IN THE DOMINION.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLII, Issue 26, 30 June 1909, Page 5

IN THE DOMINION.

New Zealand's Position. > /qV ill JOSEPH WARD was entertsinVjik ed at lunch by the Government of New South Wales on Wednesday last. In the course of an interview, he said the position in New Zealand was good. Some of the reports as to the state of things in the Dominion had been very much exaggerated. The cause of a great deal of the slump was due to the fall in wool values a year ago, and over-specula-tion in land in some parts of the country, making the money market tight. The wool exports had now improved, While the Bank of New Zealand had had a remarkably good year. The tightness of money had caused a few people to employ as little labour as possible. The financial condition of the country, from a Government point of view, was good. The most pessimistic must realise that the resources of New Zealand were so great and so widespread that the check must be ©f a temporary character only. Sir Joseph left for Melbourne to-night, en route for England. The “Sydney Morning Herald," commenting on the interview with Sir 'Joseph, says: “We scarcely need Sir Joseph's assurance that New Zealand is sound. Her production this year was greater than ever, and there is no reason to apprehend that there will be any serious halt in her steady expansion for an indefinite number of years to come.” The “Herald" adds that the fact that the drop in value of the chief product, jwool, should have given the country such a severe shock is the best evidence we have that there was undue inflation in land values.

The Half-Million Claim.

A close scrutiny of the Parliamentary Blue Books by a “ Post ’’ reporter has unearthed some ancient history connected •with Webster and his claims against the New Zealand Government. The records go to show that the claims have been much in evidence since 1887. In that year a report on the bona fijles of the claims was made by Mr. (nownir Robert) Stout. In the late eighties and the early nineties (the matter was again before Parliament nt various times during six years, a second report being submitted by Sir Robert Stout in 1893. The records cover hundreds of pages, but a few extracts from Sir Robert Stout’s opinions and the Parliamentary papers show that the greatest consideration was at all times extended to the man who succeeded in getting the Senate of the United States to further his claims. The Hon. Geo. Fowlds, in an interview, eaid it was Webster’s claim that was taking Dr. Fitchett to England. It was a very old thing. Webster was an American, who had been a settler in New Zealand in the days before the colony was actually founded, and he had lodged a Claim for certain lands supposed to have been bought from Maoris. All claims of Buch description were adjudicated on by a commission, and Webster was then given what was considered his proper allowance. His claim had been appearing and re-appearing within the past 40 years, but he (the Minister) did not think that the present case would have very serious results to the Dominion. “You know,” added Mr. Fowlds, “claims have been lodged for land bought from Maoris, mostly in the North Island, and the total area claimed exceeds the area of the North and South Islands by nearly a million acres.”

Moose for New Zealand.

Mr. Douglas Howard, commissioner of the Dominion Park, Banfl', Canadian Rockies, is now engaged in making a collection of moose for New Zealand, in accordance with an arrangement made with Sir Joseph Ward. Mr. Howard recently informed a representative of the “Otago Daily Times ’’ that the animals will be delivered at Vancouver next December, when they will be about six months old. Indians have an arrangement with Mr. Howard under which they rear the moose calves on cow’s milk until they have be-

come hardy enough for shipment. A caretaker from New Zealand will proceed to Vancouver to take charge of the moose. Effects of Radium. It is expected that some interesting results will be obtained from experiments in connection with the effect of radium on fish, which are being conducted in a well at the Canterbury Museum. The investigations are being carried on by a committee appointed by the Canterbury Philosophical Institute. South African Union. The Hon. James Carroll, Acting-Prime Minister, who returned from Hawke’s Bay on Friday, received a cabelgratn from Sir Joseph Ward, from Adelaide, stating that he has cabled as fol'ows to the President of the South African Convention:— “On behalf of the Government and people of New Zealand, I desire to otter my heartiest congratulations upon the consummation of the great work of South African union. 1 am satisfied it marks a distinct step forward, not only in the prosperity of South Africa itself, but in the consolidation of the great Empire to which we are all proud to belong, and are so anxious to see strengthened.” Knox Residential College. The official opening of the Knox Residential College for divinity students took place last week. The function was very largely attended by prominent citizens, and was in every way a success. The proceedings opened with a dedicatory service conducted by the Rev. Jas. Chisholm (Moderator of the Presbyterian Asesmbly), and thereafter addresses were delivered by the Rev. A. Cameron, the Hon. G. Fowlds, the Rev. D. Borrie, Mr. John Ross, the Rev. W. Hewitson (master of the college), the Rev. Canon Wood-Thorpe, the Rev. P. W. Fairclough, the Rev. Dr. Watt, Mr. J. H. Walker (Mayor of Dunedin), Mr. Jas. Allen, MJ*., and Professor Gilray. In the afternoon the Rev. Mr. Hewitson held a reception. Military Training. Military people and others interested are advocating the establishment of a permanent training ground for mounted infantry- Taihape is suggested for one place in the North Island. Major Brandon, speaking at a volunteer smoke concert last week, made <s strong appeal for separation of military control of the defence forces from political influence. Railway Appropriations. The following appropriations for railway works have been passed by Cabinet for expenditure: — Stratford-Ongarue, £7,000; North Auckland Main Trunk £4,000; Kawakawa-Grahamtown, £3,000; Westport-Inangahua, £2,000; RiversdaleSwitzers, £1,200; Orepuki-Waiau, £600; Catlins River, £4,500. The votes are larger than might have been expected to meet the demand for work for men out of employment. 4Vaihi Going Dry. Another obscene language case was heard in the Waihi Police Court on Saturday, when a man named R. Swann was convicted, fined £2 and costs 7/-, for an offence committed in an hotel. The hotels are now full every night, men evidently being bent on celebrating the last few days of the license period. Startling rumours are afloat as to what will happen on Wednesday evening, when the hotels are to be finally closed.