COMMONWEALTH.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLII, Issue 20, 19 May 1909, Page 6

COMMONWEALTH.

E:,c As Savages. Mr. Justice Bring, dealing with a case in the Divorce Court, said that the marriage law was treated abominably. No respect was shown to the marriage tie, hc-H.e, or children. It was just like a edition of savagery. A Pessimist. A New Zealander called at the Trades Hal! to give a doleful account of trade depression in the Dominion. He declared that business was falling off in nearly every trade and that hundreds of »<w » were idle in almost every branch of N.Z. licensing Laws. Mr. Rankin's spe-.ial reprrt fur the Qu«m-!and Parliament on the licensing system of New Zealand states that the statistics of the Dominion and the Eastern Mates of the Commonwealth demonstrate that individuals year by year fere be<-oming snore temperate. Much, no doubt, remains to be done, and may be done by legislative action, he nays, but he has very grave doubts as to the effectiveness of a but partially preventive system, which, as its first eScut npr.n the consumer of liquor, arous- s in his breast a feeling of defiance, a hungering after forbidden fruit, and a determination to secure the gratification of his appetite by foul or fair means. As to whether tlie New Zealand system is in the direction of tbe permanent reform of the intemperate or the eneourof habile of abstinence among

others, he adds, there is not sufficient evidence at present obtainable. Mr Lesina, a member of the Assembly, who returned to Queensland from New Zealand, interviewed, declared that the New Zealand liquor Jaws encouraged slygrog selling. Drunkenness was increasing, and perjury and corruption had also increased in a remarkable way. Lunacy had developed to an alarming extent. General disrespect of the law itself by the introduction of liquor into “dry” districts was steadily increasing, while blackmail, terrorism, and boycott were flourishing. Church and Labour. Mr Andrew Fisher (Premier of tbe Commonwealth), at the invitation of the Presbyterian General Assembly, addressed a large gathering on the subject of "Chureh and Labour.” The Rev. Mr Waugh, in opening the discussion, said organised labour was looking at the Church with curious, sceptical eyes, wondering what the Church was going to do. That there was need for something to be done was undeniable, for a large number of Australians were not getting a living wage. Mi - Fisher declared that the question was not political, but social, touching the very roots of civilisation. Instead of being in the lead in dealing with the matter, the Chureh had dragged behind, anil had proved unequal to its first social duty. What estranged the people from the Chureh was the faet that they could make more progress by association with a movement which was not of the Church, but which contained for women and men something making for the welfare of their fellows. Mr Fisher continued that, during the last 16 years, Australia had doubled its wealth, but the increase had not gone to the struggling people who were its backbone. If the Church allowed these things, it would not progress, but would be left behind in the social movement, and would be ignored. “We are,” he continued, "in a way civilised, but arc not really Christians or civilised when we allow honest men to starve.” It would be impertinent for him to say there what the remedy was, but he claimed tbe Church’s sympathy for those in danger, not only of the pangs of hunger, but in moral danger also. The Chureh failed miserably regarding the housing of the poor and working conditions. Vested interests were standing against the lives of our women and children. There were rings and combines on every hand. Some people high in the Chureh told people that these things operated for the good of the public. They thought nothing of cornering foodstuffs. It was a degradation to the country, a disgrace to Parliament, and a reflection upon every church that failed to condemn them. These were the honest convictions of hie heart, and he hoped the Chureh would deal with the question speedily, even if it had to call a special session of the Assembly. Replying to criticisms of his speech, Mr Fi-her said he did not deny that tto Church preached the gospel "Love your neighbour as yourself,” but preaching did net effect the result desired. The Assembly expressed its thanks to Mr Fisher. Regarding the social evil. Air. Fisher declared, "If the united body of the Christian Church were to say, ‘This must not continue,’ it could not continue, because we who stand a bo-.ly outside the Churches will stand behind you like one man.” The Long Aim. When the R.M.S. Oratava arrived at Perth a detective arrested an Austrian gumdigger named Ravelick on a provisional warrant charging him with obtaining, at Dargaville, New Zealand, by false pretences, a gold chain and locket, value fll from Elias Maodick. Scared Off. Mr Collin®, representative of the London County Council, who is visiting Sydney, states that owing to the policy of the Labour party, English capitalists are afraid of investing money in Australia. Sugar Up. The Colonial Sugar Co. hae advanced the price of sugar in each grade manufactured by 5/ a ton. The general manager of the C.S.R. recently infoimed a Picas repieseutative in

Sydney that the production in Australia thia year was not equal to requirements, and that importations would have to be made. Premier or Nothing. Mr. Deakin declares that he would not take office in a coalition Ministry. Second Thoughts. At a stormy special meeting the Labour Council, Sydney, resolved, by 63 votes to 53, to rescind the motion previously carried advising unions to ignore the Industrial Disputes Act Westx-alian Polities. Mr Keenan has resigned the AttorneyGeneralship. Reconstruction of the Cabinet is pending. It is reported that the Premier (Mr N. F. Moore) succeeds Mr Rason as Agent-General. Profitable Mine. The net profit of the Mount Lyell Mining Company for the half-year just ended was f 1'26,158. The dividend and bonus paid during the March period amounted to f 105.000. A similar distribution will be declared payable in June. An Revoir. Lieut. Shackleton has sailed for London. He hopes to return to Australia shortly for further exploratory work, remarking that other parts of the world besides Antarctica will stand a little filling-in. The Ruling Passion. The Postal Department is displaying much activity in cheeking lotteries and consultations, and it is expected that a large number of prohibitions will shortly be issued in respect of persons resident in Tasmania. Deadly Cigarette. The Premier (Mr. Murray) proposes to introduce legislation to restrict cigarette smoking. He declares that the habit is becoming a menace to the community, and is doing more harm than opium smoking. In 1907 Victoria produced nearly 147 million cigarettes, and in the previous year 131 millions. The A.M.P. Tlte A.M.P. held its sixtieth annual meeting on 14th. The president said they were still making records. The interest earned during the year was f 4 9/4 per eent., a drop of 7d on the rate of 1907, but the rate had hardened within the last few months.

Mr Johnston (New Zealand), in supporting the motion for the adoption of the report, said the new business in the Dominion constituted a record. Comment on the financial condition of New Zealand was not infrequent just now, and it must be admitted that the Dominion had not escaped the general trade depression, which in some parts of the country had been accentuated by dealings in land, agricultural, pastoral and suburban, which could not possibly be justified unless by the belief that whatever one paid some "still more confident person would shortly offer more. But, on the other hand, "they had experienced a marvellously favourable season, yielding a rich and prolific lambing, a heavy wool clip, good fruit crops, and an abundant supply of milk. In addition there had been a very important recovery in the price of wool. On the whole, he thought the conditions pointed to a general improvement, and a reasonable view was that the worst trouble was already over, and that with proper care there would be no cause for alarm. Vaseanver Service. The Federal Postmaster-General has agreed with the Canadian suggestion to renew the Vancouver service for another year. He states that the shortness of the renewal does not permit of any improvements in the service.