Mail Notices.

Mails close for the following, places, as under, subject to the necessary alterations:

TUESDAY, Oct. 28. SAN FEANCISCO MAIL,

For Northern Ports and West Coast, also Samoa, Hawaii, Philippines, Japan, United States, Canada, etc, also Continent of Europe and United Kingdom, via San Francisco (due London Nov. 29th), per Rotomahana, at 5.45 p.m.

Mining.

Dunedin, Oct. 24 Eeturns—Mystery Flat 87oz 3dwt,~ Junc tion Electric Qioz 17dwt, Waimumu 450z 4dwt, Hartley and Kiley 440z, Enterprise I 41oz'14dwt 18gr, Teviot 38oz 3dwt, Enter prise 111370z 2dwt 15gr, -Davis' Bend 330z 3dwt, Electric II 28oz 17dwt, New Alpine Consols 220z, Charlton Creek 21oz 7dwt, Charlton Valley -19oz 7dwt, Waimumu Cen tral 19oz. 3dwt, Golden Kiver 16oz 6dwt, Globe looz 16dwt. Central Charlton 15oz lldwt, Inch Valley I4oz lOdwfc, Waimumu Extended 12oz 2dwt, Inchdale 9oz 17dwt, Spec Gully 9oz Point dOr 9oz.

Dunedin, Oct. 25

To-day's sales—Alexandra Lead 17s 3d, 17s, 16s 9d; Electric 3ls 6d; Pactolus 89s Bdj Leviathan 17s 2d.

Commercial.

New Zealand Stock in Sydney.

Sydney, Sept. 24 One thousand five hundred New Zealand sheep sold at prices ranging from 15s to 245, and one bullock touched £2G 10s.

Ashburton Grain Market.

The Ashburton Agency of the New Zealand Farmers' Co-operative Association of Canterbury, Ltd., quotes as follows on Oct. 24th, 1902: Wheat— Tusoan 3s lid to 4s Pearl... 43 to 4s Id Hunters 3s lOd Oats—Duna 2s 3d to 2s 4d „ Danish ... 2s 3d to2s4d „ Sparrowbills ... 2s 4d to 2s 5d „ Canadians ... 2s7dto2sßd Barley—Malting, prime 2s 9d to 3s 3d Inferior ... 2s to 2s 3d Peas —Prussian Blue ... 5s „ Partridge ... 3s 6d Chaff Goodoatsheaf ... £31756 d to£4 Grass seed—Farmers' ... 3s to 3s 6d The above are prices current paid to farmers on trucks at Ashburton.

The following is the grain report for the week ending October 24th, 19J2-.—

Wheat.—The market has been quiet, and although enquiry for small lines continue to come to hand, millers are buying merely from hand to mouth, and larger lines which however are not plentiful are difficult to place. Prices remain unaltered—Tuscan, 4s; Pearl,43 Id, 4s 2d; Hunters 3s lid.

Oats. —Stocks are practically exhausted. There is keen enquiry for all sorts, milling lines being especially in demand. Quota tions are Canadians (milling) 2s 7d, 2s 8d; Short Feed, 2s 4d, 2s sd; Danes and Danish, 3s 3d, 3s 4d.

Oatsheaf Chaff — Demand still con tinues and prices remain firm, some diffi culty however, is now being experienced in supplying orders, and stocks must soon coma to an end. £4 is offered freely for all prime quality, and £4 2s 6d has we hear been touched.

Timaru Grain Market.

(From our own correspondent.) Timaru, Oct. 24

The wheat market is vory firm, stocks being in small compass. Red Chaff and Tuscan aro quoted at 4s Id to 4s 2d, and Velvet at 4s 3d. Tho latier kind 13 very scarce, and may go higher in price. The market for oat 3is a little livelier on the week, and a fair number of sales his been niiid<>. Qood lines are quoted at 2s 2d to 2s 6J, and inferior at 2s to 2s 3d. Feed barley stiil rules at 2s 9d; malting is off the market. Potatoes aro almost off the list, bun a few sales have been made up to iJ4 ss. At time of writing (Friday afternoon), it is raining heavy, with a very cold atmos phere. Farmers have now had enough of broken weather, and their prayer is for a spell of warm forcing days,

DEATHS.

Baker.—On October 24th, 1902, at the residence of his sister, Mrs Jameg Heasley, Cox Street, East, William Jambs Ward Baker, aged 24 years.—-At rest.

Cameron. —At Dromore, on 25th in«t, Mart Anf, the beloved wife of the late Mr Kenr neth Cameron. Aged 61 years,

Nixon.—On October 19fch,at 3 Baton Place, Cbristchurch, Sarah, relict of the late O. Forbea Nixon, M.R.C.S.E., 8.M.L., late of Maldon, Victoria, and youngest daughter of the late Dr T. 0. Brownwell, of Hobart, Tasmapia,

Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 25, 1902.

