IN THE DOMINION.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLII, Issue 20, 19 May 1909, Page 5

IN THE DOMINION.

Civil Service Changes. IN the last batch of public service rearrangements announced by the Prime Minister, two of the proposed changes have given rise to astonishment, not to say hostile criticism. I refer to the appointments of J. E. Smith as resident commissioner in the Cook Group, and Mr. G. F. C. Campbell as general manager of the State Fire Insurance Department, says our Wellington correspondent. Reviewing the changes, the “Dominion” says; “If there is one department of the State which at the present time calls specially for expert business management it is the State Fire Insurance Depart ment. Fire insurance is a tricky business at any time, and the State Department discovered this to its cost last year. Yet Ministers take the grave risk of appointing to the responsible position of manager of the Department a memlber of the service (Mr. Campbell) who, however excellent his record in another department, has had no experience, so far as can be learned, of fire insurance business. Now it is announced that Mr. Smith has been appointed Commissioner at the Cook Islands. A few years ago Mr. Smith was a clerk in the Treasury Department, and what particular qualification he possesses for his new post it its difficult »o discover.” Writing on the {same subject, the “■Post” says: “Probably Mr. Smith, whose public service has been confined to the Treasury and Old Age Pensions Departments, may have qualifications for the complicated duties of supervising the welfare of the Cook Islands, but New Zealand has to take them on trust. It is a fact that the Resident Commissioner is likely to have arduous tasks at any time, and in following the footsteps of Colonel Gudgeon, Mr. Smith is set a difficult task. The appointment has certainly created much surprise. In placing Mr. G. F. C. Campbell at the head of the State Insurance Department the Government has presumably considered the full risks. He is well endowed with mental force, but fire insurance is a new sphere for him so far as we know. At the best of times the position of manager is one that should require an extensive course of preliminary training, and this is a critical period, requiring a specially qualified head.” A. Wellington Solicitor’s Bank, ruptey. At- a meeting of the creditors of W. G. Sommerville, solicitor, bankrupt, presented a statement setting forth that his unsecured debts totalled £3078 and his secured debts £21,386. Debtor estimated the securities against these debts to ba worth £ 12.50 G more than the debts secured, and the surplus on the whole estate at £11,834. The state of the money market prevented him selling properties and realising Ms securities, and also caused creditors to press for payment. The meeting appointed a committee to investigate the property transactions. Saving the Daylight. ’Among other remits to the New Zealand Agricultural Conference, the Canterbury A. and P. Association will send the following:—“That It be a recommendation to the Government that between the third Sunday in October and the third Sunday in March local time be one hour In advance of New Zealand mean time, the object being to secure earlier attendance at work in the summer months and the enlargement of the period of leisure in ths afternoons and evenings.” Immoral Literature. A large deputation, which composed a large number of ministers of religion, Bdaoal teachers, and othara, laid before the Prime Minister (Sir Joseph Ward) last week at Christchurch the necessity far farther legislation to prevent the dis•amination of immoral literature.

Bishop Grimes said the object of the deputation had his deepest sympathy. Be felt sure that as soon as Sir Joseph was made aware of the growing evil in regard to ths spread of this class of literature he would do all in his power to stop it. To suggest a remedy was difficult, but as stringent steps were taken to prevent the spread of dreaded diseases, he thought that the Government might, in its wisdom, take similar steps in respect to the prevention of the spread of indecent literature. A Department which had control of such matters had been established in the United States. The word “censorship” was on ugly one, and one that naturally provoked feelings of revolt, and while he had on several occasions referred to the clean Press of New Zealand, and while he w”® a supporter of the liberty of the Press, he thought that most people knew the difference between freedom of the Press and shameless license. His Lordship also suggested that there should be authorities in each muncipality who would have power to suppress books of the character indicated. Bishop Julius said that some time ago he had been personally asked to prosecute in respect to certain books which he had examined. He had never read anything more filthy, or more calculated to demoralise young readers. After considering the matter, he decided that it would be impossible for him to take action, because it would make the matter very *pubtic, and would, especially if the prosecution failed, advertise the books. The prosecution had been taken up by the police, and had failed, and the result had been a great demand for the books. Personally be objected to the censorship of the Press. There were certain newspapers published in the Dominion that were utterly disgraceful. Great good would be done if facilities were given for the suppression of the class of literature and newspapers referred to. They did not advocate any Puritanical suppression of literature. Mr. S. O. Owen, headmaster of the East Christchurch school, said that schoolmasters found that elder children had no difficulty in obtaining the class of books referred to, and they had to institute a censorship, and had to d< a great deal of confiscation. This sometimes brought them in conflict with parents, who resented their action. He suggested that there should be a list ol proscribed literature, and even though it meant the employment of a reader by the Government, he woidd be very glad if there was some censorship. In reply, the Prime Minister said the matter would receive the fullest consideration of the Government, which recognised the importance of preventing the dissemination of the classes of literature referred to. The difficulty was to establish a system the machinery of which would not be regarded as an interference with the liberty of the Press. The difficulty of censorship was so great that he would not go into it at aIL The Government had had representations on the subject from other parts, and the representations of the deputation would be added to them, and would receive careful and full consideration. Rotorua and the Main Trunk, While the opening of the Main Trunk line has been of the greatest benefit to the intermediate stations between Auckland and Wellington, it is strongly contended that one of the most important places—Rotorua—has been left out in the cold. No benefit is derived by Rotorua from the through service, because the time-table does not fit in with the Rotorua service. Visitors from Wellington are landed at Frankton Junction at 3.38 in the morning, and there compelled to wait until the express from Auckland comes along nine and a-half hours later. The need for a train leaving Frankton immediately after the arrival of the express from Wellington id urgently advocated, and passengers leaving Auckland by the through express at 9.15 p.in. would also have the opportunity of landing in. Rotorua at 8 o'clock next morning. Drilling Reservists. The drilling of loe.il Royal Naval reservists on board H.MJB. Pioneer at the Auckland wharf attracts the curiosity

