The Week in Review.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLVI, Issue 5, 2 August 1911, Page 1

The Week in Review.

NOTICE,

She Editor will be pleased to receive for consideration Short Stories and Descriptive Articles, illustrated with photos, or suggestions from contributors.

Eright, terse contrmutions are wanted dealing with Dominion life and questions.

Unless stamps are sent, the Editor cannot guarantee the return of unsuitable MSS.

The Cable Man Again.

/TA R. W. T. STEAD’S alleged “in 1 I i terview” with Mr. Andrew Alf Fisher, the Australian Labour / Premier, has caused a mild stir in Australian politics. The fact that Mr. Fisher is at sea, unable to verify or dispute the remark* attributed to him, rather places the subject beyond comment. The cable man, of course, with his accastwmed avidity for retailing anything that might in any way prejudice the mass of people against progressive movements, seized on the incident with mudh satisfaction. We do not cavil at li is cabling facts andi the interview was legitimate news, however much anybody from personal knowledge of Mr Fisher's ability and qualities, might doubt the correctness of the construction put upon I.is remarks by the Tory press. Unfortunately the cable man's efforts to prejudice the public are not confined to Mr. Fisher. The system of misrepresentation goes on from week to week, year in, year out. We have, amongst others, protested vigorously against the obvious ‘■political colour” of the cables that are doled out to Australasia. Throughout the great Budget fight, and again in the struggle against the Lords, the general impreasam conveyed by the cable man's concoctions was that British landowners were being most unjustly robbed by an iniquitous land tax, whilst the historic ami noble House of Lords was being destroyed. by a hand of ruthless and unrupulous Liberal politicians, headed by Mr. Lloyd George and Mr. Winston (liurchili. j* jfi Wholesale Misrepresentation. There the misrepresentation does not end. The cables sent to the Austra lasian papers for years have been deliberately worded and so expressed as to imbue the whole of colonial though with the so-called Imperial doctrines of the British Tory party, which in England

-land for land monopoly, for a corrupt and monstrous drink traffic, for exploitation of foreign lands and people by British capital, and generally for the complete protection of those great vested interests which have resulted in

?8,000,000 of people out of a population 46,000,000 being kept in various stages of want from poverty down to absolute pauperism. It is one of the anomalies of the time that the Australasian colonies, which stand for democratic measures and “the greatest good for the greatest number,” should calmly t?p ept the distorted and coloured cable iu ws that is sent out to this side of the wnr M. It is not only the Liberal Party *>'• Britain that Is constantly misrepresented, but even more so the Labour leader, and the great labour movements

that are making themselves felt throughout the capitals of Europe, as well as Britain herself. We may not agree with all that Labour contends for, or certain tactics and view's of the Liberal party may be distasteful to us, but at least we do expect to see them get fair play when it comes to the chronicling of news and opinions. It is, however, too much to expect, for the cable services are in the hands of a monopoly—a monopoly of wealthy men, who seem determined! for the sake of their own pockets, irrespec five of the welfare of the community, to throw dust in the eyes of colonials as long as they can until the true meaning of some of their jingoistic doctrines is brought home to the mass of our colonial brethren. JI Mr. Fisher’s Denial. Since the above was written, the report of Mr Fisher’s denial has come through, which was only to be expected by those who know him best. Mr Stead’s account of the interview is described! by Mr Fisher as a “grotesque misrepresentation,” and lie has cabled to Mr Stead stating that the report is grossly misleading. “What I stated to Mr Stead in a brief, hurried interview,” said Mr Fisher, “was what I have stated hundreds of times in my public speeches, namely, that my objective is peace among the nations of the world, my policy is one of effective defence, and my aim unity among the British nations. This can best be attained and maintained by trusting His Majesty’s Governments in the United Kingdom and the Dominions as responsible. Ministers of a family of nations.” In referring to the alleged expression as to hauling down the flag, Mr Fisher said: “This has never entered my head. To keep it flying with all its best traditions is my ambition. I have never harboured any idea that Australia would break away from the Empire, nor do T wish to escape the duty of defending its honour. Such expressions would not be disloyalty, but insanity. They would be brutal and monstrous.” Whilst there is no doubt about the sincerity of Mr Stead’s intentions, for he is far too able and well known a journalist to deliberately misrepresent any man, he is known occasionally to have got hold of the “wrong end of the stick.” It is one more of those cases in which Stead is, as a fellow journalist once blandly explained, “unsteady.” Jt Jt The Last Stand. The Lords and the Tories have fought a very hard fight to retain their special privileges by which they have held their lands and their commercial monopolies secure so long from the hands of the Democratic will. The last stand in the House of Commons this week ended up in a disgraceful scene which reflected no credit on the beaten party. The Conservatives have accepted their whipping with a bad grace. No one can suppose that a resistance which was futile in 1832 could be any less futHle in our own day. For we- live at a time when the will of the people is supreme; and it is only extreme Tory journals that would like the people to believe that the House of Lords represents the popular verdict. The Lords have thrown out for years Hills that have been backed by the best brains in England, and have maintained a, very aggravated species of class tyranny. What course could have been taken other than has been taken to ensure the passing of measures demanded by the people! Borne persons will al-

