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Evening Star, Issue 16626, 8 January 1918, Page 6

Wh are of^ opinion that the vast majority

of the people of the Exemption Of Dominion will approve Teachers. the decision of the Educational Institute’s Conference not to seek general exemption from military service for the members of the teaching profession registered in the Second Division. The motion of Mr Combs provided only for exemption of such a proportion of teachers as was necessary to the maintenance of the efficiency of the schools. Nevertheless, it was lost on the voices. This result is creditable to the patriotic spirit of the teachers os a class. In saying this we would not be understood to imply any reproach of Mr Combs, The case for exemption is strong. It is possible to omasa a most imposing array of powerful arguments in its support. The utmost solicitude "must be shown in the preservation of the efficiency of the country’s educational system. Neglect of the children at this point is attended with evil consequences that cannot be repaired in a few years of peace. It is easier to restore warwasted industries to their accustomed vigor than to restore the losses occasioned by a lowering of the standard of teaching. These losses are irretrievable. Wo hold, therefore, that education is a matter of prime and paramount importance among all peaceful activities, and that its impairment by war is much more serious than the impairment of any industry. Notwithstanding, wo rejoice at the attitude of the Teachers’ Institute, and we are persuaded it is the fitting expression of the universal obligation to military service which the tremendous issues of this war have made imperative. As one of the speakers at the conference put it, liberty is of much greater importance -than even education. The war has reached such a stage of acuteness that all interests must be- subordinated to its prosecution with the maximum of energy. Besides, any special exemption of teachers would have a deleterious influence upon the minds of the children. Had Mr Combs's motion been passed they would have been disposed to interpret it as an unwillingness to make that supreme sacrifice whidi. iheir brothers and fathers

are making. Such an interpretation would not have been just, but wo fear it would have been made to the detriment of the' influence of the teachers on the character and patriotism of tho scholars. The right note was sounded-by Mr Flamank, head master of North-east Valley School. In tho following ringing words he uttered tho sentiment of the teachers themselves against the adoption of a motion which might lend color to an imputation that teachers lacked tha deepest fervor of selfsacrificing patriotism Tho teachers as a whole had nailed their colors to tho mast, and were not going to lower them. Ho felt confidant that there was not a married teacher in _ tho Dominion who was not willing to shoulder the rifle. By teachers going away, the education system must suffer; but it would suffer more if we did not win tho war. “We have taken a stanchand wo are not going to back down,” ha concluded amidst applause.