We have been shown a letter from the Defence Department to a returned trooper ' C/l the Sevonth Contingent-who claims 1 isoaie £20 for §r?eijf§ of pay—in which he is informed that he cannot get a final settlement until the "pay account " corneas from South Africa. We learn that there are a great many —possibly the bulk of the Contingent—who have not yet been paid, jjnd we know that numbers of the men are jjo?? seeking (Employment in all parts of the colony. "We referred to this discreditable state of things in a former article, but sinc# then an announcement has been officially made that an Army Order has been issued intimating 1 that Colonial officers who have served in South Africa are entitled to re ceive over and above the war gratuity the sum of JjIOOj as a clothing grant. The Order says : " An officer, whether on reserve or not, takon into employment during a national emergency, shall be entitled to a gratuity of £50, and after completion of twelve months' sorvice, a further gratuity for each year or part of a year of further geryice at the rate of £50 a year, if service be given at Home, and .£l9O a year if giyen abroad," That is to say, an officer who went to South Africa with the latest Contingent from New Zealand, and who never had an opportunity of being under fire, op even of going on trek, is entitled to receive a gratuity varying in amount from £50 to £100 -in addition to his ordinary pay. We believe, too, that all the officers have been paid in full, while, as we know, there aro probably hundreds of the men who have not even got the balance of their psiy. As for a gratuity to them, the less said about that the better. The war gratuity, which every soldier was promised, was the munificent sum of £o, and very few of the returned men of the last five con-1 tingeuts have had this. That such an ex traordinary difference between the treat ment of the officers and of the men should be permitted to exist, is not creditable to | the military authorities of the Empire, and ! points to a pressing necessity for reform. War is a business, and there is no business in which men can engage which is carried on with such an amazing discrepancy j in the pay of the various workers. In other ] occupations the rank and file are paid a fair I proportionate wage, but private soldiers who are ready to risk their lives whenever called upon to do so, receive a pittance out of all proportion to the pay of the officers. This is a scandal to the nations which permit such a condition of affairs to prevail; and it is to be hoped that in the near future the position of the soldier who goes to fight the battles of his country, will be very greatly improved. If the British soldier received more generous treatment, the standard of the army would be greatly improved, and j unless we are much mistaken, this is a pro- | blom that will soon have to be deivlfc with,

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

On the first page to-day will be found Interprovincial News and the concluding results of the Asbburton races; on the fourth page. Cable News and Social Column.

Weather Forecast. — Captain Edwin wires: - Gale from between west and south west and south-west and south; glass rise j weather continue cold.

The Writs. —The notice of the dissolu tion of the present Parliament will be ga zetted on November sth oc 6th. The writs for the General Election will probably be issued about the 11th November.

St. Stephen's Chtjrch.—The services to morrow at St. Stephen's Church will be con ducted by the Rev. T. A. Mathews, of St. Luke's Christchurch. Holy communion will be dispensed at 8.30 a.m., and the morning and evening services will be held as usual. There is to be a children's service at 2.30 p.m., and baptisms at 3.45 p.m.

The North Express.— Owing to the large number of excursionists returning to Christchurch lust night, extra carriages were put on at Ashburton, the consequence being that the train was delayed several minutes. The length of the train, however, made it a little difficult for it to start, but after a short delay it was soon on its way again.

Miss Florence Balgaenie.—Our read ers will notice from our advertising columns that Miss Balgarnie is to give her final temperance address, in Aahburton, in the Oddfellow's Hall to-morrow evening at 8.16 o'clock; As the subject -" My liberty and other peoples liberties "-—is of absorb ing interest, and great importance, it is to be hoped that a large number will avail themselves of tho chance of hearing such a talented and accomplished speaker as ouc lady visitor, dealing with it.

Seaview.—On Tuesday afternoon the residents of Seaview had the opening day of their tennis. The weather was all that could be desired, and a number of visitors were present. Great interest was taken in the play, and all seemed to enjoy themselves thoroughly. A delightful tea was provid ed in the schoolroom by the members of the club. This was followed by a social even ing. Ping-pong and games were indulged in. Songs were given by the Misses Eva Stewait, A. and 13. Moore, Messrs B. Dal t^n and W. Keeleyj recitations by Miss G. Taylor and Master J. Keeley. MrG. Wilson's gramophone was much appreciat ed, as was also Miss N. Stewart's step-danc ing. A few hours dancing brought a very pleasant evening to a close.

Candid Advice. —In inviting electors to consign the junior member for Dunedin to political oblivion, the " Star" emphatically says: " Be- his ordinary political views what they may, we regard Mr Barclay's conduct during the war and his attitude during the patriotic movement as an essen tial and final disqualification for the position which he seeks to occupy, and we hope and believe that a majority of the electors will endorse our criticism."

The Barque Tijiaru.—With reference to a paragraph published yesterday, in which it was stated that a whiskey bottle picked up on the Hokianga beach contained a piece of paper on which the following words had been written : —" Bar que Timaru; severe gale, sprang a leak Tuesday—G. Harris," a representative of the owners of the missing vessel Timaru states that no man of the name of Q. Har ris was on board the Timaru. The bottle is considered to be a hoax.

E.uapuna.—On Thursday night a healthy spirited meeting was held in the Eaapuna flail. The attendance was very fair, but was somewhat interfered with on account of a concert being held :it Lisinore the same evening. Tho programme consisted of recitations, songs ? a dialogue, and two speeches by Miss Addis and Eey. R. Eaine. Convincing arguments were adduced, and pretty well all were convinced that no- Hcense would be a great boon to tho country. Mr Allau, seur., occupied the chair, and Miss McLachlan presided at the organ.

