THE OLD COUNTRY.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLIII, Issue 6, 11 August 1909, Page 6

THE OLD COUNTRY.

** Old Women of Both Sexes.** The “Spectator” sharply criticises the decision of the Committee of Defence regarding the possibility of an invasion of Britain. “The fleet,” says the “Spectator,” “is Bot the nurse of the army. By encouraging this belief, Mr Haldane is encouraging the demand that the fleet should cuddle the British coasts in order to soothe the fears of the 'old women’ of both sexes. “The fleet must go where the highest strategy demands, and might be compelled to leave home waters, thus causing temporary local loss of sea power and tempting an enemy to make a dash for our shores.” Insurance Against Unemployment. Mr. Winston Churchill (President of the Board of Trade), speaking at Brinksome Park, Dorsetshire, said that before Parliament ended, unless it were violently broken by a foul blow, an extensive measure of insurance against unemployment would be passed, based on the principle of workmen being able to make some little weekly sacrifice, to be joined by an employer’s contribution and a State subvention. The Board of Trade was now elaborating the scheme, and, he added, "Mr. Lloyd George will introduce next year a scheme, working through the friendly societies, to enable householders to insure against sickness, invalidity, and death of the breadwinner.” An International Congress of Social Insurance was held in Rome in October, 1908. The subject of insurance against unemployment elicited much discussion at the congress. It was admitted that good results had followed the application of this system by the State in several countries. The law in Denmark provides for associations of workmen belonging to one or more trades, or of employees, such as clerks and waiters. These are recognised by the State and receive State aid, amounting to onethird of the premiums collected by the association. A total, not to exceed £13,600, is distributed in proportion to the premiums collected by each association. The association must not afford assistance (1) to those who are unemployed on account of a strike or lockout; (2) to sick, or those who are unable to Work; and (3) to those who have lost their work through drinking habits, or bad conduct, or a refusal to accept the work offered by the association. Assistance may take the form of travelling allowance, house rent, daily pay, or in kind. The daily pay must not exceed two-thirds of the current wages in the trade concerned, and a maximum and minimum amount are fixed. The Duties of the Landlord. Many prominent Opposition speakers are complaining of the violence of Mr Lloyd George’s speech at Limehouse last Week. Mr Walter Long, ex-President of the Board of Education, addressing 20,000 Unionists at Christchurch, said that the speech proved that Mr Lloyd George was attempting to destroy the great landed and propertied classes. The Liberals, he continued, can no longer pretend that their policy is guided by financial considerations. The Chancellor of the Exchequer, speaking at Limehouse, said that land was not merely for enjoyment, but for stewardship, and unless the landlords discharged the duties attaching to the ownership the time would come to consider the conditions under which land is held. His resolve in framing the Budget was that no cupboard should be bare, and no lot harder to bear. A Sordid War. Mr Keir Hardie, M.P., in a speech delivered yesterday, said that the sordid capitalists' war in Morocco justified the Barcelona revolt. Britain and Russia. The Czar was warmly cheered on passing through the lines of the fleet at Spithead. Mr Asquith, Sir Edward Grey, and Mr Reginald McKenna had long conversations with the Czar and the Russian Minister for Foreign Affairs, M. Isvolsky. A banquet was held on the Royal yacht Victoria and Albert, at which King Edward cordially greeted the Czar, and

referred to the visit of the delegates from the Douma and Council of Empire to Britain. His Majesty remarked that the fleet which had just been inspected was a symbol, not of war, but of peace. The Czar, in a sympathetic speech, expressed deep appreciation of the cordiality of the welcome extended the Empress and himself. Mr Keir Hardie, M.P., speaking at Sutton-Coldfield, said the Czar’s yacht being like a plague boat, precautions had been taken to guard Britain against the contamination of the Czar’s presence. An open letter, addressed to Sir Edward Grey, Minister for Foreign Affairs, signed by the Bishops of Birmingham and Hereford, several deans and pastors, three peers, 73 Commoners, and a number of authors, editors and professors, urges him to exercise his friendly