The Week in Review.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLIX, Issue 17, 23 April 1913, Page 1

The Week in Review.

Problem of Native Land Rates.

IN every district where Native land exists, the difficulty of collecting rates is so acute as to call for prompt attention. So long as the rates are not collectable it gives an unfair advantage to the Native owners, and places an inequitable burden on European owners, who have shown some persistency of late in securing an alteration of present conditions. The clerk of the Rangitikei County Council has offered the following suggestions:—(al that the individualisation of native lands should be carried out as expeditiously as possible; (b) that individualised native lands should be placed upon the same footing as European native lands in regard to rating; (c) that the iV aluation Department should be supplied with the fullest information obtainable in regard to all native lands, and that individualised lands should be entered under a distinct heading upon the valuation roll; (d)-that some system should be devised whereby the rates on all native, other than individualised lands, may be secured to the local body in the same way that survey charges are secured, and without the ‘need of any Court proceedings. The Minister for Native Lands has indicated that the suggestions will receive due consideration. The suggestion was offered by the Rangitikei County Council some years ago, and has since been made by other county councils, that no transaction in any native land should be approved by any Native Land Board, Land Court, or other authority dealing with native lands, unless all rates have first -been paid on the land or secured on behalf of the local body. This very troublesome question was brought before the Prime Minister at Hawera, and mention was made of the case of a farmer in the district who was holding 2,000 acres, and cultivating and grassing it; but not one penny by way of rates did the country get from it. Mr Massey said that legislation would be introduced next session, and that matters would be placed in a much more satisfactory condition, so far as county councils were concerned.

The Teaching Profession, It is unfortunately a fact that the teaching profession is not attracting a Sufficient number of capable men and women to fill the positions created by the growth of population and the spread of schools to distant and isolated districts. The profession is not popular, because the reward for efficient service is not equal to the work involved, and quite unsatisfactory compared with other channels of employment. The inevitable result is a scarcity of qualified teachers, and the employment of uncertificated and inexperienced teachers. This appears to be the position throughout the Dominion. In Auckland it lias been suggested that the evil can be partly remedied by setting up “ observation schools,where the unqualified may receive instruction. The inspectors, in reporting on the matter, point out that a considerable number of uncertificated teachers now engaged arc incapable of discharging efficiently their important duties. Many of them are without knowledge of the standard of attainment and effort reached by the best schools, and so are unable to realise their own limitations. Most of them, moreover, are so far removed from centres where the more efficient schools are in operation that it would be both costly Mid inconvenient to require them to 1

make use of such schools for purposes of observation. It is from a visit to the small sole-charge school that they would derive most benefit; but this type of school, owing to its isolation and the small salary .it carries, docs not, as a rule, attract the kind of teacher likely to act as a model and an inspiration to the inexperienced. A few small schools scattered about the district in convenient centres and staffed by specially selected and highly efficient teachers would afford the facilities required. Ot course the inspectors recommend good salaries. © & © Earnest Workers. Necessarily the Inspectors, who have had practical experience of teaching, have a sympathetic word for the enthusiastic band of teachers who against difficulties and discouragements are doing effective work. In their annual report the Inspectors admit:— “We have been obliged, during the course of our report, to speak somewhat freely and disapprovingly of certain matters connected with work in the schools, to express disappointment at conditions we found obtaining during the course of some of our visits, to find fault with methods, and to complain of inattention to needed details. Though all this has become necessary in our review of the year’s work and in our efforts to point out the better way, we are fully alive to the fine spirit of earnest enthusiasm which permeates the service and finds expression in the resolute effort and splendid work so frequently met with. We feel more strongly as each year passes how much we all owe to those men and women in our service who labour so cheerfully, so persistently, so earnestly, so successfully—often in the •face of difficulty, disappointment, discouragement, opposition — 1 to train and educate our young people, and so prepare them for the responsible duties of citizenship by developing that sense of service on which the welfare of the community ultimately depends.”

