The Gisborne Times. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. MONDAY, JUNE 29, 1908. THE OPENING OF PARLIAMENT.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2229, 29 June 1908, Page 2

The Gisborne Times. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. MONDAY, JUNE 29, 1908. THE OPENING OF PARLIAMENT.

Unfortunately-the last session of the present Parliament does not provides an inspiring theme, In the ordinary course of tilings the majority of the 83 M-P's and 40 odd Legislative Councillors will bo on hand at Wellington to-day, but a number, like the laggard school boy, will saunter along a day or more late. Proceedings will commence with a Governor’s speech, which, followed by the timehonored precedents, may be expected to constitute a voluminous array of verbiage, devised more or less skilfully, to conceal the intentions of the Government. Then will follow the Address-in-Roplv, .in which n Government supporter will arise and with all the eloquonce at his command proclaim the beneficence of the Government and its legislation, to he followed in turn by an Oppositionist arguing on percisoly the opposite lines. Once fairly launched upon the sea of debate this vague and superfluous motion will be made the excuse for woarisome speeches on all sorts of subjects under tho sun. Suffering undor the peculiar delusion that the populaco is burning with frantic desire to peruso “Hansard” line by line 03 that most dreary of all public records comes to 'hand, the M.P. delivers himself of lengthy speeches that be fondly hopes will 'have a marked effoct in winning votes at tho coming election. -Later on this self-same member begins t 0 feci dobutful, if, after all, Ilia speeches, .so faithfully roported in “Hansard,” have been as widely read as he hoped, and, if read, whether they have quite -the effoct lie anticipated. Then reports, moro and more persistent, reach, hie oars of the activity of an opponent who is endeavoring to rob him—yes, “rob” is the term —of his seat by energetic and insidious canvassing. He begins to wonder .if, after, all, a speech appearing in print has the effect of the spoken word, and presently he is on pins and needles to get back to his constituency where he can personally take up again the electioneering campaign at which past successes havo proved him to he a master. The business of tho country—Ah! that is an entirely different matter. It, of course, gets some consideration, hiltlie plausibly assures his conscience Unit the best method of conserving the welfare of the country is to retain his sent in Parliament. ’lf strictly catechised as to his Parliamentary performances ho would ha ye to confess that hi 6 only claim to renewed support would be that ho hail voted straight as a party man. Tlw>t he really set himself in earnest work for any singlo roform could licit be contended for a moment, and if it was suggested that in this respect there had been tan omission ho would blandly -lay the blamo upon the Government which mainly controls tbein trod uction of legislation. This, after all, is merely tho exenso of an indolent and half-hearted individual who lias not tho energy to accomplish anything. Wliat this country wants more -than anything else is an almost entirely new 6et of legislators—keeping a few of the best of tho old hands whoso experience in -regard to procedure would be especially useful —who will bring a. new lot of ideals with them to Parliament House. There are too many representatives in -Parliament who -have held their seats So long that any real enthusiasm they may have had for tlieir legislative work has died long ago and who have consequently degenerated into a poor* type of professional politician. Tho worst feature of the Seddon regime was that it tended to perpetuate -this undesirable feature in our politics, for that groat Parliamentarian whose memory is fast fading into oblivion would not tolerate independence of thought or action amongst his followers, and in return his remarkable personality was able rto secure their re-election. Now, however, the situation is completely changed, and tho people of the Dominion havo -a unique opportunity of choosing for the next Parliament men whose qualifications will amount to something moro than the more ability to string a few sentences together in plausiblo and convincing fashion. In place of those wh 0 believe that they have sufficiently fulfilled -tho duty of their high office by voting on party lines and battling for a -local bridge, post office, or telephono bureau, wo want men who have some clear and definite ideas as t 0 tho national needs of this young country, .ami who are prepared to work unceasingly to get them carried into effect. No one expects that the present Parliament is going to belie its past- reputation by doing anything of this sort. Tho Government will give a lead and the rank and file will willingly follow by refusing to deal with anything that is at all likely to jeopardise the elusive vote at the end of the year. Such burning questions ns immigration, defenco, local government, fostering of ’ manufacturing industries, and a reconstruction of financial methods with a. view to inducing moro selfreliance will probably never he mentioned. -Possibly our labor laws will bo tinkered with, hut no one hopes that a 'Government which has so often nailed its colors to tho mast and so promptly taken them down again is likely to come forward with a really statesmanlike proposal -upon the difficult problem of the relationship of employers .to employed.. TVe are told that what with the fear of new candidates in the constituencies and hard seats in Parliament House the session is likely to he a short one, and- if this is ail accurate conception of the position then the most satisfactory feature of the session which opens today .is that it is the last of tho present, Parliament.