ways regret the passing of old institutions, no ' -matter what wrong they stand for, and the House of Lords is one of them. Sentiment cannot now blind people to the fact that the Lords have always been obstructionists and land monopolists^—in other words they are Conservatives io the backbone, and that they do not represent any large section of the community. Mr. Asquith has made it abundantly clear that the will of the people must prevail. «»« J» The ’’ Rights ” of Minorities. it is inevitable and it is wise that mankind should lie governed by some form of benevolent “despotism.” It was once the downright despotism of Kings, the despotism of nobles, now it is trie enlightened “despotism” of majorities. Most men usually accept the will of majorities, and the rights of .minorities only exists when they do not transcend the nights of the majority. In our own land all supporters of the Opposition are technically “disfranchised.” The members they return are outvoted o-n every point. The same -with the Unionists—a fact which no progressive person will regret in England. They have no power at present to pass or to hinder any law. The utmost a minority can do is to endeavour to become a majority. We acquiesce in the present state of things because lit passes the wit of man to dpvise a better. Tories, Lords, or others, must abide by a popular verdict because the -will of a majority must prevail. When the heat of party strife has abated it may be found possible to devise a new second chamber that shall represent the best talent of the Empire.

The Late Mr. Taylor. -Mr. Taylor's death deprives New Zealand of one of her most sincere and valued workers. A keen fighter and gifted with ready aud fluent speech, lie never failed to win many adherents to any cause he espoused. He excelled as an open-air speaker. The largest crowds listened attentively to his speeches, and his faculty for repartee was of great use in quelling any interruption. By some lie was regarded as tihe stormy petrel of ■political, and be -was responsible tor some of the most exciting incidents in recent political-history. There was'the famous Police Com mission of 1897, and this was followed by the voucher incident, the Seddon-Taylor case, and the a-nti-Dreafl-nought agitation. Mr. Taylor was always a keen critic, and hoasted of his independence of any party. But, however mistaken lie may have lieen in some cases, lie w.is a man of sterling integrity and honesty of purpose. He won the

respect and esteem of all parties because it. was universally recognised that lie was perfectly sincere in all he said and did. Dramatic at times, and always .pungent in his speeches, he was a man to be reckoned with in politics. He was a -good friend to the cause of Labour. He knew at first hand the travail and sorrow of the heavy-laden, and he spared no effort to make the lot of the worker lighter and more bright. His last message was: “Isitt, this is a lovely country. Tell my Labour friends that they have a divine chance here if they will only recognise the religious element, and lift the movement to its highest plane.” Jt Jt An Earnest Reformer. Religion was the motive power of his life. He saw things as the religious reformer sees them. Evil was evil, and must -be rooted out. There could be no compromise, no political expediency in the war against sin. He knew, as few knew, the appalling effects of squalor, ■drink, and vice. He had seen the degradation of body and soul produced by modern industrial conditions, and he did not sit with folded hands, or debate the matter with nicely-turned modes of speech. He was out to fight the devil, and he did not use padded gloves. The cause of prohibition had in him a doughty champion. He thought the cause to be one worth living for and worth dying for. Naturally he made enemies—every man worth his salt does that—but he made many firm and loyal friends. And now that Jiis voice is stilled in death, past differences are forgotten in the universal regret felt for one who had the two great cardinal virtues of courage ami honesty. We all admije sincerity, and in Mr. Taylor we have lost one who truckled to no mnn. lint who lived his life as he felt God willed him to live it, and who fouslit the good fight for the cause of righteousness and justice. Ji The Governor's Speech. The Governor’s speech contained noth ing startling, but it showed Hie cuntinii ous prosperity of the Country under it, present leaders. The condition of Hu general mass of the people is describe I as in every way promising, and the work of land settlement is being carried on ns satisfactorily as circumstances allow. There has been a scarcity of applications for employment at the Labour Bureau, and this in itself is as good a proo) of prosperity as can be desired. Tlie work era have benefited by the Dwellin'.:* Act and the Provident Fund, and a * be ne

<u national insurance is conleaipl.iUsi.

