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Newspaper
Ashburton Guardian
Location
Ashburton, Canterbury, New Zealand
Date
Mar 24, 1909
Page
2
The Diniog Rooms and Vrain and Confectionery business on Burnett Street has been taken over by Sag, previously run by Mrs Brean. Hot dinners available.
Ephemeris data lists moon phase dates from March 26 to March 31 with accompanying times and terms such as Full Moon Last Quarter New Moon First Quarter Apogee and Perigee. The entries show approximate magnitudes and times in a historical astronomical table.
Robert Edward Calder youngest son of Mr and Mrs H A Calder Wampstead died on the 28th inst. at home. The family request quiet remembrance and provide no further comment.
The article discusses farmer groups calling for collective action to establish a state-supported training scheme for unemployed men to fit them for country work. It cites New South Wales evidence where trainees become farm workers, with several hundred men prepared for agricultural labor and low failure rates. It mentions Ashburton Farmers Union involvement and broader local events and notices.
A Wellington deputation from the Women’s Christian Temperance Union urged the Minister of Education to make scientific temperance teaching compulsory. The Minister replied the subject is already compulsory in the syllabus for Standards HL 1-3, and that lack of teaching reflects no power to enforce it. He warned the union that without administrative authority, the syllabus remains permissive and not compulsory.
At the Ashburton Guards annual meeting an officer urged provisioning overcoats and urged readiness for possible conflict noting NZ defence and government battleship funding. Also reported were deaths, high crop yields, bread fund contributions, and a Crofton Downs real estate auction with limited purchases despite a downturn in the market.
Last evening W J Cooper longtime chief steward of the Ashburton Working Men's Club and Mutual Society of Arts received a sovereigns purse and pendant from staff and committee after resigning. William Base of the railway staff was farewelled in Ashburton Goods Office on transfer to Pelone with a gold albert and pendant presented by chief clerk Mr Mercer.
The Bey Jion A. W. Hoge reports a two year Customs Department review of Bald win unable to land at Lytlotten. Both the current and previous ministers refused permission. Relatives cannot support him and permission would require action under Section 4 of the Immigration Restriction Act.
In the House of Commons committee, Commons members clash over naval preparedness. Asquith warns against artificial agitation for a stranger navy, while Balfour argues Britain must maintain naval superiority against Germany with dreadnoughts and pre-dreadnoughts.
March 23 dispatch from London reports Mr Balfour’s censure debate set for March 29 while Asquith Grey and McKenna push for a stronger navy. Across colonies and dominions New Zealand Australia consider Dreadnought gifts amid naval policy tensions and parliament debates. The Daily Mail and Times note imperial unity and cost concerns, with Britain warned to maintain sea supremacy.
In Sydney and Melbourne on March 23 24 the Lord Mayor leads with a £100 donation as Anthony Hordern pledges £10000 and another £10000 if needed. A leading yacht club adds £5000 and total subscriptions exceed £55000 in a day. The Australian Native Association and chambers urge a national gift amid strong public support and debate about the defence policy.
Melbourne March 23 The Federal Government definitively decided not to offer a Dreadnought. The Cabinet agreed with Mr Pisher’s earlier action and stated there was no intention to adopt the Dreadnought proposal. Australia would instead rely on steady defence and readiness to aid Britain in emergencies.
The Secretary of State for the Colonies cabled the Governor to convey New Zealand’s offer to Prime Minister and King. Sir Joseph Ward confirmed the offer is a free gift of a first class battleship built in British yards with no conditions, and pledged a second ship if needed. The gesture aims to show unity with Britain and support for imperial prestige amid global tensions.
In Gisborne on March 25 the Governor told Tuparoa that after four years in New Zealand it would be an insult to question loyalty. He noted many young men served the King and that Sir Joseph Ward cabled to the Imperial Government offering a first class battleship valued at £1,250,000. He praised New Zealand loyalty and stated the offer would be recognized worldwide.
The opposition leader Mr W S Massey voiced caution about the governments offer of a battleship to the Imperial Government. He supported practical and moral help but warned Parliament was ignored and expenditure should be Parliament's concern. He suggested a circular telegram to consult MPs as a compromise.
Auckland March 23. Carl Seegner German Consul in New Zealand spoke on the government offer to provide a battleship. He said he knew nothing of battleships and dismissed war talk as a fuss about nothing. He noted spheres of influence in the Pacific were fixed long ago and blamed press for sensationalism.
A fragment notes a private matter with mention of a mark and an assertion that the issue remains unresolved. No dates, names, or locations are provided.
Articles from Feilding Christchurch and Invercargill report unanimous Council support for government naval aid to Britain and a move toward universal Saturday half holidays to boost volunteer defence. Critics warn against sudden spending and advocate naval taxation or larger subsidies for NZ defence.
The Premier received numerous congratulations including two from ex Governors Earl of Onslow and Earl of Ranfurly. Lord Onslow praises New Zealand’s empire achievements and Lord Ranfurly extends hearty congratulations on a magnificent offer of worship.
In Berlin on March 23 Admiral Tirpitz defended Japp's monopoly and claimed the naval administration cut armour plate prices by 80 percent in seven years. A British Navy article reported six ships a year as the irreducible minimum for safety, warning that any reduction could trigger agitation against the government.
A letter to the editor proposes that all Empire sport meetings for two to three years donate a portion of profits to a National Fund. The writer argues this would justify the existence of a despised figure and urges Ashburton athletes to back the idea, calling it worthy of sympathetic consideration.
Market notes list cereal prices across cities with Wheat and flour rates in Sydney Melbourne and Adelaide. Oats Bran Pollard and Potatoes quoted with ranges and ton figures for March 24.
London market reports strong wool sales on March 23 with steady competition. Two cargoes of Australian wheat sold at 89s 0d and 40s 0d respectively, signaling continued demand in the shipping and commodities sector.
Accidents and deaths from New Plymouth to Christchurch report a Tongaporatu schoolmaster J E Gulliver missing after river outing with his son and a harbour drowning identified as Thomas Rendall, formerly with Birmingham Waggon Co, aged about 44. A Christchurch cabman Randall died after a fall from a cab and another Randell cab death followed.
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