News of the Dominion.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLIII, Issue 15, 13 October 1909, Page 4

News of the Dominion.

OUR WELLINGTON LETTER. October 0. Return of the Premier. ©N Saturday the Prime Minister arrived in due course, and received a very fine welcome. The charm of that welcome was its unstudied character. Spontaneous it was, and as such went straight to the hearts of the people most concerned. Like all impromptu things, however, it had its drawbacks. For example, the gocd oldfashioned Maori “Ka Mate” came to utter grief. The warriors and chiefs who had taken this characteristic manifestation in hand found themselves on the arrival of the express train serenading the luggage-van instead of the Ministerial carriage. A large section of the welldressed public was in the same boat. But, finding that the right carriage was some yards further on, they made a rush, and the good old “Ka Mate,” in Epite of its fury and vivacity, and touchingly serious fidelity to ancient tradition, to say nothing of its old Maori courtesy, was whirled away like a smoke wreath on the wings of a northerly gale.

In the moment of welcome, the councillor representing the Mayor (absent in Napier), advanced with speech and address all ready, and bouquet to be offered •by Mrs. Acting-Mayor. But the rush came, and the Mayoral welcome had to •be cordially postponed for a few wild minutes. During these, the officials, by a masterly movement, got the carriages away to make room for a suburban train then due, and to all appearances destined to be collisioned. Then the Councillor (Mr. Luke, of many memories) got his rpeech in, as he stood with his feet off the ground, borne up by a sturdy pushing crowd of weleomers. Madame got her bouquet in also, and another lady, who had thought of the same thing, got hers to the front likewise. The crowd cheered End cheered and cheered again. Thus encouraged. Sir Joseph sailed into speech in reply, with the wind of applause carrying him to the port of pleasure. He enjoyed that speech in reply, especially that part of it which told “the boohooers” of other places just what he thought about them. Having spoken and forced his way for self and family through a dense forest of humanity to the station entrance, behold another crowd faces him as he tries to get into his carriage, weary and flushed with pleasure. Of course, the second crowd must have a speech. They had come all that way and waited all that time, and there was the rostrum specially erected. They were, of course, entitled to some words, and they got them. Standing up in the Victoria, Sir Joseph went through another cordial reply with much accompaniment of cheering and clapping of hands.

It was touching to see Mrs Seddon among the foremost of the weleomers, present with her whole family. We all knew what was in her heart as we struggled in the crowd in that warm sunshine, glancing up in the direction of a certain monument growing apace on the hill side in the distance. The end of the reception was in the Seddon household, where all honour was done to the returned Dominioners. On the whole, then, Wellington did not do so badly. It did not find bands and bombast, but it supplied the warmth of the heart which flourishes most without prompting from the outside. And to-night there is a banquet of citizens.

The reception found an echo at the meeting of the Women’s Liberal and Political League. The hall they met in was small, but the audience they assembled was large, and the acclamations were all one could have wished for. Here the thing that struck one the most was the address of welcome drawn up by the women who run the show. It was levelheaded, comprehensive, -and full of the right understanding of the situation. Whatever may be the case with the men of the Dominion, it is certain that the thoughtfulness of the Prime Minister in putting the whole history of the Imperial Conference on the wires in the very moment of his arrival at Auckland was duly appreciated by the ladies of the League, who showed in their address

that they understood and made the most of every point. Opening of Parliament. The opening of Parliament was the next sensation of the week. It was different from all former openings. The Governor was there, of course, and resplendent in the official uniform. The same may be said for the aides and the other officers, some of them from the warship, which managed to conform to the usual practice by sending captain and lieutenants to the show. The Council had a very fine attendance, and very smart they all looked, here and there one with a certain unmistakable downhill air about him; but, on the whole, they were all in good case. Nothing of all this called for any remark by reason of any difference from normal practice. Even the “Faithful Commons” when they entered. Yes! The difference came in with the Commons. The difference was the new mace. It loomed twice as large as the old one, which Sir Charles Clifford, the first Speaker, had presented, the old familiar bauble that disappeared in the big fire with the rest of the Parliamentary “props.” It seemed to the fascinated observers that the weight of the shining splendour must very soon cause the collapse of tne Ser-geant-at-Arms. But Major Shephard did his duty like a brave soldier, and carried the bauble without turning a hair. All of which led us to a little jo ,_ e. When the faithful Commons got back to their chamber, Mr. Speaker arose to his full height and thanked the Government for the handsome present they had made at their own expense to the House. He called upon the oldest inhabitant—Major Sir William Steward, of course —to speak for the members in general, and Mr Massey was impelled (by the same sense of humour, not doubt, to which the whole of the proceedings owed the special characteristic note) to add his remarks for the members of the Opposition in particular. It was noticed that a good many persons took the opportunity to laugh a good deal. And presently it was realised all round that the Opposition press had made itself remarkable by criticising this purchase of the mace, denouncing the Government for spending on such a futile bauble the money so sorely needed for roads, bridges, and logrolling. All this had culminated in a burst of virtuous economy which had ended with a formal declaration of a determination to demand an explanation at the right time in Parliament. As for the extravagance of which the Government had been guilty, words were not sufficient in the ordinary language of the people to do justice to such an infamy.

