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Observer, Volume XXXIII, Issue 4, 5 October 1912, Page 23

Miss Dorothy Grimston, who was here with "The. Flag Lieutenant" Company, is returning to the stage in Melbourne, this time under the- Cosgrove management.

The new stipendiary steward system is not apparently to be carried in Melbourne without some opposition (according to a Melbourne writer). The V.A.T.C. and Williamstown stewards are opposed to giving complete control of the racing on their courses to stipendiaries, but are prepared te appoint an equal number of stipendiary stewards to act with them, one of the honorarj- stewards to act as chairman. Representations have been made to the V.R.C. committee to that effect. If the V.A.T.C. and Williamstown stewards persist in their attitude, a rather awkward situation will arise.

There is no doubt that the Opposition will coalesce in time, but at present it is very broken and dispirited. We have on more than one occasion, expressed the opinion that next election will be fought between the present Government and the Uaited Labour party, and recent political happenings nave strengthened that,., opinion.— Mataura " Ensign."

-There should be not one Commissioner, but three* with equal power, or howare we to escape from the reproach that the whole Service is under the control of one man. A Commissioner must be considered just as human as a Minister, and se far as promotions are concerned, his word would be law. To give him sxich power would be un-fair-to himself, to members of the Civil Service, and to the whole country. Of this we are convinced : Commissioners who will consent to administer the Public Service at .£1,300 and ,£I,OOO per.annum will not be of the quality to ensure the success of the system. The heads of departments are or should be—receiving a great deal more.—lnvercargill " News."

The main attack (on the defence estimates) was delivered by Mr Isitt on behalf of the conscientious objector, but he got only four gentlemen to support him. It is noticeable that one of them, Mr Laurenson, was a member of the late Ministry, which was pledged to the compulsory system. The same sort of inconsistency was displayed by Mr Q. W. Russell, who criticised very sharply the salaries paid by the permanent officers. As the estimates were prepared by the Government of which Mr Russell was a member, it is clear that Mr Russell's position is ambiguous. Such oriticism can, of course, have little value, as showing the extent to which the want of harmony in the Liberal ranks has proceeded.—Napier " Herald."