INTERNAL DEFENCE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14698, 4 December 1909, Page 7

INTERNAL DEFENCE.

The provisions of tho Internal Deftaico Bill, which has now made its appearance, apparently follow closely tho forecast of them that was given by tho Prime Minister in the Budget. As indicated, a course of graded instruction for Cadets, at school or otherwise, is to precede attachment to the general training section, wherein service will be compulsory in respect to all young men physically sound between the ages of eighteen and twenty-one years. Two years were to be tho period of such general compulsory training according to the Financial Statement, but possibly tho intentions of tho Government, as guided by its expert advisors, have only more recently become clearly crystallised', for the Internal Defence Bill provides that those being trained in the general section shall be classified as

'' efficient'' for three years beforo they are I driiftoil into the reserve, and that those who do not so qualify shall bo liablo for additional training. While tho Bill provides for a reserve of tlio.se between twonty-ono and thirty years of age, fclia prescribed training for which is to* be two muster parades in the year, it contemplates, in addition to such liiilitary resourees as its compulsory provisions are expcckd to furnish, that a territorial force shall be raised. Presumably this is to ho interpreted as the foundation of tlio Ri;t'g,et announcement that the organisation of an activc force of 20,C00 man who are expected to enlist voluntarily will be provided for, any deficiency in its numbers by voluntary enlistment being made up by a selection from those undergoing compulsory training. More light may still Ire desirable regau'dins; that portion of tho Bill which provides for service on the part of those who havo passed the age of twenty-one years, but tho definite effort the MCiUiUro expresses on the part of the Go\ eminent to effect n reorganisation without further delay of the land forces of the Dominion is to be cordially welcomed. New Zealand cannot hope indefinitely: to postpone in her sehemcs of defc-iwo any recognition of the fact that her weakness renders admission of tlic principle of compulsory military training expedient on her part. The proposals which the Government has now placed before Parliament embodying such an admission may not bo entirely inspired—probably trial alone would sufficiently test them,— but the Internal Defenco Bill will have keen critics in the House and out of it, and such obvious deficiencies as it i may possess are scarcely likely to escape comment. The community j generally should be ablo to realise tiro I importance of the purpose that lies bohmd the Bill, and to recognise that there lias been a sincere effort to make tile compulsory training system as free from astual severity as is compatible with any prospect of effective utility.

We havo been requested by the Hon. T. Mackenzio to state that tho Lands Committee will meet on Tuesday next, when a petition regarding tho Taieri drainage will bo considered and evidence in connection therewith heard. Witnesses desiring to be present should leave Dunedin by the first express on Monday.

W'Q need scarcely remind our readers that tnc annual collection for Hospital Saturday will Ikj taken up to-day. Complete arrangements havo been made by those interested, and rto doubt the public will, as usual, respond freely to the appeal for funds wherewith to assist the institutions for the benchfc o- which the prooeeds will bo devoted. Arrangements for taking up collections arc well forward in Port Chalmers. An attraction for tho evening will bo a number of instrumental musical selections by tho Port Chalmers Band in tho band rotunda.

With respect to the increase in railway fares which tho Minister of Railways proposes to introduce, one who makes a close study of the New Zealand Government railway management yesterday pointed out to a Times report*?!' that there were many ways in which tho Minister could legitimately increase the railway revenue without having recourse to tho introduction of increased fares. It was a fact that the Government granted scorcs of concessions which could bo readily done away with. To quote a few, there was the free carriage of lime for manuring farm lauds, free return of racehorses from race meetings; stock awl all other enhibiis, such as implements, etc., shown at. agricultural shows, were not only returned free, but half the outward freights nere refunded to consignors; hunters and polo ponies were returned free; poultry, dogs, etc., were reiurned free from shows, and half tho outward railage refunded; fruit, lisli, egg and butter boxes had free railage; free passes were granted to persons attending religious and other conferences; whili numerous distinguished and other visitors were not only granted free passes over tho whole of the railwa\s, but many had reserved compartments, and some whole reserved cars, placed at their disposal. Railway faros were certainly ioo low, but if the many concessions at present granted with such a lavish hand woro eliminated and tho service run on purely commercial lines the New Zealand railways would, it was contended, pay 4J i>or cent, per annum. It was computed that the concessions and free passes granted by tho department amounted at. tho very lowest estimate to £100,000 annually.

Good progress is being made with the new Government House (says our Wellington correspondent). It is being erected by Government workmen, and is likely to cost about £25,C00. A considerable sum will also have to bo spent in opening up a new street to tho main ontranoe. Tho house will probably be finished in June.

