NOTES AND COMMENTS.

New Zealand Times, Volume LVIII, Issue 2846, 15 June 1896, Page 2

NOTES AND COMMENTS.

The proposal to unite all the labour organisations in one federation has good sense and prudence to recommend it. H Labour nnited in this way, it will speak with one voice, and that voice can only be given after formal and full consideration. It will be a union of unity and prudence. No one can doubt that this is a good thing. The best thing it will bp for all parties concerned: for labour of every kind, for the employers of labour, and for the publio at large, the paymaster of both. As there are always people who delight to object to good things on the ground that they are open to the abuse of being made too much of, therefore there are people who are warning us that this federation if established may favour strikes. It reminds ua of the ingenious philosopher who objected to agriculture because it is the aonroe of food and clothing, which produce gluttony nnd extravagance. But the w.orld marched on, and the philosopher was left behind preaching to tho four walls—of a lunatic asylum—and unable to convince his auditory. That is one answer to the .strainers after prudence. Another iis that the Jaw of arbitration will prevent any ftbifSS of this kind, such as the big strike of J. 890, fvhioli was only possible for want of snob a controlling q-nd restraining force.

Water has risen up to the fugh levels, and has suddenly withdrawn its leyel out of the ga?o of the expectant dwellers on the sometimes dry mountain tops. The City Fathers have been in conseijuence ro r minded of pertain liabilities in the matter of fire-prevention, which we trust they will keep before them, The ostensible reason for the withdrawal is that during the winter less water is wanted, and that pre.sently more water than usual will be available because steam-power is about to be employed for the electric lighting. It is quite certain, however, that though the quantity may be sufficient for domestic purposes, the power requisite for dealing effectually with outbreaks of fire, will not be at gll times what it ought to be. The real explanation of the retrograde move wO beIjeye to he that there is very little knowledge,on the subject anywhere. Even the experts aye said to be far fpom unanimous without because they ape within. Everybody concepned’wapts the wijjter for study and reflection, fop m e Pf a i chewing and digestion. This being the plain English of the business, we pan only hope that the process of reading, marking and in.wsrdly digesting will be rapid, and that go fire may break out to break down the financial position of the Council, before that Councillor's request for an enquiry has been given effect to. And while they are about it, certain of the City Fathers might endeavour to add to their knowledge of the subjept by adding a little to their attenuated’ stock of goodwill towards the higher level folk..

Mr Maughau Barnett's Musical Society bse received SlB3, giyep three ponpertp —remarkably good ones—and has a snrr plus of .816! It ig the most astounding fact in local muaioal history, What ought, however, to enjoy that eminent djsr tinotion is something very different. It is the patent fact that local musical societies are " run ’’ on lines which lead to ruin and big audiences. They give too much to their subscribers, whose paper takes up all available space, the money of the general public remains outside,andfinanpia 1 disquiet descends upon the members, who rejieye their fpelipga by bewailing "the depay of musical taste in cur gjitW*.” Thin I? too often the result. Mr Barnett’s society has left room for the general public, tempted the general public with good mnm,' and the general’ p»b}io has come. If a limited girole of members choose .to enjoy good rousts and Pan pack a hall with themselves and friends to do so, they must submit to a subscription big enough to make things as easy financially as they are musically. Otherwise they must take their chance with the public. Mr Barnett’s society has taken it, and is in the comfortable position described by unctuous people as “.easy circumstances.”

It is suggestive tha* thp lopld 13 indebted to a Demab leader’s letter |to Jjjs phj,ef for the information that JO,OOO troops have arrived at Soakim from India, Jt 13 clear that the British commanders have no faith in special correspondents. That, indeed, no commanders have anywhere; e.g„ we remember hearing Archibald Forbes do, scribing how General Sherman once told him that if he had his way he would be<nn a campaign by hanging every war correspondent. It is also clear that some carious move is in contemplation from the Ked jjftoral. The alliance between SussiV and ihptsjnia —the late campaign was' .dSjSsfc? for* Jfrejj£h and Russian does not alloy' any Recitation on Jss gjiitish'side. has Ro port, as has beep jyeii a very long' ffay ,<?£. 33u* that dhjy fetf. phasises the necessity for rapidity of action. Eapidity is the one great feature gf tßdtics. which distinguishes thelndian sohebi, »fji£h has produced the best British generalsof the last two centuries. True to the tradition a large force has suddenly appeared in fhe god Sea at the precise moment when the advance along the line has met first line of defence and forced it. White tfe? jfMJfo’s reinforcements are hurrying north rrbw Khartum he will have to discover by what roRRg the Indian contingent is to get at Mm. Two roads are open, the Suaklm-Berber and the Masse wahj-Kassala - Khartoum. Both have been used for the march of troops ( the former frequently by the Soudanese regiments in Egyptian employ, the latter lately by tha Italians. IV O feel pretty sure that before the Khalifa discovers the intended routs be will bare the

Indian artillery playing upon his lines. A combined movement of Indian, Egyptian and British troops will settle the question of the Dervish existence before the question of the Eussian-Abyssian alliance can become important.

That question put to the senior member of Wellington the other night reminds us of a rumour that has a good basis, so far as we can learn. Asked if he would take office with Captain Russell, the senior member said he would consider the matter. Rumour says that he has considered the matter, and u fixed it up ” as the saying goes. The terms are said to be that the Captain accepts the senior member as Premier—when the occasion arises—the senior member dropping bis Prohibition fad on the ground that quito enough lias now been done by legislation for tho temperance interest. Assuming the rumour to be true—we give it for what it is worth—we need only remark for the present that “ it’s a far cry to Loch Awe.”