Current Comment.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXII, Issue XV, 15 April 1899, Page 486

Current Comment.

SOME PRESS AND PERSONAL OPINIONS. Smarting under the defeated vote of confidence to .Mr Brown, at New Plymouth, the Taranaki ‘Herald’ observes : ‘The custom of proposing a vote of eontidenee in a member at political meetings is one which might well be dropped, for in three eases out out of four the result of a show of hands is not a reliable indication of the feeling of the meeting. Most people do not care to wear their political hearts on their sleeves.’ + 4 +

‘lt has been the fashion,’ says the Nelson ‘Colonist,’ ‘to declare that Britain is unprepared for any sudden emergency, but when one of her youngest colonies shows a readiness to send men willing to fight for the Empire, and those men are prepared to take up their duties at a few hours' notice, some indication is afforded as to what would happen throughout the whole Empire were Britain placed on the defensive. In this connection the offer, first made from Auckland, provides an object lesson that will not be without results.’ 4 4 4

In the dairying industry it appears that old Weller’s advice, ‘Beware of the widders, Samivel,’ does not apply. According to the Manawatu ‘Herald’ a young man from Home, who asked an old stager’s advice as to the best way to ensure profit, was told to first obtain a farm, then marry a widow’ with 13 children, so that the latter could do the milking, and so make the industry pay. We conceal the name of the young man, in order to give spinsters a chance.

it will afford some consolation to business men and give them hope for the future when they notice our judges are beginning to be more severe on bankrupts whose position is due to reckless trading or extravagance. Judge Kettle led the way in this matter, and proved to many debtors that the Bankruptcy Act is really an operative, measure, and can punish offenders. Now Judge Conolly at Auckland has taken up the cheering strain, and dealt very plainly with a bankrupt who appeared before him last week. Thus, the Rangitikei ‘Advocate,’ in a capital leader on business responsibility.

In the course of a leading article advocating the erection of a public battery at Mackay town or the vicinity the Ohinemuri ‘Gazette’ says:—Tn the old days, when men took up an acre or so of ground for legitimate working, hoked their dirt out and took it to the old Martha or Ivanhoe or Waitekauri batteries, treated it for about <>/ a ton, sold their gold to the bank, and paid their way with it, there was a lot more independence among the men. Now there is very little of the latter quality. Even in these days of Unions the men are in the hands of the big companies. Perhaps it may be better for them, but the fact remains that with few exceptions the old blue-bloused, bluff, and independent digger has disappeared into the Ewigkeit.’

Wellington is sighing for suburban expansion. Writing on the need of this the ‘Post’ editor observes : ‘Crofton. Khandallah, .Johnsonville, Tawa Elat, and Porirua might be made populous and accessible suburbs, and so reduce the congestion of the city, as well as reduce the death-rate of the community, if the Government would but propose to Parliament to purchase the Manawatu Railway. Why it is that the great number of electors concerned are so apathetic* upon a question that so nearly concerns their personal welfare* we have* always been at a loss to understand.’ 4* 4* 4* Once more* touching the* Samoa contingent. ‘There are, observes the* Rangitikei ‘Advocate,’ ‘some* of course who will assert that the* fame* of the charms of the dusky oeauties of Samoa has spread afar and may have reached the* ears of the* gallant Aucklanders : but these be* detractors, who cannot distinguish between the* relics of the* old Berserker fury and delight in war. and the* mi Ider pleasures of flirtation.’

The real weakness of the education question has been discovered by the Waikato ‘Times.’ Thus says tne Editor : ‘But the fault is not in the syllabus. The fault lies with the teaching staff. On a question of such moment to the whole community it is almost criminal to blind ourselves to the facts. The syllabus is like a bill of fare—a useful index to the mental food suitable* to the* requirements of a national feast, but. as with the bill of fare, we shall make a horrible mistake if we persist in swallowing every item. We must select ami discriminate. To one. roast pork is perdition, to another veal is vanity and vexation, and so on. Similarly, in school a pupil may thrive and expand on history who would mope to death on mathematics.’