which the novelist shows that the rush for the spoils existed as far back as 1873. Our Ministers and politicians have stated that if all the money asked for for public works were granted the debt of the Dominion would be nearly doubled. For the benefit of readers who may not have Mr. Trollope’s book we append the passage referred to: — "When a Minister achieves the power of handling mi lions in the manufacture of railways, the temptation to waste hundreds of thousands is very heavy on him. Each portion of a colony, each district, or each province wants its railway. ‘A railway for you, gentlemen, down south,’ says a Northern member. ‘Certainly, but on condition that we have one here up North.’ To an eager politician anxious to please his own constituency, it matters little that it be shown to him that there will be nothing for the northern railway to carry, while the other may be expected to do a fair business. Votes are counted, and the Northern gentleman has his way. Then, again, it comes to pass that a’ large part of the population in a new country finds so great a benefit from the immediate expenditure of the money —labourers who get the Government wages, and. of course, vote, and tradesmen who cater for the labourers, and, of course, vote—that the patriotic Minister, anxious only for his country's good, finds that the country will eertainlv be robbed of his services unless he maintains this popular condition of things. In such circumstances a Minister is apt —I will not say to become unscrupulous —but to allow a great latitude to Ills scruples. And then there is also the danger- —from which nations as well as colonies have suffered —of there arising some C'agliostro in politics, some conjurer in statecraft, who sha : l be elever enough to talk steady men off their legs by fine phrases and to dazzle the world around him by new inventions in the management of affairs. Sueh men can invest democratic measures with tendencies purely conservative, can run into debt upon theories of the strictest economy. and commingle patriotic principles with cosmopolitan practices in a manner very charming to weak minds. A statesman of this class is of necessity unscrupulous, and to a young community may be ruinous. It is his hope to leap to great success by untried experiments—and being willing himself to run the risk of extermination if he fail, he does not hesitate to bind his country to his own chariot wheels as he rushes into infinite space. Such a Minister in a eolony, should he get the power of the purse into his hands, will throw his millions about without any reference to the value of the property acquired. He will learn tne charm of spending with profusion, and will almost teaeh himself to measure the prosperity of the community which is subject to him by the amount- which it Owes.” J» J* The Anti-Suffragettes. Along with the strenuous campaign being conducted by the suffragettes there seems to be an equally strong movement being organised by women who are opposed to the franchise being extended to their sex. The opponents of the suffrage contend that the example of the colonies is no true guide as to the result likely to bt> achieved in Great Britain. The colonies have no foreign policy and no army

or navy to keep up. Women know nothing about naval affairs, or the right type of ship-boiler, the construction of Dreadnoughts, or t’.e value of torpedoboats and destroyers. In military matters and questions of tariff reform and commerce it is contended that women would be equally ignorant. As a large part of the work of the British Parliament consists in dealing with matters that are best understood and managed by men. it is urged that men should be left to deal with them in their own way without any interference from the opposite sex. J* The Opposite Aspect. On the other hand, the woman's question enters upon a much wider field than that of naval and military construction, or even foreign- policy. One cannot get past the great economic fact that onethird of England’s women, who are considerably in excess of the male population, are employed in inc y. Their wages are, without exception, lower than those of men, and that unfortunately carries with it an astonishing amount of ‘•sweating.” Before the it ‘ion of the steam engine the mueh-b;- .hed dogma that "a woman's place is the home” was no do ibt substantially mrre-.