Our agent at Bailey informs us that a serious case of assault and robbery occurred thcro about 9.45 last night, tho victim being Mr Walker, representative for Mr F. J. Sullivan. It appears that Mr Walker was knocked down by two men, who then threw sand >n his eyes, so as to prevent tho likelihood of identification, and stole his pocket-book, containing £24.

Mr J. B. Waters, secretary of the Catlins —Tahakopa Railway League, has recoivcd the following telegram from the Hon. J. A. Millar, Minister of Railways:—"ln reply to your telegram, it would have given great pleasure to the Ministry to bs represented at tho opening of the CatlinsHotiipapa section, but it is to be regretted that important parliamentary duties will prevent any Minister leaving Wellington at tho present time." Mr Waters informs us that no function will be held to celebrate the opening of the section, which, as previously stated in our columns, will take placo on December 13.

At a quarter to 1 o'clock on Thursday morning a house (formerly tho Pioneer Hotel) in Young street, St. Kilda, oocupied by Andrew Lawrence and owned by Henry Lyders, was found to be on fire, and tho St. Kilda Brigado was called out. Tho building was only slightly damagod, but Mr Lawrence lost cd'ccts (which' were not insured) to the value of £15. It is thought that, the fire originated owing to Mr Lawrence, before going to bed, loaving a pipo with burning tobacoo in it in a coat hanging on a wall, so that presently the coat and then tho wallpaper caught fire. The building was not insured.

Tho president of the Otago Trades and Labour .Council has received the following communication, dated Treasury Chambers, Whitehall,, S.W., October 21:—"I am directed by the Chancellor of tho Exchequer to convey to you his sincere thanks for tho letter which you addressed to him on August 28, and for the kind messages of encouragement which it contained. It has given Mr Lloyd-Gcorgo very groat pleasure to receive your letter.—W. 11. Sands."

Tho conference of delegates of the Amalgamated Society of Engineers concluded its sittings yesterday morning (says a Wellington message). It was stated that a now claim has lwen drawn up which is cxpected lo ■ meet with all the requirements of tho trade, and it is thought that it will not meet with much opposition from the employers. Satisfaction was expressed at tho courteous way in which a deputation had boon received and heard by tho Hon. J. A. Millar. At the conclusion of the conference the southern delegates left for homo last night, and the northern delegates will leave this morning.

There are 1400 candidates at preeent sitting for tho matriculation examination in the Dominion—an increase of 60 on last year. There aro (aays a Press Association telegram) 203 candidates at Auckland, 174 at Wellington, 169 ac Christchurch, and 201 at Dunedin.

A Press Association telegram from Nelson states that at a mooting of the Employors' Association i.-vst night a resolution was carried protesting against tho passing of legislation that will override or in any way interfcro with Arbitration Court awards. At a meeting of the South Canterbury Employers' Association it .was decided to protest strongly against the Government introducing an act to override any award of the Arbitration Court, as sucli action is likely to upset tho wholo trend of Labour legislation, which has so far been generally approved of by both employers and employees.

Reports to hand from the Bluff state that tho flat fish trade oontinucs brisk. Tho trawling steamer Rita, went out to tho grounds at Waiau on Sunday and got in again on Wednesday morning with a catch of aoles equal to 90 eases. Sho met with a draught of cod, but unfortunately they turned out to bo rod ood, and were of no valuo for market purposes. Tho carrier Scout, from the station at Pegasus, brought up a cargo of 45 cases of blue cod and 20 groper. This was the result of a month's work at tho station. Ilor report is that all the grounds round tho southern end of the island have been practically deserted Tho late very fine weather, however, will, it is expeoted, have improved matters.

Two daughters of Mrs John More, South Riverton, aged seven and 12 years respectively, had a narrow escape from drowning on Friday last. They were (says tho Western Star) playing in a boat which was tied up to tho landing in front of the Aparima, Hotel, when tho painter broke, and the boat commenced to drift out into deep water. Tho children tried to ranch tho shore, jumping overboard into about 9ft of water, and instantly sank. The accident was witnessed by Mr Deniis Keloher, of tho Aparima Hotel, and lie instantly made his way to tho spot- Mid dived in, bringing both children, who were unconscious, to the shore. First aid was administered by a number of people present and Drs Trotter and Gordon, who arrived on the soone later, and 1 the children were taken to their home. Great praise is due Mr Keloher for saving the children, and his plucky action should be brought under th(j notice of t.ho Royal Humane Society.

Our Cromwell correspondent informs us that owing to tho very dry and exceptionally hot woather for the last three weeks tho crops and pasture throughout the whole district have suffered considerably, and it is expected that a number of farmers will bo harvesting before Christmas in tho Upper Clutha.

