NOTES OF THE DAY.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 823, 23 May 1910, Page 6

NOTES OF THE DAY.

The Attorney-General is devoting some attention to the Grown Law Department and hopes to save the country something per annum in law expenses. Anything that can be done with safety to reduce the cost of government should be done, and it is quite possible that Db. Findlay's latest proposal may result in a cutting down of legal expenses. We should like to know something more about the matter, however, before offering an opinion as to the merits of the new arrangement. Apparently Wellington will be chiefly affected; the services of the Crown Prosecutor and Crown Solicitor being dispensed with. The country has bran exceptionally fortunate for a great many years past in securing for these positions gentlemen of the highest standing at the Bar who have carried out their at times extremely difficult duties with -great distinction and with a proper regard for tho of their responsible office. Me. 11. D. Bell, K.C., as Crown Prosecutor, set a very high standard indeed and his successors, the late Mr. H. Gully, and Me. M. Myers, each in turn have won the confidence and respect of the community. It would be ungracious to allow the occasion to pass without some reference to the manner in which the gentlemen named havo discharged the public duties which it is now proposed to transfer to officers wholly attached to the Crown Law Department.

Past "experience has not taught us that State Departments which have to compete with the outside world are invariably successful, and in the matter of litigation the State law officc will have to compete against the. best legal talent in the country. The Attorney-General has certainly strengthened tho Department very materially, but unless the Government departs somewhat from the general practice of Governments and pays a good deal more for the sorvioes of its officers in the Crown Law Department than has been customary, it is hardly likely to retain the moro successful of them very long. Nothing has been said afiout cancelling the existing engagements of private solicitors in connection with a number of State Departments which require a good deal of legal assistance of one kind and another. Tho Advances to Settlers Department, Government Insurance, Labour, Land for Settlements, and Agricultural Departments each cmploy solicitors in private practice. Are these to be dispensed with, or docs not the proposed economy extend so far? No.doubt Dk. Findlay will ere long explain the position mora fully whea tho public

(rill be able to form a better opin :

ion than now of the advantages and drawbacks of the new departure.

The sudden indisposition of Mn. Hall-Jones at the King's funeral will cause his many friends in New Zealand much concern. When he left this country for London to take up thq duties of High Commissioner, it was hoped that his health, .which was then causing anxiety, would improve with the change. Unfortunately, this does not appear to have been the case. Wot very long ago ho was very far from well, and it was currently reported that he had thoughts of relinquishing the High Commissionership, but his health improved somewhat and nothing more was heard of the matter. The latest news concerning Mr. Hall-Jones's indisposition of Friday last is, we are pleased to note, regarded as reassuring.

The pledge given by Mn. WrLford to relinquish the office of Chairman of Committees of the House of Representatives if elected Mayor of Wellington has set members speculating as to his_ probable successor to the chairmanship. When mb. u ilford was elcctcd last year his most formidable rival was Mr. T. H. Davey, of Christchurch. Mr. Davey did not allow himself to be nominated, but it was generally lmown that he had a strong following for the office if he. chosc to contest it. There were some who thought that it would have been a graceful act to offer the position to Sir William Steward, and the late Mr. Baume's name was also mentioned. On the present occasion Mn. Davey and Mr. Jennings are already spoken of as likely candidates. Tho former will probably receive the support of the Government, in which case his election is, of course, assured. In these matters Parliament nominally elects, but it is really the Cabinet that decides the question.

Pew more worthy objects can be imagined than that for the furtherance of which a meeting, arranged by the St. John Ambulance Association District Nursing Guild, is to be held in Wellington to-night. It is desired to raise £1000 by public subscription for investment, the interest on which, together with funds already invested, willbc sufficient to maintain for all time two Certificated Nurses who will devote themselves entirely to the services of the sick poor. The Nursing Guild began operations about seven years ago, and since that time well over 1000 eases hare been dealt with. The reality of the work done may be imagined from (lie fact Unit the visits paid by the two nnrijcs to tlioir patients number sometimes 1500 a month. The work in porfoi'iiwd, of course, without any coal, to the patients, who are Uiu nick poor, mid who may be old or ,voting. i Tim Wellington doctors give Until' mu'vices free when stuniiionnl b ( v the luii'seii, but tho mcdicino in piud tor bv I lie Guild. In a liUlo booklet inmicd in connection with the present collecting campaign, it. iu pointed out

that none of the money collected by

the Guild is expended in erecting fine buildings, but will be used exclusively and directly for the one purpose for which it is raised. The public, which has never been backward in giving practical assistance to the association,, may be trusted to support the Guild's endeavour to secure stability for its nursing aid to the sick and helpless poor. There are many, we arc sure, who will see an additional reason for their aid in the importance of preserving those operations of private benevolence which have survived that great evil, the tendency to nationalise charity. Subscriptions, we may add, may be sent to the president, Mits. Rhodes, or the secretary and treasurer, Mrs. W. B. Fisheii, George Street, or to any of the collectors.,