-t. Woman made all the articles requisite to the comfort and well-being of the home from the curtains and the clothes down to the potted preserves and other old-fashioned delicacies. But man, with his industrial era, capitalised the home industries, and not only limited the sphere of woman's domestic usefulness, but took her from the home to look after his machines. She became a component part in the factory life just as much to-day she is such an increasing element in commercial and administrative life. The anti-suffragists seem determined to remain, “the weaker vessel,” whilst their more militant sisters are equally determined that British women shall have the same rights and privileges as those in New Zealand. The Glasgow Election. The by—l~*tion for the Central Glasgow seat, rendered necessary by the death of the late member, Sir Anthony Torranee, has resulted in a great victory for the Conservatives. Glasgow returns seven members, and at the general election the Liberal party secured a victory all along the line, the whole of the seven seats being won by men who were staunch freetraders. Sir Anthony had a majority of 431 over Mr. Baird, the Opposition candidate, whik- at the recent by-election the position wtts more than reversed, Mr. Scott Dickson,- an ardent advocate of tariff reform, being returned Uy the immense majority of 2,113 votes. His opponent, Mr. Bowles, made free trade the main plank of his platform, and the election was fought on this issue. Tne advocates of fiscal reform are naturally jubilant over the result, as not only is this the first seat that they have won in Scotland, but- the verdict of the people has been clear and unmistakable. * J» Tariff Reform. Perhaps even more significant is the speech made by Mr. .ston Churchill, the President of the Board of Trade, when addressing the members of the Associated Chambers of Commerce. He referred to the revision of the French tariff, and characterised it as a grave danger to the trading community, lie intimated that the Board of Trade was fully prepared to take steps' to safeguard British interests, and further hiut-

ed that a hostile tariff might be met by retaliation. Such an admission. coining from a Cabinet Minister, shows how even Mr. Asquith's supporters are weakening in their advocacy of absolutely free imports, no matter what restrictions are placed upon our goods by other countries. Mr. Churchill has obviously considerably modified his views since the day when he made bis great speech on ‘'Free Trade in its Bearings on International Relations.” After all. the question is a practical one. as the Speakers Handbook so ably points out. Tariff reform, it is there stated. di>es not raise any question as to the theoretic advantages or disadvantages of eit! er Free Trade or Protection. It does raise a question of practical statesmanship, the question whether or not. in a world of tariffs, a world more and more governed by tariff considerations, this country is to adopt that form of tariff best calculated to raise revenue, to safeguard national industries against foreign stateaided competition, and to afford a means of effective negotiation with other countries for the purpose of extending and developing British trade within and without- the Empire. Our existing tariff fails to secure these objects. It is inadequate to raise jbe revenue required by this country for legitimate and necessary expenditure on further agricultural, educational and social reforms, military and naval defence, ami other objects of national and Imperial importance. As Mr. Balfour has well said: “Some revision of our fiscal system, and some broadening of the basis of taxation, would be ab-v--hitely inevitable if we were the only commercial nation in t- e worid. and if we had not got a single colony.” J* The Territorials. Mr. Haldane, the Secretary of State for War. is sparing no effort to gain recruits for the Territorial Army, ami several large firms are compelling then employees to join. The Labour members are taking strong exception to this action on the part of employers, on the ground that it savours of conscription: but most people recognise the generosity of the firms in question, inasmuch as they will have to give their work-people frequent leave of absence to attend drill and to gn into camp. During the la-t seven weeks 33.000 new recruits have been added. am’ the whole forte now numbers 2PU!i- en. In the scheme as originally laid ..»wn it was stated that 312,000 men would be required. and t\»i* a long time r< uiting was very slow. Lately, however, a great impetus Las been given to the movement by Lor i Roberts' speech on the dangers of invasion. and by the patriotic play An Englishman's H« me.” Mr Haldane ha- been much criticised for disbanding the old volunteer forces, but under the old conditions the volunteers were not organised to take th' field, as they were without artillery and cavalry. The units varied in strength, one battalion being twice or three times the niunlwrs of . uother. Further, from the conditions under which giants were earned from the War Office, it was in the interest of the commanding officers of volunteer uniis to enlist men who were not fit for ti e rain of war. Thu- there was in the id volunteer force a large proportion of mon who could not have been taken into the field, and whose presence was really a cause <»f weakness, since they made a great figure on paper, but must have been removed from the ranks on mobilisation. Another weakness o f the volunteer force, though tips has not been removed in the new organivsat ion. was (he want of officers, as the actual number serving was some thousand- beVov the actual needs. J* c* The Kaiser. Few monarchs present greater contrasts than King Edward and his impulsive mphew, the Emperor of Germany.