Tho first drunk to appear in tho Port Chalmers Court this year was brought before Mr J. Tait, J.P., this forenoon, and Oflffe first offender was fined 10s. It was stated that he was arrested in an intoxicated state on arrival from Dunedin by train. “It looks very clear to us that until we succeed in developing our hydro-electric power resources,” states tho Son. W. D. S. Mac Donald, Minister of Mines, “ that we must do all wo can to explore and develop onr coal supplies. Hydro-electric power is a big thing, and will take a long time to come into general operation, so that we must look to coal for some time yet. Early in the How Year I will submit to Cabinet a report I am obtaining from Mr Morgan, Director of Geological Survey, upon tho Mokau coalfield, in Northern Taranaki. Tho owners of tho area have offered to tho Government the mineral rights over about 60,000 or 70,000 acres, containing a large quantity of coal, much of which can be easily transported down tho Mokau River. OAiis waterway can bo improved at small expanse by straightening one portion. It might also bo possible to use much of tho land for the settlement of soldiers, but this is a matter apart from tho mining question, which the Government will consider at an early date. 1 ’ Fletcher Bros., con tractors for tho Presbyterian Old People’s Homo at Horth-oast \ alley, hate completed the base concrete* work, ■ and the foundation stone is to bo laid at the end of next mouth. Our Wellington correspondent advises that a judicial chairman for the projected Defence Expenditure Commission has not yet been obtained ((Mr Justice Stringer being unable to accept the position), but it is understood that tho chairmanship has been offered to Air Justice Chapman. Directions have boon given to make a start with tho Commonwealth shipbuilding project as soon as an agreement is reached with the unions concerned. Tho unions aro now being consulted on tbo subject of piecework rates and other details. Four vessels ala to he begun simultaneously, two at "Walsh Island, and two at Williams town. Thoy will belong to what is known as the Class G, of tho Ishcrwood type, and will bo 551 ft long 48ft in beam, and of 5,300 tons dead-weight carrying capacity. This announcement was made by the Prime Minister on December 26, following upon a consultation with Mr Curchih (Supervisor of the Commonwealth], who is now organising lus staff. The Victorian Minister of Works (Mr Ball) stated that it was news to him to hear that Mr Hughes had arranged to build two of the vessels at Walsh Island. Tho .dockyard at Walsh Island (added Mr Ball) had. been inspected by Commonwealth experts arid favorably commented upon. Tho State Government had intimated their willingness to undertake the construction of tho vessels, and had boon preparing and waiting for some intimation as to what Mr Hughes intended to do. Tho State Government had proposed to lay d&rn four steel vessels, but no definite arrangement had been arrived at. The Government were desirous of doing what they could to assist la carrying out tho scheme, but so far no advice had been received from Mr Hughes regarding the acceptance of the State’s services. A two-up school were oaught playing on the Town Belt on Sunday last. , The names of five of the men, who are alleged to have boon participating, were taken by Constable Macartney. Speaking at tho Trafalgar Day dinner in liondon, the Japanese Ambassador said: “After tho reduction of Kaio Chau and the, clearing of tho South Pacific, the Japanese navy kept extending constantly their field of action in tho west, until today they arc busily engaged in their activities in certain portions of European waters, whore you can see the Union Jack and tho Rising Sun flying side by side. I, do not feel myself at liberty to dwell in any more detail in the work now being undertaken by our naval forces in different theatres of this world-wide war. All I will say is this: that our navy is doing its best and its utmost, in spite of the difficulties arising out of our geographical positions and our limited national resources. It seems to mo that three years’ experience of constant warfare has brought one fact conspicuously to our mines, and that is the undisputed and (indisputable supremacy of tho British sea power. I say this with a full cognisance of tho frantic effort put forth by our common enemy in their submarine warfare. It seems to be amusing to watch how tho Gerfians glory in the nefarious efforts of their submarines, and speak of their success in breaking down this supremacy of British sea, power. When a fighter stoops and begins to hit below tho belt, that is the best evidence that he is a ‘ gone mair.’ ” Tho Chinese (Minister in London has made a notable statement. “ When war broke out,” ho said, “ China expected that, ns it was to be fought between Christian nations, it would bo a fight between gentlemen. But Germany had consigned to the waste-paper basket all the lawn o: humanity by killing women and children, by the ruthless sinking of unarmM ships, and by tho murder of unarmed neutrals. (Many lives of bis own people had been lost in this way. China protested, but not notice was taken of her protests, and she entered tho war to fight fpr Oivilisation against barbarity, for moral right against material force, and the defence of the small nations against aggression. iShc will contribute everything in her power—men, raw materials' and the enemy ships in her ports—to the allied cause.”

That Otamatca County, in North Auckland (says tho local paper), appears destined to become one of the chief fruit producing portions of the Dominion is shown by the fact that on the Komiti Estate alone 40,000 fruit trees, mostly apples and leipons, have been planted durChe past few years, whilst miles of shelter bolts have been planted on the Northern Wairoa side of the estate. ,As a vino-growing and wine-producing territory, Otamatca has long stood in tho foremoft ranks, and there is every probability that in the near future its’ fruit assets will_ rival its already valuable pastoral wealth items.

In the Taranaki meat works recently a couolo of Australian butchers appeared {stages the ‘Wanganui Chronicle’). Aa soon as they took off their coats the other workmen held a meeting, and immediately dodried to infonn the management that if the visitors wont on they would go off. A representative of the men saw the Australians and told thorn of the position, slating that they had nothing against thorn pei#jhally—indeed, they wore willing to help them financially, i f necessary—but they objected to the principle of Australians filling the places of their own men who had gone to the front, and. simply would not work alongside them'. The management wisely decided to consult the wishes of its own staff, and the Australians went elsewhere. "One of them afterwards secured a job in another works, only to find that the workmen there took up a similar attitude. The employees of lliit _ freezing works throughout the Dominion resent very much the incoming of Aus&alians, who are not subject to military conscription, and there 'is a. united detcirmination not to work in any place where they are etiudoved.

