NOTES OF THE DAY.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1191, 28 July 1911, Page 4

NOTES OF THE DAY.

♦ The death of Mr. T. E. Taylor, M.P. for Christchurch Nortl}, removes from the polities of the country, at a comparatively early age, one of the most interesting personalities the Parliament of New Zealand has, in recent years, produced.. It was not that Mr. Taylop. ever exercised any very great influence as a member of Parliament—although at times a brilliant political career was freely predicted for him—but his great gifts as a public speaker, his daring outspokenness amounting at times to recklessness' his undoubted courage in the face of whatever odds might be arrayed against him, combined to make him a striking figure at all times. However his opponents might disagree with him and the views lie held, 110 one questioned his powers in debate; few wont out of their way to challenge his criticism. Ilis weakness—his inability to control his own impetuous impulses—lie was well aware of. He would plan carefully his course of procedure; he would inform his intimates of his intention to act discreetly and with circumspection, and lor a time would become cautious and almost coniinonplaco in his utterances,' And jm4 as liis friends—and no man won ,

staunchev friends—were congratulating themselves that the reckless frcelanei! days had been thrown behind, he would suddenly embark on one of his "crusades," heedless of consequences, as was his wont, and oftentimes tramping rough-shod over friend as well as foe. lie scored successes—at times won great personal triumphs; but as often as not these were largely discounted hy some indiscretion of speech or some hasty ill-considered action. No one could fill the House and galleries more quickly than Mr. Taylor, and it was as a fearless and brilliant speaker that he was most widely known and as such lie will be longest remembered. His work in the cause of the Prohibition movement is too .well known to call for recapitulation here. As Mayor of Christehurch he had set himself to show that he possessed the administrative ability and constructive powers which his friends had always claimed for him. Unfortunately, he has not been spared to demonstrate his capacity in these directions. ,It says much for the manner in which he has impressed his personality on the public of New Zealand that, despite the comparatively modest position which lie has filled in the politics of the country, it is probable that his illness has attracted more attention, and its progress has been marked •^ : th a more widespread concern, than would have been accorded to any politician in the country outside of Sir Joseph Ward and Mb. Massey.

The Public Accounts for the first quarter of the year arc published in yesterday's issue of the Government Gazette. On the revenue side there is an increase of some £214,713, the total revenue being £2,238,595 against £2,023,882 for the corresponding period of last year. Practically all the principal items of revenue for the quarter show an increase. It should be noted, however, that while the revenue has increased the expenditure also has gone on mounting up. The permanent appropriations arc over £100,000 higher than for the June quarter of 1910, and the annual appropriations are nearly £10,000 higher. The actual figures work out as follow: Increased revenue, £214,713; increased expenditure, £112,196. Citizens will heartily endorse the action. taken by the City Council last night in reference to the gross insult offered to the Acting-Mayor and the city of Wellington by the Government in the person of Mr. Roderick M'Kenzie, the Minister for Public Works. Here and there, perhaps, there may be anger and /•arm at the Council's tremendously emphatic record of its opinion, but nearly everybody in this city will read with unbounded pleasure the resolution that was unanimously carried. The original motion proposed by Mr. Frost was a very good one, and would have been quite adequate to the situation even without the amendment proposed by Mr. Atkinson. The public will lie grateful to Mr. Atkinson, however, for securing that the Council should .not overlook its duty of specifically expressing its resentment of the assault upon the Acting-Mayor and -indicating 'its contempt for the opinion of Mr. M Kenzie as t-o the honour integrity, and capacity of Mr' feiriTH We are sorry that the Council did not discuss the point suggested in a letter from a correspondent that we printed yesterday, namely, that the Council should, exercise the discretion of refusing confidences contrary to the public interest. .The .Government will no longer doubt that its Mr. M'lCenzib has done it very great damage. Notice, W'e are pleased to see, was taken 9,. . G behaviour of Mr. Booth, of Christehurch, at the deputation—behaviour which a co-delegate has dc- £ i>M a „^ hristchur ch haper' as tactful Ihe Wellington public will do well to note the curious attitude of Mr. Harder, who apparently was not. in that full sympathy with his fellow councillor that one would expect from a candidate for Parliament for a city seat.