Th»- former has done more for the peace of Europe by his tact and diplomatic talent than any statesman now living; the latter has succeeded by his numer ous and glaring indiscreti<ms in isolating Germany and alienating hi- most trusted Mini-ters. The hostile attitude adept Turl ey e-t ranged the Greeks, without I Sultan, whil of K»ng Edward and Queen Alexan Ira to Athen- to witness the Olympic gamecemented our own friend-hip with its people. The Czar ha- never quite forgiven the Kai-er for the furious letter h"- w rote to Alexander c meerning his s.m'- conduct in not .Mending th - Stat? banquet on the 0.-msion of Princess Marguerite’s wed-ling. T’m aliiarm- bp t ween Germany m l Italy p- > ; v ; ceased to exist thn-i?’i h- Emperor’s allusion to the grand moth r of Prin cess Helena a- a “sire,.* vagaL ■ 1 peddling ■■ TT - Mi d ’ -rs 1., torly re-ent tlh mann?r ui which • •• interferes in foreign affair-, and b d’Prince von Bn ’ > . and the Gern an people ar? firndv i --olved tint r uilur. aii ir? .•Mituriona! regime '’.all pr vail. Trade Prospects, Few men are more ent.Mod t > speak with authority on all matters affecting the trade a-.id commerce of the country than Mr. ILukn- the President of th? Wellington < hamber of Commerce. Up is well known as a cautious, shrewd man of business, and his rotuarLs on the present commercial outlook deserve to be carefully noted. He does not lipvo in a policy of blind optimism, but thinks we should look f.uts squarely in the face, anti proceed with caution in matters of expenditure. “Again and again.” he reminded hi- hearers in his presidential address. *we have been told that flip financial stringency was a pass ing cloud that would drift away infounknown regions under t-he genial sun shine of December. 190$. Others have again averted that in Tune, 1909. the prospect would b • bright. Vet the cloud remains, with this difference onlv, the lining has a darker hue. No word-, no platitudes, no optimism, however infr'etioin, will accomplish any marked change. Waat i> needed is hard, honest toil, combined with .-elf-denial and the curtailment of extravagance The revival ir the price of wool, th steady market for frozen meat, the phenomena! value' tui- y ur of dairy prodme. together with the pro-pert of an abundant liar e-t. a—l-T db\on - of ti , k finest springs and -ur. ier< from an agrkultural ,-tandpoint. have saved the Dominion from a di-a-ter which is serious tn contain plate, an I would have heqn ruinous to experiem A glance at some of our loading i».’’•'ifries will convince the most sceptical that there is no ground for an immediate recovery to normal conditions T’e -awmilling indU'trv has c«<l lapsed, iit some instances through th • difficulty in getting additional capital, primarily brvau * of Ic-.-oned demand fur the output, the result > ng that the w<»rk«r< have had tn seek employment in other -ph< res or join the ranks of the unemployed. The manufacturing iron an.l foundry trade i- n<»w being worked on capital in-tead of nut of profits. 9'lie export of kauri rum has fallen in two year- 50 per conF. Th? hemp indu'try. which gave employment to many hands, has de-’ren-efi in th? Ta-t tweh months to about two thirds a- the re ult of low prices, and at th? present time is con.-iJcrabry I?--. FtJt* th? month ’ January. 190° nnlv Rd.fxM) bales we ade.l i- against 139.000 for the <•« i< -ponding peri- •! of the previous year. Manila is ab’mdnnt in supply. and flip pro-pert is good for t-hi-s year. In con* qu?n?e the price is Inwet than New Zealand, with th? result that th? latter has fallen in pn.e from C?.3 tn £3B to about £?4 per ton.”

Paper Money. But Mr. Harktu*s thought the check v ’ only temporary, and that we could r/e a permanent recovery by using e\ery means to increase the value of our leading commodities in the market* ci the world, and by the exercise and t n oiiiiigement of thrift amongst all clashes of the nunmunity. There must, he urged, be a rv;lu< tion in boom prices in laud, and a retrenchment of all exUavagan •♦•* »ither individual, municipal, • ■r national. He especially deprecated the idea that a nation’* wealth could be increased Ly the i**iie of paper money. In this connection he said “The ‘panacea for tbi* ‘financial crisi*. a* it is termed by some, is the printing Press and a bale of paper. 1 he remedy is simile but ineth. live. No paper currency ma«l». .1 legal tender in the country of i>sue would be acceptable in a foreign country .*<• long a* gold remains the standard of value throughout the world. To this principle we must adhere, and aov palliative applied, which i* not in conformity with the methods of trade and commerce must prove futile. No s\ h curren \ referred to. however, hedged about with ’.legal restrictions, will add an additional 3d. to our wool per H .. a Id. per lb. to our frozen meat, or 5 - per cwt. to our dairy produce. or reinstate flax to the price it was seme time ago.*’ If wealth could be created by the simple process of printing notes, it would, u- course, be possible to pay off our national debt by similar mean*. The difficulty is not in printing the note-: in these day* of improved machinery that i* comparatively easy. Tin difficulty i* in inducing people to a.j-ep- the notes in lieu of gold. That i*. a point that usually escapes .the notice.of those who advocate the issue of I _ip». >■ niom v a* a remedy for all finangl Kissing the Bock. From time to time the practice of “ki*.