TOPICS OF THE DAY

Evening Post, Volume LXXXV, Issue 21, 25 January 1913, Page 6

TOPICS OF THE DAY

» ' ' ' mi i A large company of eminent British t scientists is to visit Scientists Australia next year, | on Holiday, and will be the gueats of the Commonwealth Government, which has been authorised to devote £15,000 to the expenses of the learned men. This will be the greatest embassy of savants in the history of this hemisphere, A visitation so important that organisers of the tonr in Australia are making very careful preparations to ensure that the days will be as pleasant as possible for the visitors and profitable for the country. It has po be said to the credit of the Labour Government that it has been broad-minded (that is, "commonsensical"), and generous in the recognition of the. Value of scientific re search. The experts of Britain, who may be accompanied by sphid distinguished foreign scientists, will not only bring knowledge to these new countries} they will stimulate local students. By their records and by their words they will inspire great numbers of earnest Australasians. Happily the Massey Govern* ment has a friendly feeling in this matter. The educational value of the expedition has been appreciated, and New Zealand will give a" reasonable Bub« sidy to enable a section of the party to visit these 'islands. Tt is possible that some 'short-sighted critics may carp and cavil at such an outlay in the cause of higher education, but we ftre sur© < that any such dissentients will be in a meagre minority. Quite apart from the actual benefits gained from such scien* tists, who will offer advice on certain practical subjects, New Zealand will become personalty known by men of high status in Britain. These observers will see enough in this prosperous country to give them a good opinion of its re* sources, An opinion which will have weight with the British public. There is, too, the aspect of the Imperial fellow« ship, best achieved by exchanges of visits by the Empire's best citizens. Ex-President Castro, some time despot of Venezuela, tried to From President play a dictator role to at New York the "Chueker-out." other day. He and his valets attempted to throw out the immigration officers whose questions annoyed the ex-poten' tate. No doubt Castro will be sharply taught that the land of the United States is not Venezuela. After his hurried retirement from the South American republic, Castro (who had taken the precaution to have investments abroad) flitted hither and thither on various fields of pleasure, but it all palled upon him in time. He was eager for the old thrills of arbitrary rulership, agd meditated plans for the recovery of his former power. Move than once the Government of Venezuela made preparations against a possible invasion. Castro may b»

hoping to enlist financial support in the United States, on promises of concessions. It would not be the first time that aid has been found there for changes of regime in South Americah republics. There are enough ex-presidents now to form a club or a union. The members would have many interesting tales to exchange about their experiences with company promoters, revolutions, and dopositions, and by co-operation they could publish books which would bring large profits to assure them comforts in their exile.

Preparations are well in train for the Territorial training camps, which will be held iv various parts of the Dominion in the course of the next two months. The building societies in Wellington have decided to raise the deposit rates to 4i pet cent, for twelve months, to 3£ pcs cent, for six months,, and to 3 per cent, for terms under six months. At the recent meeting of the Eastbourne Borough Council, the question of erecting a number of bathers' sheds was discussed. Ifc was decided that the matter should be dealt with when the estimates for next year are being considered, For the purpose of forming a Ratepayers' Association in Western Hutt, a meeting of residents was held in the Alicetown Schoolroom last evening. Mr. M'Dougall presided over a good attendance. The chairman said that by forming an association much good could be done. On the motion of Mr. Piercy, it was unanimously resolved to form a Residents' Association representing Western Hutt. A small committee was set up, consisting of Messrs. Pyn«, Anderson, Meldrum, Maule, Piercy, and M'Dougall. The committee in to draft rules and report at a meeting to be held on 14th February. Councillor Ball was present, and addressed the meeting. The yacht lorangi, which was recently purchased in Dunedin by Mr. T, M. Alexander, of Auckland, and was dismasted on the voyage up the coast, being afterwards towed into Wellington, resumed her voyage last Wednesday. While she was here she was fitted with a new maet from Auckland, and all her rigging was thoroughly overhauled. She left in charge of her owner, who hoped to make a smart trip to the Northern port. Two Wellington men were shipped $* members of the crttw. The lorangi was built in Auckland some years ago by Logan Bros, for Mr. A, H. Tuiiflbull, of Wellington, and k one of the smartest yachts in New Zealand •watere. After a visit to the drill centres North of Auckland, the- Commandant of the Forces, General Godley, has returned to Wellington, To a Post reporter yesterday the General saidj "1 visited all the drill centres from Whangarei northward to Whangaroa, Mangaaiii, and Kaitaia, and back by Hokianga and Dargaville. Everywhere 1 found good attendances at drill, both by Territorials and senior cadets, and training was progressing very satisfactorily. Both men and boys—Territorials and senior cadets —in that district come willingly considerable distances to drill. Drills are held either in the middle of the day, between milking hours, or in the evening when the milking is over." According to a report by the New Zealand Fanners' Co-operative Distributing- Co., Ltd., potatoes are coming freely into the market, with good sale for well'gvaded lines, btrt dal^for inferior lots. Onions are now coming in locally, but. a large quantity of Australian am still on the market, and the demand poor. Eggs are ffcm, and readily cleared. Pigs meet with a ready sale. The market for poultry is weakened by the inferior quality of those now coming in. Poflafd is firae*, and supplies not too plentiful, pttre pea meal is, however, being largely used in its place for pig feeding especially, Oats are cftu'efc, except Storm Kings, now required lot green feed growing, Wlieafc is steady. New chaff 19 available, but old lines are mostly inquired for. In fruit, peaches are firmer in value, apricots in tihott supply, ptems plentiful, tomatoes steady, and in good demand. There ig a fatf inquiry for pears. In the vegetable tine, cabbages and cauliflowers are* in good denwuid, green peas ar# specially high, arid eagerly bought up, lettuce is. low and plentiful, and all other vegetables are seffiag freely at fair prices, Among the prisoner* - to far Sentenced on Monday next, at the Strprenu? Court, ■wills be Joseph Murphy, who in the lower Cbtirt pleaded guilty to A charge of fotgety. Staff ridea arranged by the Defence authorities will, begin at Tenroka next Wednesday, Major-Generaf Godley and Colonel Heard will attend them. By notice 1h the Gazette the Post-master-General prohibits correspondence with the Imperial Loan and Finance Company, Auckland, and W. F. M'Cabe, Auckland, In Warner's rust-proof you fiav« tli« " Corset Ideal." Order now fromyoar local draper.— Advi. The scrambk for baggage, the worry with it! Avoid both by checking through as. We will call for it, check on, and deliver. The New Zealand Express Co., Ltd., 87, Customhouse-quay, —Advt. A sensatioH was oaaseck in Cuba«street when it was known tha6 0. Smith,. Ltd., had started their summer sale. The firm, in making their announcement in the leading daily paper*, would like to im« ptees on the mibho of Wellington tho fact; that they hold two sales etush year, the summer sale and the winter sale, and that the/ are genuine sales. £lvery man, woman, and child ia Wellington should visit this sale, and see the bargains thafc are offered in each department. Don't miss this opportunity of saving money, and these opportunities are scarce. Come along 4fc least one day while the sal© is fan progress. It will «ay you. t>on't deky. The sals is at 0. Smith's, Ltd., Cub»-st. — 'Advt. St. James* Preparatory School, 'Ade-laide-road, will reopen oa Tuesday next. as advertised. John B. Lindfeerg, draper, Cubastreet, ftttaotmces reduced prices for his salo to-nighr.