The Evening Star. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 1917.

Evening Star, Issue 16347, 13 February 1917, Page 4

The Evening Star. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 1917.

There is really no clement of surprise

in the announ.eeThe King’s Reward ment that the New of Service. Year honors include the bestowal of a distinctive knighthood upon Colonel the Hon. James Allen, Minister of Defence, who is one of tho first, if not actually tho first, of oversea statesmen to receive a Knight Commandersbip of the Most Honorable Order of the Bath. J f there were reason for surprise at all it would lie, if we may say so without lack of respect, in the tardiness of regal recognition of his great service to tho Empire. It has not been from what may be termed the capricious luck of political circumstances that Sir James Allen, K.C.8., has been enabled to render the service that tho King is always delighted to honor and reward. In the cold shade of Opposition,” when the prospect of a wider opportunity to servo the Empire was remote, Sir James Allen was an ardent Imperialist, consistent and tireless in effort to secure the practice in New Zealand of true Imperialism. He was of the small band of political pioneers who fought for the introduction and establishment of a practical system of Defence. It was fitting that the turn in administrative affairs should give him tho opportunity to strengthen that system, and so to make it sooner than was expected tho basis of the Dominion’s great and imperishable service to the Empire in the days of crisis. As Minister of Defence in 1913, when ho had occasion to visit the Old Country, Sir James caught and held the wisdom of the late had Roberts and those other Imperial men of clear vision who saw the German menace in all its wicked nakedness. He returned to New Zealand with what seemed at the time a startling scheme fo l- sending a Now Zealand Expeditionary Force abroad upon Imperial enterprise. And so thorough and well-founded was lus scheme that when Germany hurled devastating and appalling war upon a trustful world just a year later New Zealand, with very little fuss, and with excellent equipment and dauntless soldiers, was the first of the Dominions to strike a successful blow at the enemy overseas. The bloodless occupation of Gorman Samoa, with tho assistance of the Navy, proved that the foundation of the new practical Imperialism in New Zealand had been deeply and .securely laid. Rub the hardest organising and administrative work of the Minister of Defence still lay before him—a task to daunt strong men. The tremendous aggressiveness of Germany in the West revealed the need of greater effort by New Zealand. Undismayed and eager, 12.0G0 men, trained and equipped for war, followed on the heels of the advance guard, but bound further afield and for sterner experience. The rest is fresh history. The appetite of war increased until the Dominion recognised the necessitous duty of preparing to send every fit man. Unselfishly and uncomplaining, in the teeth ox harassing criticism and discouraging pin-pricking. .Sir James Allen labored to perfect tho military machine and to keep it running steadily. And ho has succeeded.

Of course, it would bo idle- to pretend that Sir James’s administration has been without blemish and defect. Mistakes wore numerous at the outset, but. these were really inevitable, and common throughout the Empire, under the pressure of new and disconcerting circumstances. But the point to observe and remember is that tho Minister of Defence, with dogged perseverance and inflexible loyalty to hard duty, lias, despite all difficulties and initial crudities and errors, succeeded in fulfilling tivo Dominion’s solemn pledge to the -Mother Land. As for the sneering suggestion tiiat his heart has been as liard as Pharaohs, that, is both unkind, untrue, and stupid. No man has a kindlier heart than Sir James Alien for our soldiers and for those who know the penalties of war. But discipline—tho real strength of an army—compels an outward exercise of austerity. idir James Alien has earned His Majesty’s distinctive reward for service, and we join his fellow-citizens in Dunedin in offering sincere and cordial congratulations upon the honor conferred on him and New Zealand.

Pile belated New Year honors to New Zealand also include a knighthood to Mr Ju.dico Do n a Ist on ; a Companionship of the Bath awarded to Colonel 11. Logan. A.D.C., Administrator of Samoa; a Companionship of (he Most Distinguished Order of St. Michael and St. George to the Hon, Colonel W. E. Collins. M.L.C.. commander of a New Zealand hospital ship; and a Brevet Lieutenant-colonelcy to Major C. H. Mac Donald, C'ldef Infantry Instructor of the Dominion Forces. The honor conferred upon Sir John Denniston, practically upon the eve of his retirement from a long and honorable career as a Judge of the Supreme Court, is not a (surprise, for it has been anticipated in political circles for some time. In a subsequent article we discuss Sir John’s career as an advocate and a jurist. Colonel Logan, C.8., as Administrator of Samoa, has rendered valuable service to the Crown with line discretion and 1 thoroughness, and well deserves the honor conferred upon him. The services of Colonel Collins, 0.M.G., have been, it must bo admitted, Jess prominent, but none the less without merit. It is especially satisfactory to note that Major MacDonald has been honored by the King. Recognition of his work as Chief Infantry Instructor for New Zealand is acceptable proof that the excellent work of the training staff, who are kept against thoir will from rendering more prominent service- in the field, is to be recognised and rewarded in an adequate manner.

