TOPICS OF THE DAY.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXI, Issue 101, 1 May 1911, Page 6

TOPICS OF THE DAY.

While the Acting-Premier, the Hon. J. Carroll, is thinkThings Political ing of something epochal to say for New Zealand's good (h© will be ready with it by-and-bye), some of his colleagues are preparing for the battle of the polls. When the Hon. R. M'Kenzie travelled through the Poverty Bay district recently lip was not the gruff, rugged Motuekan of old. The prayer for the road or bridge did not ricochet from a bosom of granite. Mr. M'Kenzio was armed with a. power to promise definitely or indefinitely, and he mixed tke business nicely and politely, from the Government's viewpoint. The Hon. T. Mackenzie has beon also toiling valiantly for another leas© of the Treasury benches. His record has touched tAVO foundation-stones (a cheese factory and a fichoolhouse) in one day, and he is just warming up to the work that wears oufe the poor Ministers and reduces their waists from, forty inches' to thirly-nine. The Hon. D. Buddo has helped a little by telling sportsmen that though they must rofraih from invading the Washdyke lagoon (a sanctuary) to shoot ducks, they may lie in ambush at the edge and' kill the birds on the wing, when flying in or out of the Banctuary. Fallowing up the campaign of Mr. Massey in tho South, the Opposition is arranging for an onset in the North, and tho standardbearers will be Messrs. Masjsey, Allen, Hervies, and Lang. What native feast, what pakeha luncheon, will be the sceno of Mr. Carroll's replies? Apart from tho doingst of active and fcleeping partners in the rival political firms, there are 'signs that next session will be an electioneering one pre-eminently. Various members have cause to bo worried about their seals. Prospective opponents are already busy. In Wellington East tlu-ee challengers have taken the field against Mr. D. M'Laren, and similar competition is reported from some other constituencies. Exciting times are assured. Growing side by side, with no appreciable geograpiuWhy not Join Hands ? cal gap between them, Petone and Lower Hutt remain two boroughs, governed by two mayors, two councils, two town clerks, two engineers, and so on. Leading men in each division of the one large settlement admit the advantages of an amalgamation on per lines," but nobody is taking the trouble to work out a basis of union. Enquiries made by a representative of fhe Post show that the theory of union ] as praised, put there is not much serious j study of ways and means. The proposed tramway scheme, the railway connec- i tion with Wellington, proposals for establishing a beneficial water service to the district, roading questions and others, give the people of the two boroughs a striking community of interest. Convenience and economy argue for amstigaiu&tiou, but the ears on both j sides aro mostly deaf. It is true that approaches have been made, apd proposals have been debated, but no useful i action has backed up the speeches. The, j task •is not easy 5 no task undertaken for a great publi? good is easy. The work lequires the mind and energy of ! strong men, steadily applied. Fitful bursts of fervour will not shift tho dead weight that lies in the path of progress. Mr. H. G. Ell, M.P., of Chmtchurch, is a sturdy lover of Wanted— New Zealand's birdg. Bn-d-Lovers. In fact, his scrupu- . . bus devotion to the kiwi and (the weka, the kaka and the tin, have brought upon him the gibes i ot the thoughtless. Mr. Ell, luckily, j is not one to be easily turned from a j purpose. _ Long ago ho decided to ba a champion of the native birds, and ! a champion ho is, in and out of Par^ ] liament. Last week he wais complain- j ing in Christchurch that pitiless persons were assisting imported pesta to annihilate this country's best birds. , Parliament last session increased tho measure of protection for the birds, but restrictive legislation alone cannot \vjolly check the slaughter. Moro than forbidding Acts, this country needs a public opinion, a public enthusiasm about the birds. Other countries have, this opinion , England has it ; tho Unit, ed States has it; Australia has made. r beginning with a National Bird Day. Arbor Day a.nd Bird Day ehould go together if possible, though Arbor Day, if it k to be a planting day, has to be in the late autumn or winter. A lover of birds is necessarily a lover of trees, and he who loves* birds and trees will love children and their oldera too. Teaching the little ones to have a care for birds and 'trees has a humanising influence 011 them; they will grow up happier and better for the lessons, if the lesson« come from hearty teacher*. The gjol'ies 'of New Zealand's own trees and birds liav© not been sung enough by New Zea1»M'» own bwdjj