TOPICS OF THE DAY.

Evening Post, Volume LXXVI, Issue 143, 16 December 1908, Page 6

TOPICS OF THE DAY.

"Webbanui" is Wanganui again, and there are many people River outside of the pretty Champions, riverside town who regret tho change. William Webb yesterday sat well in his boat, and used his best skill and strength to bring a thrill to his friends, but the earnest, modest champion met a giant, and was honourably defeated. Last summer, when he vanquished Tresidder, Webb's time was 20nnn 28sec. He was not severely pushed, however, and had something to spare at the finish. Yesterday he was thoroughly rowed out, and his time was just a triile over 20min, but his opponents record was nearly lOsec better, and Arnst was not pressed. The result clearly demonstrates that tho new -champion is in a class above the later holder of the title, and it means that Webb, though he is barely thirty years of age, will probably never scull again for the aquatic premiership. The Powerful retires when the Dreadnought is out. One has a heartfelt personal sympathy with Webb, now that his hard-won honours have been wrested from him, for he wa-s a citizen oarsman rather than a professional boatman, although he did race for money. Arnst frankly admits that he is rowing for cash, and he will go where the money offers. It is more likely that races for \ championships during the next few years will be arranged /outside of New Zealand than inside. Barry, the sturdy champion of England, says that he cannot afford a venture to the Antipodes, but has stated that he is willing to row on the Thames against the best talent thafNew Zealand can send against him. Probably a match between the Englishman and Arnst will be arranged for next year, and then Australia will ne getting eager to have another spell of •river renown. There has been a fear that the "N.Z." brand may not remain with Arnst, but that apprehension can be dismissed. Christchurch, which was not slow to give him a backing against Webb, will find money to match him against other experts in other parts of the world. By this time energetic ladies and gentle- . men are going Christmas for the through tho city Poor and Sick. seeking money and materials to enable them to give a happy Christmas to tho sick and poor, young and old, in and out of institutions. In the past the Wellington public has answered the call admirably, and needs only a reminder to niako this year's generosity even more notable than its predecessors. Some may say : "Why make a special effort to give a bright Yuletido to tho afflicted ? The subsequent darkness will seem all the darker by contrast." The argument has a specious smack, but it is easily answered. The moral eifect of a little attention is enduring, (though Christmas Day lasts only twenty-four hours. People whose ailments or other misfortunes have brought sad days upon them, are naturally apt to brood and think that this world is the worst of worlds, but a little consideration by more fortunate brethren helps to , turn their thoughts into better courses and give them memories to cheer them when despair tends 1 to become their constant companion. We therefore confidently urge the citizens to meet the collectors with a smiling face and a palm with something in it. Tho people should remember that the canvassing friends of the poor and sick do not only give much time and energy to solacing the unfortunate, but also give much out of their own pockets. The adults, too, havo another noble example in the Mercia Band of little girls who gladly do itheir best all the year round to bring smiles to people who ordinarily have very little to smile about. Considering the terms in which the Premier of QueensA Constitutional land couched his Surrender. protest against the apparently ~ unconstitutional action of the Governor of that State during the recent political embroglio, it is somewhat surprising tq find that Mr. Kidston seemingly took no stops to make his protest valid by an appeal to Caesar at the Colonial Office. Possibly Mr. Kidston introduced the subject during his recent visit to England ; but according to our cable messages his Government did nothing formal to uphold their contention. We need not now recur to the matter further than to say that it seems rather unsatisfactory that the point of the extent of the Governor's perogative was not tested ; for Lord Chelmsford's conduct in granting a dissolution to a discredited Leader of Opposition, against the will of Parliament, and in retaining that leader in office, although only the representative of a minority it. the popular Chamber, during the progress of the elections, will now form an accopted precedent. It is a precedent which appears to us to limit the powers

already given to Australasian Parliaments, and on constitutional grounds we regret that it was not opposed. Mr. Kidston has preferred to end trouble with a general peace; and, considering the difficult position from which he has emerged with success, we suppose that, as politics go, he cannot personally be blamed for- his ardour of reconciliation.

Any artist eager to study expressions of anguish and wiMth Scrambles for is advised to visit Railway Tickets, the Manawatu Station shortly before 7.50 a.m. on a day when the mail train is likely to have a fair number of passengers. The people cluster around two' or ihrec [.igeon holes at the ticket office, and those unlucky ones in the back row or on the side of the "scrum" have visages in which worry is rampant, for the train goas on the tick of time, and does rot wait on the ticket office. One does not expect the Railway Department to go in for elaborate alterations at a station which is to be supeiseded by a new building in the near future, but it is reasonable to expect an improvement which would mean only a small expend-™. There is a certain amount of pervv-isity about the railway administration. Dnncdin did not particularly need a £30,000 station- but received one. Wellington did not clamour in recent years for a building to replace tho ancient rambling Lambton structure, but it did deferentially ask for the expenditure of a few pounds on the enlargement of the parcels room, which could have been done easily, but all appeals wrre in vain. The ticket scramble is, of course, a grievance at places outside of Wellington, and it is even suggested that the department should make arrangements to enable people to secure their tickets the day before they intend using them. Such an innovation might involve considerable departmental dislocation, but whether that change is feasible or not, the travelling public is certainly entitled to something less harassing than the present hurly-burly at the ticket pigeon-holes.