The fourth session 6f the prosont Parliament will bo opened by His Excellency tho Governor (Lord Plunkot) this afternoon at lialf-pust two.

The Gisborne Racing Club has accepted tho tonder of Mr. M. O’Grady for taking charge of - horses at tho steeplechase meeting to bo held next week.

The reveuuo recoivcd at tho Custom House, Gisborne, last week was: Customs duties £905 15s, light dues £l3 14s lid, shipping fees £1 2s Oil, Harbor Board revenue £l4l 4s 4d, other receipts £65 0s 2d; total, £ll2O 17s 2d.

Tim following new subscribers havo been added to tho Telephone Exchange: 110, Gisborne Brick Company’s Works, Kniti; Puha Bureau (one long, one short, one long ring), 22 miles. Amended: 8, Dr. Gerard Smith. Derby Street; 422, W. Grahnni, Salisbury Road ; 507, Borough Council, Road’s Quay. Deleted: 110, V. S. Lardolli.

Tho Ancient Order of Foresters purpose holding a social gathering in Whmray’s Hall on Thursday, July 3th, when a pleasant evoning is anticipated. TJio committee appointed I<> tako tho matter in ha nil met on Saturday evening, when all the details in connection with the function ivero arranged. Tho catering is to bo in tho hands of Mr. Wootton, and the dance music is expected to bo. a foaturo of the gathering.

At the Police Court, oil Saturday morning, before Mr. W. A, Barton, S.M., a man named John Mcllroy, for a second conviction of .drunkenness within six months, was fined £1 with 2s costs, or as an alternative 4 days’ imprisonment. On. a further charge of having used obscene language in a public place, Mcllroy was fined £5 and costs, in default 14 days’ hard labor.

The Prohibition party are sanguino of carrying no-license in at least ten electorates next November, states the Dunedin correspondent of the ‘-‘Lyttelton Times.” The districts whore they are expected to succeed, or go very close to doing so, are Gisborne, Wniptwa, Hutt, Patca, Wellington Suburbs, Hawera, Taranaki, Paliiatua, Masterton, Oroua, Selwyn, Chalmers, Taieri, Bruce, Aivarua, and Wallace.

A man named Michael 0 Halloran was brought before iMr. Barton, S.M., at the Police Court on Saturday, charged with drunkenness. Sergt. Hutton said that it was a peculiar case. Accused was subject to fits, and had been seized with one on the previous day. Ho was drunk at the time, and medical aid was summoned by irresponsible persons. Accused was brought to tlio Polico Station, "where he was visited by Dr. Collins. O’Halloran refused to go to the hospital, and was rather violent anil abusive. Ho bad fits frequently, and was incessantly about tho hotels drinking. His Worship remanded accused until July 4th for medical attention.

Mrs Nicholas Longworth (Miss Alice Roosevelt), according to an uncontradi'cted story published in the American Press, has greatly scandalised the Diplomatic Corps at Washington by her idea of wliat constitutes a practical joke. A few days ago (says the “Daily Mail’s” correspondent.) she was" sitting in tho gallery of the -House of Representatives when she found a tintack. The proceedings wore intolerably dull, and tho daughter of the President relieved the monotony by placing -the tack, in tho ceutro of an empty seat in the diplomatic gallery. Shortly after a frock-coated, diplomat, whose name as not given, arrived, sat heavily oil the tack, and rose again in frantic liaste. The diplomat gazed furiously in thedirection of Mrs Longworth, who, however, was looking the other way. She anil her I ', husband left a moment later, delightedly grinning at the success of the joke.

•“There are a number of people coining hero who are simply business pirates,” declared Mr. Napier, at a meeting of the Auckland Harbor Board last week, during a. discussion of tenders. “They have no business premises,” he went on to say, “but simply rent-offices and act- for people abroad. It would he unwise of the Board to encourage them. We should encourage our city merchants, who have established businesses, and who trade through us and pay rents, and not allow people to come in and cry out- for a share of the Board’s business when they have no stake at all in the country. They are nothing less than trade pirates from America and elsewhere, and their number is increasing. A great fraud was penetrated "oil the Railway. Department and tlie Public " Work’s Department once through brands of a certain article not being specified in the tenders.” “I remember it,” remarked the Hon. E. Mitchelson. “I was Minister at .the time.” Mr. J. Keen joined in the discussion, with the remark, that some two or three years ago a. certain brand of oil was rejected on board one of the Board’s vessels as useless. The same oil was taken'hack on hoard 1 in another drum, and was pronounced to bo the best yet received.

