ODDMENTS OF NEWS.

Feilding Star, Volume XI, Issue 2447, 15 September 1914, Page 1

ODDMENTS OF NEWS.

CULLED FROM OUP EXCHANGES

A good illustration of the way in which the war has cemented all classes of the population of the British Empire in the face of a common danger was shown at a Labour Party smoke concert in Wellington on Thursday night. One of the speakers, perhaps inadvertently, praised the Germans for their progress in the arts and sciences, and touched on the old question of the conflict between Labour and Capitalism. He expressed the opinion that Labour's enemies were more within than without the country. That was enough for the audience. The enthusiastic strains of "Sons of the Sea" drowned the speaker's remarks, and eventually he gave up the attempt to continue.

"That the Government enact a copyright law for now varieties of fruit, vegetables, and flowers." Such was the remit brought forward by the Horowhenua Association at the Fruitgrowers' Conference in Wellington. It was mentioned that one orchardist in the Levin district had been experimenting for ten* ySars. Just recently he has succeeded in cultivating several new varieties, but in this connection he was given no protection at all. Mr T. W. Kirk, representing the Agricultural Department, stated that full powers in the direction required were given in the new Orchard and Garden Industries Act, now awaiting presentation to Parliament. It was decided to urge the Government to introduce the Bill immeiateiy.

The feelings of A statesman pondering whether he will have peace or war are difficult for the ordinary man to imagine (says a contributor to the London Chronicle). There is a strange etory concerning Bismarck's during the critical days before the war of 1866. His subordinate, Kendell, was an accomplished pianist, and, as Grant-Duff puts it in recording the story, used to fulfil towards the Chancellor "the function which David fulfilled towards Saul." One evening Bismarck was unusually moody, and Kendell surpassed himself at the piano. At - last Bismarck said: "Thank you, my dear Kendell, you have soothed..- me, and done me so much good; my mind is made up— we shall declare war against Austria!"

In spite of the war, Wellington's trade is pursuing the even tenor of its way. Confidence is becoming more and- more established, and while the progress of the struggle in Europe is being watched with the keenest interest residents are showing less anxiety than was manifest for the first two weeks after war was declared between Britain and Germany. .No doubt faith in the ability of the British Navy to keep the trade routes practically free from the depredations of. foreigners, and the assurance given by the head's of the British Government that the commerce of the overseas Dominions is being closely guarded, have had a very beneficial effect. The shipping of New Zealand products to the London market has been disorganised, certainly (says the Times), but the disadvantage is about to be remedied, and it is confidently expected that in~ the near future this will be placed on a satisfactory basis.

The revenue for the past year in the Cook Islands amounted to £11,722, being aoi increase of £2302 on the figures of the previous year. A sum of £10,194 was expended, of which amount £3939 was devoted to public , works, and a sum of £2351 wae spent in connection with the medical department of the Administration. The balance standing to the credit of the Administration at the close of the year's operations iwae £3591, as against £2063 on March 31, 1913. At Niue Island the revenue for the year amounted to £2491, ibeing £188 less than that of the previous yeax. A sum of £3068 was expended, for £748 more than in the previous year. Necessary public work's are being pushed on, and a sum of £i 569 was expended under this head. In the Cook Islands the volume of trade is reported to have Ibeen well maintained. The value of exports for the year ended December 31, 1913, was £109,926, as against £101,708 in the previous year, an increase of £8218. The total imports for the same period amounted to £110,283, as against £93,812 .in the previous year, or an increase of £16,471. The value of. Neiw Zealand goods imported during the year was £83,096, as against £73,704 in the previous year. The total amount of goods imported from New Zealand into the Cook Islands and Niue during the year amounted .to £93,868.