An Irremediable Wrong. St is an old grievance that children in dairying districts are required to do such heavy labour at home that their school studies suffer lamentably, and that their mental and physical equipment are unequal to the strain. Just as often as the eo-mplaint is voiced by school teachers and others in a position to judge, it is as often challenged by those interested directly and indirectly. The subject has been reviewed by the Auckland Education Board’s inspectors, who ought to be cognisant of the general conditions and safiiciently careful in criticism as not to overstate any existing evil. The inspectors speak very emphatically iii condemnation of the tasks imposed on children concerned in dairying. “It not infrequently happens,” report the inspectors, “that such children are obliged to work so hard, both before and after school, that they are quite unfitted to undertake profitably the work demanded in the school, with the result that their physical, as wel) as their intellectual, development is grievously retarded. It is to be regretted that parents, and the community generally, do not recognise these facts, ami are not more fully alive to their duties and responsibilities. To exact from children labour so continuous that the Hoorn and vivacity of childhood lingers but a few short years, and leaven behind it prematurely tired little men and women—« sight unpleasant to bo-

hold in so young and promising a country — is an irremediable wrong to the children and a menace to the welfare of the State.” © © 9 Organised Terrorism. '.So far the Asquith Cabinet, has failed ingloriously to stem the tide of fanatical militancy. Organised lawlessness is still a menace to property, to certainservices, and to peaceful citizenship. Just what the end of it all is going to be is the question that seriously confronts the Home folk. These women are dangerously irresponsible in their aggressiveness and maniacal in their defiance of the law. While drastic action is necessary, it is particularly puzzling to evolve an effective retaliation .to such organised terrorism. 'The wholesale destruction of property, the deliberate firing of pillar ■boxes and residences of politicians, and perpetration of other outrages can not any longer be tolerated. But up to the present these violent suffragettes have triumphed in an inglorious campaign of destruction. It may be that the longsuffering public will turn and meet the militants with their own weapons. That would be lamentable, but would no doubt bring the militants to their senses in very quick time. © © © Ont of Proportion. Those in control of technical education in Auckland are naturally anxious to provide suitable accommodation and equipment for a rapidly-developing enterprise. For years a technical school at Auckland consisted of inadequate and inconvenient premises, located on different sites, but despite discouragement and disadvantages, the work made surprising headway. Population has been growing and industries expanding, and coincident a demand for skilled artisans and competent workers of both sexes. The Technical School in turning out the right material attracted attention, and the youth of the city clamoured for admission. But the accommodation available was lamentably insufficient. Many intending pupils could not be enrolled. Even now. with the fine up-to-date structure there is not enough room to meet all requirements. Another storey or two is necessary, as well as more equipment, and a further grant of ±135,000 is imperative. The Department is to be asked to grant this big sum not only because it is urgently wanted for uninterrupted development of technical education, but because in comparison with other centres it is well merited. A table compiled shows that in the matter of grants, reckoned on a population basis, Auckland is lower on the

Ifet than any of the other three cities, und lower than some of the smaller centres. The comparison its interesting:

When analysed, these figures clearly ludieate that Auckland has been neglected, despite persistent application tor assistance. If Auckland had been »s favourably treated as Christchurch for instance, a further £15,000 is due. lliat is on a population basis; on even terms with Napier, ±158,000 is due, or the same as Feilding. £84,000 should be available. It is surely time Auckland got a fair .share of grants for tech-s—> education. © © © A Liberal Leader. .Since the defeat of the Mackenzie Government the Liberal party, disunited ill opposition, has been without a leader. The position obviously is not easy to fill. Now that Sir William Hall-Jones is returning to the Dominion after his absence in England as High Commissioner, an unauthenticated statement is made to the effect that lie wall bo selected to lead the present Opposition. This suggestion, emanating from a strongly partisan Reform paper, has been promptly und definitely repudiated. It is admitted that Sir William is a veteran politician, with years of Ministerial experience, and temporarily Prime Minister, but his advancing years is against vigorous leadership. In addition, it is urged that capable as he maybe, he is not the most capable of the men associated iu the Liberal party. Mr O. W. Russell, who has been regarded as an aspirant for the vacant position, declares emphatically that Sir Joseph Ward is the only possible man for the leadership, and that be will receive a unanimous request to accept the position. © © © Dissatisfied Policeman. New regulations recently introduced have created a pronounced feeling of dissatisfaction amongst the uustriped members of the police force, and they are almost in open rebellion. This is shown by the movement in Auckland towards the formation of an association, in defiance of the regulations, and the freely-