influence, on humanitarian grounds, to secure a relaxation of the severity of repression in Russia. The Czar’s yacht Standart has sailed, escorted by the Inflexible, Indomitable, and Invincible. The Czar, in a farewell message, said that he was deeply impressed by his visit, the affectionate welcome accorded by the Royal Family, and the attitude of British statesmen, people and Press, all of which he declares are happy auguries for the future. Before the Czar left Cowes, the Eord Mayor presented the City of London’s address in a golden casket. The London and Liverpool Chambers of Commerce also presented addresses. The Naval Estimates. Both the Lords and the Commons agreed to the Naval Estimates without division. During the course of a desultory debate in the House of Commons, Mr A. H. Lee condemned the failure of the Government to provide sufficient up-to-date destroyers. When existing programmes were complete, he said, Britain would have 84 against Germany’s 72, a proportion which was ludicrously insufficient. Discussion on the report stages of the naval, military and civil service votes was ended by the application of the closure, votes totalling 75 millions being passed during the sitting. Airship for Britain. Experiments with Wrights’ aeroplane will be started at Aidershot shortly. Mr. Haldane, Secretary of State for War, in the Commons, said that the Vickers-Maxim Company was constructing a very large dirigible of the Zeppelin type for the Admiralty, to carry a crew of 20 men. The Army would shortly have three non-rigids, including the two provided by the “Morning Post.” The estimates would enable the Admiralty to spend £35,000 and the Army £36,000 on airships in the coming year. Replying to the criticisms of the Opposition that Britain was behind other nations, Mr. Haldane explained that flying machines were very simple, and it was impossible to keep the designs a secret. There was, therefore, no cause for anxiety. It has been known for some time that a big airship was being built at Barrow by- Vickers for Britain. In addition there is the Clement-Bayard, to be ready next month, and the two dirigibles to be purchased by the “Morning Post” subscription lists. The general opinion of experts is that England has lost nothing by starting leisurely in the construction of aeroplanes and dirigible balloons. Tho art of flying is no close monopoly, but is in the possession of most countries. It is all a matter of perfecting the apparatus, a question of engineering. Within ten years the world will probably know as many kinds of flying machines as it now knows motor-cars. In the new department constituted in Great Britain special attention will be given io the navigation of the air in conjunction with both the army and the navy. All sorts of interesting points are being raised. All of the experts appear to agree that in the next war between great Powers the flying man will play a prominent if not a leading part. The' defects of the dirigible are many. It offers a comparatively easy target; it would be the simplest "of preys to a flying machine, and gunnery as we now know it could not be discharged from it. The aeroplane, on the other hand, •when a very little more perfect than it is at present, will be a most serious problem to epntend with. It is agreed

that with its great speed—loo miles an hour may be confidently anticipated—it will be, even when travelling close to the ground, safe against any weapons now in service. A single aeroplane could with very little trouble destroy a whole fleet of dirigible balloons. The carrying capacity of the machine, as it is to-day, is small, although even now two bombs of 751bs. each could be taken up by one of the Wrights. But neither dirigibles nor aeroplanes are being overlooked. Mr. Haldane, in a recent interview, said that, for the convenience of both services, and to expedite inquiry and hasten action, whilst the Admiralty pursues their investigations into the former, the Army will deal with the latter. He thought that practically no time had been lost, and money had not been wasted upon fruitless experiments or valueless appliances. It was better to proceed in such a matter with discreet forethought, and really, as he had said, no actual time had been lost. Data had been collected, and measures taken to proceed upon sure lines. One of the Powers, which had spent a lot of money, had got little or nothing to show for their outlay. In fact, in only one place had they managed to tabulate the result of experiments. that could be reckoned of any value or help in solving questions connected with aviation. They were not only themselves experimenting, but they were closely following what was being done in