TOPICS OF THE DAY.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 5679, 29 August 1905, Page 4

TOPICS OF THE DAY.

The City Council, it is gratifying to observe, has gracefully rewbllington ceded from the extreme streets position it took, up when it Bum. resolved to drop the Wellington Streets Bill because of the amendment made in the measure by the House of Representatives. It has taken the sensible course of approaching the Premier on the subject, and, as was te be expected, has found the mover of the amendment willing to accept a modification of the clause which, while protecting the public against the creation of slums, will not involve the infliction of hardship upon owners of land that is inaccessible, save by narrow rights-of-way. Presumably, also, provision will be made for the re-erection of buildings that may become uninhabitable from any cause, provided that the conditions as to area of land around the dwelling are complied with, even though the frontage should be to a narrow right-of-way. There are parts of the city, such as Taitville, Mitchelltown, and Brooklyn, where small houses might he unduly crowded, if some restriction is not imposed ; but the case of such districts will be met by a proviso as to the area of land on which dwellings may be erected. The ■ Premier’s intention in framing the new clause was, of course, to achieve this end, and that laudable intention he is determined to. carry into effect. He is also; we are glad to note, prepared to meet the City Council in the matter of streets that are not 66ft wide. Oh the latter question, Dunedin property-owners are asking foj the amendment of the clause relating to subdivision of land fronting streets of less than the statutory width, so that the municipal corporation may have power to exempt certain areas from the operation of the law, without the consent of the 6overnor-in-Counoil. The advisability of giving this power without some safeguard is open to question ; but certainly some amendment is required that will prevent the threatened destruction of property values. On the question of the Wellington Streets Bill, the Premier is to be congratulated upon the spirit in which ho has met the City Council. That body is to be commended for acting on its “second thoughts” in the matter; for, if the measure had been sacrificed, Councillors would have laid themselves open to a charge of insincerity in promoting it. It is to be hoped that the new amendment to be drafted will be such as will prove workable and at the same time fair to everyone. |

The prophet Dowio has not a monopoly of Zionist proposals, Zionist though his Zion City has projects, the advantage of being an accomplished fact, while other projects are still “in the air.” The true Zionist movement is that for the re-establishment of a Jewish nation, preferably in Palestine; but. the conference held last month at Basle, in Switzerland, docs not seem to hare advanced tho project. This Zionist Conference was the largest yet held—--730 delegates attending from the Continent, England, South Africa, Canada, and Australia. Tho movement is now established in twenty-two States, and has been steadily growing in importance. Advices to 30th July, received hy way of tho Capo, show that tho conference was a particularly stormy ono, owing to differences of opinion prevailing between th© Zion Zionists, who aim only at settlement in Palestine, and the Territorial Zionists, who, owing to tho difficulties of the scheme, seek to create a settlement elsewhere, in order to immediately relievo tho Russian and Roumanian Jews. Mr Israel Zangwill moved the acceptance of the offer hy the British Government of a tract of land in Uganda for the creation of an independent Jewish State, provided a larger and more suitable area is granted. The Territorial Zionists, including many of tho Russian revolutionary elor.ic.nt, demanded acceptance of the Uganda offer, if only as a solution to their sufferings. This section, rising on masse, shouted in a threatening manner, and throw their anus about. Quito a Babol of confusion followed, men roaring themselves hoarse, and many fainting from exhaustion. Tho Zion Zionists also rose excitedly, endeavouring to shout down tho opposition, and tho president of tho congress was repeatedly obliged to suspend the sitting. After further noisy and abortive discussion, lasting till 3 a.ni., the conference again assembled on 30th July, and rejected the Uganda project hy a large majority. Thereupon the Territorial Zionists protested that the conference was illegally constituted, and resolved to 'withdraw. A resolution was passed, thanking tho British Government for tho Uganda offer, and asking it to use its influence in support of th© aims of Zionism in Palestine.

The Anglo-Zimiist University College, Jerusalem, is the highgolden kdle sounding title of a very op grotesquely cunning instijerusalbm. tution that has lately com© into public notice. A circular is being sent to people in. various parts of the world, inviting them to become members of the “ Order of the Golden Rule of Jerusalem.” This document, among other things, states: —“ Before inscribing your name in the rolls and declaring the Golden Rule, you are requested to sign the following: ‘I swear that I shall not disclose anything concerning the Golden Rule, and shall strive with all my power and substance to bring about a Universal Republic of United States under our piesident of the Golden Rule of Jerusalem; that I shall not harm a member of the Golden Rule in or out of battle, that I shall settle all disputes with members of the Golden Rule by arbitration.’ ” This unique order proposes to confer titles upon persons who make donations to its funds. Thus, the circular states that the contribution of £500,000 secures a dukedom or makes a duchess! A marquisate can be obtained for exactly half that sum. An earl only counts at the rate of £IOO,OOO. And so the scale descends. A “ Grand Knight Bachelor” can be bought for £ls, or a “ Lady Spinster ” for £lO. And a plain “ladyship” or simple “knighthood” can be secured for the modest subscription of 5s per annum! Who would be without a title, when they are going at such bargain prices? Colonials are said to be notorious “tuft-hunters”; therefore, those who wish titles may be glad to learn that “ Prince Immanuel,” of the Anglo-Zionist University College, Jerusalem, has them for disposal on the terms quoted, c.0.d.. Apart _ from the Jewish national movement, which is a worthy attempt to raise and dignify a great but scattered people, there seems to be Something in that blessed word “ Zion ” that causes it to ho considered effective for the ensnaring of gullible humanity.