Valedictory. - Yesterday afternoon the parents and friends of the children attend ing the Winchmore school met to bid fare well to Mr George Cromie, who has been teacher of the school for several years, but has obtained a, better position in the North Island. Mr J. S. Bland, the chairman of the School Committee, presided, and after complimenting Mr Grpmie on the success of his work in the school, presented him with a purse of sovereigns as a token of esteem fqr his long and viable services as a teacher in the district. Mr? G. Digby ala.o testified to the good qualities of Mr Cromie. During the evening songs wore sung by Messrs Glassie and C. Capon, and a reoita £ign was given by Mr Digby.

Obituary.—We regret to have to, an nounce the death of Mr William j. Baker, son of Mr James Baker, late of this town, and a member of a family which has been resident in Ashburton for nearly thirty yeaiw. Mr- William Baker was quite a young man, haying been born here, and not yery long a<jo he, in conjunction with his brother, Jlr Mont Bnker, took over his father's business when he left for the N/orth Island. The deceased was qnjy 24, an.d was much esteemed throughout the district as a most promising young man. Ha had been in indifferent health for rather more than a year. 3?ne funeral will take place to morrow afternoon at 2.3Q o'clock.—Mrs Ken neth Cameron, widow of-Mr Kenneth Came ron, whose death was recorded iv our issue of Monday last, passed away this morning. The deceased Jady had been ailing for some time previous to her death, and itjspro bablo her ond was hastened by the death c£ her husband.—A Napier telegram announces the death of Dr J. S. Caro, aged 71. D^ coased, who was a native of Poland, came to the colony in the early 3" GOpN ruqncing the practice of his profession ix Dunedip. Ho wm the first to introduce tho anti-toxin treatment into New Zealand. Dr Caro was a brother-in-law of Mrs Henry Willis, of this town.

News in Brief.

A nickel watch, picked up on the race coarse yesterday is at present at the Polico Sfcotion awaiting an owner.

The Government poultry expert states that owing to the demands •on the part of exporters, good fowls that could be readily obtained at about a shilling each a year or two ago are how saleable at 2s 6d.

One hundred and thirty-nine informa tions against parents for failing to Eend their children to school came before the Court at Wanganui yesterday. In most of the cases the children were kept at home in consequence of illness. A3 the parents had failed to obtain exemption certificates, the Magistrate had no option but to fine. He expressed the opinion that the law needed amendment.

The National Mortgage Agency Co, Ltd., Christchurch, announce that they have added to their business an auction depart ment, under the charge of Mr 11. S. Bourn, who will attend the Addington and country stock sales. Mr Alex Hewson is the local representative, ami will receive entries for the wool and stock sales.

The entries for the Timaru Show, to be held next week, total 818, an increase of 30 on last year. There is a falling off in all live stock entries, and an increase of 102 in the implements. A movement is on foot at Christchurch to make a presentation to Professor Bicker ton on the occasion of his leaving Canter bury College at the end of the present year. We would like to mention the window display now being shown at the ever j popular Blue Boot Store, which consists. almost entirely of ladies' footwear for the present season. Mr Stook has made special efforts this week to please the ladies, both from an artistic and monetary point of view, and as a natural consequence informs us he has quite a run on feminine footwear. The prices, quality and style are right, and should appeal irresistibly -to all ladies iv search of something new for this season.

POLITICAL.

Mr John Studholme, Junr. at

the Oddfellows' Hall

Mr John Studholme, Junr., one of the candidates for the Ashburton seat, ad dressed the electors at the Oddfellows' Hall last evening. The inclement state of the weather militated against the attendance, which, nevertheless, was fairly good. His Worship tho Mayor oocupied the chair, and in introducing the candidate said they were present to hear the views of one of the candidates for their suffrages. He was sure that all present were intensely interested in politics, otherwise they would not be there on such a night. This was the third meeting, and Mr Studholme the third candidate, and there was to be a fourth. He had no doubt that the electors of Ashburton would have sufficient dis crimination to select the best of the candi dates offering their services. In Mr Studholme, they had a candidate who was born New Zealander, (applause), and if elected he would no doubt do his best for them. He had much pleasure in intro ducing to them Mr Studholme.

Mr Studholme, on rising, was received with loud applause. He said that at the outset he might as well confess he was a poor speaker, but if they elected to send him to Wellington, he could lessen that failing, which would be brought about by compulsory practice. Hw had so far held, back from coming forward until the last moment in the hope that some farmer with more political experience, and one posses sing the necessary qualifications, would come forward to offer himself to fight for the views which he, and he believed the majority of the electors in this district, would be found to hold. In the first place, they all knew he was a farmer, and he stood there to-night in the farmers' inter ests, which interests were inseparably bound up with those of the town. (Hear, hear.) He could have chosen to make his home in two or three places in New Zea land, but as he had picked out the Ash burton district wherein to live, that fact alone showed that he was possessed of a fair amount of common sense. He fairly claimed to possess several of the qualifica tions essontial to the representation of a district like Ashburton. (Hear, hear.) He was proud to be an Ashburton man. He had represented Ashburton on local bodies, and had attended ds a delegate at the Agricultural and Pastoral Conference held in Dunedin. As he was a local man, all his interests were centred here, and so far as it rested with him his interests would always remain here. (Applause.) He had been associated with the Ashburton county since his earliest recollections, and as far back as 1870. Though until now he had not been able to give that time to politics ho would have liked to, still he had always taken the keenest interest in political matters. He would try to make himself as clear as possible on every point, and if he was not clear on any matter that he was expounding, he hoped those present would "have it out" with him before part ing. (Hear, hear.) The first questian he would touch upon was the matter of

