Notes and Comments.

Feilding Star, Volume XIII, Issue 3336, 4 September 1917, Page 2

Notes and Comments.

A Striking Comparison

"You wouldn't think a world-war is on, would you?" This expression is frequently heard at various assemblies throughout New Zealand, especially at meetings, at which young and not-s- O--young men attend in large numbers. Whilst the suggestion that 19-year-old youths should be caleld up created warm protests in our Dominion, France has actually had to call into camp for training her 16-year-old boys, and has extended the age if or recruits at the other end to veterans of 60 years. Sixteen to sixty 1 There is no doubt that France knows there is a war on. The Returned Exile. Amongst the notable speakers at the great conference of Russian delegates in Moscow last week was Prince Peter Kropotkin, who raised his voice in an appeal to all parties to see the war to a victorious end. Even amongst Russia's remarkable figures, Kropotkin was famous, and he returned to Petrograd only a few weeks ago. after a lengthy exile spent in London mostly: He was famous as a scientist and explorer before he became a revolutionist. Before he was 30 years of age he had made extended journeys in Manchuria, and had studied the glacial deposits of Finland and Sweden. Unusual Type In Aristocrats. Tins was an unusual development for a young Russian aristocrat, especially one wno had served as a page at the Imperial Court. Science, however, only held half of Kropotkin's interest. He joined the International (the Anarchists) in 1872, and was arrested in 1874. He escaped to England after two years' imprisonment, and, except for a short term in a French prison, lived in England ever since. He has been a voluminous writer, and his scientific books carry unchallenged authority. His history of the French Revolution is the most fascinating of the innumerable volumes written round that great event. He should exercise a steadying influence upon the young hot bloods of New Russia.

Sow, that Ye May Garner. Yea, we have had much rain ; but not nearly as much as Auckland —after which, the deluge for the northerners. But the rain will not be with us always and now is the time to sow, that ye may reap. As the poetaster has so pithily put it: Plant, brother, plantplant with care; plant the garden for the sun's bright glare. A long straight row for the radish rare, a fuzzy furrow for the lettuce there. Plant, brother, plant—plant your share, plant your stuff for the family fare. And we are hoping that in Feilding and district mother's sorting out the seeds of caftba-ges and things, brother's bought somo overalls and luscious lettuce heads; sister's busy plotting out the little muddy beds that by-and-by will all be full of luscious lettuce heads. Auntie's studying a book on "How to make things grow," so that presently for dad the job is hoe, hoe, hoe!