EMPIRE GOVERNMENT.

Evening Star, Issue 18812, 10 December 1924, Page 6

EMPIRE GOVERNMENT.

A perfect system of consultation between the Governments of the Empire has been impossible so far to arrange for owing to its size. Look, I have made yo a place, and opened wide the doors, That yo may talk together, your Barons and Councillors, Mr Kipling makes England say in one of Ids poems. But tho place is distant, and the talks cannot be held as often as is desirable when the world’s seas must, first be crossed. It is a difficulty which has provoked much anxious thought, and tho new Secretary for tho Colonies, Mr Amory, deserves thanks for reminding us that both its disadvantages and its inevitableness ran be very easily exaggerated. In practice, tho limitations which distance sets upon the process of consultation and the interchange of views between the Governments of different parts of the Empire have not led to any serious misunderstandings or differences of opinion. As often os its statesmen are able to meet they are able to agree. Moreover, and very fortunately, the ending of such disabilities as are now experienced is not a matter that depends upon the-politicians alone. While they are discussing the problem the scientist and the inventor, who say little, are quite likely to solve it in their own manner. When air liners can reach England in eight drays from Australia, and a Minister in Wellington can talk ns easily by wireless telephone to London as he does now to an office across the road, Empire statesmen will be brought much nearer to each other. Tho whole world will bo little more than a round table, around which their views can be discussed. When the progress that has been made in both aviation and wireless telegraphy is considered those need not oven be regarded as very distant developments. Speaking recently of the, aerial policy of the present British Government, the Air Minister, Sir Samuel Hoare, stated that one of its chief !jims was an extension, of the route to India and Australia, which the Qoyern-

ment had constantly in view as part of its scheme for closer intercourse and consultation with the dominions.

Meanwhile the system of biennial Imperial Conferences, held in London, supplemented between whiles by tne ordinary telegraph and correspondence, will continue to have its defects, to bo complained of from time to time; but it is unlikely to bo greatly modified. Mr Amery has indicated one now departure which might be made. If the British Government, he said, expected Ministers of the dominions to make efforts to go to London for consultation, British Ministers must be equally prepared to go overseas to consult their Governments, particularly the Colonial Secretary, a natural part of whose duties should be such visits. That would be an innovation to bo welcomed by the dominions, but it would have less value than the system which Mr Massey has recommended of Imperial Conferences to bo held in different dominions in turn, as well as at the heart of the Empire. Neither improvement upon present methods appears likely to bo practicable, however, with present methods of transport, as more than an exception to tho general rule. British statesmen have small rime to travel once they have become Ministers. Mr Amery gained his knowledge of the Empire before he had attained to Cabinet rank. Mr Thomas, as Colonial Secretary, paid a visit to South Africa. He wils not there long enough to glean more than the most superficial impressions of its conditions, and he returned to find his Government on tho verge of a political crisis, which ended in its removal from power. If it is difficult for one Minister, still holding his portfolios, to go far from Great Britain, it would be more difficult, for tho number that would bo required to travel to give an Imperial Conference, held in one of the dominions, as much value as those gatherings present in London.

The directors of tha Exhibition Company conferred privately this morning with the Hon. W. I). Stewart on various matters relating to the Exhibition, The Chair of Surgery at the Otago University will bo known in the future as the .Ralph Barnett Chair, an endowment for that purpose having been created by tho late holder.

Mr G-. Simpson exhibited at last night’s meeting of the Otago Institute specimens of plants found by Messrs J. S. Thomson, J. MTnlyro, and himself. Five species came from Ma.ungatna and two from Mount Watkin. One of these latter is a form of aciphylla which has not yet been named.

Mr R. S. Allan presented a paper on ' The Geology of the Lower Wailmo Basin ’ at last night’s meeting of the Otago Institute. The area (in the Oamam district) was in a locality of importance. Three classes of rock were present, and coal measures were followed by greensands of wide development, fiir F. Chapman’s lengthy paper dealing with the ago of the earth’s crust and the earliest forms of life was also rend, and an unfinished paper on fish life being prepared by Dr Malcolm was tabled.

A motion upholding the action of the Tararua Tramping Club and other bodies in protesting against the introduction into the Tongariro National Park of any foreign plant, bird, or other animal was passed last evening by members of the Otago Institute. It was stated that the experience gained of the disastrous results of bringing animals and plants into a new land, where conditions of existence were totally different from those obtaining in the home country, should act as a warning against any further experiment of the kind. The heather introduced might be a menace not only to native flora in the park, but also to the country round about. It should he eradicated, if possible, and a strong effort should be made to obtain from the Minister of Lands an injunction against any further interference with Nature in Now Zealand. The lack of reticence and decorum in bathers was the subject of a discussion at the Sumner (Christchurch) Borough Council. Or Cooper asked if nothing could be done to prevent half-naked people lying about on the beach on Sunday afternoons. The thing was being carried too far. Or Harris said that last Sunday afternoon ho had noticed two people undressing in the sandhills at the Scarborough end of the 'beach in full view of everyone. A now use for motor cars had been discovered. Some people were drawing the cars up on the esplanade and using them as dressing sheds. It might bo all right, but he (Or Harris) doubted whether any person with much decency would make a practice of it. Something should bo done to suppress the disgusting manner in which men and girls lay about the beach or played about. It was a matter for the police as well as the beach patrol. It was resolved that letters should bo sent to both the police and the patrol, pointing out that these immodest bathers were carrying things too far. Cr Thomas said that a distinction should be drawn lietween legitimate snn bathing and immodesty, because sun bathing was healthgiving, and should not he discouraged.— Christchurch correspondent. While proceeding along the mountain road near Inglewood a lorry, with a load of 160 cases of benzine, caught fire, and was totally destroyed. The traffic was blocked on the road for an hour or two.--. New Plymouth Press Association telegram.