Hence the laughing and nodding and poking of ribs that went on during the scene of thanksgiving in the House. But there has been no “amende.” The Press, which ramped over the field with these charges of extravagance and worse, has not made any withdrawal, or expression of regret. For all their readers know to the contrary, unless they wade through the mazes of the whole Parliamentary report, the Government did commit that act of extravagance, and so deserve to be condemned for it when the day of reckoning' comes.

The Speech which followed was long, and carried a good deal of meat. Most of us were astonished at the moderation with which the big work of the Imperial Conference was referred to, and would at the same time have liked to hear a little more detail of the Land Defene« scheme which will be nnt before Parliament in due course. The naval part of the story finds a nracticaJlv unanimous Parliament, and of the land nervines there are manv who sneak as if they wanted comnnlsorv manciple. This portion of the Speech, like mosh of the rest, was lareelv anticipated, and therefore does not find much dismission. We are all waiting for the Address-in-Peplv and for the details of the measures that are coming. The land noliev announced is talked of as a thing known beforehand, and the same mav be said of evervthing in the Speech. The general impression, of course, is that there will not be time for all business mentioned in the Snocch. and the general determ'mt'on appears to be not to sit after Christmas what-

ever happens. One detects a note to that effect in the general body of the remarks made throughout the proceedings. There is the usual load of private bills and the usual independent quota of things wanted for the immediate saving of the county. Major Sir William is prepared to fight to the death for the Elective Executive. Mr. Herdman insists on watching the House with a determined effort to get the Civil Ser.vice placed under a Board of nonpolitical character. Mr. Sidey wants the musicians organised in the manner we all remember, and there looms the figure of a Licensing Bill. This latter is in charge of Mr. Laurenson, who may always be depended upon to lead some sort‘of forlorn hope. This Licensing Bill he has undertaken at the request of the Alliance. It is not circulated, and I do not believe it is yet formulated. We all understand that it is intended to secure bare majority and general option, and we all feel sure that it will never get past its second reading, if it ever arrives at that stage, many of us being ready to bet anything anyone likes that it will not. A general determination for a short session is not compatible with the bomb-shell of a Licensing Bill. The Land Finance Bill finds most favour with the party of the Government, but it is generally understood that the need for safeguards of various sorts is great, and there is a disposition to trust the Government for taking care that these shall not be forgotten. Everybody would like to see the National Annuities Bill put on the Statute Book, but everybody is aware that the time for getting such a measure through is somewhat short. The speech is regarded as optimistic in its reference to this matter, and we all would like to be optimistic, too.

There is little about Labour in the speech, and we all think it a grand proof of the success of the last amending Arbitration Act that this once conspicuous and thorny subject is conspicuous by its absence. Many of us are not so pleased with the absence of all reference to the mining industry, which seems to be getting things into neglect somewhat. This is not likely, however, to disturb the harmony of the session. The only cloud on the horizon is the Opposition determination to have a fight about the land question, but the battle-ground is not easy for their choice. There is not much for them to lay hold of just now. New Maori College. The opening of the Maori College at Otaki struck a sympathetic note the other day. This is clearly one of those institutions which must spread over the land, training and elevating, if the Maori is to be saved from himself, according to the understanding with the British Government at the time he came under British sway. The Dueo, Local interest is entirely absorbed in the failure of the little steamer Duco to arrive up to time at the Chatham Islands. All the old salts fear that she has foundered, and they declare that with two hundred tons of coal aboard, and a tremendous southerly gale, which raises an enormous sea always in these waters, just as bad as anything in the “roaring forties,” there is nothing else to account for the disappearance of the poor little craft. There is much gloom over the city in consequence. We all liked the little Duco, which was a very familiar craft in the harbour' for many years—about twenty—since she sailed out from the Old Country to take up the work of tugging and ferrying in the harbour. And her people are all so well known and liked among us. The Second Main Trunk Express. There is disappointment at the delay in carrying out the once announced plan of a second express on the Northern Grand Trunk, but there is little doubt that one day before Christmas the second express will be an accomplished fact, especially if the tourist traffic shows any sign of answering expectations. Certainly it does not seem possible to get up any enthusiasm among the tourist fraternity with a service that, being devoted entirely to the interest of the Post Office, carries travellers through the best of the mountain country in the dead of the night. Of course the tourist can break his journey. Yes he can; and he can swear at the accommodation he gets and the delays to which he is subjected.

