TOPICS OF THE DAY.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXII, Issue 145, 21 June 1911, Page 6

TOPICS OF THE DAY.

New Zealand has caught a full share of the Coronation honours. Honours Sir Joseph Ward has reCoronational. ceived a Baronetcy, orders of Knighthood have fallen to the Hon. J. Carroll (now Sir James Carroll), Mr. Justice Williams (now Sir Joshua), Dr. Findluy (now Sir John FiudlayJ, and the Hon. A. R. Guinness (now Sir Artnur Guinness), and minor honours have been conferred on other New Zealanders. This is, perhaps, the largest knighting that has ever come New Zealand's way. The list is formidable, but it hardly ceutains a single surprise. Sir Joseph Ward, after his prominent part in the Imperial Conference, following on New Zealand's Dreadnought, had some good claim to recognition. Before he left for England there was a general impression that some new title would be his portion, and New Zealanders will not grudgo him the honour, which is, of course, also intended as an honour to their progressive country. We are glad to see the native race honoured in the compliment bestowed on Mr. Carroll. He nas risen to a position of distinction — Acting-Premier of New Zealand for two terms — and it was due to him not to be overlooked in the generous dispensation of titles. Mr. Justice Williams and the Hon. A. R. Guinness (Speaker of the House of Representatives) have often been mentioned as likely. Knights. As list has succeeded list without the inclusion of their names, disappointment has been expressed. They have both done large and meritorious service for their country, and there will be a widespread feeling of pleasure at their elevation to Knighthood. Dr. Fmdlay's title was more unexpected than any of the others, because of his comparatively brief tenure of public office, but he has certainly been an active figure on the political stage ever since he stepped through the Legislative Council wings. The Ministry is now a much-Knighted one. Tho Cabinet contains a Sir Joseph, a Sir James, and a Sir John (J seems to be a lucky initial sometimes), the Speaker is Sir Arthur, and the High Commissioner is Sir William. Is there any chance that the giant of democracy will say "Sir !" to the Government in the Johnsonian manner ? Tho political assessors will soon be busy with the guessing. A suggestion has been made both in # Auckland and WellingHohdays ton that employers and Loyalty, should give a demonstration of their loyalty by conceding a holiday, with full pay, to-morrow in addition to Friday. No doubt if an interval of some days had separated the Coronation from the birthday of the Prince of Wales the employers would have cheerfully agreed to the call, but we do not see why the master grocers or any other business people should be expected to shut up shop on two successive week days to prove their patriotism. King George haa already indicated that he has no wish at all to see a dislocation of business a-s an expression of either tho nation's mourning or rejoicing, and that is the view which appeals to reasonable loyal subjects. It is also surely unfair to expect the employers to be the sole sufferers for the omission of a sensible elasticity in the scale of award holidays to permit the substitution of a more suitable day for one of the days prescribed. The letter written by Mr. Grenfell, secretary of the Wellington Employers' Association, fairly put tho employers' case, and it showed that the employers naturally desired a settlement of the muddlement on a basis of give-and-take. After much turmoil, thore is a prospect of a fairly general holiday to-morrow, but the deadlock continues between the grocers and their employees. The employers rightly submit that it would be an inconvenience to the public to have business suspended for the two days, and this argument is not rebutted by Mr. E. J. Carey's declaration that the men would oe willing to forego a day's pay if thoy received Coronation Day in addition to the Prince of Walos's Birthday. Tho absurdity and annoyance of all this conflict about holiday ethics at a time when the community was eaget to be care-free for whole-hear led merrymaking should not be forgotten by those who have a care for the country's industries and the people'© peace. When holiday problems are again before the Legislature, Conciliation Councils, or the Arbitration Court, some member ehould have imagination to think that extraordinary occasions, calling for a general holiday, will continue to arise iv this moving world. Somo awards havp provision for a. I'hang© of day by agreement, but ctu»t-ironu««6 sewna'to' chAractgpj&o poffc fit thjiu.

The Tourist Dopartmont has refused a request of th«. Nelson Chamber ot Commerce to open a touriet bureau in Nelson. Sir James Carroll has received many invitations to deliver political addresses in the South Island, and he will leave for Ghrifitchurch on Friday night. "Surely _ the Council can control the jerry builder," remarked Councillor Shirtcliffe at the Council meeting lastnight. "Oh, no," retorted Councillor Metcher with emphasis. The tender of Messrs. Duncan and Macintosh has been accepted by the City Council for tho supply of caps and covers for the Tramways Department, and that of tho Westport Coal Company for tho supply of steam coal. All youths registered under the Defence Aot are to be provided with record books, in which will be entered, from time to time, particulars- as to their military training and service— from the time of enrolment until the date of discharge. The ent/rie* are to be made ?» . * utho »&ed officers, and the book will be legal proof that tbe training and service recorded have been performed. For these reasons it is desirable that the book should be preserved even after the holder has ceased to be liable for'military service. The Record. Book contains extracts from the Defence Act of special interest to members of the military forces. Between 9.30 p.m. and 10.30 p.m. tomorrow a ten-minutee' tram service will be run between the city and the Karori Council Chamber*. A hotioe to membeirs of tho Druid Order is advertised in this issue.