THE COLONIST. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 17, 1915. SUMMARY NOTES.

Colonist, Volume LVII, Issue 13728, 17 March 1915, Page 4

THE COLONIST. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 17, 1915. SUMMARY NOTES.

The War. The several public movements which owe their existence to the war, and which are duected to the raising of funds for various purposes, continue in active operation throughout the Dominion. To outward appearances the country is feeling the eifecfcs of the upheaval in only a minor degree, but our direct part in it is now more generally appreciated, especially since our troops in Egypt have had a fortaste of the active serivce which awaits them in the near future. The progress of events is followed with absorbed interest, and the developments which the advent of warmer weather in Europe has in store are eagerly and confidently awaited. The Dominion is still able to find its quota of men without difficulty, and batches are constantly being sent forward to the permanent training camp at Trentham, whence reinforcement drafts are despatched periodically to join the main body. Funds are still being liberally subscribed for the equipment of the troops and the relief of distress occasioned by the war. As regards the former there is now some promise that the war expenditure will be placed'on a proper footing by the imposition of a war tax, a proposal that is being widely and favourably discuss|ed at present, leaving private lfterjality to devote itself to objects which are more suitable for that method of finance. The Belgian Appeal. The appeal to Australasia recently issued by the Belgian Relief Commission has evoked a generous response. Australia and New Zealand are urged to provide in money or its equivalent in food supplies £75,000- a month, and both in the Commonwealth and New Zealand the responsibility has been readily assumed, the Governments cooperating with private philanthropy. The New Zealand Government has offered •an immediate contribution of £15,000, and a regular monthly subvention, the amount of which has not yet been determined, subject to assurances that the relief despatched will not be liable to requisition by the German army. On this score there seems no obstacle to the realisation of the Dominion's desire to aid the unhappy country which has established such claims upon the admiration and gratitude of the allied nations.

Meat for Imperial Uses. In accordance with the requirements of the Imperial authorities,, the Gov-

eminent has commandeered the exportable surplus of meat for Imperial purposes. The situation was discussed at a conference held at Wellington between the Government and representatives of the freezing companies, at which satisfactory arrangements for the purchase of meat were arrived at. Similar action has been taken by the Governments of the principal meat producing States of Australia. For the same reason the Federal Government has taken over control of all the woollen mills in Australia.

The Political Situation. The political situation still remains as it stood last month. With the exception of that concerning the Northern Maori seat, none of the election petitions has been decided. In each of the three cases voluminous evidence has been taken, and certain points have been reserved for argument before the Court of Appeal at Wellington next month. In the Northern Maori case the petition was dismissed. Death of Bishop Grimes. By the death of Bishop Grimes, of Christehurch, which occurred at Sydney on Monday, the Roman Catholic Church in the Dominion has lost a learned and widely-esteemed prelate. Dr. Grimes was the first Roman Catholic Bishop of Christchurch, and had ruled the diocese since 1887.