CURRENT TOPICS.

Wanganui Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16044, 7 February 1920, Page 7

CURRENT TOPICS.

By “PEIEE.” The Parliamentary excursion to Samoa this month has been creating considerable comment, and there is undoubtedly a strong section of the public which is opposed to the proposal. It is generally opposed on the grounds of the shortage of coal, and that the money expended in such a purpose would be more or less wasted. The impression is held largely that the trip will be more or less of the nature of a ‘‘joy” ride, but Sir James Allen, who appears to have assumed the leadership of the Parliamentary expedition to the country’s latest acquisition, holds that it is necessary for the members of Parliament to obtain a first-hand knowledge of affairs in the land the affairs of which they have now to administer. He says it will be no “joy” ride, hun on the contrary, the members will have to work very hard. The average New Zealander, however, accepts the statement with a quiet smile ; he is beginning to know something of the ways of Parliamentarians,

’Tis true, however, that there is plenty of work for them to do over yonder. All is not well in Samoa; far from it, and if there is anything in the stories brought back to New 7 Zealand from the island, New Zealand and its administration are not at all popular among the natives. Sir James Allen has spoken pretty plainly as to what he thinks about the industrial conditions there, and what should be done, but the New 7 Zealand Government will have to work hard before it can alter the feelings of suspicion which have been created among the natives by this country’s military administration of this once German possession.

Gabriele D’Annunzio, the Italian soldier poet who thrilled a jaded world by liis daring and unconventional exploit at Fiyune, has achieved fresh notoriety by his capture of Italian army funds to*pay his adoring soldiery, and latterly, by kidnapping the commander of the Italian troops outside of Frame. He is a remarkable man with a remarkable career; bis exploits since Finnic read more like adventure in a sensational novel. The influence of this poetical firebrand swayed Italy into tbe war whore he won honour and glory. When he broke away from official Italy to carry out his sensational coupe, he was the holder of 18 decorations. The ideal of D’Annunzio is to give way to every natural emotion and damn the consequences. He is doing it now; he has done it all his life. * * * * Old ideas and beliefs die hard, and one would be inclined to,think, after a walk in the residential section of the town at night that there were many

people who still cling to tbe idea that night air is dangerous to health. Tightly closed windows in both living and bedrooms are to he noticed with a frequency that is almost appalling. In the middle ages the belief was rigidly adhered to that the night air was poisonous, and it was necessary to have shutters and tightly-fitting windows to preserve health. Viewed from a modern standpoint, the idea is absurd, for now the reverse opinion is held, and the medical authorities are unanimous in advocating fresh air and plenty of it. The value of fresh air has been often preached and taught, and the sad experience of last year confirmed the value of the principles taught. Fresh air and plenty of ventilation as a means of checking the spread of influenza have been proved efficacious in numerous incidents, and it is now recommended by the Health Dparetment as a valuable precautionary measure From a health point of view, how people can sleep in close unventila-ted rooms these hot, stuffy nights passes comprehension. » » * * Lord Inchcape, a great slapping 7 authority of Great Britain, in a recent address in the House of Lords, was rather pessimistic concerning post-war conditions, and his comments should he of interest to readers in New Zealand, where similar conditions apply. He said he was afraid that we were living in a fools’ paradise, so far as the popular notion of prosperity was concerned. According to Lord Inchcape, there may be a short boom in trade after peace has been restored, but with the enormous loss of material wealth, and the crushing taxation which will have to be imposed on all, save the United States, to meet the debt charges, it is difficult to see how there can he any lasting international prosperity for many years to come. Lord Inchcape emphasised the need of avoiding, as far as possible, increasing our liabilities in pounds sterling, and of getting rid as quickly as practicable of inflated paper currency, which now floods the country. This means producing and exporting more, and, at the same time, consuming less.

The taking of 50,000 photographs per second is claimed to have been made possible by an invention, which was described before the Academy of Science in Paris recently. Two thousand photographs a second is the present French maximum. The Paris Midi, in making ■the announcement, does not give details, but says that the principle seems to bo the same as that which is employed in registering blood circulations. * * » ■ itIt is announced (states a New Vork paper) that an English engineer has succeeded in extracting commencial alcohol and its derivatives from coke. It is claimed that if the process,. which requires the use of gas, is applied to all the coal carbonised in Great Britain an estimated yield of 50,000,000 gallons of motor spirits will be obtained annually, revolutionising tho supply and cost of liquid fuel * K * * Fiji and its labour troubles have loomed largely in the cables of the week, land some details of these tropical islands will no doubt be off interest to readers. The group of islands which

are known as Fiji an? situated about 1200 miles- north of Auckland. The principal inhabited islands are Yiti Lem, 4053 square miles; Yanua Levu, 2128 square miles; Taviuni, 166(square miles; Kadavu, 165 square miles; Koro, 40 square miles; Gan, 51 square miles; and Ovalau, 40 square miles. The population in 1916 was 163,565 Indian and 2682 Polynesian labourers. The Fijian population, who are Polynesian with Papuan intermixture, is estimated ,at 90,429. The more important islands are hilly and mountainous, rising to between 4000 and 5000 feet. The southeast or windward sides of the island are covered with dense forests. The country is well watered, and there are frequent rains The climate is cool for the tropics. The three staple industries are sugar, copra, bananas. Other exports are sici-shell, molasses, rubber, mer, hides and pelts, and maize. The forests contain valuable timber. The capital is Suva, in Yiti Levu; the second town is Levuka, in Ovalau. In 1874, the “king” and chiefs voluntarily ceded the group to England. Fiji is administered by a Governor, who is also H.M. High Commissioner and Con-sular-General for the Western Pacific. Legislative Council consists of twelve nominated members (one specially representing Indian interests), seven elected members, and two native members, appointed by the Governor. Local government is largely in the hands of the natives, through village and district councils.