SETTLEMENT.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XVIII, Issue 4, 23 May 1890, Page 16

SETTLEMENT.

to go up. From this it appears that, although there is certainly a demand for land to settle on, somehow or another this demand is never satisfied, and, go where you will throughout the country, you will find the people in all districts deploring the neglect of settlement. Altogether this is a strange state of things. The people want settlement, demand it, have the power of enforcing it, as they are the electors who send up legislators to Wellington, and still settlement does not obtain so as to satisfy the legitimate aspirations of the people. We must say the people themselves are entirely to blame. If they were in earnest, and sufficiently intelligent, an end could and would be at once put to this neverending complaint. No class, no party, no ministry could for one Session resist the earnest demand of the people through their representatives. But it will be asked by certain politicians, is there really a demand for settlement over and above what is really taking place ? and these politicians will point to the hundreds of acres ready for settlement in the North Island, and in the north of this Island. We are hardly in a position to decide whether this fact will really answer those others who say that the present Government does not encourage settlement as it ought. We only know for certain that the demand in this Province has not been satisfied. For example, there was a sale of 31 holdings the other day in the Waste Lands Court, and for these there were applications from 151 individuals. No matter, then, how many hundreds of acres are available, if they are really availal le in other parts of the country, it is clear that in Otago hundreds of men willing to become settlers on the land cannot obtain land from the Government, although millions of acres are either lying waste or employed in feeding comparatively few sheep and cattle. What is the reason of this ? Is it neglect, or is it because the party in power prefers to play into the hands of large graziers and land companies ? We do not know. But people there are who attribute the worst of motives to those in authority, and we think it is for the interest of all concerned that every excuse for such charges and attribution of motives should be removed at once. We are slow, indeed unwilling, to think that leading politicians of any party would set themselves to obstruct settlement. At the same time we think that all parties could, were they a little wiser, do a great deal more than has yet been done to facilitate the settlement of the people on the land. Land in sufficient quantities could, we think, be easily set apart for this purpose,and we further think something ought to be done to break up large holdings in the vicinity of towns so that these should no longer be immediately surrounded by a few enormous blocks in the hands of one or two individuals or some large land company, which serve, as it were, as a cordon of brass to prevent the prosperity and growth of these towns. Of course, we are not to be understood as even insinuating that the least injustice should be done to the owners of these blocks ; but the public interests demand that no man should be permitted to hold land to the detriment of the public, and consequently proprietors such as those to whom we allude should be expropriated on adequate compensation being given,in order that people might be placed on the land to make it more productive and more valuable than ever sheep and cattle can. At all events we hope that no time will be lost in making such arrangements as will give intending settlers a fair chance of obtaining land to cultivate and on which happy and prosperous homes may be established. There can, we think, be no doubt that the demand for fairly sized farms is very much in excess of the supply, whilst there is land in abundance in the country for all who wish to settle in it. To us it has always appeared a wonderful thing that the fight for the right to settle on tbe land should be permitted to continue from year to year. The unwillingness to afford sufficient facilities for settlement is in our eyes a species of unwisdom which could hardly be expected in men having even the least knowledge and experience, but that it should be found in grown-up men of the world is altogether past our comprehension. But, as we said above, the people most to blame are

IE necessity for the settlement of people on the waste lands of the Colony is so obvious, and the demand for it bo argent and universal, that it passes comprehension to find that non-settlement is a periodical grievance. In all the past years the demand has been : Pnt the people on the land. And, nevertheless, the same cry continues

the electors, who, if they were intelligent and really in earnest, coald rectify this matter at the polling booths, and yet neglect to do so.

The Bishop of Dunedin requests us to say that the dispensation for the nse of flesh meat on days of abstinence and fast, on account of the 'prevailing la grippe, has been withdrawn, and that consequently the faithful shall be no longer permitted to break the abstinence and fast.

On Sunday next, the feast of Pentecost, Pontifical High Mass will be celebrated by his Lordship the Bishop, in St. Joseph's Cathedral, Dunedin, at 11 a.m.