At the end of the year 1889 the New Zealand Judiciary conSir John E. sisted of Sir James Denniston. P rondo rgoot (Chief Justice) ami Justices Richmond, Williams* Donniston, and Oonolly, the two last-named Judges having been appointed in that year. Sir James Prandergast is still living, but ho retired from the Bench many years ago. Now that Mr Justice Denniston is about to retire, there is, for the first time since 1880, a complete change in the personnel of the Judiciary. Mr Justice Donniston's period of service as a Judge of the Supreme -Court has therefor© been exactly 28 years ; hut, lengthy as this period is, there have been two judicial careers of greater length in Now Zealand—that of the late Sir Joshua Williams (ns a Supremo Court Judge in New Zealand, apart from his subsequent service as a member of the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council) having been nearly 39 years, and that of the late Mr Justice Richmond 33 years.

When Mr Justice Deimiston was appointed to the Bench and allotted to Christchurch on February 11, 1889, doubts were expressed as to whether the appointment would prove to he a satisfactory one. It was not suggested

that the now Judge did not possess that ability as a lawyer and that knowledge of and insight into human nature which are tho main essentials of a. successful Judge; tho doubts arose rather from temperamental qualities of tho man. It is possible that some of those who wore doubtful in 1889 as to whether tho appointment would bo satisfactory might say now that their doubts were justifiable and liavo boon justified. That must he a matter of individual opinion; but, on the whole, we think that the verdict of the legal profession and of the public will bo that the appointment did turn out to be satisfactory, and that Mr Justice Denniston has served the land of his adoption faithfully and well. In a small country such as New Zealand is, it is difficult to secure tho ideal; but, speaking generally, tho selection of our Supremo Court Judges has been made on Round and proper lines, and free from political considerations. Wore it otherwise, and w'ere political considerations allowed to influence tho selection, tho result might easily ho disastrous. It is because of tho propriety of the selections that have been made in the past, and of the absence of political considerations in tho making of the appointments, that the Bench of this Dominion has from its inception held, and deservedly retained, the respect of tho public as a whole.

Whatever am- individual opinion may be of the qualities of Mr Justice Denniston as a Judge, there can only he one unanimous opinion as to his absolute fairness and fearlessness. His ideals have been of the highest, and throughout, his judicial career he has maintained the best, traditions of the British Judiciary. It may sound paradoxical to say that his main defect arose from one of his best attributes. Alert in mind to a degree, his keenness of perception enabled him frequently to see in advance the nature ol a case, the points involved in it, and the contentions to be made before counsel had had the opportunity of properly and fully stating his ease, and induced an impatience which at times would become exceedingly trying to the counsel engaged. A mind of that quality is apt to form erroneous conclusions. But of Mr Justice Dennistou it must, he said that a conclusion apparently formed during the progress of a case was not. necessarily final, and he never hesitated to alter his view if it appeared to him on further consideration that his first conclusion, however strong it mav have seemed to be, was erroneous. One could not listen to a case in his Court without, being impressed that his one idea was to arrive at the truth, and to do justice between the parties who came before him. Ami his particularly keen and shrewd perception and knowledge of mankind enabled him frequently to dispose of complex and intricate questions more successfully than might have been done by perhaps an abler lawyer with a less intimate knowledge of those problems which surround human nature. Not that the learned Judge was not an able lawyer. In the Court of Appeal and in the Supreme Court he showed hirnscil as alert on questions of law as on questions of fact; and some of las judgments, particularly'ou the common law side of jurisprudence, have boon particularly illuminating. But, whether it was a question of law that came, before him, or a. question of fact, or a mixed question of law and fact, he always endeavored to base his judgment on broad principles and just grounds, and to avoid, as far ns possible, deciding any case on what might be regarded merely ns technical points. It is quite possible that a man with, these’ qualities may. by reason of his temperament, he prevented, in the view of some critics, from being classed as the ideal in all respects of what a Judge should he; but at least he could not fail to compel the respect of the public as a tearless, able, just, and impartial Judge. And so long as the members of our .Supreme Court Bench continue to perform their responsible duties as Mr Justice Dennistou and oilier Judges have done in the past, this Dominion will have every reason to continue to bo proud of its Judiciary.

An unfortunate error crept into our article of Saturday dealing with the question oi Juvenile Immorality. It was stated taereiu that .in a previous article "we made it appear a.s if that institution pile Batchelor Matcrnify Home) bad been credited with 90 illegitimate births in two years, whereas only 80 out of 300 accouchemonts that actually took place i n the period named anno within that category.’’ The number have been’so Uuy tluy two-yearly period under review, which is regarded as very satisfactory’ proving tliuc the institution admirably fcrvos _ its prime purpose of a regular maternity hospital, designed and adrninistcred in the interests of married women.