all other directions. A school of air pilots was being formed, rot merely in England, but if it were necessary a certain number of officers would be rent to France or elsewhere to learn how to handle an aeroplane. The guidance of dirigibles was already being undertaken in England. Budget Taxation. The Duke of Portland, addressing the tenants on his Welbeck estate, said that £ 1000 weekly was spent in wages on this estate, but this amount W’ould necessarily be largely diminished if the Budget became law, thus disorganising the local labour market. Taxation upon capital, he continued, was fundamentally unsound finance, and would bring ruin upon agriculturalists. The chairman of Watney’s Brewery Company, at the annual meeting, stated that the increased license duties would cause the company to pay £lOO,OOO additional taxation. Another Royal Visit. King Manuel of Portugal has accepted King Edward’s invitation to pay an early visit to England. Shop Assistants’ Hours. Mr. Herbert Gladstone, Home Secretary, has introduced the Shops Bill, fixing shop assistants’ maximum employment at 60 hours a week. Employment after 8 o’clock is only allow’ed on three days a week. The bill includes compulsory Sunday closing and a weekly half-holiday. It is not intended to pass the measure during the present session. A Stray Bullet, The Rev. Hodgson, chaplain of the Leeds Rifle Club, while watching the Territorial manoeuvres at Grisborough, was killed by a stray bullet from a live cartridge inadvertently mixed with the blank ammunition. Press Delegates Returning. Mr. Mark Cohen, editor of the "Dunedin Star,’’ one of the delegates to the Imperial Press Conference, returns to New Zealand by the Marama. Mr. Geo. Fenwick, managing editor of the “Otago Daily Times,” returns by the Makura. Violent Suffragettes. Two of the suffragettes recently released from Holloway Gaol have been sentenced to a month and 10 days’ imprisonment respectively, for assaulting female warders. The magistrate declined to order "second division” treatment. Invalidity Insurance. At the annual meeting of Ancient Order of Foresters, held at Glasgow, and attended by 800 delegates, representing 900,000 lodge-members, reference was

made to the scheme which Mr. Lloy® George contemplates introducing to enable householders to insure against the sickness, invalidity, or death of the breadwinner. The High Chief Ranger (Bro. John Brown) stated that the High Court was not in favour of the Government undertaking insurance against sickness and invalidity in opposition to the permanent friendly societies and would do what they t could to prevent the scheme from being carried into effect. The Government could not provide benefits with the same satisfactory result. Nevertheless, the High Court would hesitate to oppose wage-earners being compelled to insure against sickness. They had learned with grave concern that the matter was not to be referred to a Royal Commission, and that the Government had resolved on legislation. The Grandmaster of the Independent Order of Oddfellows (Bro. Ben. Kilvington) said that Mr. Lloyd George was enamoured of the German scheme of State insurance. It would be better if he had taken the friendly societies into his confidence, He believed the proposal was fraught with danger. The Oddfellows, as a body, have resolved that any Government or State insurance would be detrimental to friendly societies. The speakers stated that the scheme would only benefit wastrels. The Compensation Act had caused such malingering that sickness claims had doubled. The Hearts of Oak, Rechabites and Oddfellows have resolved to approach the Government to protest against the benefits paid to their members being taken account of when old age pensions are determined. At the conference in Sheffield of the Nottingham Order of Oddfellows, Mr Gilchrist, of Manchester, gave the following details of the State insurance scheme:—Five shillings to men in sickness, whether temporary or permanent, unless receiving payments under tha Workmen’s Compensation Act. Reorganisation by the Government of the friendly societies that are of a permanent or well-established character. Dividing clubs will not be included. Membership of a society will be extended to every, worker, male or female, between sixteen and seventy. Employers week by week will deduct from the wages of the worker a sum in proportion to age. Mr Gilchrist was hot able to say what those amounts would be, because the actualcalculations had not been completed. But supposing the sum to be deducted was three pence, the employer would add one penny, and the State an amount equal to that contributed by the employer. If the worker be a member of a friendly society