Tho ißuenos Ayres correspondent of tho “Lyttelton Times” writes as follows, under date April Bth:—“Your readers ought not to forget ..that we have in this Republic an -immense tract of sheep-farming country,' known as Patagonia. Here fortunes have been, and are, being made. Lately, I have heard a. great deal of this southern- portion of South America. Land there can he obtained from the Government at 2s 9d por acre, payable over a period of ten years. This of course is undeveloped land, and a: great distance hack from the ports. There are' parts of Patagonia where the pasture is very rich, and which are only awaiting the advent of tlie railway to send to the coast a continuous stream of produce. Facilities of transport are wliat are required, and the lmllock cart must ho got rid of. Lately they have been trying steam" haulage, hut, what with the cost of fuel, and the condition of-the roads, it is far from’> success. Perhaps some do not realise how easily -Sandy .Point in the Straits of Magellan is reached from New -Zealand, nor how quickly tlio services of those who understand the ■management of flocks are solicited. New Zealanders are greatly ill demand, not only in this part, lmt all up the sheep-farming parts of Chile; no one need regal'd the language as a bar to immigiation, ns it is greatly spoken in these parts.”

An example of the process by which emigration liad benefited the people of (Sweden as a whole is furnished to a reporter by the Swedish Sociologist, Mr Johann Hanssen, who is now on a pilgrimage through New Zealand. Up to 1820 or 1830 the vast forest tracts .in the north and centre of the country belonged to the State, and then they were divided among the peasants or small farmers. Presently came free-trade in England. and improvements in transport facilities. Rich men saw an opportunity to make themselves richer, companies anti syndicates bought from the peasants huge tracts of forest for practically nothing, because the 'holders did not realise the value of the land', and thus during the last 40 or 50 years most of the forest areas in the north and centre have been monopolised by greatllsa wmill companies and other combines. The sequel was that Parliament passed a law prohibiting companies from buying up any more of the lands,, unless they seemed the Government’s com sent. A lever which moved the Conservative plutocratic Upper House to agree to this bill was emigration. The members were dismayed by the number of departures', and' were prepared, to make any sacrifice to keep good Swedes in. their native land. The’same, factor had ■ assisted to set other good legislation for the people. In 1905 came in the Advances to Settlers Act, by which working men Who hoped to establish themselves on the land could get loans up to about £320,

AH arrangements are well forward in connection with the Gishorno I’rivato Band’s second social, to be liold to-morrow night in His Majesty’s Theatre. Tlio following gentlemen 5 have consented to act as judges for : the waltzing' competition: Messrs A. Sawyer, T. McConnell, and H. Miller. The prizes, consisting of lady’s handsome gold brooch and gentlemen’s gold sleeve-links will bo presented by Ilis Worship the Mayor (Mr. W. D. Lysnar).

A church parade of tlio public school cadets was held yes to relay morning at Holy Trinity Church. There was a muster of about 120 boys, under Major Kinder, Captains Leslie and Olson. Tho fall-in took place in front of tlio Drillsliod in Lowe Street, and headed by tho Gisborno City Band tlio boys .marched to tlio Church, and attentively listened to mi appropriate sermon preached by the Vicar (tho Rev. L. Dawson Thomas).

• Tho directors of tho Kia Ora Dairy Company met «. number of shareholders at tho company’s office on Saturday afternoon to discuss tho best site for a. creamery to be built at To Aral. Mr. J. A. Caesar occupied tlio chair, and it was decided that a committee of directors should visit tho settlers and inquire as to the best site that will suit all suppliers. The committee will visit Te Arai on Thursday next, and an advertisement notifying settlers of the meeting appears in to-day’s issue of the “Times.”

An accident of a serious nature occurred on Saturday afternoon to an old mail'named J. Edwards, an expressman. Ho was attending to his horse, which was attached to the express, at his residence in • Roebuck J?oud, when the animal became startled aiid bolted, knocking Edwards down. Tho express went over him, the wheels passing over his body and head. Medical attendance was at once summoned, and it was found that Edwards’ injuries were of a serious nature, anil Hint lie was suffering severely from shook. The latest information was that he was in a precarious condition. The horse, when it bolted, went through the gate and continued its mad career along Roebuck Road. It then upset tlie express and kicked itsolf free, and was finally captured shortly ; Iter.

