AUCKLAND AS A NAVAL BASE.

Press, Volume XLVIII, Issue 14407, 15 July 1912, Page 6

AUCKLAND AS A NAVAL BASE.

Rather lato in the day-it seems to have dawned upon our friends in Australia that in deciding upon tho policy of a local fleet, instead of contributing to the Imperial Navy, they wero paving tho way for the removal of tho British naval baso to Auckland, and that this would naturally mean a certain loss of trade to Sydney. On tho other hand

wo fancy that Auckland, with the optimism that is such au engaging feature of its people, over-estimates the material advantage likely 'to accrue from its new endowment. A short time ago, for example, a report was circulated that the transfer of tin? naval establishment to Auckland would mean thc stationing in theso waters of about 11,000 men. Unless there has been a misprint, or an error in a telegram, this seems to be an absurd miscalculation. It is understood that the fleet unit will consist of two cruisers, three destroyers, and two submarines. In that case there would be about 350 men in each of the cruisers, about 70 in each of tho destroyers, and, say, 25 in each of tho submarines. If we add another 20 or 25 men for the shore establishment, the total will still fall short of a thousand ■all told. Nevertheless, we admit that the honour which is being conferred on Auckland will add fresh prestige to that rapidly rising port and city, and will bring very substantial advantage from a material point of view.

Something of tho tastes of thc people is to bo learned from tho annual return which shows tho rate of consumption of articles in common use per head of tho population. Tho return for last year presented to Parliament, a few days ago indicates that New Zealanders wore, in somo respects, slightly more economical in 1911 than in tho previous year. They drank a trifle less whisky, wine, beer, coffee, and cocoa, and smoked a littlo • less tobacco. Apparently tho consumption of cigars and cigarettes increased, for tho duty paid per head of tho adult male population rose from 10s lid to lis 4_d, duo no doubt to tho still growing popularity of tho cigarette. Tho consumption of tobacco fell from 7,101b to 6.861b per head. Tho -other decreases wero not of much consequence. Tho consumption of spirits per head by tho adult male population dropped from 2.37 to 2.36 gallons, of wine from 0.21 to 0.19 gallons, of imported beer from 0.38 to 0.37 gallons, and of New Zealand beer from 13.1 to 13 gallons. On tho other -hand New Zealand drank moro tea than ever, the amount per head of tho wholo population rising from 7ilb to 7_lb, which is tho highest on Tecord. Also, wo got through 55,000 tons of sugar—about 115.1b per head, or between seven and eight pounds moro than in tho previous year.' And wo either imported moro general goods—clothing and so forth— or more expensive articles, for the duty per head on "ad valorem goods" roso from £1 3s 4d to £1 63 Id.

Dr. McLean's evidence beforo the Education Commission in Wellington on Friday was decidedly interesting. Ho condemned, of course, t'.o design of many existing schools, and emphasised tho danger of overcrowding, while ho gave a hint which might well bo considered by Education Boards, when ho referred to the utility of wide verandahs, so that somo of tho classes could be held in the open air. Like many other people, ho is opposed to the children entering tho ordinary State schools at tho ago allowed by tho Act. Up to ten years of age, four hours' schooling each day is, ho thinks, ample. Tho school hours per week might then bo increased at tho following rate:— 10 years, 20.hours per week:; 12 years, 25 hours:. 14 years, 30 hours* and 16 years, 3-j hours per week. Of course, the adoption of this Suggestion would bo incompatible with tho maintenance of the present syllabus, but as between the preservation of that fetish and the conservation of th_ health of tho children, there can bo no choico. We have read much evidence before tho Commission as to the necessity of making attendance at continuation schools compulsory, hut, characteristically, there has been littlo as. to the importance of proper kindergarten teaching in the earliest years, upon which Dr. McLean laid great emphasis. Wo aro afraid that tho raco of M'Choakumchilds has not yet passed away.

Another point made by Dr. McLean was that co-education, as it is termed —tho education of ' boys and girls together—should ceaso at ten years of age. On this subject. Miss Helyer, head-mistress of the Mount Cook Girls' School, had been very outspoken a few days earlier.. She declared that the women of Wellington wished to affirm the principle that tho older girls should be taught by women. "It is woll known," she said, . "that girls affect manners beforo men that they would not presume to try beforo women. For tho samo reasons that we believe older boys should bo taught by men wo consider that older girls should bo taught by women. From long experience in a girls' school I am cf opinion that separate schools for girls and boys is tho ideal method." As Miss Helyer pointed out, our so-called co-education is really a misnomer, because while girls and boys attend tho same school, they are separated as much as possible. But in as far as coeducation was carried on, she held that it was a mistake. "Boys might bo refined by contact with girls, but girls became more mannish. It was a decided loss to the girl, if an advantge to tho boy." And w© aro not so sure about tho advantage to the boy. There is, at any rate, a growing disposition in tbe United .States—the home of coeducation—to question the beneficial effects of the system.

There has been no undue haste on the part of the American Senate in deciding to unseat Senator Lorimer; Mr Lorimcr was elected by the two Houses of the General Assembly of Illinois as far back as May, 1910, after a contest lasting some three months. Very soon afterwards it was alleged that he had won his election by bribery. There were certainly strong grounds for suspicion, for on a certain day a number of Democrat members of tho Illinois Legislature, who had steadily voted against all Republican torial candidates, suddenly swung round and voted for Lorimer. Tho matter camo before tho Courts, when tho allegation that money was paid for Lorimer votes was established, hut the Committee of tho Senate, to whom the duty of investigating the case was remitted, vindicated Lorimer, on tho grounds that though four Illinois legislators admitted being bribed to voto for him, his majority, which was fourteen, was unaffected by this action, whilo they had no evidence that Lorimer himself knew or was personallyguilty of corrupt practices.

As to this latter point, an American journal of high standing makes the apt comment that Lorimer had been a

powerful political "boss" in.Chicago, and that it was difficult to believe that a. man with his past record should be ignorant of the means that were being adopted to secure his election. Thc report of the Senate Committee was widely censured, the most scathing commentary, perhaps, being by a Philadelphia paper: "Wo had not thought that tho United States Senate could suffer a worse disgrace than thc proFence of Lorimcr. This report compel* us to admit that we were in error." Mr Roosevelt openly refused to sit at the same table with Mr Lorimcr at a Republican party function at which the ex-President was the guest of honour. Tho Senate, however, adopted the white-washing report, but the unfortunate action did not prevent the question being reopened, and rather- more than „ year ago, on Senator La Follett-c's resolution, a new committee was .appointed to go into the case again in tho light of fresh evidence. It is no doubt the report of this Committee which has led to Mr Lorimcr's seat being declared vacant. Tho whole enso will greatly strengthen the growing demand for tho popular election of Senators.