’We are legislation In the matter. vf prison refor.n, and a water power •irheiue is to b<* laid before the House. The question of prison reform is one of the most interesting questiojiM of the day. - The articles in the “ Hibbert Journal/’,, of last year brought the matter forcibly before public notice. It jb doubtful if any more pitiless indictment ol or.r present aystem lias been written since the famous letter on “ Warder Martin" in the “Daily Chronicle,” of some years back, ’rhe writer of “Concerning Impiisonment ’’ in tlie “Hibbert” ■had not the niastery of style of the great author who pleaded so eloquently in the “ C hronicle " for humanity in our pii.-ons, but he showed the senseless stupidity and cruelty of penal methods, and pointed out that prison hardens but seldom informs. If Dr. Findlay can BQlve the problem of prison reform he will have earned a* higher- honour than any knignthood. he will have merited, the greatest tribute the Romans felt could be paid to any man—the tribute that he had deserved well of the republic. & Veteran Cricketers. One of the most interesting features hl connection with the investiture of the Prince of Wales with the Order oi the Garter was. the.. .cricket match played after the ceremony • between Charterhouse and a Veteran XV Cliarterliouse • against the Veterans' 261. W .0. was caught without scoring, but •A. G. btoel put trp 74. What memories th<‘ name* recall. Apart from the champion and the bujuius Uppingham cricketei y we haw A. .J. \\ cidie. for long the mainstay of-Middlesex. W. H. Brain, one of . ba ts for Gloucestershire in tlie eighties: E. Smith the bowler. Parav-Vini the light blu v of 'B7, and one of the handsomest men who ever won the coveted Zingari' colours; J. R. Mason and (~ C. ( kirke. Mason scored 73, and took- four wickets, while Smith showed that he could still bowl by disposing of- four of the best bats for Glia rtei house. After the game was over tht> J’rinec Was photographed with \V. G.'Grace, and 1h- had a long chat with the veteran cricketer. Several members of the Royal hamily were present, and they all watched the match with keen interest. * - & The War Cloud. Mr. Asquith has taken a firm stand on the matter of Germany's threatened attempt to tear up the Algerieas Treaty. “England,'* h e said, “might become an active party in the discussion.” Mean- . while- the Woolwich arsenals are working at high pressure, lyddite and cordite are being manufactr i < d at express speed, and there is a noticable activity in the production of small arms. In. the midst of keen political debate at Horpe Mr. Balfour has declared *-hat all party questions will be dropped in the face of any out-ide danger, and has promised Mr. Asquith the full and loyal support of all Unionists. < Germany's Bluff has been vailed and thi> has come as an tin welcome surprise. Here and there some dissentient voice has croaked the old *refraia about English aggression, but the English people as a whole are unMed in the determination to uphold England's prestige ami to let Germany know that when England pledges her word she is prepared to support that pledge by every means in her power. J* Judicial Wit.

Judge Bacon, whose death was recently announced, was famous for his wit. He lacked the unrivalled irony of Judge Maule, but his sarcasm was often keen and penetrating. 'Here are some samples of his ready wit—

•*I do not understand,” said a woman, after his Honor had elaborately described the legal process. “Of course not ; you are a woman. No woman knows what her husband earns. *’

“Interpret era— they arc persons who translate a language they do not understand into one thev know less.”

“Your Honor, so 1 do not lose every thing/’ said a voluble woman. “No, ?ou have not. You have not lost the ower of speech, and what a relief that inust be —to you’”-

“I say she is a little liar.” protested a ’witness. “No, if anything, she is a great liar.” ‘•There 1 is not a woman outside the Teafros of fiction who does not know ber fegnl posftion.” ✓

“The truth will out, even in the wit-ness-box.’! ■ . .<

“A rich wife is, to some, a trade like many others.” .. i " “W-hen a man is in debt, and the pressure comes. the liner feelings go away through the window.” ■< > One woman remarked, .“She used dreadful words, and I will not repeat them. Can I write them down?” “Yes,” replied Judge Bacon drily, “if you know how to spell them.” I’pon one occasion a defendant loudly protested that his clothes did not fit. Throwing himself into a great rage, the man threw off his coat, wrenched off the waistcoat, while the Cpurt stood aghast. Judge Bacon leaned forward, and asked. “Do the trousers fit?”

A witness, who described a person as drunk and holding himself by the wall, added. “Your Honor will understand.” Judge Bacon replied. “I have never heard of such an expression.” After a pause, he went on. “I never feign judicial ignorance. Imt 1 have heard-of people trying to hold themselves up by the. pattern on the carpe(.?’.'' One of the. Judge's last remarks was on the- grow-iiig’-business of the County Courts. Addressing a counsel on the last day at Bloomsbury, he said. “I am going to another circuit, and after that there is a holiday,' thank God.” Jt >» Raising the Wind. Foreigners and poets have a delightin'! way of expressing themselves that ordinary .. people lack. Yoshio Markino, in the new “English Review,” says-. “May the graceful Queen forgive my dreadfully ragged English: for my. heart is in the full uniform before Her,,Majesty." This is true Oriental,.grace, Gilbert was once taken to task for using the word "coyful" in one of his operas. It is a delightful, word, and was badly needed as a rhyme to “joyful.” “How ; can anyone .lie-full of coy?” asked the critics. “Really,' I don't know.”, was. Sir William’s 'reply? “but having recently come across the word ‘bashful,?.!- ain trying. tt> discover how anyone'can-be full of-bash.” Many writers lack of clearness and contrast his obscurity 'of style .w.ith wha.t they call the lucidity of the English of the daily press. Yet we doubt if anything in Browning is quite so . obscure. ..as the following clipping from a morning paper: “The weather .at,, the. Wellington Exhibition have bought"' the' exhibition . gates for Saturday next, and intend to make it the biggest day of the,big show.” One feels on reading it like Douglas Jerrold felt on' .readings “Gqrdello.” ; Wellington weajther'seems to have .lieen raising the wind to make a big,purchase.