A meeting of the committee of the Gisborne branch of tlio Farmers’ Union and Farmers’' Union Club was hold on Saturday, there _ being present: Messrs Lysnar (chairman),' Cameron, Bell, O.J.- Parker, MacLaughlin, and E. Langford. Tho financial position was discussed, and it was decided that an effort should be made to strengthen the branch and to centralise the work to tlio Gisborne branch in place of the branches near at hand, such as Patutahi and Ormond, which have become practically defunct. It was stated that unless tho farmers amalgamate better in tho future than in the past there would be serious danger of the Union drifting into such a position that it would be o! very little aid to the farming community. It was reported that there was £SO in the bank to credit, and accounts for that amount were passed for payment, leaving the club with a liability of £65.

"While strolling through the streets of Hastings recently, accompanied by a European, the 'Maori Prophet Rua, pointing to a Maori woman, who was evidently under tlio influence of liquor, said: “See that! you are 'responsible for that disgrace.” "Not me,” replied his companion, “I have nothing to do with it.” “Well, your countrymen have,” said Rua, “you will see nothing like tbatvjn mv lcaingA, but wherever Maoris mix with Europeans harm comes of .it.” Continuing, Rua said that it was his endeavor) to teach his people to lead a right, sober and industrious life.

‘‘Thero was nothing “infra dig.” in tho work, was,there?” suggested Mr Wilford during the course of his crossexamination of a gardener who was giving' evidence in a Magistrate’s Court ease at Wellington ,in reference to a dispute over the formation of a lawn. Witness looked puzzled for a time, and then <a flash of intelligence swept over his countenance as he replied with spirit: “Indeed, there was as hard digging in that job as on any other job.” Counsel and His Worship exchanged glances, His Worship remarking dryly, “That was lost.”

Curious as to the method the Salvation Army has of awarding rank, a “New Zealand Times” enquirer on Monday learned that an apparently junior officer—gauged by military standards —is frequently a scrior. For instance, a “colonel” is scrior to a “brigadier.” There : s, of cense, no such rank as “brigadier” in the British army, nor -are mere row ‘ ensigns.” An ensign in the Salvation Army is senior to a captain. The reason-for these apparently anomalies is that in the early days of the organisation-all sorts cf people were made captains and lieutenants and majors. Young people with train grew up, and there were not otough titles in Hie British Army category to go round, 60 that old terms had to bo revived, and are used by the organisation to suit its conditions.

Speaking of yachting in New Zealand to an interviewer shortly after his return to England (writes the London correspondent of the “Lyttolton Times”), Captain A. A. Dorricn-Smith, D. 5.0., who recently spent some time in the Dominion, mentioned that AVest-country people fond of this recreation might be interested t 0 know that probably the most delightful place in the world for yachting was in the Hauriki Gulf. It was studded with islands, and. was full of beautiful harbors, in which navigation was simple, for the water was deep close an. shore, and practically there were no submerged rocks which could not be clearly seen. Moreover, fog was unknown. The days were warm, without being oppressive, and the nights were always cool. “It is, in fact,” he said, "the yachtsman’s paradise ,and onlv rivalled in beauty by tlio Inland Sea of Japan.”

An amusing incident, disclosing ail interesting phase of the cash trading system in Gisborne, which, however, is not operative in all trades, was narrated to a “Times” reporter yesterday. A certain baker was informed by the man who supplied him with milk that there was “ a small (?) amount” of some £o odd owing by him for milk. The milkman also added that it had been owing for some few months, and further pointed out. when requesting a settlement, that he win. compelled to pay cash for his bread, if not in advance (by mbans of the coupon .system), 1 at least on delivery of the .broad. This appeal evidently touched the heart of the nian of flour, and he intimated to the milkman his intention of settling the debt at nil early date. A few days later the milkman was agreeably surprised to receive a rather bulky communication from the baker, but on opening it his feeling of pleasure quickly changed to something totally dissimilar, as lie found the missive to contain bread coupons to the value of £5 odd in settlement of the account. The recipient of tlie letter, when he recovered, saw. tlie humorous side of tlie situation, hut as he found, on making calculations, that it would take him considerably over six months to convert the coupons into bread, and that he would consequently be paying the- baker cash in advance for that period, he. eventually decided to return them with a request- for a more satisfactory settlement of his account.

At the Labor Party meeting on Friday, after the usual speech, it was pointed out that the trades unions have provident funds to which men have contributed for years, and bv reason of their, thrift can" buy claw hammer handles for threepence each at Parnell’s Popular Saturday Sales, Independence Day only.

For Bronchial Coughs t&k~ 'Woods’ Great Peppermint Cure. i. <4 6d.

The question of joining a proposed federation similar to that of the waterside workers is .at present under consideration by the local Slaughtermen’s Union, and it has been practically decided that should a federation be formed the Union will associate itself therewith.

The .southern approach to the Roebuck Hoad bridge, which has to be crossed by pedestrians, lias been in. a very bad state, but tho Council staff commenced the formation of a footpath on the approach during last week. It is now nearing completion, and will bo of much convenience.