expressed promises of support from other centres.. Leading officials have declared surprise at the turn of events. They were not aware of any prevalent discontent, and consider that the men could easily have voiced their complaints through departmental channels, without tilting against the regulations and exposing trouble publicly. If the statements made on behalf of the constables fairly set out the position, there is plainly room for modifications of the regulations. With an important public service such as the police, it ie essential to establish reasonable conditions and remove all elements of dissatisfaction to ensure efficiency and stability, ft appears difficult enough already to secure, a sufficient number of the right kind of men to take up police duty, without accentuating the eearcity by making the service even more conspicuously unattractive. © © © The Tightness Easing. The high rate of discount imposed in October last when a crisis in the Balkan trouble was imminent has been reduced. The Bank of England has brought the r at. down to 4 J i>er cent, which is still 1 per eent higher than prevailed at the same time last year. But the position is more satisfactory in that the acute tightness shows indications of easing, ft is predieted that there will shortly be a further reduetion in the bank rate. © © © Railway Manager. By Act of Parliament passed on the initiative of the Massey Government last session, it was decided to appoint a fullyqualified railway man to till the position 6f general manager of the New’ Zealand railways. An appointment has now been imide. From a list of over 80 applicants |he selection has fallen on Mr Ernest llavilland Hiley, divisional goods manager on the North-Eastern Railways, England. He is 43 years of age, and is the son of a clergyman. Educated at Rossall, he has had a wide experience in the service of the Great Northern railway, which operates over extensive parts of Scotland and north England, besides experience in his present employment. The Prime Minister states that the new general manager has had a particularly good record. Applications were received from England, Canada, and Australia, as well as a dozen from New’ Zealand. It may be a little while before Mr Hiley can arrange to, get a way from hisipresent position to take up the new duties. © © © Good draining Ground. Mr Hiley has been associated with a railway serviue that is an excellent training ground. It is pointed out by a contemporary that the Northern Railway has an extensive territory extending through Yorkshire. Durham, and Northumberland, with outposts in Westmoreland and Cumberland, and is fortunate in having the district to itself. With it is amalgamated the oldest publie railway in the world, the famous Stockton and Darlington, incorporated in 1821, opened in 182.5, and amalgamated with the North-eastern in 1803. The Northeastern was incorporated in 1854. It radiates from York as a centres but Newcastle, where Mr Hiley has his headquarters. possesses the largest station on the railway. It has fifteen platforms, with a total length of 3.400 yards, and the covered area of the station measures 32,000 sq.-.r.-.e yards. The North-eastern is not the largest ami wealthiest railway company in the I nited Kingdom, but the traffic handled is much more extensive than the whole State railway system in New Zealand. Hie capital of the Northeastern Company is close on £80,000,000, or more than two ami a-half times that invested in the New Zealand railways. '1 he length ot the New Zealand lines open is about 2.800 miles, while the mileage of the North-eastern Railway is 1,098 miles. Ihe latter however, includes a much larger extent of double lines than New Zealand, and even some three-line ami four-line lengths, so that the total mileage equivalent of single track is 4,682 miles. I l,c North-eastern has n larger tonnage of mineral and edal traffic than any other railway in the Kingdom. It has also the distinction of the fastest run without a stop in the British Isles, namely the 1.8 p.m. train from Darlington to York, 44 miles 8 chains, in 43 minutea, equal to 61.&3 miles per hour. In physical configuration the district ■erred by the North eastern Railway la

