The Courier. (Genoa, Nev.) 1899-1904, 1900-01-19


The central court of Arbitration has
the power to enforce its decisions, in
case of refusal to obey, and fine up
to 900 can be levied.
THE FACTORIES ACT OF 1894
Provided for the complete inspection
of all factories, the word factory
meaning any place in which two or
more people are employed. Children
under Is years of age are not permitted
to work in factories. The law compels
all employers to grant half holiday
each week, with full pay. Good ven
tilation and sanitary conditions, the
guarding of machinery, fire escapes,
ETC., are enforced. The halfholidays
also prevails in the stores, banks, etc.
OLD AGE PENSIONS.
The last session of the New Zealand
parliament passed the Old Age Pen
sions to all over 65 years of age who
have lived in the nation for 25 years
and are of good character, and do not
possess 81, 700 worth of property, or en-
joy an income of S5 per week. The
pension provides for 800 per year, or
$3.50 for couple, man and wife. 1t is
thought this will be increased at the
next session.
THE LIQUOR TRAFFIC.
The sale of malt and spirituous
liquors is matter of local option. The
law, however, permits no saloons, but
innkeepers may sell under license.
If man is once seen coming from one
of these inns in a state of intoxication,
the proprietor is arrested and fined;
and for second offense he forfeits his
license forever.
THE RAILROADS.
New Zealand built her railroads,
completing the first line in 1868. The
number of miles now in operation is
about 2,300. The building of the roads
was done directly by the nation, and
the workers were, and still are on such
work, allowed to elect their own fore
men. The pay on the railroads aver
ages about 30 per cent higher than
the wages ON our American roads; and
the 5000 railway hands have an hour
work day. You can ride thirty miles
for 10 cents and first class service is
rendered the people. The annual net
profit of the New Zealand railroads
average $2,250, 900.
TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE.
The government also owns the tele-
graph and telephones, the rates being
about 500 per cent less than the West
ern Union monopoly. Both pay a
profit. The workers enjoy the hour
work day and the weekly half holiday.
The government also conducts the ex-
press business to the benefit of all the
people.
POSTAL SAVINGS BANKS
Are feature in New Zealand, and
are immensely popular. Any one may
deposit sums up to $4,000. At present
there is on deposit in these banks "a
sum equal to S45 for every man, woman
and child in the nation. There is no
bank failures. No cashiers go to Can
ada or South America.
PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
The free school system of New Zea-
land ranks high. The law compels all
children over seven and under fourteen
to attend school. There are free high
schools and universities The railways
carry all children who live at a dis
tance to and from school free.
WOMAN SUFFRAGE.
Woman suffrage is enjoyed and it is
the universal testimony that the wom-
en- are equally interested with the men
in all public affairs. The women poll
vote within 5000 as great as that of
the men. If any voter fails to vote
his name is stricken from the check
book until he can give good reason
for the failure.
LIFE INSURANCE.
Government Life Insurance has also
been established with rates much less
than the private companies, and it has
already become so popular that the
government does more insurance bust