At the Wellington Education Board meeting Mr White moved—“ That tho granting of special favors (holidays) to city children is unfair and opposed to tho best interests of the whole of the children ; that the action of tho chairman and tho secretary in conniving at tho breaking of tho board’s by-laws is deserving of censure.” The mover pointed out a discrepancy between the holidays granted to country and city schools’ children. Country children wore given ono holiday for tho local show, but not more. In tho city, however, a special holiday was granted during the month of November, when conditions were unsuitable for holidays, In seconding the first part of the motion Mr Loudon regretted that anything might bo inferred from Mr White’s allusion to a holiday granted to city schools on the departure or Viscount Jollicoe. Mr R. A. Wright considered the motion a reflection on tho late Governor-General, who had a great affection for tho children, among whom ho was exceedingly popular. Other members spoke in a similar strain, and the motion was lost, Mr White only voting for it. —Press Association telegram. On November 26 a Press Association message descriptive of a dispute in tho Arbitration Court between Mr Read, secretary of the Wellington Timber Workers' Union, and Mr Turley, secretary of tho New Zealand Timber Workers’ Federation, stated that when Road struck at Turley the latter took cover under the table. Mr Turley takes exception to this allegation, maintaining that ha did no more than move his head to avoid the blow. This version has been substantiated by inquiries, and in justice to Mr Turley the correction is made. —Press Association. A New Plymouth Press Association telegram states that Dr Clapp, consulting geologist to the Taranaki Oilfields, Ltd., in an interview, stated that drilling would commence at Tarata immediately, and that preparations would be made to drill on the foreshore close to the high-water mark at Moturoa, within shelter of the breakwater. Geologists would make an extensive survey preparatory to locating the site of the third bore. Mr W. Osborne, geologist of ihe Sydney University, has joined the staff. Another is to be appointed. Two complete drilling plants are already on the ground. The last rehearsal of tho Exhibition Choir for the year, on Monday evening of this week, was well attended. Mr W. Paget Gale announced that the roll number is now well over 400, and that he was pleased with the way tho practices are going. At a meeting of the committee it was decided to resume the rehearsals on the first Monday in February*

Through the tour of the All Blacks it is not unlikely that New Zealand may benefit commercially. At various functions during the tour of the footballers business topics have been discussed, and of these there are likely to he some interesting reports when the team returns to Now Zealand. During tiio visit to Newport a hope was expressed by Mr R. G. Clarry, M.P. for Newport, tint the rill Blacks, when they returned to New Zealand, would not forget the town from tho business point of view. Mr 3, S. Dean, manager of the team, said in reply that the visitors were impressed with Newport as an industrial centre. Their visit to the docks had been an eye-opener, and one of the remarks which had been passed was; “Why cannot Newport be a distributing centre for the produce of New Zealand ? ” When they went back as ambassadors in commerce, said Mr Dean, they would do all they could to help Newport and oilier places in the general distribution of the products of their country. It was also suggested by Mr Dean that British politicians should visit the overseas dominions and see what they 'wore doing. TTiat would do a. tremendous amount of good. Reference to tho growth of the tourist traffic in Now Zealand was made at Auckland last week by Mr Richard Wedderspoon, who is investigating the tourist attractions in both islands. He pointed out that in 1922 there were 5,588 overseas visitors; in 1923, 7,522; and this year it was ctimated that the total would ho 10,000. Next year, which is Exhibition year, it is calculated that overseas visitors will total 30,000, and it is computed that these will spend at least £IOO each, t-o that tho tourist traffic will bring into the dominion in 1925 £3,000,000. Dunedin is now making arrangements to accommodate some thousands of visitors, but it cannot accommodate them all, and the Tourist Department is arranging to divert tourists temporarily to places of attraction all over tho dominion, including Mount Cook and the Tongariro National Park.

“ Wo have enough problems to solve in connection with our relief work in our largo hospital district without having to listen to able-bodied men in good health who come to us and say they cannot get work,” said the chairman of the Auckland Hospital Board ycslerday, when speaking of the very largo number of men who had conic to the board for relief because, they said, they could not get work, while the farmers and producers of {he country were crying out because of the scarcity of labor. , It was quite true that in the country labor was very scarce, and any man willing 'to work would soon got something to do. One rather striking and not very creditable thing, went on the chairman, was that where husbands were separated from their wives, tho wives often made good, and supported themselves, and oven saved enough to get a little home together which they could call their own, while the husband never made any real effort to get into the country .where work was offering, and then came and asked for help.

Yes, we have plenty metal dolls’ heads from 2s 6d.—Todd’s Karrie-Kan-nio Doilies’ Hospital, George street (next Plaza). —[Advt.] Illingsworth’s Britisb-niadc roll film is issued in all standard sizes to suit all makes of cameras. Obtainable at all dealers.—H. J. GUI. Frederick street.—fAdvt.’j A great deal of interest is being taken in t’no reopening by the mayor of tho swimming pool at Fraser's Gully, Kaikorai, on Saturday. Tho size of this pool and the natural beauty of iis position will probably bo a surprise to many who will attend this function. There will bo a procession starting from tho school to the baths at 2 p.m., headed by tho Kaikorai School Band. The member for tho district, tho Hon. Downie Stewart, has accepted an invitation to attend. Costs were awarded against Tonkin and Co. in the discontinued action against Margaret. Rodgers in the Magistrate's Court yesterday.