sufficiently like that of New Zealand to make the experience whieh Mr Hiley has gained at Home valuable to him here. There are many steep gradients to be negotiated, there are many important bridges and viaducts, and the longest tunnel—the Bramhope, between Leed-s and Harrogate—is two miles 225 yards in length. Ou the mineral lines in the county of Durham there are steep inclines like that at Westport, either selfacting or worked by stationary engines. The Englby line rises 500 feet in 1,000 yards. It is the width of activity and enterprise of the North-Eastern railway, however, which makes it an especially valuable training ground for a position like that of general manager of the New Zealand railways. It owns docks and hotels, it has large locomotive works and wagon works, and is interested in lines of steamers running between Hull anil Holland, and elsewhere. © © © Resolute, Strong, and Hard. Some pointed utterances were given expression to by Bishop Julius in delivering an address accepting custody of the colours of the old Canterbury Yeomanry Cavalry at the Christchurch Cathedral last week. He declared it as his opinion that the system of compulsory military training adopted would be of infinite advantage to everyone. Obviously the first purpose of the system was the training of New Zealanders in the defence of their country, and the

secondary purpose, though of primary advantage to the country, was the disciplining and training of our manhood. In the life of a young country like New Zealand he held that such training was

an absolute necessity. From this point the Bishop proceeded to tabulate his reasons: —(1) We dwell in cities. Large numbers of young men are engaged in sedentary occupations, and thus lose no little of physical manhood. The growing physical weakness of our race in the Old Country appears to be due to this and other causes, such as poverty. (2) It is a soft age. Men do not cultivate hardness. They prefer seats with cushions, ami to ride rather than to walk. (3) It is an undisciplined age. There is no discipline in the home, very little out of it, and self-discipline is not reckoned as a necessary element to the development of the man. (4) We want training in manners. There are many of the manhood of New Zealand who think it is the rightthing to push their own way no matter who is pushed into the gutter and assert their independence by discourtesy and rudeness. They do not realise that man shown his own self-respect most certainly when he learns to respect other men, and gives to them that courtesy and civility which he t htly believes are due to himself. The system adopted, said the Bishop, was qualified to meet such needs as these. It was not a elans movement. The whole country was brought under it. The time would come and would not be long in coming, when men will cease to complain about the quality of the food or about anything else. They will

understand that it is possible for a man to lie on a plank and sleep on it, and to sleep in wet clothes and enjoy them. It takes a man a while to discover that he is a much greater man than he thinks himself, and that he is a much stronger man because he can taste a little hardship without whining about it. The system will teach them obedience. It is a good thing for any man to obey:—to enjoy the luxury of doing what he is told—instead of doing what he likes. It will teach men comradeship. They come out of fin isolated life into the companionship of men of all classes and all kinds actively employed, and that is good for manhood. . "I am looking forward to the time,” he concluded, “when military training, in this country, so far from stirring us to strife and war, will make -our men resolute, strong, and hard, and will raise up a manhood amongst us that-will be greater than the manhood of the past.” © © © Internal Troubles. Latest advices from Europe appear to indicate that the war is practically over, so far as the original contest between Bulgaria and Turkey is concerned; and for this much the world may well be thankful. But, unhappily, there is only too much reason to fear that the eternal “ trouble in the Balkans ” will not be settled by peace between Bulgaria and Turkey, no matter on what terms it may be concluded. Montenegro still pawists in defying the Powers and is

pressing on alone with the siege of Scutari. But though complications may arise here, there is no likelihood that any seriour international difficulty will grow out of Montenegro’s obstinacy. It ie likely that King Nicholas would draw back if he could, and make the best of what the Powers will give him, but his subjects are out of hand, and will not listen to reason. Still this is, after all, a minor phase of the Eastern problem, and it is not to be compared in magnitude or importance with the recent happenings described in the Balkan Peninsula. For the Bulgarians are almost at daggers drawn with the Servians over the delimitation of the Albanian frontier. Bulgaria claims certain districts whieh Servia has already earmarked as her own; and without considering how far the settlement must depend upon the will of the Powers, the Bulgarians and Servians are ready to fly at each other’s throats. But, dangerous as this quarrel is, it is a small matter compared with the trouble which is now rapidly coming to a head between the Greeks and the Bulgarians in Southern Macedonia. The Greeks have always looked upon Salonika as part of their national heritage, ami they strained every nerve to forestall the 'Bulgarians in the occupation of the city. When the two armies reached the city almost simidtaueously, an actual outbreak of hostilities was barely prevented; and since then the bitter rivalry lietween them has brought them close to the brink of war. Bo long aa the resistance of the Turks Compelled them to co-operate against