At a meeting yesterday of the Professorial Board of tho University of Otago, Henry Havelock Cornish, 8.A., of Kaitangata, was nominated as the board's candidate for the Rhodes scholarship for 1910, and Dr Gilray (chairman of the board) was appointed a member of the Selection Committee. Tho election of New Zealand's seventh Rhodes scholar will take place in Wellington on March 1.

At a well-attended meeting of the NorthEast Valley Women's Christian Temperance Union, held on Thursday afternoon, a resolution was carried in favour of compulsory military training, provided no alcoholic liquor is permitted in camp or barracks. It was decided to forward a oopy of tho resolution to Messrs G. M. Thomson and E. 11. Clark, M.P.'s.

The annual meeting of the Dunedin Subbranch of tho Wellington District of tho Australasian Institute of Marine Engineers was held on Thursday evening under favourable auspioes. Tho by-laws submitted by the Wellington Executive were, after duo consideration, adopted unanimously. The election of officers resulted in the appointment of Mr D. R. Eunson as chairman, the re-election of Mr William Jacobsen as secretary, with Messrs W. M'Laren, G. Ross, and J. A. Smith as a committee, and Mr Cruickshanks as auditor. After the transaction of routine business Mr A. R. Hislop (tho Wellington secretary, who was present) addressed the meeting, giving a general outline of the business transacted by rhe institute during the year, and elucidating matters, under negotiation and prospective, pertaining to tho interests of the craft. Complimentary votes to Mr Hislop for his address, to Mr Jacobsen for his painstaking services in tho interests of the local sub-branch, and to tho retiring office-bearers ended a most profitable and enjoyable meeting.

A well-atlojidcd meeting of the committee o[ the Musselburgh Presbyterian Church was field last evening at the residence of the secretary (Mr J. R. Wilson), tho Rev. D. Borrie (Moderator) in the chair. Tin; secretary's and treasurer's reports were adopted, and the thanks of the committee wore expressed to those who have so willingly assisted by their services. The Moderator announced that he had arranged for supply for this year, and it is hoped to have a divinity student in charge

at tho beginning of next year, and also to convene an early meeting to arrange for the building of a hall for Sunday school and church services on the site in the Queen's drive. Communion will be held on Sunday week for tho first time, and the Eev. Professor Watt is to take the service tomorrow. Tho Moderator announced a very generous donation towards tho erection of the church hall, and it is hoped that both church and hall, shortly to be orcctcd, will be a credit (o the flourishing and populous suburb.

A Cliristohurcli message slates that a new species of shark was found near Kaikoura, and lias been named Centrophorus Plunket by Mr E. R. Waite, curator of the Museum, who is an authority on New Zealand fishe3. The shark, which measures 4ft Bin in length, is found only in very deep waters, its chief habitat being around Japan. It is allied to the dogfish, and is not a man-eater.

With reference to tlio prosent to tho Auckland Museum by the Hon, E. Mitchcslson of To Kooti's walking-stick, it is (says our correspondent.) interesting to know that at the time of To Kooti's arrest in connection with the Ohiwa expedition in 1887 ho presented his two valuable greenstono meres and his mats to Mr W. J. Napier, who acted as To Kooti's counsel in tho Supremo Court. Ono of these meres is of great antiquity, and was in possession of Te ICooti when he escaped from tho Chatham Islands in 1867. Mr Napier still has tho meres among many other curios alius residence at North Shore.

Local cricketers and those who are interested in cricket will regret to liwir that C. G. Macartney mot with an injury to ono of his hards yesterday afternoon that will prevent his taking part this afternoon in the match in which he is to make his dobut in Dunedin.

The sum realised by tho bazaar in aid of renovating tho hall behind First Church was £260.

Dr M'Arthur, S.M., decided a very unusual case at Wellington on Wednesday last. Tlio plaintiff claimed tho oum of £69 4s 5d for l.oarding defendant's children in Victoria, about, four years ago. Tho defendant then resided ( in West Australia, but both parties now reside in New Zealand—tho plaintiff in Wellington, and tlio defendant at Featherston. The dcfencc was that the amount) was not owing, but his Worship, after inspecting the acoounts, declined to accept this. Another defenco was that tho defendant had obtained a discharge in bankruptcy in West Australia. Tho magistrate held that defendant could not escape liability on that account. The rule, said the magistrate, had been well laid down by Lord Mansfield in Ballantino v. Golding "that what is a discharge of a debt in tho country where it was contraotcd is a disehargo of it everywhere." Hence, had the defendant procured a discharge in Victoria, he would have had a good defence here. This rule had also been upheld by other judge 6, ono adding: "It is also truo that tho discharge of a debt or a liability by the Jaw of a oountry other than that in which the debt ari3o3 does not relieve tho debtor in any otter oountry." It has also been held that a discharge under a commission of bankruptcy in a foreign oountry is no bar to an action for a debt arising here against the bankrupt by a creditor a subject of this oountry. It is clear law that a party to a, contract made and to bo performed in One State is not discharged from liability under such oontract by a discharge in bankruptcy or liquidation under tho law of another Stato in which he is domiciled. Further, the defendant did not jobtain a discharge. Judgment would bo [ for plaintiff, with costs.

