TOPICAL READING.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXVIII, Issue 7980, 7 March 1906, Page 4

TOPICAL READING.

It is no exaggeration to say that under existing circumstances the safety of England depends upon her coal supply. Its commercial value is enormous; for the existence of the British mauufacturiug industries depends almost entirely upon it. But for the purposes of naval defenoe it is at present indispensable ahd likely to be so for many years to ootne. Yet steam -coal is being exported from the United Kingdom atthe rate of at least 60,000,000 tons a year. There is a large amount -I jf scientific evidence to show not nuly that the coal deposits are limited in area, but that their exhaustion is practically a matter of oertainty within a relatively short space of time.

An Australian who recently returned from South Arfica was interviewed by the Brisbane Courier, in the course of his remarks he sai<i: —"Talking about the Kaffirs, this shows now education is affecting them: A prayer meeting and choir practice was held by some Kaffirs outside of Port Elizabeth last Boxing Day, when two of the black brethren baa a difference as to wbo should sing a certain pare, an argument ensued, followed by a fight with knives, and the whole of the congregation went at each other with sticks. Result: One killed, six badly wounded. I heard of a coloured girl wbo wanted a place as servant provided that her mistress let her have Wednesdays off to learn mathematics, and Saturday to practice on the piano!"

Shortage of railway trucks is causing trouble in the Maaterton district. Mt Huist, of the firm of tfuist and Chapman, stock dealers and exporters of Christchurch, informed a Palmerston resident thnt he had several hundreds of lambs off the rape awaiting trucks at Masterton for shipment to the south and was unable to get them. Consequently the lambs are deteriorating rapidly and he is likely to suffer considerable loss. Mr Huist intends to bring immediately under the notice of the railway authorities and the Wellington Chamber uf Commeroe. It appears that not'only is there a shortage of trucks, but the Railway Department, in pursuit of its policy of "friendly rivalry" with the Manawatu Company, is working the engines on the Rimutaka incline day and night.

Referring to the money market, the New Zealand Trade Review says: —"The complete success which attended the appeal to' the Australian money market for tenders for the £500,000 Netf Zealand 4 per cent, loan is no doubt satisfactory to our Colonial Treasurer, who is thus provided with the full million which he desired for the purpose of public works. The Government has, however, financial requirements for other purposes, and is still selling 4 per cent, five years debentures over the counter at par. In the lochl market outside the banks, the supply is "only moderate, and short of the demand, which ia somewhat active. Rates on kiortgape loans range from 5 to 6 per cent, but with a tendency to harden. The supply of money should, however, improve before long with the realisation of the season's output."

It is to be hoped, says the Melbourne Age, the Premier of New Zealand will not delay any longer than is possible his visit tn Melbourne in order to confer with the Australian Prime Minister. Among the questions to be discussed, undoubtedly the most important is that of naval defence. New Zealand contributes,, as a party to thp ill-advised naval agreement, a sum of £40,000 a year to the cost of the Australian Squadron, and has stationed in her waters one cruiser and one drill ship belonging to the squadron. It is, however, more than likeiy that when the Imperial Defence Committee has supplied the Commonwealth Government with a ports and harbour defence scheme,, and when the next general eleqtions ai?e Over, tbe revision of the naval agreement will become inevitable. In Australia the trend of opinion is unmistakably in the direction of the creation of an, Australian naval force, guarding Australian coasts,

and responsible, not to the Admiralty, but to the Commonwealth, though capable of united and harmonious action with any British squadron. In New Zealand, on the other band, puclic opinion is said to be all Ja favour of the inoreased cash contribution to the Australian squadron,. and acquieacence in unfettered Admjralfcy control. The question is whether, when the amendment of the naval agreement arises, New Zealand Australia can act .together without prejudice to the gradual creation of an Australian naval force.

A South Canterbury correspondent writes so that we may warn our leaders against a man who is stated to be travelling round the country defrauding people, says the Christchurch Press. His business, he says, is to work up a connection for his firm in New Zealand, and the headquarters here is in Christohuroh. "The household linen and the underclothing he carries as samples are of first-class quality, and in the case of the first order, which is limited in number, the cost is about one-third of the usual price. He takes orders and inquires as to size, etc,, the goods to be delivered in a month. Then hp opens up a few dress and suit lengths of firstquality cloth. These are to cost, when made, £3 3a, and a cutter will accompany him on bis second visit. After the first order the cost is to rise to £5 ss. Then he writes out a receipt for the material, which is £2 2a a length. In some cases he mentions that there is enough material for an extra pair of trousers. Here comes the fraud. On his departure it is found that the materials are short lengths, and they work out at about 7s per yard. Of course the man will never return. A former resident of Australia tells me that a few years ago the country districts of Australia were worked in the same way. This man acts his part well, and is an adept at the business. The man seems to be travelling north."