CUSTOMS TARrFFS,

which should be looked at from a broad standpoint, New fyialand was a. producing country, not a manufacturing one; the result of our exports clearly proved the truth of that. He asked them to glance at the value of their exports and see for themselves. While we had natural advan tages over most other countries for the production of raw products of high quality, such a3 wool, meat, dairy produce, etc., the conditions were unsuitable for the develop ment of most kinds of manufactures. He would quote a few figures. In 1900 the total value of our exports of colonial pro duce and manufactures was .£13,055,269; of this, produce amounted to £12,505,907; and manufactures to only £549,343, of which flax and agricultural implements, both unprotected industries, accounted for .£346,182, which left only .£203,160 as the total value of our export of protected manufactures. Our exports have to meet a world-wide competition. The factors which regulated their price lay altogether out of our control. We could not afford to raise the cost of living by the imposition of protective tariffs for the sake of a few manufactures. To his mind it would pay to pension off all industries that lidded to the cost of living. One case in point was that of the soap and candle manufacture. In this colony only 232 hands were employed, wh/ile the duty pn the imported article was £16,000. A reduction in the Customs tariff did not necessarily mean a reduction in the xevenue. In any case they should not mako a violent reduc tion. Last year our customs taxation equalled 20/39 per cent, of the value of our imports, and produced 74*47 per cent, of qnr revenue. In Victoria, though the Customs taxation was only 10*82 per cent, of their imports, a little more than half what it was in New Zealand, the Customs produced nearly 78 per cent, of their revenue. Ho favoured the gradual reduc tion oj 'all protective tariffs to, a point at which they would become purely revenue.

LAND LEGISLATION.

Jt was one o,£ the most important Blatters, in poj+neocjon with the cjev^opiitenfc of this country, was land settlement, and the success of our land legislation depended on the number of people we got settled on the land. He strongly favored making condi tions oi settlement fts §:*§y 3-s pqssible. (Hear, hear.) Our land laws, should specir ally aim at attracting the largest possible number of settlers tq the land, He heartily supported the Lands for- Settlement Act, and the voluntary acquisition of large estates. Keviewing the land policy of the Government as a whole, he considered that it was satisfactory, and in conneotion therewith ho hoped the Government would go on as 1 hitherto. The Vil lage Homestead system hud been most i satisfactory. It was a good system, and he expressed a hope that it would go on in the future as it had 4°3 c lv c PB®t; then, there would be nothing 'to qomplain o£ fiio. his mind, people were put on the land too poor. Mr March, in his report just issued, stated that out of a total sum of due for rent and interest up to the 31st of March last, 448,374 has been paid, leaving only £740 in arrears, and that the value of the improvements to date was £128,000. This result was very encourag ing, and he hoped that Mr March's sug gestion is contained in his report would be carried out, which would be found to be of great benefit to farm labourers. This would enable farm labourers to have homes vvithin reach of their work, by purchasing §mall blocks of land, containing 40 or 50 acres, and thus provide homes for the farm labourers. This should help to remedy one of the greatest evils of cur country districts, viz., the want of accommodation for married farm labourers on farms or she§p stations. He would advocate and favour loans being granted at small rates of interest to farmer 3 who are prepared to build cottages for their labourers. Touching upon the ques tion of lease in perpetuity versus the freehold, he said that he was strongly in favour of the leasehold tenure, for the simple reason that it was the easiest way to start people on the land. When, however, the settler had ma^e'the improvements required by the Act, he should be given the option of the freehold. (Hear, hear.) To his mind, every boy who worked in the country haa a natural ambi tion to have a bit of land that he can really call his own, which was a healthy ambition, and one that should be encouraged by all means. Another advantage of the freehold was that it gave the farmer a savings bank in his farm, and, which was be^t of all, provided an ever-recurring fund for the purchase of further lands for settlement. He favoured ear-marking the money that was paid to the State. An objection was persistently made that the option of the freehold would lead to the aggregation of blocks into large holdings; this, he thought, was a groundless objection. It could easily be guarded against by restrictions in the title. A lot of the ex treme party rave about the option of the freehold. Those who had the option of the freehold, never wanted to give it away for the option of the leasehold. It was said that thero was a cry that this was a dodge on the part of the Oppositionists.' How ever, the tendenoy is rather the other way,

as every week the newspapers are full of ( advertisements of the sub-division and sale of large sized farms. The lease in perpetuity seemed to him to have nothing to recommend it. It gave a poor return to the State, and the leaseholders had no security against the bad faith of any Government, and the compulsory re-valua tion of their interest. The rights of all present holders under this system should be strictly respected, but he thought that no further land should be parted with under this tenure. But he would say, in passing, that the conditions of the Govern ment should be carried out to the letter. He favoured the discontinuance of the present system of giving the option of the freehold. (Applause).

EDUCATION.

He was not in favour of any reduction of the education grant. The Colony could nob afford to be economical in this way. We must see that we got the full valuo for our money, and he expressed the opinion that there was much room for improvement in this direction. There seemed a tendency for boys in the country to try and get into the towns. Our present syllabus had the effect of making many boys and girls dis satisfied with country life, and longed for what they imagined were the greater interests in the towns. He though fc that every boy and girl who resided in the country should have their conditions of education made as attractive as possible. Education Boards should have more power of administration. In the State schools in agricultural districts he would like t© see text books on agriculture introduced, and to have such teaching illustrated and made attractive by lectures from competent agricultural experts. This would not aim at making the children farmers, but at instilling into their minds a love of the country and of the common country objects, and besides, the wish to take up work in the country. This would open if only by a little, the door o£ ignorance which shut out the child from the real fairyland of nature, and from any con ception of the wonderful forces at work in the common objects around him. .

