TOPICAL READING.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXIX, Issue 825, 27 September 1906, Page 4

TOPICAL READING.

'J! hare aro certain small oountries id Europe which, by virtue of their geographical positiun, and their consequent relations with larger Powers, have always carried more weight in international affairs than their size or tfieir papulation would seem to justify. One of the most important of these minor Powers is Holland, and many times during the past century the possible fate of Holland has given rise to serious apprehensions on the part of the Great Powers. / Naturally the Powers chiefly oonoerned in che prosneots of the Low Oountries are Prance and Germany; and to avoid the serious difficulties that seem certain to arise through the biSter rivalry between France and Germany, the Powers arranged, early in the nineteenth century, that Holland and Belgium should be neutralised. This neutrality has hitherto been carefully respected. But the growing ambitions of Germany and her immense commercial expansion during the past thirty years have recently brought the question of Holland's future prominently hefore the eyes of Europe. In 1870 France and Germany, by a special treaty, recognised afresh the neutrality of Holland and Belgium which hart been guaranteed in 1831 and 1d39. But there does not seem much reasoa to hope that in case of war either Power would feel permanently bound by sucb an agreement. Germany regards Holland as her natural outlet towards the west, and during recent years.efforts have been constantly made by German politicians and writers to familiarise the DutctTwith the idea of a German alliance. Just now, the peaceful process of commercial and political absorption finds favour in the eyes of the pun-Ger-man party; hence the suggestion cabled a few days ago that the succession to the Dutch throne may revert to the family of the Princw Consort, who is closely related to the royal house of the Hohenzollerns. '

The Townshan I case has come to an end at last, says the London Daily Mail, the last and greatest legal sensation of the season, which seemed at one time as though it would never end at all, owing to the infinite dalliance and incessant straying into by paths which distinguished it even more than ether "celebrated causes." There was something indeed that reminded one of the Dreyfus case about the waudering evidence, the complete personal biographies and slow life histories given by all the witnesses concerned. And the end of all the talk and all the reminiscence is that Lord Townshend had been adjudged capable of managing himself, but not fit to manage his own nffairs, so that those in future will be in the hands of obliging trustees who will pay the marquis all revenues doe from his property from time to time. That is a highly satisfactory arrangement, aul one that might w«U be adopted in the oases of many rich but foolish people whoso wealth or titles mak* them the prey to be ruthlonsly exploited by all who are on the look-out for money to be made in swift and, if possible, secret ways. During the long trial fjord Townshend himself has certainly gained the sympathy of the public. There was something trusting and ohildilke in his disposition and in his readiness to believe in the good intentions of men; that reminded one of a philosopher unused to faoing facts and unaware that disinterested friendship is so rare as to be-almost unheard of.

Mr E. A. Pratt, an English writer on agricultural subjects, argues that agricultural depression, which is indicated by the, poor condition of persons engaged on the land, is being swept away by r the transition of legitimate agriculture, wheat ana meat growing, and ao on, to other industries,, milk production, 'fruitgrowing, the flower and bulb industry and various other. special and hitherto minor seotions of the main art. Mr Pratt recognises that working British land so as to grow food for the people has to a very great extent vanished, and he makes out the best case he can for the new style of "petite culture." But it is asked will flowers, f*uit ( 'and milk make tip for the great and practically lost art, breadstuff and meat production? it ia not likely that they will, and the current values, holdtag and renting, of English farm

lands indicate an unfavourKbl") reply. A considerable proportion of agricultural lands are run by gentlemen for their pleasure, experimental farming and sport. To a great extent English agricultural tenants are unskilful and ignorant. Both masters and labourers are behind the times. Undoubtedly the British farmer is badly off, Parliament negleats him and he is let severely alone in his country nook to praotioe more or less the methods pursued by his forbears. "There are many things he could do in competing with hit) foreign rival |f something of the German science and exactness could bo taught him," says Mr Pratt. "For instance, we pay £18,000,000 a year for imported pork; a lot of this could be produced at home. With better eduoation, cooperation, and some State support, moral and otherwise, our farmers oould be taught to make a much braver show than they now do."