TOPICS OF THE DAY.

Evening Post, Volume LXXIX, Issue 118, 21 May 1910, Page 4

TOPICS OF THE DAY.

"Tha captains and the kings depart." Probably never before A King's in the- world's history Obsequies. has thpre been gathered such an assembly of mouarchs, princes, and nobles as followed tho bior of Edward VII., a monarch whose empire extended over something likn ;i third of the human race. But the imposing gathering, which must so soon dispeise, is net the only unique feature in the great ceremonial which, though its centre was in the metropolis,

was really of world-wide extent. It is probably without parallel not only in its universality, but in the absence of the perfunctory element. The regret, oven amounting in many cases to intense grief, was genuine and unaffected. Too often, in the case of emperors of the past, their removal by tho hand of death has bsen accepted as a relief, and received with ill-congealed rejoicing. Yesterday the celebrations expressed the mourning of an empire. In the heart of India, as in the distinctively Maori regions of New Zealand, the King was looked up to as a "father," and revered accordingly. Not only in his own dominions was the loss of the monarch deplored. The appreciation from the United States, with, its "mixed multitude" of races, is little less warm than that of the British colonies, and somo of the most' eloquent tributes to the Peacemaker liavo conic from Japan. Scarcely has there been a jarring note to mar the harmony, and where such has been heard it has been merely tho expression of individual opinion from some one who, ignoring the occasion and circumstances, objects to monarchy on general principles. New Zealand yeste..day, putting aside its ordinary routine of duty, observed the day! fittingly and decorously, without hysteric rhetoric or empty ostentation. The memorial celebrations in tho capital were attended by vast crowds of young and old ; they were as sincere as they were impressive, and must be a life-long memory to the younger members of the community. "Worker" has raised an interesting question for the miliBy Merit or tary authorities. A Good Fortune, brief letter published in The Post two days ago reminds the Defence Department, the- Government, and Parliament, that some paTonts, not wealthy people, desire to see their sons receiving a fair chance to be trained 1 as officers under the new military regime. It has already been explained that nothing definite has been done beyond the decision to send cadets to Australia, by-and-bye if satisfactory arrangements can be made with the Commonwealth authorities. Australia's college has yet to be built and staffed ; Australia's scheme has yet to be effectively planned out. New Zealand has commenced negotiations with her big neighbour, but many months may elapse before anything specific is settled. It seems that as soon as the Australian experts have their plans all in order a competent New Zealander should be sent across the Tasman Sea to_ confer with them. In tbe meantime "Worker," representing a very largo cla&s in Xew Zealand, may well be pardoned for feeling apprehensive about his son's chances. The great dictum of Kitchener was Merit, not privilege ; ihe best men, not the men most favoured by worldly fortune. Young men of merit, with a large banking account of ability but no great fund of cash, should not be handicapped out of the omcering. We are trusting to Parliament to insist on fair treatment for the poor man's gifted son in any training scheme that is submitted to the people's representatives. It is easy to understand why there is "considerable indignaIs it a tion" in New York Tammany Game ? over the passing of legislation nicknamed tho "two-drinks-a-yeav Bill, ' * It has been solemnly enacted (according to a cabls messa^j) that any resident of New York, arrested more than twice within, a year for intoxication, is liable to be committed to an inebriates' farm for a year. Remembering "Satan's Invisible World Pourtrayed," and tho dark air of suspicion and corruption that has hovered over the New York police, grave abuses of the new edict may well be feared. Unscrupulous officers could easily use tho ukase for blackmailing. Even a temperance lecturer would not necessarily be safe. The police have done desperate things in New York in the past. Plots to mark up "drunkenness" against a person selected by intending olackmailers would not be difficult to work, unless i\ew York has changed marvellously. The more sober people may look upon the law as a _ piece of freak legislation, on a par with other quaint measures. America enjoys the unique reoutatdon of being, simultaneously, one of tho most "lawful" and lawless countries in the world. Some of the State Legislatures are perpetually making themselves notorious for passing extraordinary measures, which may have an idle pla.ee in tho statutebook but no seat in the hearts of men. Thus legislation may become a toy, and the whole law may be brought into contempt by tho silliness of some of its excrescences. That is a danger against which the wise men of every country have to be on guard.