TOPICAL READING.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXVIII, Issue 7971, 24 February 1906, Page 4

TOPICAL READING.

A n Auckland merchant who recently returned from a. business visit to China and the Philippines writes to a Wellington resident:— "One result of my visit to China is that I feel sure that, sooner or later Australia and New Zealand will have to 'sit up' and make reforms in their manner of treating the Chinese and Asiatics generally. They can do without us, our reforms, and missionaries. We have judged the whole Chinese nation from the few samples of the Chinese working man that have exploited our tailing heaps, laundries and oabbage farms. But you may take my word for it, there are as good brains in China and Japan, in fact, all through the East, as there are in Europe, America or Australasia. And one of these days the white man will be made to know it and feel it."

Long before bacteriology became an established science the miorobe theory was discussed by scientists. Daniel Defoe, iu his "Journal of the Plague," published in 1722, wrote:—"Some tbwe are who talk of infection being carried on by the air only, by carrying with it vast numbers of insects and invisible creatures, who enter into the body with the breath or even "at the pores with the air, and these generate or emit most acute poisons, or poisonous ovae, or eggs, which mingle themselves with the blood, and so infect the body. 1 have heard that the plague taint inight be distinguished by the party's breathing upon a pieoei of glass, where, the breath condensing, there might be seen, with a microscope, living oreatures of strange, monstrous and frightful shapes, such as dragons, snakes, serpents and devilß, horrible to behold; but this I very much question the truth of, and we had no miorosoope at the time, as I remember, to malic the experiment with."

The Dannevirke Advocate, of Tuesday last, published along report of an interview with Air John Holmes, of Wellington, on the subject of the practices of butter adulterators at Home. Mr Holmes quoted largely from the pamphlet issued by Messrs George Wall and Co., of liiverpool, and, in conclusion remarked that Canada has twentyfive Commissioners travelling Great Britaiu, proclaiming the advantages of their country and exploiting new markets for the benefit of the producers of the Dominion. Mr Holmes says to New Zealand: "Do thou likewise." Not, of course, to the extent of twenty-five men, but some supplementary efforts to the present system under, the .control of the High Commissioner iu London

should be made. It is impossible for bim and bis limited staff to overtake tbe numerous duties which be is called upon to All in London.

Speaking at the opening of tbe new drill shed, at tbe Lower Hutt, the Premier said with the new regulations which now obtain, with the increased facilities that are granted, and with other encouragements which are being given, and at the demand of volunteers, he was looking forward to the move ment still further increasing, it would be his pleasure, as Defence Minister, to do all he could to encourage a proper and necessary' spirit in respect to volunteer and military matters in tbe colony. To be strong ' meant to preserve the peace. When we came to realise the position we occupied to-day he did not think tbere was any nation on the face of the globe that would dare to attempt to set foot in New Zealand. They would have initial difficulties in getting here, and if tbey got hero they would have such a warm receDtion that they would be very sorry they ever came. He was pleased at the satisfactory position of volunteer matters, especially in and around Wellington. The reports generally respecting volunteering were of a very satisfactory character.

If tbe strength of parties in the House of Representatives corresponded with their strength in tbe electorates the Government would have, instead of an overwhelming majority, simply a fair working margin on party questions, says an exchange. Tbe members of the Op position in Parliament have, therefore, a heavy responsibility to discbarge. A small company though they be. they represent a very substantial minority of the people of the colony. To this minority they owe the duty of continuing to perform, to tbe best of their ability, tbe traditional duties of an Opposition. They must examine and criticise tbe /Ministerial proposals as closely as in tbe past, and they must, as heretofore, vigilantly watch the administrative acts of tbe Government. To give up the struggle because thev were unsuccessful at the polls would be, Mr Massey evi dentl'y feels, nothing short of pusillanimity. There must, in the ordinary course of events, be an end at some time or other of the methods of government of wbiob tbe colony has had experience f6i some years past, but the day of their abolition would only be postponed if tbe Opposition, listening to tbe counsel of despair, were to' submit tamely to tbe defoat it - sustained at the general election.