The daily journal. (Salem, Or.) 1899-1903, 1900-05-19


and receive wages averaging 30 per cen
more than for the same service In thu
United States. You can ride 80 miles IN
q, st-class coach for 10 cents. Though foi
the most part the railroads run througl
sparsely settled districts, yet the yearly
profit 10 the government is over $1,000,
600.
Telegraphs and telephones also beloni
10 the government, and though th'
rates are from so to SO per cent lees thar
here, the government derives profit.
BY the way, railroads are required 4
carry students to and from school ans
the higher institutions OF learning free
In 1893 the Industrial Cancellation anC
Arbitration act received its final amend
ment. The law encourages the forma
tion OF trades unions, which are regis
tered. A central court Of arbitration
IL provided with power 10 enforce its de-
cisions by fines up 10 AZ, 800. Since this
law has been In effect there has
never been a strike. The Factories act,
passed ia 1894, provided for the COM
plete inspection Of factories, and where
ever two or more persons worked was a
factory. Ventilation, sanitary condi'
tions, fire escapes and guards about ma
chinery were insisted upon. No child
under 10 years can be employed. A
Saturday halfholiday with full pay foi
the day is required and half-holiday
prevails in all kinds Of business.
The Employers Liability act protects
the workers and provides a compensa.
ton for injuries. The Workmens
Wages act enables the laborer TO obtain
his wages "a hours after they are due.
In 1891 "Pluck-me" stores we're abol-
ished.
The Shipping and seamen's act does
for sailors what the Factories act does
for workers in the factories.
In 1895 wages below $40 week were
exempted from attachment for debt.
The Coalminers's act provides for
working the mines with health and
safety 10 the miners, and forbids the
employment Of women and boys. Every
possible safeguard is thrown around the
the working men and women Of New
Zealand.
In the last session OF the New Zealand
legislature pensions we're voted 10 all
over 65 years Of age, who have lived in
tho nation for % years, are Of good
character, and do not possess 1900
worth Of property, or enjoy an income
Of t5 a week. The pension is $50 year,
or $3.50 for man and wife, and will be
increased ut the next session. That fear
which haunts us all as we grow old, that
We may have TO go 10 the poor house, IL
removed In New Zealand, and every one
can be sure that in old age they will be
cared for by people who feel that 40
years Of service deserves support.
Postal savings banks are one Of the
institutions Of the country, aud the de-
posits amount 10 about ti6 per capita.
The government transacts life insur.
ance business at smaller rates than pri-
yate companies, and will soon have the
whole Of this business. For low COM
mission the government will undertake
all the duties Of trustees, executors,
agents and attorneys. The execution Of
numerous deeds aud the consequent ex.
pense Is avoided. And the trust funds
are guaranteed against loss by invest
ments in bad or insufficient securities
against loss from delay in Investment,
aud the prompt payment Of interest is
also guaranteed. Fire insurance II also
passing into the hands OF the nation.
Light and water are furnished 10y the
municipalities, public baths maintained,
aud In some places amusement halls are
supported for the public benefit. In one
district, where there are celebrated min
eral waters, ON reserve Of fifty acres,
the government conducts baths and
maintains sanitarium, the charges
being very low. Public parks, botanical
gardens and places Tor physical exercise
are provided for all who desire to use
them. In short, tho government tries
10 make life as easy as possible Tor men,
women aud children.
just now there Ia some trouble about
shipping rates 10 Europe aud America.
The shipping companies have formed a
ring and the people are complaining
about the freight rates. The premier,
In addressing public meeting recently,
remarked; "li these transportation
do not give us the lowest pos.
sible rates, 20 that we can get our wool,
grain, butter, cheese, etc. 10 the
worlds markets at a good profit 10 the
producers, We will put on line Of state
steamers, which will beas easy to manage
and as remuneratiye as state railways"
All industries are iostered, but aa soon
~ they seem about 10 pass into the con.
lrol Of trust the state steps In and
undertakes the work for the benefit OF
The whole.
No saloons are allowed. linus may |
ell liquors, but II a man is seen coming
rom an inn intox icated the proprietor Is
arrested aud lned, and for second |
,hcnse he lorlcils his license. Any per.
'on Who by excessive drinking Of intoxi.