The Peninsula Ferry Company's new steamer Waikana made another trip round ill© harbour yesterday at low water to onabl# her skippoi to make himself acquainted with lwr draught capacity to ply to tho various pointe in the harbour, The Waikana carried a fair number of visitors, friends of tho shareholders, and tho weather being perfect an enjoyable afternoon was spout. On tho return trip the Waikana made the journey from Port Chalmers wharf to the steamers' basin in 38min. Tho new boat will go into commission this morning. A meeting of members of the United Starr-Bowkett Building Society was held in Messrs Hugh Mitchell and Co.'s office la3t evening, Mr E. Rosevear presiding. Tho balkjfc in No. 1 group fell to cluster 314, held by one member. As no offer was made for the appropriation of £500 by sale it was put to ballot, and was drawn by cluster 252, hold by one member. The ballot for £500 in No. 2 group was drawn | by cluster No. 143, hold by one member.

Mr J. 11. Bartholomew, S.M., presided over a short sitting of tho Juvenile Court yesterday morning, wlion a yoang married woman applied to have her child committed to an industrial school. Applicant told a piteous story. Her husband (a farmer, of Catlins) had deserted her in July of this year. Ho disposed of his farm of 125 acres, whioh realised £5 10s an acre, and then decamped, leaving her destitute. Besides the boy she wished committed she had a little girl in tho Hospital, ajid was at present herself an inmate of a Maternity Home. Her family was unablo to assist her, but her father was willing to pay the expenses of committing tho child to Nelson. His Worship committed the child to St. Mary's. Kelson, to be brought up in the Roman Catholic faith.

At tho Port Chalmers Police Court yesterday John Mulqueen, a youth of 19, who stated that his earnings woro £1 7s 6d per week, pleaded " Guilty " to procuring liquor during the currency of a prohibition order, taken out by his fafchor against him. The liquor was procured at Waitati, where accused stated he had gone to obtain some " refreshment," not knowing that Waitati was included in the Chalmers licensing district. Mr H. Y. Widdowson, S.M., remarked that tho issuo of the order had not accomplished tho desired object, .and imposed a fine of 40s, or 14 days' imprisonment, 14 days being allowed in which to pay tho fine.

The Now Zealand Timos of Thursday Eays: 11 Detective Hammond and the polico matron at Lambton Quay Station wont on a somewhat unusual misskm to Soatoun last evening. It was reported that about 7.30 p.m. tJie cries of an infant were heard from under a house in that vicinity, and investigation revealed a newly-born child, alive, said to be about an hour ami a-half old at the time of the discovery. From informal ion gleaned, the mother was found to 1» a girl, about 19 years of ago, in service at a residence not fat from where the. child was discovered. The mother of the infant was removed to the Salvation Army Maternity Home, pending further developments."

The foundation stone of the St. Kilda Methodist Sunday School will be laid at 3 o'clock this afternoon. In 1902, with tho Rev, J. Ward as organist and superintendent, the school was started with 14 scholars. Soon afterwards Mr E. Aslin succeeded Mr Ward as superintendent, and has held that office ever einee. Under tho earnest care of superintendent and teachers the school has rapidly grown, and now numbers 205 scholars. For some -time past the church has been altogether inadequate to meet the requirements of the school; consequently the trustees felt compelled to erect a new hall for Sunday school purposes. With tho assistance of a capable Ladies' Sewing Guild and the subscriptions of parents and friends the contract has been let, and the earnest hopes of the Methodist community are about to bo realised. The building will be of brick, and will consist of a largo hall, with movable partitions to form classrooms, a platform, and four additional rooms for young women 3 and young men's classe-s and officers respectively, Beating in all about 250. On Sunday special eerviccs will bo held, mi on Monday night a musical festival by the, scholar of the school will bo "

The atiendanco at the sale of pictures held by Park, Reynolds (Ltd.) at t.helr auction rooms yesterday was fairly numerous, and while tho bidding was noil on the whole brisk thoro was keen competition in several cases The works are by such wellknown Homo artists as L. L. Pocock, W. Follon Bishop, Walter S. Staoev, F. V>". Aldridge, S. G. \V. Roscoc, Caton Woodville, and James Cafe, and about half the collection was disposed of. A great many of tho smaller works wont under tho hammer, but tho larger works did not find such ready sale. The prices realised were from three or four guineas up to 15 guineas. The balance of the pictures will remain on view for a few days, and will be disposed of privately.