The movement of the railway servants to obtain from the Commissioners redresß of grievances complained of by them, is one of the chief topics of the hoar. Tbe men complain of the employment cf boy labour, long boors, and piece work, and propose to tbe Commissioners measures of relief. All tbe points complained of are undoubtedly objectionable and such as public opinion must support the men ia their demand to have remedied. The Commissioners, on their part, seem disposed to consider the case, but require as one of their conditions for dealing with the association formed by tbe men that none but railway employees Bhould be admitted to it — a demand for which there seems inadequate cause and which mast act against tbe interests of union and arbitration generally. Tbe matter, moreover, is not one merely affecting the railway employees and the Commissioners. It narrowly affects the whole Colony, tbe travelling portion of which, for instance, iB personally interested in the reduction of^ the long hours of which the men complaia, and which, among the rest, involve a serious danger to the lives of passengers.— Boy labour also is a general question of very great importance. — We agree, nevertheless, with the opinion expressed that the Association did wrong in not sending delegates as requested by the Commissioners to discuss the matter with them. The excuse given, moreover, that the men sent would become marked men appears weak and unworthy. If it were only that the force of public opinion must prevent anything of the kind, its weakness would be evident, and besides it was hardly just to the Commissioners to brand them with malevolence before they had done anything to deserve, or, indeed, given any sign of deserving such a stigma. We are glad to find that the men deprecate the intention attributed to them of going out on strike, and it is to be hoped that all temptation to do so at any time may be averted by a rational settlement of the points in dispute.

The report of tbe Sweating Commission, which is now published, although, three of the Commissioners dissenting, it states that sweating properly so-called does not exist in the Colony, still shows a grave state of things. The employment of boys and girls, and in Borne instances even of children much under the age up to which the Education Act requires their attendance at school, is one of the prevailing evils. " The employment of these young persons to the exclusion of, skilled and trained workers is the chief grievance among artUane," sayi.tbe report. A hint to fine ladies is given in the clause dealing with apprenticeship. Ycung girls, we are told, in the millinery and dressmakiDg establishments give their services for the first year for nothiDg, and the second year for 5s a week. At the end of that time if they aek for an increase of wages they are in many cases discharged and other young girls are taken on in their place?. But is it not melancholy to find such associations connected with the elegant attire in which our belles are appropriately arrayed. Laces and satins should take quite a different appearance when they are put together, even with the greatest taste and skill, by a system in some degree savouring of white slavery. But, what seems more unfortunate still, we are lold that the Bame system prevails also in mechanical trades for men " Boys called apprentices, but not indentured, begin at a low wage' and there is nothing to provent their being discharged by the master, or leaving of their own accord, without sufficient knowledge of the trade. They, however, go into competition with other journeymen, not only, as is alleged, to the discredit of the craft by their inefficiency, but to the cutting down of wages." The report makes several recommendations for tbe amelioration of matters, of which the principal is an amendment of the Factory Act. It also expresses sympathy with the movement to secure early closing. On the whole, although things were not found quite bo bad as may have been feared, they proved to be quite bad enough, and the position of the laboui ing classes is shown to bo anything rather thßn what might be desired. The important question is : Who shall solve it 1 What arc the chances of amelioration 1

A mektino in advocacy of Trades' Uaionism was held tbe other evening in Dunedin under the auspices of the Trades and Labour Council, Several speeches were made, the speaker in every instance

displaying eoond common sense and moderation. Testimony, among tbe rest, similar in effect to that of the Sweating Commission was borne ai to tbe influence of the Unions in ameliorating tbe condition of tbe labourer. An assurance was also given that the working-men understood their own interests too well to do anything to drive the capitalist from tbe Colony, as some people feared, and thereby to deprive themselves of employment. One of tbe speakers very pertinently recommended the working people to look into the antecedents of Parliamentary candidates, and withold their support from men who were not their friends. It is to be hoped that, in acting on this advice, as they will be wise to do, the working classes will not lose sight of tbe land question, in whose right settlement their interests are deeply involved, and which must form a first object with every legislator who is their Bincere friend. On the whole, what was said at the meeting was both instructive and interesting, and such as wa9 well calculated to make a favourable impression as to the objects and results of the system under discussion.