recognised by tha State, the presentation to his employer of his contribution card or a receipt for contributions paid showing him not to be in arrear will exempt him from deductions. That will not exempt the employer or the State from paying their, share. No funeral benefit is to be provided. The provision is for sickness, invalidity, and medical and special aid, and sanatoria. Members may insure for any amount larger than 5/ per week, which is the minimum, but there will be no compulsion to go beyond that amount. The State, Mr Gilchrist added, would insist upon solvency in recognised societies, but it was not intended to start any State or opposition society. If tha friendly societies carried out the scheme, as friendly society members they had nothing to fear. Kitchener’s Promotion, Lord Kitchener will be promoted to the rank of Field-Marshal upon vacating his command in India. He represents the King at the forthcoming Japanese manoeuvres, and thence proceeds to Australia and New Zealand to inspect the troops and advise on questions of defence upon the lines decided upon by the Imperial Conference. Afterwards he succeeds the Duke of Connaught in the Mediterranean command, the importance of which will be greatly increased. Lord Kitchener will be given a seat On the Committee of Imperial Defence. Shackleton’s Promotion. Lieutenant Shackleton will lecture in the United States and Canada. President Taft and Earl Grey, Governor-General of Canada, are members of the reception committee. Record fees are guaranteed. Lieutenant Shackleton, interviewed, slated that the proceeds of his lectures

are already mortgaged. He explained that a group of Englishmen who promised assistance for his late expedition withdrew at the last moment owing to the American financial crisis. Lieutenant Shackleton raised £20,000 upon his personal guarantees, the Australian and New Zealand contributions were used to secure additional stores and scientific equipment. He hopes by the proceeds of his book, lectures, and personal subscriptions to repay the £20,000 by due date, July, 1910. Empire Defence. The United Service Club entertained the delegates to the Imperial Defence Conference at dinner last week. Sir F. Borden, Canadian Minister for Militia, replying to a toast, said that a few years ago the Canadian forces were a disorganised mob. They could now' put 50,000 into the field, and another 50,000 in a few weeks. Canada was going to do 1 her duty with the navy, for which they were beginning once more to lay the foundation. In case of trouble she would join in helping to maintain* the Empire, and would give all the money she could get, and help with men to man the fleet. Colonel Foxton, the Australian delegate, said the great bulk of the electors of Australia had come round to the view that the real defence of Australia would not be in their waters, but that the crucial test might be fought many' thousands of miles away' from their shores. Australia was prepared to fall in line with any suggestion which might be made by the Imperial authorities. They hoped to maintain a standard which would bear a fair comparison with the standard of the British Navy, so that when the time came their union of ships might be found capable of taking its fair share of the burdens which might be thrown upon Australia as an integral portion of the Empire. They in Australia claimed that blood was thicker than water, and realised that the Empire consisted of people of one flag, and that there was one destiny for them all. Ex-General Smuts (Colonial Secretary for the Transvaal) said it was true that blood was thicker than water, yet in another sense there was something that was thicker than blood. The tie of honour was even greater and stronger. He hoped as time went on it would be more and more realised that it was not the tie of blood which held them together, but the tie of community of interests, of justice, of fair play- and equality. When they saw the wonderful naval display' at Spithead they did not forget that in the last resort it was not machinery, or honour, or cold steel which told in a struggle, but nerve. Necessity for Wireless. Lund’s Line, owners of the missing steamer Waratah, cling to the idea that the steamer is drifting owing to her machinery being disabled. The uncertainty- regarding her fate provides the underwriters with a fresh argument for marking wireless apparatus compulsory on all ocean liners. A bill now before the United States Congress requires wireless equipment on ®U ocean steamers carrying not less than 50 passengers, under a heavy penalty. Mr Winston Churchill, President of the Board of Trade, is considering the introduction of similar legislation.