NOTES OF THE DAY.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1180, 15 July 1911, Page 4

NOTES OF THE DAY.

Tiie revenue side of the public accounts for the first quarter (April 1 to June 30) of the current financial year was given out this week. The income was £2,176,230, as against £1,908,021 in the first quarter of last year, an increase of £208,209. As usual, the figures relating to expenditure were withheld. Without the details of expenditure discussion of the revenue cannot be useful. But there is one fact about the revenue figures that is very striking. The chief increases are: £73,289 from the Customs, £94,027 from stamp duty, and £35,013 from railways. That is to say the increases arc the products of tho increased direct and indirect taxation imposed by the Government, which, humorously enough, is now claiming to have reduced taxation, and bolstering up its case by referring to one ancient reduction that it bitterly opposed when Mr.. Massey was lighting for it.

The movement of protest .-.gainst the Government's tramway regulations luih nhwly acquired such depth and vigour that it can now

almost look allcr itself. There is only ono uspoct of the nifittov wc wish Id refer to to-day; namoiy, the attitude, of those who are endeavouring to defend the Government. In Christchurch Mi:. T. h. 'layloii, whose anxiety to stand well with the Government is apparently greater than anv emotion lie is capable of feeling its Mayor of Christchurch, has been liberally white-washing the Government and giving testimonials to the excellence of its intentions and the nobility of its motives. Locally we have Mr. BAitnnn, who nourishes the hope of returning to Parliament as a docile Government supporter, waxing quite indignant at the suggestion that the Government lias any designs on the city's tramways. Poor Mn. Barker. is greatly surprised at the Minister's action, but he is quite sure that it is all a mistake or something, and nothing to grow angry about. Mr. Barber Mill learn next election what the public thinks. Mr. M Lares has made some amends for his foolish support of the Tramways Bill when it was before Parliament. He probably realises now that to place any faith in Ministerial professions of good intentions, as he did last session, is to show an infantile political understanding. We should like to be able to think that Mn. M'Laren has learned a lesson. It is for him to show next session whether he has or not. In the meantime the movement of protest is enrolling everyone who has no special need to speak nicely about the Government.

When in Christchurch recently Mr. Massey took occasion to correct a mis-statement regarding the attitude of our evening contemporary towards the Reform party. A Ministerial journal had stated that the Wellington evening paper "warmly sympathised with the Opposition," whereupon the Leader of the Reform party delivered himself as follows: Tho AVclHngton "Evening Post" docs not Sympathise with tho Opposition. ■ It is a paper which carps at both parties, and 1 hardly think it is respected by either. Its political opinions nro not considered of any value even in the city where it 'circulates. This no doubt is severe, but wc arc really surprised that the Reform party has not said something of the kind long ago. In Wellington, _of course, the public know the peculiarities of our contemporary very well and probably derive-some entertainment from its acrobatics; but in other parts of the country it is not so well known and might be taken seriously.

When Government members of the stamp of Mr. I'oole, M.P., of Auckland, begin to denounce the loader of the party as "No Democrat" and to accuse him of making "the blunder of his lifetime" in accepting a baronetcy, then, indeed, must fear of the consequences of Sin Joseph Ward's action have cut deep into the hearts of the Government following. Mr. Poole apparently cannot crcdit that ono who would so liout the democratic sentiment of the country would dare to remain here, and he is so impressed with this vie.w that he has cast aronntl to lind a successor. Strange to say he passes over bis esteemed colleague, Mr. Fowlds, and singles out the recently knighted Minister who sits in the undemocratic. Nominative Upper Chamber. : It 'is all very amusing. Wc aro also told that Sir James Carroi.l, another recent recipient of titular distinction is to bo the democratic leader of the party. It is really aheavy handicap to be a plain "Liberal" without a title in these days, l'f Mr. Millar or Mr. I'owlds were fortunate possessors of titles their names also might be mentioned in the list of "probables." The significant feature, however, about this phase of tie discussion is the fact that the impossibility of a baronet, the holder of an hereditary title, continuing as the head of the party seems to be taken for granted. The idea apparently is that Sir Joseph Ward should stay here and fight the elections and then gracefully retire in favour of one of his less exalted colleagues. • But if Sir Joseph Ward s title is so distasteful to his immediate adherents, may it not prove equally distasteful to the public! But then again the public of course do not count in the plans ol present-day "Liberalism."