THE UPPER HOUSE,

The Upper House had degenerated into a sort of " Old Men's Home" for the Premier. (Laughter). He should say that some reform was wanted, or it should be abolished altogether. Making it elective on the Hare system for a term of six years would meet his views, half of the members to retire every three years. It was mon strous that the Premier should have the sole power of appointing men to the Upper House. At anyrate, the sooner it was made elective the better.

DEFENCE,

A good deal had been heard and spoken about a standing army in New Zealand. There was not the slightest need for any thing of the kind. Our troops had done good work in South Africa, which proved that we could safely rely upon our Volun teer system as a means of defence. The Government should do its best to encourage Volunteering and Rifle Clubs by allowing a liberal capitation grant, which should not be dependent upon too exacting requirements. Another thing that Govern ment should recognise, and that was that efficient Volunteering entailed a consider able amount of self-sacrifice. There was no influence better than a good corps in the district, —a jsorps similar to the A.M.R. (Ap plause), of which he had the honour to belong, and he could say that he was proud to belong to such a company. (Ap plause).

THE REFERENDUM met with his favour, but twelve months' notice should be given before submitting a definite issue to the people. The Bible in schools question, for instance, would be b 3tter decided by the referendum.

LABOR LEGISLATION

Speaking generally, he was in favour of the great bulk of the Government legisla tion, including the Labour Acts passed by the Government. The Arbitration Act would in the end prove of great benefit to the country. It would work better as time went on, and do a vast amount of good. The successful working of the Act depended chiefly on the class of men that were appointed to administer the Act, and the way in which the parties connected there with accepted the decisions of the Court. (Hear, hoar.) The Opposition, however, deserved some credit for the way those Acts were placed on the Statute book.

GOVERNMENT LEGISLATION.

Mr Studholme said that much of the past legislation o,f the Government met with hia favour. At the present tim.e legislation was not so important a question as were those oj

r.IN4NCE 4ND ADMINISTRATION,

He was afraid that finance was a dull question, but it was an important one never-the-less. Everybody had to study the question of finance, no matter whether it was in connection with their domestic affairs or otherwise, Both our debt and taxation were steadily increasing, in regard fy> the total sum and in proportion to the population. Besides this, our ordinary expenditure was growing at a much greater rate than our revenue. In 1891 the debt per head was =£59 lls 10d; in 1901 £62 16s }od, an increase Qf £3 5s per head; an.d on March 31st last it had. made a further ln.tsrea.se in one year of £2 15s 6d per head. In 1895-96 our taxation stood at £3 7s Id per head; last year it was i>3 19s 8d per head. In the face of this., what was. the - good of boasting about concession^ when a_ large sum in increased taxation was facing them, (Hear, hear.) Then again, our ordinary expenditure in 1896-97 was slightly over four and a half millions, and this roge in 1901 to £5,479,000, and increase of a million in four years, This year's estimate waa sis millions, showing a further increase of half a million since March 31st, 1901, while if Sir J, Ward's estimate proves correct our revenue during the same two years will only have increased by £ 177,000. As our expenditure showed a larger increase than our revenue it was plain we must retrench. One would suppose that this large increase in the ordinary expenditure would help to r.edupe jhe amount of bprrovfed mgney re? quired for publiG works. But it appears that the Opposite has beW thg case. ' When Mr §ed<Joij siiocf&detl #iiij'Ja$ s % JBaUauce in 1893, it was proclaimed 1 *fcbafc £he Inten tion qf the Government was to s^ick to the self-reliant policy as laid down by Mr Ballance, and continue withqut, furbhej? borrowing, In their first year half a million was spent qn publio works, and each succeeding year the amount had in* Qreased until last year it Tiad'jumped to two millions, and this year it |s proposed to spend'a similar amount. If we sttll went on at this rate, what would be the condition of the country? They ' should, remember that this lar^e increase had noti occurred when thay had trying times, They had had good prices, and were fur» ther enhanced by windfalls. Sir J. Ward said that'"the Imperial Government had spent iwo millions in the colony. New Zealand was also favoured by the Austral lian drought, winch helped to raised the price of om* exports, and by tie foot and mouth disease in the Argentine, The time to borrow was in the time of depression, It would never do to go on like that; the finances should be put in order and at onoe. Our credit would be greatly injured if the English capitalists pulled us up, and refused to advance further, except at a high rate of interest. The fact was almost lost sight of that we had a total indebted ness -public and private—of over 100 millions, and that therefore any increase in the rate of interest would enormously reduce our private incomes, which"*would consequently seriously affect our wages fund, and reduce our spending power. Sir J, Ward had stated that we could not go slow, but must put on " full speed ahead," ' and if borrowing were reduced, a wave of depression would set in. This was not held by Mr Seddon, who in last year's financial statement appeared very uneasy, saying that the then rate of interest could not go on. He (Mr Sfcudholme) likened the country , to a galloping horse, with Sir Joseph Ward in the saddle, who would eventually run himself out. If obstacles ' were put in the way Sir Joseph Ward i would bo compelled to go at a safe pace. The system was rotten, and must be chaugeil altogether. The mftth*d' of our expenditure was the worst feature of the whole position. Very little hope could bo held out of any improvement unjess they

