PUBLIC DRILLS AND PARADES.

Press, Volume XLIX, Issue 14564, 15 January 1913, Page 8

PUBLIC DRILLS AND PARADES.

We have always held that the public should take the greatest possible interest in the Territorial and Cadet movements. To this end we have welcomed the movements for the formation of an honorary reserve and Mrs Godley's excellent scheme for interest-

ing mothers and sisters in the Cadets, which is producing such good results. The Commandant, with a further view of letting the public see what is being | done, and stimulating public interest ;in the training scheme, has given in- ; structions to officers commanding Terrij torials and Cadets to hold as many : parades as possible during tho summer ■ months outside the drill halls in coni venient domains and paddocks, when it is hoped that the people will gradually . get into the way of attending these parades as spectators and watching the | work. In Switzerland, where a very j simiiar scheme is in vogue, the public ; generally attend parades and take a ; keen interest in all that i s done. In \ Christchurch the training may already ;be seen in the squares on almost any ] evening, and many people are already ! finding their way to these open-air ! parade grounds —in which the city is so . rich —to witness them. It is to be hoped that the custom will grow, and that members of the public will frequently make tho drills an objective of their evening walks, for what is being done i.s not only spectacular and interesting in itself, but is for their benefit and that of the Dominion. This is a point which we do not think is realised as I fully as it ought to be. New Zealand has done nobly in setting the universal training scheme on foot, thereby, in co-operation with Australia, giving an example to the rest of tho Empire. It involves a heavy expenditure, but this has been agreed to in tho most ungrudging fashion. Tho patriotism with which the youth of tho country, with few exceptions—most of which we regret to say are to be found in Canterbury—have entered on their duties is satisfactory in the extreme. Wliat is now wanted is that that section of the public which is not called upon to undergo training, but is cheerfully bearing tho taxation which it entails, should take somo personal interest in the movement, and give it their encouragement and sympathy. If this is done it will lighten the task of the military authorities, and give a most beneficial impetus to the movement.

A serious statement is mado by tho New Brighton constable in connection with the. deplorable drowning accident that occurred yesterday. Ho says that immediately after visiting the spot he went for help, and on the pier accosted two bathors who wero wearing bathing costumes and life-sav-ing badges, and asked them to help him to find the bodies. They refused, however, and the coastablo afterwards saw them bathing in tho surf. This took placo within ten minutes or a quarter of an hour of tho constable receiving news of the accident. The life-savers may havo thought that ns the constable spoke of recovering tho bodies the case was hopeless so far as life-saving was concerned, but pc do not imagine for a moment that any appreciable number of lifo-sn»ers take this narrow view of their responsibilities. Fo'- tho credit of life-savers as a body, some explanation of tho refusal of these men to assist is required at once, and in the meantime it would be woll to suspond judgment.

It is quite clear from an interview with tho Primo Minister that is published in another column that tho Government aro going in for a vigorous immigration policy. In this they will havo the support of everybody save tho few shortsighted people who believe that the amount of work available in the Dominion is a fixed quantity and that immigration is harmful to the workers already in the field. They forget that everybody who comes to tho country is a consumer, and as such benefits the makers of boots and clothes and thr. producor.s of foal. It is worth noting, in this connection, that labour is nowhere so scarce as in Canada, into which country immigrants are pouring in a broad and steady stream. This country wants more population, but of course it must b© of the right kind. Tho Govern nent realise this, and under their administration the number of undesirables among immigrants will doubtless bo reduced to a minimum.

At a rough guess, ninety-five- per cent, of practical jokos are unjustifiable, and the perpetrators of a considerable percentage deserve some sharp punishment. That silly and inconsiderate trick of embarrassing and inconveniencing people by the insertion of a bogus advertisement has been revived in Melbourne. An advertisement calling for lorry-drivers and navvies was inserted, and tho applicants for theso positions wero a?ked to call at Mr William Bolgor's place at Fitzroy, at eight in the morning. When Mr Bolger walked into his yard shortly after that hour ho was surprised to find a host of workmen congregated about his houso. Explanations followed, but oven after tho astonished householder had denied any connection with the advertisement, ho experienced somo difficulty in getting rid of tho men. Tho samo afternoon the headquarters of tho St. John Ambulance Association received a bogus message requesting that an ambulance should b© sent at one© to Mr Bolger's to removo to the hospital someone who had taken lysol. Unfortunately it is hard to discover tho perpetrators of theso hoaxes, but if the police aro successful in this case it is to ho hoped an exatapto will bo made cf tho offender.