As a result of tho recent dispute over the lightering of cargoes, arrangements have been made, a “Times” reporter was informed, to work tlio s.s. Tomoana to-day without tho aid of members of the Waterside Workers Union. It is understood, however, that thero is a probability that a slight increase on the terms of tho award lately made by the Arbitration Court will bo given shortly.

“"When I came to Now Zealand four years ago,” said Mr Jaques, the Government canning expert, in Auckland, “there wero only fourteen canneries: there are now twenty-seven, and tlie increase in value of their output last your was £40,000. The market is not yet by any means supplied, but could take ten times the quantity without the need to export a single tin.” "

A meeting of tlio East Coast Trades and Labor Council was held on Saturday evening, there being a largo attendance of delegates. The constitution and rules as drawn up by u sub-committee were adopted with slight alterations, and it was resolved that tlie rules he printed. The secretary was authorised to procure a seal and all necessary stationery. It was resolved that the election of officers be held over until Hie next meeting, July 11th, in order that delegates may be appointed by the several unions in accordance with the constitution. In reference to a circular urging support to the “N.Z. Worker” as a workers’ organ, it was' decided to take no action. A letter was received from tlio Labor Department, in response to the Council’s request, stating that in future citation forms and all other necessary forms required under the Arbitration Act would be stocked by the local Labor Office, thus avoiding the necessity of applying to the Clerk of Awards at Auckland. A number of congratulatory letters were received from ’ various Trades Councils on tlie establisbnient of tlio local Council. The agenda paper to be considered at tlie meeting* of the New Zealand Trades and Labor Conference at Wellington oil July 20tli was received, and it was resolved that consideration of the matter and also tlie questions of affiliating with the conference and appointing a delegate be deferred until the next meeting. It was decided to hold the meetings of the Council in future *lll Townley’s Hall. The matter'of an alleged evasion of the Shops and Shop Assistants Act was brought up, and it was resolved that the local Inspector be written to on the matter. A vote of thanks to Mr. Darton for the free use of his rooms was carried by acclamation, and the meeting-termin-ated.

MODERN BUSINESS. A Dunedin firm, has imported; a dictograph. It records what a "business man has to say in the shape of his letter or communication am! transmits it. to the typist with tlio most trifling manipulation on part of cither tho communicator or the typist. The “Otago Daily Times” says that the principle of the dictograph is virtual!,y"tliat of tho ordinary grapliqplione. A cylinder, free of impression, is placed on tlie machine, and the mechanism set- in motion. The distation then commences through a receiving tube attached, a ink as with tlie talking of a - praphophone record, the Cylinder receives an impression jbf what lias been said. The cylinder is then passed on to the typist, -who places it on a- second- machine, and, with a receiver to her ears, held in position by a small hoop, sets the machine in motion simply by pressure on a rubber ball, which is attached to a tube, and which lies at her feet. What is contained on the cylinder is received by the typist, and she types accordingly. Speaking at a fairly rapid rate, one cylinder can be spoken on for six minutes, and, furthermore, each cylinder can bo used no fewer than eighty times by, on each occasion, putting it through a third machine, which scrapes off just the ’mere surface. Possessed of a dictograph, the business man may dictate his letters at will, and as rapidly as he chooses. A large amount of correspondenice may be dealt with ill a very brief epace at night time, and the cylinders left ready for the typist in the. morning. Tlie whole device bristles with good points, is simplicity itself, and the three machines which make up the combination are compact and portable.

EASY DIVORCE. In Japan divorce seems to be much easier-than it is here (says the “Sydney Morning Herald” of 17th List.). It was stated jin an application before Air Justice Simpson for leave to dispense with service of a citation to. a Japanese, who had lived in this State, and married a wife, whom ho left here some years -ago on -liis Tetlirn home, that, the law of Japan is that husband and wife may become divorced by mutual consent; but, if one or other is under tho age of 25 years, then the consent of the guardian of that person is necessary. In- a- case recently in which the application was made, tlio respondent, when he was shown the citation, wrote the following lucid letter:—“Dear Lady,—After we married on 23rd April, 1902, although then I had no will to leave you alone there, I returned to Japan without any information to you on account of some reason. Since then I had a will- whether to go there or to call you near here, lint, could not carry out for several other reasons. Now that you have demanded me the dissolvement of tho contract of marriage, I do consent to do so, in accordance with your request. So I hope that you would take the process you deem proper to dissolve the marriage on this letter. If this letter alone bo unfavorable, please inform me_pf the important points. Then I will resend a. -letter as soon as your information is to hand.”