went to. the root of the evil. The allocation of the borrowed money showed a great; want of system, and this want of system degraded the whole work of Parliament. The will of the Ministry, and not of Parlia ment depended on how the money was spent, and this was decidedly unsatisfac tory. In connection with THE PUBLIC WORKS STATEMENT, Mr Studholme B aid that it was generally postponed till near the close of the session, and the knowledge that the allocation of the fund depended on the good-will of the Government could not but have aeon siderable, though possibly unconscious, influence m determining the attitude of members towards Government measures' their most subservient followers, however, like many in Canterbury, did not always come off the best, for the Government did not require to consider them in their alloca tion so much aa their more doubtful sup porters. The evil effect made itself felt throughout the country. Each constituency knew that a large amount of scramble money would be voted, and that it would have to bear its full share of the burden, whether it received any of its benefit* or not; consequently it was only natural tot each district to bring pressure to bear on its member to get as much voted as possible, and among a large number of electors the value of a member was gauged purely and solely by the amouni^of this money he was able to divert to his district. Thus every thing would pull together in the direction of increasing the public works expenditure, and of shaping the allocation, not with a view to what was best for the country, but what was best for the Ministry, and for each individual member. He did not accuse either Ministers or members of personal corruption. What he did say was that it was impossible to conceive the invention o^ a system more likely to lead to wasteful ness, extravagance, log-rolling, and corrup tion. The practical outcome of this system was just what one would expect—an ex penditure in driblets by doles of a few miles to numberless little branch railways all over the country. The construction of important main trunk lines, .whose chief value lay in the through traffic between two large centres, and which have brought in a very small interest on the money expended so long as they are incomplete, compared to what they would when finished, are gone on with at a snail's pace, while the money is frittered away in adding a few miles to political branch lines all over the country. What would be thought of a farmer who sub-divided his farm by adding yearly a few chains to a number of in complete fences in various parts of his farm/ instead of f enoing off one paddock at a time? If any part of New Zealand had cause to be dissatislied with the present systems it was surely Canterbury." A Christchurch paper recently caricatured members of the Farmers' Union a3 " the Premier's .working bullocks." Canterbury might still more aptly be likened to a milch cow for the rest of the Colony. Mr Studholme said that Canterbury was one of the largest contribu tors, and the smallest participator in the general scramble. He said that last year the following amounts were voted and expended in different parts of the country under the heading of roads and bridges :— Auckland spent .£53,346; Te Kniti £2§,856 voted, £21,534 spentj Hawkes Bay £55,237 voted, £38,978 spent; Wanganui £46,324 voted, .£23,869 sponfc; Marlborough £29,903 voted, .£14,449 spent; Westland .£47,650 voted, £21,829 spent; Canterbury ,£25,812 voted, and only £5,584 spent. The ques tion was: How can this system be altered ? Very easily, if the Government wished. Why could not a permanent Railways Com mittee of the House be appointed, com posed of an even number of North and §outh Island members, who represent con stituencies having no direct interest in any of the incomplete lives. This committee could make a thorough examination of the conditions affecting each line, paying par ticular attention to the question: What interest on the cost of construction -the extension or completion of each line would foe likely to give ? Parliament should then" then devote the whole of the available money towards the completion of the line most favourably reported on; when it was finished they could take up No. 2, and so on. All lines which showed no prospect of paying their way in the immediate future should be dropped. •',,.;

PUBLIC WORKS.

Then, with regard to the construction 6f roads and bridges, Mr Studholme thought that the Public Works Fund should cease to have any control or jurisdiction in this matter. Parliament should first decide what the country could afford, and should then vote to all County Councils and Road Boards alike, a uniform subsidy in the £ on local rates . collected, such sums to be handed over to the local bodies, and expended by them much in the same way as subsidies are* granted at pre sent, so adoptisg the principle of "local ex penditure^ local control^ .• Any . districts that wished to raise additional money for useful public works could dd scr by loans under the^ " Loans to Local Bodies Act,*' A few distiicts in the North Island might require special help; this could be obtained by earmarking the territorial revenue pro duced in such districts for this purpose. If the above reforms were carried out, he felt confident that there would be both con siderable reduction in the amount ex pended, and also a large increase in the re turn value for what was spent, "At the same time an endeavour should oe made to economise in our ordinary expenditure, and members might weir lead the way byvre ducing their honorarium to £200.

GOVERNMENT ADMINISTRATION.

In the matter of Government administra tion, he thought that the point most in need of reform was the method of- appoint ment of our civil servants and Government employees. Under present conditions,, if a man sought Government employment, his surest way waa to ingratiate himself "with the member for his district. Sometimes members, in their post-sessional addresses, when enumerating their list of services to their constituencies, laid special stress on amount of money they have got for ffoeb district?, and the number of appoint ments'they_ h&yQ en able *P secure fop tiheir constituents,'" A'men|beV ; should^avQ no more say in. the appointmeftkofjeyeii an omceboyinthe Government service tha^ any one of his constituents, The speakei then went on to say ;thati a Minister of the Crown once remarked to Him after a stormy debate in the* House over an appointment, tha't,'though Ministers might occasibniiUy show a little laxity in /^heir methods, v people only knew the number it apjjUca? tions .they do refuse, and' the pressure pf all kinds they do resist^ they would calj them saints, aacl not rogUe.B. •It behoved W3 to keep our legislators out of the, way of temptation, and that wa could do'a gooq deal in this direotipu-by placing, the .entire oontrol of all appointments in the Gfoverh heut service undera Clyil Seryjoe Board, M's.H.R to be ineligible; the tenxpre of office of members should lie made as. s^cijjr.«| as'the'judges* This' method "had be£n fijq Qxibt'enc^ in Yi°toria £°r 28, years,' Queens? land for 15,' and New South Wales for about 10, The best talent should be drawn into our public service, but how could we expect this, so long as the tenure ;of office in any way depended upon the caprice of ministers and members ? (Hear, hear.)