the common foe, this difficulty could be kept in the background. But as peace is certain to be concluded shortly between Turkey and the Allies, Greece and Bulgaria have now time and energy to spend on their own private quarrels, and Salonika is the great prize for which both of them have been striving. A few days ago the Bulgarian Foreign Minister declared that Salonika is largely Bulgarian in origin and in population, and the Greeks have answered this challenge by concentrating 120,000 troops round the city and throw' ing up fortifications there. There isi every .probability of an armed conflict, in which Servia would almost certainly aid Greece, because of her old grudge against Bulgaria, and her resentment at what she considers the selfish and unscrupulous policy of Bulgaria. It will be a pitiable anti-climax to the “high adventure” of the Allies if, after overthrowing Turkey, they come to blows with one another; and the Powers, as usual, haring played the jackal’s part, will have no trouble in securing the lion’s share of the spoil. & H.M.S. New Zealand. Tne puoiic functions held at Wellington during the week to celebrate the visit of H.M.s. New Zealand were marked by great enthusiasm, and every effort was made by tne Government and citizens to maKe tne stay of both officers and crew as pleasant as possible. The battleship leaves Wellington on April 23, calls at Napier and Gisoorne, and arrives at Auckland on April 29 at 2 p.m. She will remain at Auckland until May 10, and during tuat time win be at anchor. A second visit will be paid to this port on June 21, extending to June .28, and June 19 is set apart tor a call at Russell. A very complete programme has been prepared for the welcome and entertainment of the ship’s company in Auckland City, and to assist in making the event a memorable one the schools will be closed for two days and children given every opportunity of visiting the warship. © © © Hospitality and Ale. A huge .temperance deputation waited on the Mayor of Auckland last week and ' urged that the. city’s hospitality to the officers and crew of H.M.s. New Zealand should be free from the supply of intoxicants, also. that the Mayor should publicly appeal to the citizens of Auckland to refrain from offering liquor to our naval visitors. The Mayor, in reply, remarked upon the good behaviour of the men belonging to the warship at Wellington, and generally expressed himself in opposition to the proposals. At a meeting of the entertainment committee held subsequently it was decided to adhere to the arrangement already made for the entertainment of the men, which provides that at the luncheon every sailor who desires it shall have a glass of ale. © © © Gain of Population. According to a return furnished by the Government statistician, the population gain by excess of arrivals over departures during the twelve months ended March 31 was 11,957, the arrivals numbering 46,892, and the departures 34,935. The population gain for the preceding year by excess of arrivals was 5,892. The gain from the United Kingdom in the year endcu March is shown as 11,685, and the gain from Australia as six. Arrivals from the United Kingdom numbered 14,169 and departures 2,484. Arrivals from Australia numbered 29,567, and departures for the Commonwealth 29,570. Assisted immigrants during 1912-13 numbered 3,451, details being as follows:—Domestic servants, 1,008, farmers and farm labourers 929, wives coming out to join husbands already in New Zealand 534, and children 980.

13 Q Town a . 3 3 G. O 3 s & *7~*C—, Auckland Wellington Dnnedln ChristdMirvh Invercargill Napier I'eUdlng .. 104,728 .. 71,427 .. 65,69(» .. 82,004 .. 15,858 .. 11,730 .. 3,620 £5,071 8,890 10.527 14,988 5.944 0,864 2,926 0 2 3 3 7 11 16 11 6 8 6 8 2