CURRENT TOPICS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 1, 26 June 1911, Page 4

CURRENT TOPICS.

SUEZ CANAL CHARGES. Both Mr. Fiaher (Australian Premier) and Sir Joseph Ward, at the Imperial Conference, spoko with »omo feeling in the question of tlio exorbitant changes imposed on shipping noccssarily using the Suez Canal. When colonial statesmen eriticise (as they have ample reason to uo) the action of an excessively powerful corporation possessing a unique and essential property, they are at a disadvantage. To reduce the charges of the Suez Canal it would only only 'be necessary to bring the power of the British Government) to bear on the situation, nut it would be necessary to obtain the consent of the Freneh Government. The British Government paid four million pounds in 1875 for the greater interest] in the canal, and, of course, British ships use it to a vastly greater extent than all other countrie# combined- If the British Government obtained chief control of this waterway aa a benevolence to British shipping, it certainly ultimately made it such an expensive business to get through the canal that the philanthropy of the administration may be doubted. The Government owns about aOo.OOO shares (nearly half), and sometimes the shareholders get a thirty per cent, dividend. It is, therefore, unliKelv that the great ooncom will reduce charges, especially as they hold the sole waterway to the East, or, at least, the only way that any solvent shipping company with sane management would take if the charges were reasonable. The purchase of the greatest interest in the canal was a quaint benevolence to British shipping, for British shipping pays by far the larger shore of the four million pounds dues each year. The canal makes a profit of two millions annually, and sometimes a large liner has to pay out £2OOO to get through the bit of dessert. Innumerable vcsscla can't afford to go through the Suez, and it i.t computed that double the tonnage would use tnc water-way if the charges were easier. It is a matter of mueh importance to New Zealvand, for it is essential that much of our produce should go Homo by the shortest routo in order to maintain its high quality. Unquestionably, the British Government eould ensure a reduction of the charges which press so heavily. Will it do so?

" COLONIES' UNimXO RESOURCES." These Coronation days are days of flamboyance, emotion and fins writing, and the narrator or commentator is just a wee bit liable to "spread the jam" a little too thickly. There i« one little remark, iiowe. or, from the Paris Tcreps hat. i? dlotli cheering and significant. Our friends' great paper said that in the idea of the writer the inclusion of the dominions' standards and banners with those of the Old Land constituted one of tho most remarkable symbols. This is very nice, and very true, and very gratifying, but it is more gratifying to bo (old that Britain possesses in her colonies undying resources, which assure her of perpetual greatness." Whether tho writer went on to show that the British dominions under the one flag might be absolutely self-supporting, we do not know, uuo he might have. The Empire, should ii remain under the one flag, is still in the milk-tooth stage of its development. Canada is partially empty, there is room for millions of white people in Africa, Australia is barely scratched, and New Zealand is in its long-clothes. A trade understanding that was something more than a symbol, an emigration policy that filled up the waste spaces, a real unity of Imperial effort, nn Imperial tariff, or the abolition of inter-British nations' tariffs, would make for tho "perpetual greatness" the Temps' writer foresees. A significant fact, too, is the reception of the news of the King's coronation in Japan. If, ns it is alleged, our allies hope the alliance will be renewed, one bugbear at least will be removed, and these southern hind* may remain white until their "perpetual greatness" under the grand old Flag is assured. The exaltation induced by a great occasion will die down, of course, but if it leaves in the hearts of men a feeling that the time for unity and peace has arrived, it has achieved its linest result.