We regret to learn that the Rev. Fathei O'Connor's progress towards recovery from his recent illness is not so rapid as could be wished. Somewhat severe general prostration has followed upon the attack of influenza, from which the rev. gentleman suffered some weeks ago. On Sunday morning last, thinking that he could conquer bis indisposition, he got up in the morning, intending to celebrate first Mass in Kaiapoi, but was obliged to give up this intention owing to physical inability to carry it out. He was quite unable even to say Mass in his own church at Rangiora, and so substituted Benediction o* tbe Blessed Sacrament instead. It ib to be hoped the rev. gentleman's illness will Boon pass. In the meantime he baa toe Bincere sympathy of his many friends, and their earnest wishes to see him speedily himself again, and fit to don harness, which, indeed, he is not at preFSDt.

We would remind our Canterbury readers that the great gala in aid of St, Mary's Church, Manchester Bt., Christchurcb, will take place in Lancaster Park on Monday jnext. Father Le Menant and the Church committee have been moving heaven and earth to make the affair a brilliant success. They have contrived to secure a complete monopoly of all the sports for that day, so that holiday-makers will bave little choice in respect to where they Bhall go to enjoy themselves. If they intend to go to any place where there will be amusement on her Majesty's birthday, they will perforce be obliged to go to Lancaster Park, for Father Le Menant has drawn every source of athletic pleasure into his net. The programme of the fete has been planned on a most gigantic scale. All that is required now is fine weather. If the sun happen to shine on the 26th the crowd will come, and if the crowd come Father Le Menaut will reap a golden harvest for his new church. The great enterprise which he has shown ia carrying this matter through in the face of many adverse circumstances certainly deserves success, of which we wish him the very fullest measure on Monday next.

Evkn Mr. Gladstone, it would appear, is not quite infallible, as the following cablegram, under date London, May 13, if correct » may inform us:—" Mr. Gladstone, in his address to the Cobden Club, expressed his regret that the colonies had not accepted the leßSons of English experience. Having, however, excluded goods, it was only to be supposed they would exclude men from their territory who competed with their own artisans, who did not consume alcohol, and who worked hard for less money." The allusion is, of course, to the Chinese. It is, meantime, somewhat remarkable to find Mr. Gladsione fall into th) common error that, because the excessive consumption of alcohol is the source of endless evils, abstention from its use involves tbe possession of all the virtues. There are men who in all sobnety are guilty of deeds that would disgrace any habitual drunkard. Still more surprising is it to tiad Mr. Glandstone virtually approving of a low scale of wages— a matter which we certainly had not expected from him. But it is impossible to find absolute perfection, and with this consideration we must comfort ourselves, if this cablegram prove a just report.

From the report of a concert recently given at the Thames, and which will be found in another portion of our columns, we learn that Miss Josephine O'Reilly, a young lady well koown in the musical world of Sydney, and who has taken a distinguished place as an amateur there, has proved in Auckland her full right to the high reputation as a vocalist enjoyed by her. Miss O'Reilly, we may add > iB a near relation of the Bey. Father o'Reilly, of the Thames.

Dr. Babjjabdo, we conclude it is Dr. Barnardo, although his name is not signed to the circular forwarded, sends us a copy of " Night and Day " for March, with the intimation thac he will greatly esteem any notice with which we may favour him ia our columns. The notice with which we favour him, and we do not know whether he will greatly esteem it or not, is once more to waro

our readers of the nature of his institution. It is a " bird's nest " of the most flagrant description where Catholic children are detained against the will of their parents, and where every effort is made to pervert their faith. No Catholic deserving of the name, so long as Dr. Barnardo's institution rightly owns this reputation, can possibly Bnbscribe one sixpence towards its support, or do anything whatever in aid of it.