THE CO-OPERA.TIYJ! SYSTEM

Ho thought there was good ground for the demand made by the Farmers' Union that a Royal Commission should be set up to investigate the working of the co-opera tive labour system. The case of the Mako hine Viaduct proved that something ought to be done in that respeot. In connection with that work the Government refused a tender from a private firm for £48,000, the work to be finished in two years and a-half. They elected, however, to build it by co operative labour, with the result that it took six years to complete, and had cost the oountry at least ,£72,000 and possibly a good deal more.

PUBLIG REVENUES AMENDMENT BILL,

.A s far as he could see, the aim of the Government appeared to be to concentrate all pDwerand all patronage into their own hands. That should be resisted by all true Liberals. A case in point was the,]?ttblic Revenues Amendment Act,'of 1900, which, was a 'most dangerous nifsasure, and one which should be repealed with the least possible delay. In passing this meastttej

THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN: SAHJRDAY, OCTOBER 35,190*.



F. FEREIMAN. FOR SALE. HA YE LOCK STREET WEST, ASHBUR TON. IHA.YE received instructions from- Me Geeen (who is leaving Ashburton) to Sell his property situated as above, com prising one quarter acre of land and a comfortable Dwelling of 6 room 3 and Bcullorv. My instructions are to effect a speedy Bale. The price is reasonable and easy terms of payment can be arranged. Full particulars on application. F. FERRIMAN, Land and Estate Agent. * SAL-f" WILLS STREET WEST. I HAVE received instructions from Mr F. H. Beckingsale, who is leaving for Wellington, to Sell his property situated as above, comprising Town Section 1135, con taining one rood and a modern built Dwel ling of 6 rooms, bathroom, pantry and wash-house. The grounds have been well laid out in gardens, and from the admirable situation of the property it is well adapted for pur chase either as an investment or for residential purposes. To Trustees in search of a sound invest ment this property is well worth attention, as it will return a good interest on the purchase money. Fall particulars can be had on applica tion. F. FERRIMAN, Land and Estate Agent. FOE SALE, A GOOD Sheep Farm of 800 acres, with good bnildings, near to School and Church, and within an easy distance of a railway. F. FERRIMAN. FOR SALE. WILLS STREET, WEST; IHAVE received instructions from Mr William Sparrow to sell his two sec tions No. 682 and 583, situated in Wills Street, West. Ihe sections are "well fenced and are admirably Situated, facing the Domain and ■within a minute's walk of the Railway Station. Terms can be arranged to suit pur chasers. F. FERRIMAN, Land and Estate Agent. FOR SALE A FARM of 640 acres, in good heart; fences in first-class condition. F. FERRIMAN, Land and Estate Agent FTIO Let or for Sale, at Tinwald, corner with a four-roomed House, i acre section, near to the School and facing Graham's Koad. F. FERBTMAN, Land and Estate Agent T" AM instructed by Mb Haab to Sell his comfortable home on the N.E. Town Belt. This property is cheap and well worth your inspection. E. EEBRIMAH, Land aDd Estate Agent BUSINESS NOTICE?. Removal Cheap Boot Sale. THOMAS YOUNG WISHES to remind his numerous friends and the public that he has removed to the shop lately occupied by Mr Nokes, in East Street, next to the Bank of New Zealand, where he wiU continue liis Boot Sale until the 10th of November. Two shillings in the Pound.olf all sales for cash. Why do you go about in,^.a n when you ■ can get your Boot 3 made sat T. Young to fit your feet. Repairing done with despatch. T. YOUNG, Ulster Boot Shop. East Street, Aahburton, ASHBURTON NURSERY. HAVING- taken over the above old established Business, lately carried on by Mr Thomas Sbalt, -we trust by strict attention to business to merit a contin uance of the liberal support accorded to ; trim in the past. G. and C. CLARK, NURSERYMEN, ASHBURTON. Ashburton, Nursery, 11th October, 1902. H GRESHAM, SURGEON AND MECHANICAL \ DENTIST. By Examination, October, 1897. > JNIGHT yeara experience -with E. G. and i F. W. Gresham, Dentists, Dimedin . and Invercargill. j Has commenced practice in rooms j upstairs from the entrance to Thomas' Auction Rooms, Burnett Street. Stoppings in Gold, Amalgam, and Cement. Gold and Porcelain crowns made ,• also sets of teeth with Vulcanite and Porcelain gums. Gas administered. All work guaranteed. Hours of Attendance —9 a.m.—s p.m. Private Residence—Care Mrs Grant, Willd Street. \ , ~~Z_l -I 111 lI 1 J—l =—l j Helpless with n Rheumatism ■ j You've tried liniments and prescriptions without result. Now . . . CURE YOURSELF with THE GREAT ... CANADIAN . . . SEAWEED CURE. A medicine and Not a liniment. ; A Quick and Permanent Cure. ; SOLD BY ALT. DEALERS At 3/6 pir Bottle. Sole Agent for Australasia: GEO. W. WILTON, Wellington. 6 LADIES' second-hand Eicycles wanted as part payment on " Swifts." Best prices in Tancred Street.—Eclipse Cycle Works. -|7|OR tip top value in Boots try Mei-lok's Jj Zealondia Boot Store. *