and if he swears he is certain not tei come again. I think he will be able to make certain, after ail, that he will ba accommodated as he wishes. After all, that ought to be the object of every} well-managed railway service.

The Million Loan. “No information has been given us officially respecting the million and aquarter loan authorised last session,** remarked Mr. W. F. Massey, when discussing the Imprest Supply Bill in tha House of Representatives. “I have been given to understand that half a million was raised locally, and that two further sums of half a million each were obtained by the Prime Minister when in London. I should like to know at what cost, rate of interest, price obtained, and the term of the loan?” The Prime Minister: There was no discount on the money sent out from London. The advance of the million was at par at -3J per cent. The term is not yet fixed. Liter on I will deal with, the whole matter. There W’as no discount and no brokerage, and the amount was at par. (Hear, hear.)

Vanished in Smoke. Property to the value of over £2,750,’ 000 has vanished in smoke during ths past five years in New Zealand. So Inspector Hugo states in his annual report on the fire brigades of the Dominion. In the course of some interesting remarks on the subject, he compares New Zealand’s position with that of the United States. New Zealand insurance loss, £417,480, or 8/9i per capita; fire waste, £556,640, or 11/8J per capita. United States insurance loss, £22,500,000, or 5/ per capita; fire waste, £40,000,000, or 10/ per capita. The reasons attributed by the inspector to this remarkable waste are earthquakes, faulty; building construction, and over-insurance. Faulty building construction, Inspector Hugo declares, is a widely-spread evil. He affirms that a large block of buildings recently erected in one of our cities in place of those destroyed by - fire is, as a conflagration risk, very little, if any, better than it was before, owing to unprotected windows in narrow right-of-ways, vulnerable roofs, etc., a striking illustration of false economy being displayed in respect of the destruction of the Bank of New South Wales at Wellington. Extensive land speculation, and the consequent erection of buildings of a flimsy; character are also contributing factors. Another reason for the large number of fires, and the consequent excessive loss obtaining in New Zealand, is over-insur-ance of property. The statement of an; insurance company manager that 90 per cent of fires are caused for the purpose of obtaining insurance is, he considers, exaggerated, but that a large number of fires take place as a result of carelessness, wilful or otherwise, is an indisputable fact. The fire waste in New Zealand is so excessive in proportion to ita population, and the consequent drain upon the wealth of its community so serious, that he strongly recommends as a means to reduce, in some measure at any rate, the prevailing loss that local government bodies, as a whole, should promptly take into consideration tha framing for general adoption of building and other by-laws having for their object .the prevention of fire, also the more efficient equipment of the fire brigades under their control. To the insurance companies he recommends the more thorough inspection of risks before accepting proposals. In the past this has been done in a very perfunctory manner. Cases have been reported in inspection has ever been made. He also recommends the stricter supervision over agency or sub-agency business. Finally, the general public should be educated to realise the great waste that is going on, and that the remedy, to a large extent, lies in their own hands.

Our Good Name. “ Everywhere I went I found a deep interest taken in New Zealand and our, social jaws,” said Sir Joseph Ward at the New Zealand Club’s luncheon at the New Zealand Club's luncheon last week. After mentioning the friendliness with which he had been greeted in various countries during his recent travels, he referred to certain statements that had been circulated in reference to New Zealand finances, etc. It was a question, he commented, whether New Zealand should not follow the example of Canada in protecting itself by legislation against the “ unkind, ungenerous and malicious things” said about the

•ountry. Judging by the stories that were disseminated one might believe that the country was next door to insolvency. He had gone to England on a matter of some consequence to New Zealand. As Boon as he reached London a representative of one of the great metropolitan papers called upon him and produced two sheets of foolscap pasted over with newspaper cuttings purporting to show that everything was bad in New Zealand. Across the top of the sheets was written “God’s Own Country,” and at the bottom, “ When the Prime Minister comes give him a good time.” The papers of the Old Country, he was glad to say, did not publish one word of those allegations. That sort of thing did not injure him as an individual, but it might be injurious to the Dominion. When the common interests of New Zealand were at stake all classes should do their beet to keep up the country’s good name. If by an accident there were bad times, it was the duty of the people to get the country out of the bad times.