The Irißh party have had a victory over the Tories. Not a very important one, it is trne, but still one to be taken as an additional straw among several of late moved by the changing wind. The occasion was that of the moving, by Mr. Fox, M.P., forTullamore, of the second reading of the Labourers' Bill for Ireland, and which w»b carried, notwithstanding Government opposition, by a majority of 26 in a thin House. We do not set very much store by this victory, but still it is decidedly something gained, and, what is more, we have heard it stated at its least value through a hostile medium— the cable agency,

It is conso'ing to find that Sir Charles Dilke, who, we understand, is an authority on the subject, considers that these colonies aTe prepared to encounter the brunt of war. Speaking the other night at a meeting of the Boyal Colonial Institute, Sir Charles, we are told, referred to Australia as the safest part of the empire, and relatively the best prepared for war. A weak point, however, was mentioned by the speaker which, perhaps, some of us had not conBidered,— that is, the attractions of the Westport coal mines, whose fame as providing fuel for steamships is evidently very widely spread abroad. Sir Charles thought the mines ought to be defended. The hint, no doubt, will be taken into consideration by the authorities concerned .

Count Capbivi recommends bullets and Bibles for the civilisation of Africa, and another notable interested in the condition of the continent seems partially to agree with him. Speaking the other night at the London Guildhall Mr. Stanley, the famous explorer, condemned what he called the " Quakerism and namby-pamby journalism, which were thwarting enterprise ia Africa." The utterance appears to confirm certain reports of Mr. Stanley's methods of proceeding in the country alluded to, which it was to be hoped might prove unfounded. H3 is evidently an advocate of the bullets, whatever may be his opinion as to the probable influence of the Bible. A momentous crisis in the history of the native tribes has certainly set in, and there are too many analogous cases on record, to leave us in donbt as to what must be its issue. With or without Bibles, bullets will speedily be on the wing.

It iB announced that the strike of the Queensland shearers has come to an end, the squatters having temporarily agreed on terms. The magnates in question have bsen wise in thtir action, and will prove themselves still wiser if they enter into a lasting agreement The force opposed to them is far above their strength

Is the Emperor William's effort to keep hia promise of ambnding the condition of the working classes to be judged by the announcement made by Count Capri vi, that military service will be made compulsory on all the men of the Empire without exception 7 If such be the case, his Majesty evidently lakes an original view of what he has pledged himself to. The crushiug armament of the country is already one of the chief causes of the workingmen"s Bufferings, and it's increase must aggravate the evil. After all it would seem that the coercion by which Prince Bismarck is accused of having encouraged the growth of Socialism, is to be continued under another form. Like causes, nevertheless, will probably produce like results.

The solemn exposition for public veneration of the relics of St. trancis Xavier, preserved in the Cathedral at Goa, East Indies, has been deferred until next December. '1 he ceremonies on the occasion will be characterised by much pomp. Thousands of pilgrims are expected to nock to Goa. "

Judge Murat Matterson was at the Lelani the other day, direct from the city of Mexico, says the Chicago Tribune. With him is Don Lum Huller, who is the Vanderbilt of Mexico, though a Vanderbdt would have : little standing in his family, for he prints a golden crest at the head of his note paper which has distinguished such a long line of Haller Dons that the memory of man does not begin to rua back to the first of them. Don Luis is of the bluest-blooded Castihans. He lives in a castle at Tacuba, the little town but a few miles from the City of Mexico wbere two other of Mexico's wealthiest men live— Antonio Escandon and Sebaston Weir. Don Ha Her owns and occupies the famous Villa De Barron. The place is really a palace. The house has fifty rooms, and its construction is on a scale of magnificence equal to anything in Mexico. The grounds alone cost 600,000 dols., and the whole place several times that sum. Most of the interior finishings were imported from Europe, i and even (he stone carvings for the doorway and the great gateway into the grounds weie in oorted. Even with all this magnificence for a home, the owner spends much of his time in Europe, ac js oa his way there now to jo ; n his family.