TOPICS OF THE DAY.

Evening Post, Volume LXXIX, Issue 16, 20 January 1910, Page 6

TOPICS OF THE DAY.

"Groans for Colonel Robin and the Prime Minister concludThe Knyvett ed the meeting," was Agitation. the finishing sentence of the Press Association's report of Auckland's "indignation meeting" last week. Another interesting passage was: "Mr. W. F. MaSsey : V . . Who passed the sentence? (Voices:" 'Robin,' and groans)." To-day the "indignators" must be slightly disconcerted. They nave been firing at the wrong target. The deputation, which hurried down to Wellington to present the "resolutions" of Friday's peculiar meeting, received a cooling by a douche of the

cold truth. The Premier announced that Colonel Robin had nothing to do with the "arrest" of Captain Knyvett, or his trial, or his dismissal. The ''man. behind" was Colonel Tuson, an Imperial officer, Adjutant-General of the Forces. In Colonel Tuson's opinion, Captain Knyvetfc was guilty of "gross insubordination," and we cannot see that the Auckland officer has cleared himself. Sir Joseph Ward spoke firmly yesterday, but threw his interviewers a little comfort, for it does not seem to be in Sir Joseph Ward's heart to completely -discourage anybody. He finds it difficult to utter an unqualified "No." Hence came his agreement to re-open the enquiry in deference to a contention that no official report of the first day's evidence ivas [forwarded to the authorities by tho Court of Enquiry. We cannot concede that this alleged omission should necessarily affect the issue. The. crucial pom* s came up on the last two days, and one of the functions of the court was to report on the evidence as a whole. It seems that the Knyvetfc case has been unfairly used as an, excuse for an attack on Colonel Robin — a sort of means to an end. Possibly Captain Knyvetfc may not be so much to blame as others, mostly behind the scenes, but that is no reason why he should not pay the penalty for his offence. While in Britain Sir Robert Stout, Chancellor of the New The Chancellor's Zealand University, Advice. has obviously kept himself well informed about the various schemes of education reform propounded here during the past few months. The address, read on his behalf, at the Senate's meeting yesterday, showed that he had carefully read the reports sent to him. He has properly advised a cautious policy regarding the suggested conversion of the four affiliated colleges into separate universities,' and has plainly directed attention to a few of the difficulties. "Moreover," he added, "there are, I understand, many more moderate suggestions in the direction of university reform, which do not go the length of revolutionising the present system." This was an argument -which we used ■when the four universities proposal was first put forward. That recommendation came afc an unfortunate time, when all the educationists' energy was required for more pressing work. When better coordination has been established between the primary, secondary, and university systems it will be time enough to consider tl}e other matter. The chancellor had also something timely to say about capping ceremonies or "fools-capping ceremonies" as some pitiless critics nave termed them. "I have been present," he wrott), "afc capping ceremonies afc Geneva, Cambridge, Edinburgh, and Manchester, and afc none of them was there the slightest interruption by the students." The undergraduates and graduates, for their own sakes, should ponder well Sir Robert's words. Various "practical" people are apt to harshlyjudge the university man at the outset, of his career in the world, and the university | man should be careful to refrain from encouraging any prejudice against himself. If he wishes to be taken seriously he must take himself seriously at those times when the country's leading educationists have good words for his benefit, and for the information of the general public. It is pleasing to record that the students of Victoria College have improved their "capping" manners. They have earned a title to respect by the public, and the people may now usefully return the compliment hy quickly supplying the £300 needed to secure the Government subsidy of £2000 for a sadlyneeded new, wing. When the new term begins the building will be lamentably overcrowded, and a sum of only £300 is required to permit a start to be made with the additional building. One "E. A. Smith," of London, has • been retrenched A Shipping after making much Firm of "Smith." profit in the handling of New Zealand business. This mysterious "Smith," whose existence has been previously mentioned in The Post, had offices undei; the same roof as the High Commissioner, and it was " Smith's " good fortune to make nice commissions out of the immigrant enterprise. They were booked through "Smith," and there was always a little cash for this mysterious person. " Smith " had clerks and desks and ledgers, but was not, apparently, easily visible as "Smith." In various ways " Smith " enjoyed special facilities for making much money by shipping people or goods to the order of the New Zealand Government. During the past two years we have been on the trail of this modest and retiring " Smith," but have never been able to gather any satisfactory evidence about him, except the undoubted fact of the profits put in his way. Vague, wordy, bewildering explanations have occasionally been uttered here, but " Smith " was allowed to continue in his lucrative practice till recently, when the Premier stated that one- effect of the reorganisation of the High Commissioner's Office would be the saving of about £2000 a year, previously paid to " outsiders "by way of commission. So much has been now half-admitted about " Smith " that more will have to be told. The wisest course that the Government can take in this matter is one of frankness. How did "Smith" get a start in his comfortable business ? How did it happen that he was allowed to continue so long ? How many of "Smith" were there or are there ? Is it possible to get an estimate of "Smith's" profits for the past few years? "Smith" is said to be departing this life, so far as New Zealand is concerned, but it would be a pity to let such an interesting individual go without a proper obituary. The Government may yet supply lines for a fitting epitaph. Prophets, traditionally, have little honour in their own counA Delicacy try, and Brer Rabbit, in the Navy, the much-maligned, has to go away from nonie (in tins) to be appreciated. In the colonies the rodent is not at all a popular inhabitant, but, preserved and on the mess table of Jack Tar, England, he has so ingratiated himself with the marines that his absence from the bill of fare creates some depression in the sailors' digestions. The official who looks after the victualling of the British Fleet nas lodged a complaint against a firm of Melbourne contractors that they have not fulfilled — because they could not do so — their contract in the matter of the tinned "bunny." He Tears that a break in the continuity of supplies would result in the sons of the sea forgetting the taste. In connection with the shortage, it would be misleading to suppose that there is any appreciable decrease in the millions of the little animals. The sources that supply Melbourne may have their thousands, but on the West and North-western plains of New South Wales they run in millions. There is too much, closer settlement — which is one of the chiefpst remedies for the cvil — in Victoria, but away back in tho "Wild West" he and his multitudinous relatives increase and multiply. On one station near Milparinka recently 80,000 rabbits were poisoned within fifteen days; while on an adjoining holding 74,000 suffered a like violent death during tho month of October. , But there are no canning works and no railways in these benighted districts, and so the rodent, instead of tickling the palate of Jack Tar, becomes merely a fertiliser. Thero are plenty of rabbits in the colonies, but for the matter of export they are in the wrong place.