Established 1866. The Marlborough Express PUBLISHED EVERY EVENING. Tuesday, July 8, 1902. NOTES ON CURRENT TOPICS.

Marlborough Express, Volume XXXVI, Issue 157, 8 July 1902, Page 2

Established 1866. The Marlborough Express PUBLISHED EVERY EVENING. Tuesday, July 8, 1902. NOTES ON CURRENT TOPICS.

The unexpected collapse of the Ad-dross-in-Reply debate was followed by a collapse of Ministerial arrangements. Merely temporary collapse, of course, for quite a crowd of Bills were ready, even on Thursday afternoon. The trouble was that the necessary notice, under the Standing Order, could not be given. Hence, on Thursday night, a holiday. On Friday came the resumption of business, and urgent questions kept Ministers all the afternoon. A\ho, notice was given of a perfect host of Bills. Some of these may be regarded as useful adjuncts to the general foreshadowing of Ministerial policy given in the Governor's speech. Then, we find Mr Duncan with an Orchard and Garden Peats Bill, a Land and Live Stock Auctions Bill —in which we presume, the evil of " trotting " or " running" up of bogus entries, is to be dealt with; and the Birds Nuisance Bill. Mr McGowan, the Minister of Justice, has measures dealing with the criminal jurisdiction of the Justice of the Peace, and with the conditions under which second hand dealers prosecute their business. He has also a Mining Act Amendment Bill, the details of which will be anxiously awaited. The amendments in labor legislation pro-nii-ed in the Governor*? speech will probably be found in the " Shops and Offices Bill"; the " Shipping and Seamen's Bill"; the "Factories Act Amendment Bill," and other measures which have been notified by Mr HallJones ; whilst the Acting-Premier is responsible for a Referendum Bill and a Bank Holidays Bill. Evidently it will not bo the fault of Ministers if members suffer from lack of subjects to discuss during the session.

Private members have also given notice of several measures of more or less importance. Mr Pirani is auxious to deal with the vexed question of solicitor's bills of costs ; MrGilfedder, as an ex-school master, would fain have the duties and privileges of school inspectors reviewed and amended ; Mr Houston is anxious to see the kauri gum industry placed upon a new legislative footing; the Hon. Major Steward, whose Executive Elective Bill is also given notice of, wishes also to amend the Impounding Act; and Mr Hornsby re-introduces an old friend in his " Trusts and Combines Prevention Bill"; Mr Atkinson desires to make amendments in the Workers' Compensation for Accidents Bill; and Mr McNab is still in love with his old idea of the absolute majority. Mr Fisher, who promises to bo exceptionally active this session, has three or four local and private bills to which his name 19 attached, and other members havo various measures which they profess themselves anxious shall roach the safe haven of the Statute Book. " Private members day's " last session were few, and were generally remarkable for a small attendance of members. This session we expect to see a greater degree of interest manifested in private and local measures.

We do nob drink less than we did, but we prefer the colonial to the imported article. Such, at loast, is the inference we draw from the Customs returns for the year ending March, 1901. The colonists drink more spirits than they did—which is a bad thing— but we are cultivating an increased taste for colonial as against imported beer. In 1881 the colonial consumption of English ale and stout was I'3B gallons per head, In 1901 it was 0*34 gallons. As against these figures, the "colonial" beer consumed in 1881 was only 4,(500,000 and odd gallons, whereas in 1901 the total was 7,134,800 gallons. But though the total amount is greater, the quantity per head exhibits a decided decrease. In 1881 it was 140 gallons ; to day it is only 129 gallons. The decrease per head is out of all proportion to the increase in population. Therefore, if figures are worth anything, we aro a loss thirsty, and thorofore, again, but only as a matter of theory, we are a more sober nation. Let us hope the theory is correct,

If we drink less beer —per head—we smoke more and we drink more tea. In 1881 we smoked 1,063,6511bs of what King Jamie the First called "ye noxious Indiane weede." To day we get through 1,751,3591bs per year of the "noxious weede," and, so far, we are free from any meddlesome interference from an Anti Tobacco Society. But the increase in the use of tobacco is nothing to that in tea. In 1881 the quantity of tea imported was close upon four millions of pounds, but by 1900 the amount had risen to more than five and a half millions of pounds. Both in spirits, tobacco, and tea we are yearly becoming more extravagant. It would be interesting to learn, were this possible, if this huge increase in the use of alcohol, narcotics, and tea is any important factor in the corresponding increase in the number of cases of

nervous diseases

The Wellington Trades and Labour Council has finally decided that it will not exclude the press representatives from its meetings. Here is a wise decision from a quarter wheuce wise decisions are less frequent than they might be. It appears that one member assailed Mr Seddon at a recent meeting, and predicted that the Premier would come back from England "a bloated Conservative." This opinion having been duly reported, the speaker apparently repented of his outspokenness, and wished to blame the reporters for alleged misrepresentation of his remarks. After he had relieved his soul, another member of the Council expressed 7i is opinion that " Mr often said things in the heat of the moment that he did not meau." This was followed by another speech wherein an ex-leader of the " Wellin'ton Libour Partee" declared he was "agin the capitalistic press," etc., etc. But the good sense of the majority was pithily affirmed by a third membeir, who very wisely said that if membei'3 did not say foolish things the press would not make fun of them, and tbe motion to exclude the reporters was rejected by twenty-two votes to 10. Which, in itself, affords good proof that there is much common-sense in the Wellington Trades and Labour Council.

The Farmers' Union Conference has commenoed its sittings at Wellington, and is proceeding with its business in what is, so far, at least, an eminently business-like fashion. Mr J. G. Wilson, of Bulls, is tbe new President, and we can congratulate the Union upon its choice. Mr Wilson for some years represented the Rangitikei constituency in the House of Representatives, and is what, in the Old Country, would be called a "gentleman farmer," who is at the same time a practical working farmer; and, although he can play a good game of polo, he is none the less a shrewd judge of stock, an expert in grasses and crops generally, and a very level-headed all-round business man. Tn politics he is nominally a Conservative, but he is not likely to allow the .party mania to over-rule his general ideas as to where the farmers can best get relicf —in other words, ho is a farmer first and a politician afterwards. We hope that he will do his best to prevent the Union from supporting the stupid fetish of the " Elective Executive." On the face of it the " Elective. Executive" means the abolition of party government. As a mater of fact we believe ifc means that it would bring about the very worst form of the very style of government it professes to abolish. The Conference will sit for ten days or more. When its sittings are concluded we will review its resolutions at length and in detail.