TOPICS OF THIS DAY.

Thames Star, Volume xxx, Issue 8381, 26 June 1899, Page 2

TOPICS OF THIS DAY.

(By the Admiral.) "A. stor^n, in, a teaoup" is old-fash-ioned, though not out of date, but now We hare a stown in or over a milk caa between Councillors of the. Borough and County. That Councillor Trejtabath has a right to sit and | act on the joint committee, having been elected thereto by his fellow members, there can be little doubt, but that gentleman should remember a truth enunciated many years ago, that though all things may be lawful; they are not; always expedient. The principle advocated by those who op pose Mr. Tre,mbath being a member of the conimittee is of very wide application. •It prevents a member of Parlia,mejit voting on a subject in which he is directly interested; itpre vents members of firims competing foi contracts under' local bodies when c member _of the local body, and ir many other ways it is recognised aer a safe and prudent guide in the affair? of a nation, corporatioja,. firm or fam ily, so that the action of Cr. Trembath is surprising in a gentleman so "au fait" in public affairs as he is. Though I suppose no one would accuse him of desiring to retain the position on account of the influence it would give him in connection with the inspection of ,milk and meat, yet the eternal fitness of things seems to decide that under the circumstances it would be better for him to resign a position which has not hitherto brought him niuch pleasure, and which many people think could be jaore usefully filled by another.

Why is not a search, made for the Perthshire by the ships of war? It seems to me that at a time of profound peace, ships of war, which are built and equipped to protect the mercantile marine, might without IoH of dignity or prestige be employed in searching the Tasman Sea for this valuable ship, now some seven weeks out, and perhaps be the means _ of saving many valuable lives, relieving the over-strung feelings of the friends and relatives of the "castaways," and in a general way doing much good. Three ships of war working together can cover a large surface of the ocean ; and if the derilect is still afloat they ought to be able inside of a week tc find her. Possibly before these words see the light the Perthshire may be safely riding in Auckland or Sydnej Harbor. I hope so, anyway, but ever if she is, it was surely not in accord ance with the traditions of the service that there should be so man) ships of war in these southern seas and for upwards of seven weeks no" one sent out to assist a sister in dis tress. Such lack of sympathy on tin part of the naval authorities is no calculated to rouse our enthusiasm foi them. It is to be hoped it has hjeei a case of "want of thought" rathei than, want of will.

It mußt be a matter of great satisfaction to every well-wisher of the district to find that the trouble between the authorities of the two big pumps has disappeared, and that henceforth the two are to bo worked under one management for the exploration, and development of our deep levels. Such a result leads to the hope that we are now within measurable distance of the realisation of those hopes which for so many years have centred in the Waio-Karaka flat, and that by their anited action the gold which many oelieve to lie "deep below" may in a hort time find its way to the surface, .o, make glad the heart of many, tc lelp fill the pocket of some and to bring back the old prosperity to our citizens.

William, "by divine right," King of Prussia and German Emperor, blocks the way of the Peace Conference, objecting to arbitration, because it interferes with the divine right of Kings! This is another surprise sprung upon the world by that most wonderful of world sovereigns, William. 11. of Prussia. One would have \hought that, events not unknown to .history would have prevented this | wonderful monarch from taking Buch ,a, position. But apparently German Princes have yet to learn that the divinest right by which kings or rulers can claim to rule is from the Attitude of the governed. At least

£ think that is the principle as understood in English-speaking countries, and "der Kaiser" will be fortunate indeed if the same be not rudely brought to his knowledge by his people. So far, during the period of his reign, he has been singularly fortunate in his experiences. He has. had an unbroken series of successes. His Parliament has been subservient; his Ministers faithful; his people ouiet and docile, dominated by the huge army, which is rendered necessary by the conditions existent in Europe during a quarter of> a century.

Were it not that the Emperor is by birth half English one would be tempted to think that his good fortune in the past had really led him to believe that there is a "divine right" inherent in kings to govern, apart from the willingness of n people to be governed. But he must be cognisant of so,me very tragic events in the history of Britain, and of the upheaval in France a century ago, and knowing these things, it is hard to take seriously his objection to arbitration, as it interferes with the divine right of kings. Whether he will be able to paralyse the conference and cause it to come to an 'end without doing anything practical yet remains to be seen, but this is evidently the object at which he ai^ns. But even without the assistance of Germany, even were its representatives to

withdraw from, the Peace Conference, it would be still possible for those that remain to continue to deliberate, until they had . evolved a workable I scheme of international arbitration. , England, Russia and America could-, j if so minded, arrange such a schekne, and were they to do so and each to loyally support it, the peace of the world would be on a much'surer basis than it is. But all the same we caniiot help being amused at this latest pronouncement from Germany's august ruler. - Less than a week will see the members assembling for the final session of this Parliament. The land is full of expectations and guessings concerning what will happen then; but, judging from previous sessions; there will-be nothing very startling in this. Two of Mr. Seddon's colleagues, whc have worked loyally with him, are supposed to cease to exist, Ministerially, with the dissolution of thie .Parliament. Who shall succeed them is yet very much in the possession of the future. If Captain Russell is in truth a prophet, then not -only will Mr. Cadnian and Mr. Thompson leave the Ministerial-benches, but the other Ministers will go with them, and a new Cabinet will reign in place of the old. I am not given to making wagers, yet I think that anyone whc puts his money on the Opposition will stand a very good chance of losing it. But much is to happen ere the numbers are up, and it is wisest not tc prophecy unless you know.