TIMELY SUGGESTIONS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CV, Issue 12531, 19 June 1901, Page 5

TIMELY SUGGESTIONS.

TO THE EDITOR,

Sir,—l shall be glad if the following remarks are deemed worthy of publication: (1.) The authorities, I feel sure, will spare no pains in their desire to provide for the safety and comfort of the cadets massed in the Normal School. But my yarning about the value of fire-drill will bear reiteration, as the lads are to sleep on straw, and are, of necessity, but poorly acquainted with the most expeditious modes of exit, and in a ny time of danger the windows might appear fatally attractive. . Two provisions appear desirable. A couple ->f experienced firemen might be paid to do night duty, and to see that buckets of water are -conveniently placed ; and the boys should be -put upon their honour to give up any matches they have when passing the guard-room. (2.) The coupling of the names' of, two English counties in the title of our Royal visitors would render appropriate the junction of representatives from those honoured parts of Britain, at-some convenient spot on the route to be taken. Perhaps the Mayor may consider the matter. (3.) The culminating demonstration will be almost immediately followed by the excitement of qn election. No side, having an honest desire to be adequately represented in the House should'allow its antagonists ■to seize the seat “by default.” We have .very recently been told, that ‘“the people” are extremely foolish if they continue- to hug the delusion that our form of Government is truly Democratic. The opportunity of proving that we can select ai man whose views are generally in unison with those of the great mass of the people should not- be cast aside. Recent events haye proved that we cannot- safely play at soldiering. Coming events may as dearly demonstrate that- danger will follow any playing at politics. The newspapers are the natural lints in the. chain of our democratic system, and it .the Christchurch papers would issue ballot forms for a plebiscite,, returnable within -a'fortnight, the electors could invite, by ■inference, the two most- popular candidates to contest the vacant seat, provided that the preliminary mode of choice- be clearly binding upon- all on the list.—l am, etc., J. H. NEWLYN.