Tn tho carpenters and joiner-' dispute, heard before the Commissioner (Mr j. R. Triggs) this morning, ihs assessors* were t For the workers—Messrs W. Cl. Ba ; rd. A. J. Cooper, and L. F. Evans ; for the employers—Messrs R. Crawford. G. Simpson, sen., and A. Dempster. The, employera lodged, a.s a counter proposal, the old award, in every clause of which, with the exception of that dealing with holidays, lue union asked for an alteration. lliis Dio employers jv.due.ed to discuss, determining to stand by (he old award, and the whole matter was referred to the Arbitration Court.

At a. meeting of the St. Hilda Borough Council last evening, during an in forma! discussion Cra Dove and Clark stated that they knew of five members of the council who were opposed to the amalgamation of the borough with the City. The .statement was drawn by a mimic from Cr Allan to the olfect that a paragraph had been published that only one, member of the council was opposed to the proposal. Later on in the evening the Mayor said ho knew of six residents in the'borough who, if persuaded to work, could influence the poll either way. ilo went on to saw that if these men could bo got to work against amalgamation ho would bo willing to stake .5100 (hat the proposal would be defeated.

The St. Clair Martii Gras committee held a meeting hist night, when highly satisfactory reports from the various sulicommittees were presented. It was announced that the baby show bad closed with over 150 entries, including four sets of twins, and that the contestants will come from the south as far as Clinton and from the north as far as Tiniaru. Evidently the babies are going to be a bier draw.

At Friday's meeting of the 01 ago Law Society it was decided that Cup Day be struck out of the list of holidays. 'There was a brief discussion in the City Council last evening (wires our Christchurch correspondent) on the enrolment of municipal electors in view of the approaching elections. This year for the first time in the history of iNew Zealand a city will elect its administrators on the proportional system, and hopes are expressed that a sufficiently large poll will he secured to . give the new system a thorough test. The method from the point of view of the voter is very simple (says the ‘ Times ’ editorially), “ because all that is required of him is that he should indicate the order in which ho prefers the candidates. It is for the returning officer to solve the little mathematical problems that are supposed to complicate the system.

JMr Paulin’s forecast:—Squally S.W. to N.W. winds, and cold rain showers.

Tho City Fire Brig axle received a call at 7.<10 a.m. to-day to a burning chimney at thq residence of Mr R. Tracey, No. 7 Brook street. The flames were extinguished before any damage was done. John Clark, a menibor of the. 22nd Reinforcements, who was remanded to the Supreme Court at Wanganui for sentence for the theft of £22 at Ta.ihape, escaped from the Wangfaiui 'ock-up, and is still at large. A petition containing about 453 signatures was presented at the meeting of tho St. Kilda Borough Council last evening by Mr H. C. Campbell urging tho council to take a poll on the question of amalgamation with the City. Tho Mayor said that all the council < could do that night was to receive the petition, at tho same time thanking Mr Campbell for his presence. Cr Kilpatrick moved that the petition bo received, and that the Town Clerk ho instructed to scrutinise it with a view to seeing that all the signatories were on the borough roll. The motion was seconded by Cr Edgar and carried.

The Otago Labor Representation Committee, at their meeting last night, decided not to take any action regarding the forthcoming local bodies’ elections. Advice from Wellington states that the Seamen's Union are endeavoring to arrange a conference with tho owners next week regarding a new agreement, for which demands arc now being prepared. The First, Otago Military Service Board sit at Dunedin at 11,15 a.m. to-morrow on their return from Milton.

The Wellington War Relief Association have given £SOO to the Salvation Armv field work fund, and Mr P. R. Sargoo'd n similar amount to the Y.M.C.A.

In the City Police Court this morning before Mr H. A. Young. S.M., Isabella Edwards was fined 20s with (ho alternative of hours’ imprisonment for drunkenness.

AA e thank Mr Trivett (Government Statistician! for Pari, 14 (dealing with the. primary products of the. Mother Stale) of the Smi.iL luml Register for 1915-16 for New South AAaloj; also for index to the same.

the world over. Evorvwhore, AVatson’s No. 10 whiskv, the finest'whiskv ever distilled.—[Advl.] Members anj intending number.* of the fp, John Ambulance Brigade arc askc-'l ia ;st-tn.l practice this evening in the Associatoin’s rooms, Lower High street. Ladies recommend Martin's Apiol and Steel Pill?. Sold by all chemists and stores. Seo you get the genuine.—[Advt.')

Speight’s sic and Bloat are acknowledged by the Dominion public to be the boss "on the market.—[Ad*t.]

Akaroas beautiful harbor provides safest boating and bathing in the world. It s delightful climate and modern accommodation makes the old French settlement a healih resort the year round—[Advt,]

Watson's No. 10 is a little dearer than most whiskies, hut is worth the money.—[Advt.]"