Friedlander tros Ltd TT7 E have for PRIVATE SALE— j Several blocks of Suburban Properties ranging from 6 .acres to 40 acres.^, 5 For full particulars apply to FRIEDLANDER BROS. Ltd. "TTTTANTED—One hundred Tons of Oat Straw Chaff. FRIEDLANDER BROS., Ltd. OFFICES TO LET. XT'] E have conveniently situuted Offices V\ to Let, iv West Street, .at low I rental. FRIEDLANDER BROS., Ltd. CHAFF. TIT ANTED — OATSHEAF, for^lmme- VV diate Delivery. Friediander Bros, Md. BRING- your Lawn Mowers. We grind them true in the lathe. We did about thirty last year. Mowers sent for and delivered same day.—Eclipse Cycle Co., Tancred Streets



BUSINESS NOTICES NEW STRAWS NBW STRAWS Just Oprxkh pie^^^L^^K Just Opened.. jusi ufjiiNJiu. ICJLOnUIfeB SM*W£T $ ■ ft 50 Dozen Straw Hats, 50 Dozen, Boys' White and Speckled Straw Hats is. Men s White Straw Hats 3s. Men's White Straw Hats 4s 6d Men's White Straw Hats up to 8s See Window, Special Bisplav. Ladies' Folding ; traw Hats 6s 6d. The latest fashion, :o: .. .New Zealand CSothing Factory SHEEP SHEARING SEASON. THAVE JUST LANDED MY SEASON'S SU P P.L T OF 3s 6d. SHEEP SHEARS, 3s 6d including T.U.S. and 8.8.A., N.Z., with plain and perforated grips, Turkey Oil Stones, a splendid sample. Sweet Oil. Branding Oils—Red, Black, and Blue, in 1 and 5 gallon drums; Raddle, Lamp Black, Etc. LAWN MOWEES in great variety, from 22s 6d to 55s each. GARDENING TOOLS of every description at reduced prices. BOWLS! BOWLS! BOWLS! As the season has just opened, I cordially invite inspection of my stock—Taylor's first quality only kept. SEWING MACHINES lam solo agent for the celebrated " Davey" Machine; 7 years' guarantee ; Hand £3 10s ; Treadle from .£6 10s to 10s. Call aud inspect. They are worth looking at. G. M EDDIN S, The Peoples' Ironmonger, Burnett Street, ODDOsitsfArcade. ZEALAroii CYCLES Simply Perfect, \ | ADB from B.SA. Parts, specially for New Zealand Eoads. Bettor than any im ported machine for the every day cyclist. Fitted with latestjGarrard Free Wheels, with patent Back Pedal Brake, Dunlop Vulcanised Tyres, Brook's Saddles, any style Handle Bars, Pedals, Gear, Etc. Our 1903 Models now on view. GATES, LOWKY & CO., Largest Cycie Makers and Importers in New Zealand. Ashburton Branch—Burnett Street J. WILSON'S I ™L™»™ New S ews I WALL PAPERS Have Arrived. And will be Opened up This Day, September 12th. Simply perfect in Design and Colour. The Papers are quite different to anything ot the sort before imported into this jtown, and vastly superior. *gT The Prices are the same as for Ordinary Paperhangings. Borders and Frie'.es to Match. Persons desirous ot choosing from the full stock, but not intending to use the Papers for seme time, may have them laid asi ie until required. Adulterated "Water , e.t  . IS NOT a thn^ that would commend itself. If a glavs of it were put before you this moment you would probably sicken. Adulterated water is impure water, stagnant water, foetid water. As yoa would not drink adulterated water, why drink Adulterated Tea? You run a risk of drinking adulterated Tea every time you drink China or a blend. i The first comes fr^m an unreliable people audha3no guarantee; the second is as often as not some stale China freshened up with a little Ceylon. If you want to drink Pure Tea with a Reputation, DRINK lill : Grown in Ceylon, a British colony. It is packed in lead on the spot, in order to preserve ifcs freshness and fragrance, and each package bears trua name of the Company as a guarantee. ' mRVANA m The Tea Par Excellence, and you should never drink any other. J. T. COOCH, Sole Agent.



WANTED, SEVERAL LADIES about to purchase Summer Shoes to have a look at our WINDOW DISPLAY of this season's Foot-wear. OUR LEADING LINES at 8s lid and 11s 6d have the snap and style which always appeals to the feminine taste. ID. STOCK'S BLUE BOOT STOEE, Burnett Street. Note—Discount Coupons for Cash. j Permanent Building and Invest- j ment Society. j r OANS GRANTED W% QM LJ ■ I i>2s and upwards at current rates. i Pull particulars on application. j Office —Tanorad Street. Office Hours—' 9.30 a.m. till 4 p.m. First Tuesday in : Month - 9.30 a.m. till 4, p.in; and 1 till 9 p.m. ALBERT ROBERTS, Manager.



Smoke New Venus