NOTES AND COMMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVIII, Issue 17754, 13 April 1921, Page 6

NOTES AND COMMENTS.

AMERICAN LIVE STOCK. In view of the outlook for meat it is interesting, and perhaps encouraging, to New Zealand farmers to noto that there lias been a tremendous drop in tho mim4>or of live stock in tho .United States. The total reduction in the number of all farm animals during tho year 1920 was 10,000,000 head. Over half of this were pigf, but tho decrease in cattle was 1,880,000 and in sheep 2,047,000. The drop is attributed mainly to the demand during tho year for meats and latterly to tho low prices of wool The decrease in tho value- of live stock is stated to bo 26.7 per cent., but this is duo as much to lower values per head as to reduction in numbers. The actual numerical decrease in sheep however is 39.1 per cent. LABOUR'S FALSE LEADERS. Mr. G. N. Barnes, tho English Labour leader, has no illusions regaiding revolutionary theories. "I sometimes wonder,'' he said recently, " how long the trade unionists will continue to he confused by the revolutionists who profess to speak in their name. The revolutionist is in somo respects as blind as a bat. He does not see that ho is retarding the coming of Communism by permeating the community with an auti-Communißtic spirit. There is also a gutter press, which is supposed to be run in the interests of Labour, which pandora day by day to' tho lowest passions of mankind, and degrades Labour in the eyes of those who don't know it. One.of tho greatest clangers confronting the community to-day is that, under the influence of this poisonouß propaganda, tho great mass of fair-minded but easygoing trade unionists may bo stampeded into revolutionary courses which, at the best, would only result in changing the form of economic relations, and at the worst involve them and others in a common ruin. Trade unions ought to bo a steadying influence in industry. They should enable tho most able and level-headed men and women to adjust difficulties so that thcro should be the fairest possible distribution of the largest possible production of goods. They should contribute in co-operation with public authorities to the maintenance of an equilibrium in production, so as to get tho largest possible demand for labour. Trade b"e showing that they are fit to take part in industry on tho basis of partnership instead of mere servitude. They should take part in the real constructive work of tho world on terms of equality, but they cannot do it while they are fooled by those who are out only for destruction.

JAPAN AND THE ALLIANCE. Tho* views of the Japanese Government in respect of tho revision and renewal of tho Anglo-Japanese Alliance were set forth in tho Diet recently by Count TJchida, the Foreign Minister, He said the Japaneso Government had been giving careful consideration to the question with a view especially to its relation to the Covenant of the League of Nations. They had entered into a conference with the British Government, and a frank exchange of views on this matter had taken place both in London and Tokio. In view of Article 6of tho existing Agreement of Alliance, it was decided to address to the League of, Nations a joint notification to the effect that the Governments of Japan and Great Britain had come to the conclusion that the Anglo-Japaneso Agreement of July 13, 1911, though in harmony with tho spirit of the Covenant of the League of Nations, was not entirely consistent with the letter of that Covenant, and that they, accordingly, recognised the principle that if the agreement was to bo continued after July, 1921, it must be in a form not inconsistent with the Covenant. The notification was conveyed in a Note dated July 8, 1920. Tho principlo which should gnndo the Japanese Government in revising tho Agreement was at present a subjet of serious study, regard being had. to the articles of the League Covenant as declared in the joint notification and to many important changes which have taken place in tho aspect of affairs since tho conclusion of the present Agreement. That this Agreement of Alliance had largely and distinctly contributed to the peace, stability, and welfare of the entire Far East was fully realised by both nations, and not only was tho continuance and preservation of the wholesome spirit of this alliance for a long time to corn© desired by the more thoughtful of tho two peoples, hut it was, ho was sure, in perfect harmony with high ideals of the Leaguo of Nation*.

COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS. The scope for artistic design in commercial buildings was discussed by Mr. H. Gordon Selfridgo in an address at the Architectural Association. He declared that commerce has decidedly failed to do its share in producing beautiful buildings. " Commercial architecture has advanced more rapidly in America than in other countries, because thcro the man who is in commerce—and that includes practically everybody—takes Buch a pride in his undertaking that ho feels bo has failed in bis duty to himself, his business, and his city, uidess he has housed that business in a building which is consistent with its purposo, and is well constructed. The most conspicuous and the least successful of American commercial edifices aro the high buildings, or 'sky-scrapers.' It is almost impossible to achieve good architecture with a building that is four or five times as high as it is wido. My friends in America arc really proud of tho Woolworth building, which is referred to as a 'cathedral of commerce,' but I have little admiration for it. If it rested with me I would certainly not allow high buddings in London, for I have moro regard for the beauty of the city than tho, utility of tho buildings. Tho public do not quite realise all that a building means. Once a buildintr is erected it remains to all intents and purposes for ever. In America, it is truo, tho general opinion is that any building; more than -25 years old should bo pulled down, but in this country a building is supposed to last until it falls down. Of all the fine arts architecture is the most admirablo,/ because it combines qualities of great utilitarian valuo with a superlative degree of beauty. Until now commercial architecture has been surpassed by ecclesiastical architecture and public buildings, but there is no doubt that commerce has begun to realise its responsibilities in tho matter, and in the future will have to its credit many edifices which will be a source of pride to the city in which they arc placed, and of joy and delight to the public'!