The Thames Star. Resurrexi. FRIDAY, MAY 14, 1909. EDITORIAL JOTTINGS.

Thames Star, Volume XLV, Issue 10421, 14 May 1909, Page 2

The Thames Star. Resurrexi. FRIDAY, MAY 14, 1909. EDITORIAL JOTTINGS.

For over twenty years Mr McNab has ibeen a volunteer, and for two years ha held, the 'portfolio of Defenoe. IWhen tiie DteifenJce Oounoil was formed he was an enthusiastic supporter of volunteering as against comipulsory training. No opponent ol Mr 'ADcMaib would changes him with thie posseseioni. of a mind .easily toned fromi a, aotaviotion r but after a close study, for which he had full opportunitiee, this shrewd, cfaretul observer was convinced' that tuo volunteei 1 systemi oould not hope to produce an army of a standard equal to (New Zealand's requirennants, °iven .when these ware modestly assessed. The entbusifufttdo volunteer, says the [Post, 'by natural, imeifvitable process of reasoning, has beoom© a.n enthusiaatio advooate ot compuilsory training, amd fw© are confident that his gospel will strongfty' appeal to the people of New, Zealand.

# * • » Taken ac , a whole the-speecjh dcliv ered on Saturday is one that shoaid appeal to the, great bulk of the de> tors, for* it wiaa moderate in tone, and indicated the Prime Minister's wish. to adminislfar 'Bie oountiry's .affairs ■with, caution. He miade no appeal to palrtiy passions, but presented the case for the Government with buii-nesß-like lucidlity. That he should insist mpon the proseouifdon of Liberal oiims was, of course 1, inievitaible, out he dlidl so without heat or rancor, whiioh in, 'any case are always undesirable andi particularly unnecessary tn a ooumitny thiaifc has affirmed and reaffirmed its adherence to Liberalism for so miany yeairs.—'Wellington Times.

Al MAssiooiairy in Victoria described a 'bactbloeiks home he had visited tm follows: The owner was a qomparativelyi wealtEy maai (his bank anlanniger said he waa worth £20,000) Ibut the pla(oe -was a dirty, fiilfhiy ta'taiblishmtent. A, faimily of ninet lived in al bairk hut of three rooms, without door or window. In the front room the walls were hung with the skins of every wild animal known in Victoria. Under the taible were several cats quarrelling over the carcase of a raibbit, 'amd from a rafter was suspended iai bag, from which ■ hon-jy drippad initio «, milk pan, andi about 1000 flies and three dirty children •were attempting' tooatoh the drippings. Alnother child brought in a wHitert* meloai, 'but there was not a 'knife in the htouse, so the eldest girl, about 2i4_yeiairs of age, seized an axe fimdi brofce the mellon in pieces, which ahe offered* hi n% with her grimy h!amds.. 'Sinde hia visit the wife of the niiissionany had effected great relorms andi a new hautee had hleien built. •