NOTES OF THE DAY.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 590, 19 August 1909, Page 4

NOTES OF THE DAY.

. . ■ ■ -g One might reasonably fear that the price of Imperial greatness—.what Me." Kiplikq might call "the price of Admiralty"—may overitually result in the loss of ' the Anglo-Saxon's sense of humour. The English papers to hand, this week print a letter from Lord Meath on the •'latest statistics in regard to the observance of Empire Day." • The figures relate to the British Isles, and Lord Meath says that they are "most probably much under the totals of those actually observing the day, a 8 many of those who join in the movement do not take the trouble to'communicate with me." This is his table: British Isles. In--1908. .1909. crease. Sermons and addresses 1,020 6,795 5,775 Mayorial interest 143 181' 38 Parades lield 51 361 295 Schools 15,6-10 18.892 3,352 Number of soholars... 3,229,620 3,853,117 623,497 This sort' of thing seems rather like attempting to "bind the sweet influence of Pleiades." Imperialism .reduced'to feet and inches! Loyalty and faith expressed in mayors per square mile! We want a Swift to give us a chapter on the Imperialist lightning calculators of the new Laputa. We are all glad to know, of course, that Empire Day is very widely honoured, but statistics seem to be somewhat out of place, and as barren of the significance claimed for them as the amount of the church-plate collections is barren' of significance as to the spiritual condition of the community. Germany cannot produce figures ! liie those of Lord Meath, but' are we therefore _ to assume that Germany is a less serious and steadfast nation than Great Britain ? Everyone wishes Empire Day to be celebrated, just as _ everyone _ wishes every inspiriting national anniversary to roceive due honour. But'it is misunderstanding the object of these celebra,tions to look at them statistically. Lord Heath's figures suggest that he regards Empire Day, not. as a simple festival, but as a solemn and strenuous day of missionary effort, to con vert the Imperialist heathen.' The heart of tho Empire is sound, and will remain sound, without reference to Lord Heath's humourless figures. What we need more than "mayorial interest" is a greater seriousness and ' readiness for solf-sacrifice in the Empire's cause. Wc are bound to say that the figures which might indicate the position of Now Zealand in this respect cannot be nearly so imposing as the, statistics of the "loyal remarks", that some people imagine to ropresent the whole duty of tho Imperial citizen. The vacancy for the Rangitikci seat created by the death of Mil. lU'lilitfGTON is likely to -produce an interesting con--1 twt. it is wrtoiu tluit both tbo Govern

moot and the Opposition will make strenuous endeavours to win this seat, not so much for the actual effect on the relative strength of' parties in the House as to test the feeling of the country. , So far two or three candidates have announced themselves, but they all appear to be on the one side, or at least.with leanings to that side. This perhaps may be taken as a sign of the'times. In tho past the Government has becn_ embarrassed by the number of candidates offering in its interests now _ the Opposition seems likely ,to cxperienco something of the same thing. In the circumstances Ministers must be regretting •more than ever the introduction of the Second Ballot Bill, designed to relieve them of the embarrassment mentioned. The number of candidates at 1 the first ballot will probably result in a straightout issue 1 being fought at tho second ballot. Possibly Dr. Findlav will, ere the election is "decided, have experienced pangs of regret at the thought of his recent eloquent lectures on the benefits of taxation and the advantages of adding further- burdens to brighten tho lob of the taxpayers. These delightful theories of .his should appeal with great force to the farming community in the Rangitikei electorate. With tho elections over two years away, suggestions of increased taxation might .00 made with comparative safety, but with an election only a few weeks off, the Attorney-Gen-eral has placed the Government in an awkward Dosition ( and lie will find it difficult to explain away his ominous hints. The country settler has not had such, a prosperous time , of late that he can afford fo> have his , pocket _ further squeezed by a Government which has never extended to him that sympathy and consideration ho deserved.

One of the most interesting points in the lecture of the Chinese Consul at the. Municipal Concert Chamber oil Monday, night was his brief references to European history, particularly his classification of our. own Henry VIII with Nero. Fifty years ago tho majority of English people were inclined •to look upon "Bluff King Hal," as he was called, as quite a national hero; but'the modei'n historians have completely shattered that ideal, and, ho now stands before the world bereft of almost every shred - of character. But in quite recent years a fresh attempt has been made to_ whitewash him, though the success which has attended the effort has been very limited,' and the majority of authorities still think that he can only be described —as regards his later years at anyrate— as a "moody In a ,recent number of the "Nineteenth Century the Rev. G. MONROE lloyce came forward as a defender of our first "Defender of the Faith," and contended that the second Tudor has'been' "grossly misrepresented", in. certain directions; but in reply Dr. Gairdnee, who is perhaps the'greatest living authority, on the period, brings, a terrible indictment against Henry, and it is to be feared that Mr. RoYce has undertaken a task which no amount of historical ingenuity can successfully accomplish, though certain extenuating circumstances may be urged. However, many modern'authorities tell us, and not without reason, that'even Nkro was not so blaclc as he was painted, and it is quite possibte that THenry . VIII had some redeeming characteristics. Mr. Royce asks why tho people submitted so •tamely if they wore not in sympathy with Henry's tyrannies, to which Dr. Gmrdneh replies that most, people have an objection .to being hanged, "particularly that kind of hangir(g and cutting down alive, and ripping up, and hanging again-by'which'tho law of high treason was than enforced."

We publish in another column a letter from Mr. W. M'LeAn' accepting 'the challenge of Mn.; Driver, a professional conjuror, regarding the genuineness of the so-called spirit "apports" 'and the means by which they make their appearance. • If arrangements can be agreed upon which will secure a really satisfactory and convincing test, / interesting developments may be expected. It is to bo hoped that at least one ray of fresh light may be thrown .upon the subject. ' Even if the medium is able to baffle the challenger, it will not .follow that the phenomena must necessarily be at-, trihuted to the action of; disembodied spirits. The test conditions may not warrant thia. As has _ been already stated in these columns, if tho_ averago man is to bo persuaded the medium, must do something entirely removed from the possibilities of legerdemain; and tho production of a copy of the London Times, or even of tnc Melbourne Argus, of tho same date as , the test would certainly give a severe, blow to scepticism.

The complaint of the Waterside Workers' Conference'against the conditions of labour which compel men to hang about the wharves all day long on the offchance of securing work is deserving of sympathy and support. There can be no doubt that this waiting about idly day after day, as must iiappen_ when work is scarce and workers plentiful,' is calculated to have a demoralising effect on the and makes their lot the harder. The difficulty appears to bo to overcome the necessity for the long waits complained of. Even some of the delegates appear to think there are difficulties in the way of fixing definite times each day for engaging the Workers required, but theso difficulties do not appear to be : insuperable. It certainly seems possible to carry out the proposal suggested, in part at least. There must be days when it could be done vjithout risk of disarranging the labour market. At any rate, it could do no harm to give'the proposal a trial and see how is works.