*ing. the B iok” in the Law Courts lias been unhesitatingly condemned by doctor* and lawyers alike, but. in spite of the many attack* made upon it. the practice still flburishe*. A habit'planted in the cuns*Tvafrve atmosphere of law takes some uprooting, and hitherto there has been no concerted action taken to have - the custom abolished. Now. however, the London “Times” has taken the matter up in earnest. A vigorous campaign is being conducted again-r a manner of taking the oath ■that ha> neither antiquity, solemnity, nor deceit; y to recommend it. Colonel Mapleton informed the “Times” that a very eminent prima donna, who was subpoenaed as a witness* in a recent law case.' “kissed the Book” with the result that she shortly afterwards contracted a rash on her mouth and chin that affected her throat. For two month* she wa* unable to fulfil her professional engagement*, and her doctor declared hi> conviction that the complaint was caught from the filthy Testament she had kis*ed in Court. It is proposed that the Scottish fashion of making affirmation should be substituted for the present practice of kissing a Testament that has grown dirty from long use. ami gabbling a formula at the bidding of the Court policeman. The Scottish fashion i* not only more hygienic, but it is far more solemn and reverent. The witness hold* up hi- right hand uncovered, and Fay.*. on hi- own behalf: “I swear by Almighty God. a« I shall answer to God at the great ‘ Day of Judgment, that 1 will tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing hut the truth." sir Gorell B . n«-. presiding over the Probate. Di- ’ • r-e and Admiralty division of the II g Court, has publicly advocated from the Ben* , ti,»- use of rhe above foim of affirmation, ami he has instruct- • d the offi. ♦ r administering the oath to ask rj.-h witness if he desires to be sworn in the Scottish fashion. At present :n« < witne-ses are afraid that if t; • y claim the prix ilege of making affir-inat’-n they will attra I attention, and tl •• < ••Hit will in *ome way bp prejudi- » d again*: them. In view of the dan- £< i * attached to the present practice of ki--ir.g the Book, it would l>e well if it cal 1 b<> abnli-hed altogether, and the nt< ie reverend and -•demn form of affirrnatbn sub*lituted'in it- stead. J* J* The Study of Maori. Many of the students of Canterbury College are petitioning the authorities to allow Maori to be included amongst the -objects fnr the B.A. degree. They urge the practical utility of the language

for New Zealanders, and that the study <>f Maori* will be as beneficial to the student’s mind as the study of AngloSaxon or Greek. As regards utility, there is, of course, much to be said iu favour of the proposal, though even this i< discounted by the probability that the Maori tongue will be no longer spoken by the end of the present century. But a- mental training, there can be no comparison between Maori and Greek from the fact that tlie Greeks possessed the finest literature the world has ever seen, while there is absolutely no body of Maori literature to-be studied. It is not easy to see how a language that is simply a spoken language can be made a fitting subject for university examinations. It would doubtless for many make the task of obtaining a degree considerably easier than it is at present, but it could never be a certificate of either culture or learning. The University should aim at broadening our views, and making wider our outlook, and it is not easy to see how that is to be done by merely learning to chatter like a courier in a new tongue. Raisuli. Raisuli. the notorious Moroccan bandit chief, has been appointed Governor of a district in North Morocco, and he is to repay to the British Government the £15,000 paid for the ransom of Kaid Maetean. Mrs. Frances Campbell, in her “S-hepherd of the Stars.” describes the new Governor as “a very handsome, distinguished man. who take- from the rich and gives to the poor.” One of his most famous exploits w as his seizure in 1904 of lon Pendicaris. an American citizen, and his stepson, an. English subject. Both America and Great Britain made u-trong representations on the matter to the Sultan, who was eventually compelled to ransom the two captives at “is own expense. He was given a Governorship near Tangier, but this only led to further trouble, and he was deposed by Abdul Aziz. Sir Harry Mac-Lean, military instructor to the Moroccan army, and colonel of the Sultan's bodyguard, went out to arrange the terms of. surrender, and was treacherously made captive by the bandit. After a delay of several -months, the British Government paid £20,500 as ransem money, of which £oooo was paid in cateh, and the balance lodged in a bank to be paid over at the end of a fixed time provided Raisuli was of good behaviour. It is to be hoped that Mulai Hafid. the new Sultan, will be more successful than his predecessor in dealing with his troublesome subject, and that the British Government will not be called upon to make any further payments bv way of ransom.