ARE WE PREPARED?. TO THE EDITOR.

Evening Post, Volume LXVII, Issue 37, 13 February 1904, Page 2

ARE WE PREPARED?. TO THE EDITOR.

Sir — Now , that hostilities in the East aro likely to break out any minute would it not be ndvisable to give our naval volunteers now in camp at Mahnnga Bay more training? This war, when it breaks out, may bo a forerunner of a still greater one between the great Powers, and as New Zealand is (comparatively speaking) close to the East, it would be just us well if our volunteers . could be niude more efficient in their drill nnd shooting. They are at present under a disadvantage, ns it is veiy seldom that they have an opportunity of firing out at the big guns at the forts. I believe that this morning (9th insb.) they made tsome very good shooting, but of course the "moio training they have {he more perfect they will become. — I am, etc., DEFENDER. Wellington, 9th February, 1904.

Tho Japanese Diet, whkh has recently been dissolved, ia a curious asseDiblnge to the "view, for tho men, no less than the women, of tho Far East are divided in their allegiance between native and European costume. Some of the Japanese M.P.'s are arrayed in the latest London fashion!) — top-hat, frock coat, and patentleather boola, all complete. A few even attend iii correct Wt«tern evening dress. Tho majority still adhere to native costume, jund not only that, but to the many dislincbioiis thereof that belong to the different districts of tilt Empire. Side by side my be seated a member clothed in the fa*>liions of BSnd-street and oue wearing a black silk fez, a richly embroidered loose-fitting silk blouse, tapering trousers, and slippers with pointed and turn-ed-up tries, the national costume of the nobles of Old Japan. — St. James's Budget.