_Mr Paulin advised at 2 p.m.;— Strong to, S.E. winds; fine for ..About 24 lioTirs; mist on east coast. , can now , h Q said confidently (says tho iMma’ru Mail ’ yesterday) that the harvest ,wiu be much earlier than usual, partly on account of tho favorable season, but mainly because of a change of policy on the part of farmers. A considerable area of oats nas already been cut, and some are in stack awaiting threshing. In several directaons the threshing mills commenced operations to-day, and it seem* likely that there will be little break in tho work if the weather continues fine: The general opinion is that the harvest will be spread over a longer period than usual. This in part will be due to more general autumn and winter sowings of oats, which are maturing quickly'. Harvest will therefore, commence in a general way earlier than is customary, and oats will precede wheat in tho gamering. But many fields of wheat are m a forward condition, andi, with a continuance of the ripening weather experienced during tho paifc fow days will bo re *dy for cutting within a fortnight, bv which time most of the early oats will bo cut. Thereafter wheat may bo expected to coma in steadily, spreading tho work oyer a longer period than is usual, bhoald that prove the case it will be of advantage from tho point of view of labor. As to/ the prospects, the general verdict is that the yields of both wheat and autumn or winter-sown oats will bo good all round, with some worthy of classification as excellent, but springsown oats have not responded so well, ami unless late rains help them will give lirtit yields, ° liy.n. misprint last night it was stated that the Cl men are to leave" Dunedin next Tuesday at 1.15. Tho train leaves at 11.15. Mr H. A. Young, S.M., presided in the iouco Court this morning. Archibald Crawford was fined. 12s for drunkenness, in default 48 hours’ imprisonment. James btewait Sutherland (arrested by Detective Hall and Constable Macartney) was charged with, 0 n the 2nd lust., at Mornmgton, assaulting a girl aged 12 years. Senior-sergeant (Murray asked for a remand tor a week. Mr Dawson, for accused, asked that tho young man he medically examined in the meantime. Tho Seniorsergeant said he thought it was recognised that accused was of weak intellect. Ills Worship remanded accused accordingly, and said that in the meantime counsel could confer with the polite authorities on •the matter. Die father could make application to have admitted to a. mental institution, and then it could bo seen what the position was. Farmers will be interested to learn (says the Ensign ) tlrat tho Government experimental area at Gore is looking its best, &nl a visit to tlv© locality "will wdl repay those interested in agricultural science. Tho several areas in oats are all in ear! and to the eye of the expert the various varieties are easily distinguishable. There aro several areas in turnips, which were sown on various dates. Some-of these have already been thinned, same are idmost ready for the same process, and some are just showing above tho ground. An educative hour could bo spent by a visiter if ho had tho plan of tho oats area with the name of tho variety sown and the manorial supply to each. The areas could then bo critically examined and compared, and the tamo applies to the turnips and rape. There aro also plots of beaus and peas which look exceedingly well. The grass, which was topdressecl with suitable manures, shows good results. During the j’oar ended Deember 31 last tho following business was transacted in the Magistrate’s Court, Dunedin. Humber of plaints entered, 2,624; amount sued for, ±125,679 14s 4d; amount recovered, 1111.650 6s 8d ; distress warrants issued, 365; judgment summonses issued, 278. The business was thus considerably less all round than that transacted in 1916, when the figures were: Plaints issued, 3,326; amount sued for, £33,181 8s 4d; amount recovered, £16,191 15s 6d; distress warrants issued, 548; judgment summonses issued, 354. Despite restrictions, the famous Watson’s No. 10 whisky still sold. Ask for it.—[Advt.] You might as well try to stop the inflowing title with a broom as try to stop the inflowing demand for "Golden Eule ” Soap and “No Rubbing” Laundry Help. Hunter and Etheridge, Ltd.—[Advt.] The monthly meeting of the Plasterers’ Union will be held in tho Trades Hall on Thursday evening. Ladies recommend Martin’* Apiol and Steel Pills. Sold by all chemists and stores. <Jes you get tho genuine.—TAdvt.l Watson’s No. 10 is a little dearer than most whiskies, but is worth the money.— [Advt.]