Ob Board the Dartford. The second selection of cadets for the Union Company’s training-ship Dartford, numbering 13, has been made. Some of them joined the ship at Wellington, and the rest will go aboard at Lyttelton, ■where the Dartford is discharging timber. Of the 13 two are from Hobart, one from South Australia, and one from Sydney, the rest being New Zealanders. The Dartford is to dock at Lyttelton on the 14th, and then prepare for her next voyage. What will be her destination has not yet been announced. The total number of cadets will now be 25. Following are the names of those just chosen: —A. A. Harcourt, Hobart; B. Wishaw, Hobart; H. J. Clare, South Australia; E. A. H. Watkin, Sydney; A. G. Daw, Auckland; R. N. Johnston, Feilding; J. E. Saton, Wellington; J. J. Ford, Christchurch (ex Amokura) ; E. C. Sarginson, Christchurch (ex Amokura) ; P. R. Boulton, Christchurch; L. W. Bell, Rangiora; A. C. Parker, Dunedin; W. G. W. Millard, Fortrose, Southland (ex Amokura).

Judge Edwards’ Protest. 'A largely attended meeting of Island Bay residents and property owners last ■week passed a resolution protesting against the proposal of the Salvation Army to establish a prison gate home in that suburb. A deputation was appointed to wait on the City Council. Among the speakers was Mr. Justice Edwards. He said he was a pioneer resident of Island Bay, and the only roof he could call his own was there. Women and children would not feel safe if the establishment proposed was set up unless the Army undertook to send a brigade to protect the population or the police force was greatly increased. He recognised that the Army was doing noble work, but at the same time the respectable portion of the community must be considered.

Wolfe Bequest Hospital. Cabinet has accepted a tender for the Wolfe Bequest Hospital at Avondale at a contract price of over £6OOO. Mr. Wolfe resided at Whangarei, and died in 1899, leaving a bequest of £2820 for the benefit of patients mentally afflicted. Though this bequest does not nearly cover the cost of the building, Mr. Wolfe’s name has been given to. it in recognition of his sympathy with those of unsound mind.

Our Next Governor. It is stated in semi-official circles that our next Governor will be Vice-Admiral Sir Wilmot Hawksworth Fawkes, K.C.B. and K.C.V.O. Vice-Admiral Fawkes was commander-in-chief on the Australian station for a number of years, and in this capacity he made several visits to New Zealand in his- flagship, the Royal Arthur. He entered the Royal Navy in 1860, and was appointed commandant in 1880, while from 1884 to 1886 he enjoyed the distinction of having command of the Royal yacht Osborne. During 1891-92 he acted as naval adviser to the Inspec-tor-General of Fortifications, was ’A.D.C. to the late Queen Victoria from 1899 to 1900, private secretary to the iFirst Lord of the Admiralty during 1897-99 and 1900-1902. From 1902 to 1904 he was rear-admiral, commanding the cruiser squadron, and in 1905 was promoted to vice-admiral, commanding the Australian squadron. On relinquish-

ing this post, he returned to England to take up the position of commander-in-chief of the Plymouth dockyards. It is suggested that the appointment of a naval Governor would be appropriate at the present juncture, on account of the fact of New Zealand’s attitude in connection with Imperial defence matters.

Increased Exports. The Department of Agriculture and Commerce furnishes the following figures supplied by the Customs Department of the exports from the Dominion for the six months ended September 30, 1909: —

Butter 190? OOft •>•» 1908. £ Cheese 302,143 175,072 Beef 335,046 Mutton (carcases) 535.423 559.779 Legs and pieces.. 28.178 29.410 Lamb . 1,208,178 1.038,531 V heat 306,504 191 Oats 396.158 58,294 Potatoes 1,741 888 Hemp 147,903 164.207 Rabbits 21.476 Tow 8.036 9,997 Kauri Gum 281,610 208.383 Grain and pulse.. 50,207 26,215 Hops 6,736 3,023 Hides 131,671 Skins 441.592 292,592 Tallow 380.682 241.''•'8 1 imber 170.052 1S8.5O6 Wool 1,834.070 1.576.576 Gold 1,051,585 1.016,192 Totals £7,859,233 £6,025.860 Increase for six months. .. £1,833,373