THE WEEK.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7808, 12 September 1903, Page 4

THE WEEK.

It is said that several M.H.R.'s are inquiring the price of tho bacilli of mumps and measles. Want them about the time that licensing debate comes on. Even scarlatina germs (if mild) are expected to harden in price at that time.

_» The new "Leader of the Opposition" has been presented with a pair of powerful binoculars to enable him to find his ing followers. Never do to have him, by mistake, waving Mr Taylor, for instanoe into the "imminent deadly breach" (of privilege). — '■ ♦

What would be thought of a body ot police who allowed one man- tor- commit murder, pillage and raps before their eyes, day after day? Would it be sufficient excuse for them to assert that each. of them was afraid -that if they arrested the culprit the others would pick his pockets? Yec this is hoY the Christian Powers stand at present. ; ■ — -*■ : —

Mr Duthie on the breach ,of privilege question: "It is ,tin_e the House stopped this fooling." Quite so. Instead of being so thin-skinned- over alleged "breaches of privilege," it is really doubtful whether some members are entitled to the " privilege of breeches." Anyhow, a lob pf ancient females oould hardly waste time more suc-o-issfully. *_

Australian politics of the week present a bit of a contrast. In Queensland the Government resigned' because it did not consider a two-vote majority enough for practical use. Sir Edmund Barton, on the other hand, though beaten on- amendments on the Federal Arbitration Bill, in spite of sevei. " Opposition " votes z calmly drops that measure like abort potato and sticks to office like a lfcqpet. . — , «

We underst-and that at least one of the authors of the letter published last week regarding the Patriotio Fund has been " carpeted" by the Defence Offioe for "insubordination" and breach of the regulations. Ha has very properly replied to the effect that he wtrote as an ex-contingenter and not a Volunteer, For the Depaitment to object, to such a letter on some official ground is, to say' the least of it, glaring bad policy. The publio will naturally, in its torn, want to know why free discussion concerning a fund as yet in the hands of trustees should be attempted to be muffled by a red-tape gag.

— : — *~ \ We do not quarrel' with "Mrs Graeme Hunter, of Glasgow " (whoever she may be), •for "proposing" to build and herself sail a challenger for the Amerioa Cup. She may_ be an enei^etic advertiser or only a harmless crank. "Mr John Smith-, of London," may if he likes "propose" to swim across the Atlantio to help Mrs Hunter, by shoving'behind, without our objecting. But we certainly do m_-_t strongly protest against having, this sect of flapdoodle cabled out here at the colony's expense. If we want insj>ii4d tarradiddles about nobodies, there's always a big local supply much cheaper (and sometimes nastier) than those cabled out from Home. ♦ '