In view of tho fact that many earnest social reformers aro turning to profitsharing as a remedy for labour unrest, there is much that is of interest in a report just issued on the subject by tho British Board of Trade. Tho history of the movement is not very encouraging, for out of nearly 300 profit-sharing arrangements 163 have been abandoned. An analysis of tho causes of theso failures shows that in fifty-nino cases the cause was the apathy of employes and tho dissatisfaction of employers with results; and that in fifty-four cases the fault was in tho business itself. In only four cases is "dissatisfaction of employes" put down as the cause of abandonment. Of the 133 schemes in operation, thirty-three are in connection with gas-works, which recalls tho fact that it was the gas industry that gave a lead in this development. Against tho fact that the number of failures exceeds the numbor of schemes i.i operation, must be set the consideration that experience counts for a great

deal in the success of such a movement. Profit-sharing is not a formula that can be applied to every industry, but each industry has to find out which form of profit-sharing suits it best. As workers and employers get to know more about the movement, the percentage of failures should decrease.

We aro extremely glad to find from the statement made by Mr Horrell to our representative yesterday, that there is to be no further delay about establishment of a dental ward at the Hospital. The Board havo adopted our suggestion, and are determined to make a start with this much needed reform at once in a more modest way than was proposed at first. Tho old Board room is to be fitted up for the purpose, and the room which was preiously used as the office of the secretary will bo mado into a waiting room. Tho services of a dentist, who will be one of the Hospital staff, are to be advertised for, aud there will be several dentists on the honorary staff of tho Hospital. In this way it is hoped that arrangements will be mado for a dentist to bo in attendance at the dental ward for two hours daily.

We have no hesitation in saying that this is one of the most practical steps the new Board havo taken for the improvement of the health of tho community. It is now known that many diseases which havo to bo treated in the Hospital owe their origin, in tho first instance, to defective teeth. In up-to-date surgery it is often deemed advisable and indeed necessary to see that tho teeth are attended to beforo performing important abdominal operations, so that tho fuccess of tho latter shall not be jeopardised by pathogenic germs carried into tho intestines from a diseased mouth. Moreover a dental ward at tho Hospital is a necessary corollary to the medical inspection of schools now being undertaken. In many cases it will be impossible for the parents to pay the ordinary charges for tho dental treatment which will be necessary if the children are to be saved from the more serious maladies which are sure to follow in time if their teeth are not properly attended to.

Of all tho provinces of New Zealand, Canterbury, perhaps, cherishes the tenderest associations with the Mother Country, .and in no part of tho Dominion does the fire of patriotism burn •with a steadier glow.. Wo feel sure, therefore, that Mr Evelyn Wrench, tho honorary organiser of tho Overseas Club, who comes her© as an apostlo of the Empke to strengthen the ties with the Motherland, will meet with a warm welcome and sympathetic hearing. Tlie Mayor is to reoedvo him officially at the Council Chambers at 11 a.m. to-morrow, and no doubt Mr Wronoh will have something interesting to say as to the objects of his mission. -That there is no jealousy among tho organisations which have as their common object the cultivation of the Imperial sentiment is shown by tho fact that th© local members of tiie Royal Colonial Institute and tho Victoria League are cordially joining in the welcome to the organiser of tho Overseas Club.

Wo differ from Mr EH in regard to most political questions, but wo appreciate as warmly as anyone his enthusiasm in the cause of preserving the natural scenery of New Zealand, and making it more accessible to the public. Wo hop© that his appeal for more funds for tho Summit Road will be warmly responded to. We also sympathise with tho urgent representation which ho has made to Mr Massey ( not to yield to any pressure which may bo put upon him to throw open any part of the great kauri forest at Waipoua to the destructive operations of the sawmiller. The interesting report on this magnificent asset of tho Dominion compiled by Dr. Cockayne shows that it is of unique interest. The kauri elsewhere is on tho verge of extermination, and it would be a thousand pities if what is practically its last home were not preserved as a heritage for future generations.