of a large number of people. The Pioneer has been in port nearly a week, and every day the reservists, to the number of 22, are put through gun and rifle drill and navy seamanship. The reservists, who must follow tlie seafaring life, are called upon for drill every year—seamen for a month and firemen for a fortnight. They receive a remuneration of 18 per annum and » slightly increased pay when they have qualified for “trained men.” The complement of the Pioneer is largely composed of New Zealanders, no leas than one hundred and twenty out of the 200 on board belonging to this Dominion. The Pioneer completes the drilling of reservists in about three weeks’ time. She leaves Auckland on the 7th June and will spend the next three or four weeks cruising about the gulf, during which time gnn practice will be indulged in and the vessel will make occasional visits to Auckland. The Pioneer is expected to reach Wellington on June 30th, and will remain at the southern port throughout July, drilling reservists there. Sire then proceeds to Colombo, where her Imperials will pay oflf and a new Imperial crew join the vessel, which then returns to the Australian station to carry on the useful work of forming the groundwork of a colonial navy. Public Health. The Minister in charge of the Public Health Department (Hon. D. Buddoj makes the following statement in reference to the retirement of the chief health officer (Dr. Mason) and his appointment to a position in London. The retirement of the head of the Department is purely a question of administration. So far as the work of t-he Public Health Department is concerned, it will be carried on under the same or similar conditions as at present, with due regard to the special services to be rendered to local authorities on the question of sanitation, the building of hospitals, or the accommodation for the sick. The work that has been done in the past has evidently been done so well that public attention has rarely been drawn to its work. Every day fresh work has to be taken in hand. Local bodies throughout the Dominion are continually making provision either for improvements involving sanitary alterations, or the building and accommodation in connection with hospitals and other works, and it must be considered that the work of the Department has met with the approval of those with whom it has come in contact. There is no intention to in any way reduce the services rendered by the Department. So far no general scheme of reorganisation has been drawn up, but it is fully intended that the public service shall not in any way suffer by the proposed reorganisation. Money Flowing In. In the course of an interview, the Prime Minister stated that the theory that money is being sent out of New Zealand was not borne out by facts. More money had been coming into the Dominion by amounts running into a few millions during the past year or two than was going out of it in every shape and form. In addition, money was being offered to the Government for governmental purposes from Australia, and as he had

nlread'. ■ latr.l. in one instance a sum at £2SODW) had ben offered. All the theorising in the world evuld not discount what wa, absolute fact and was on record. The Folice Force. Careful consideration is being given by the Government to the police force, with a view to maintaining the required efficiency upon the most- economical basis. The expansion of the Dominion lias necessarily required increased police protection, and the increase has amounted to an average of £ll,OOO each year since 1901. If the Government are able, while maintaining the necessary efficiency, to make reductions in the pre•ent expenditure, it is their Intention io reduce the average increase by at least four-fifths, or a reduction of about £2OOO on the amount of the previous year. State Publishers. Tt may not be generally realised liow extensively the Government goes in for publishing. The books issued from the Government Printing Office are not eagerly sought for by a novel-reading public, nor do they run into second editions; hut they are of the solid, useful order, and in every case meet a demand. Dr. llocken's life-work, the bibliography of the literature of New Zealand, is being published by the Government, and will come out next month. The volume runs into between 400 and 500 pages. Another important publication to be shortly issued is the illustrated account of the scientific expedition last year to the sub-Ant-arctic, edited by Dr. Chilton. The trawling experiments of the Nora Niven, the subject of a report to Parliament by tha fisheries expert, were dealt with from the scientific standpoint by Mr Waite, curator of the Canterbury Museum, and the result of his work will be placed before the public through the medium of the busy Government Printer. Poisonous Toadstools. Carrie, the youngest daughter of Mr Dan McLean, Bridge Farm, Waipu, died last week, having been poisoned by eating toadstools. Dr. Lamont did all that was possible to try and save life. The Battleship Gift. At a preliminary meeting of citizens In Wellington it was decided to present Sir Joseph Ward with an illuminated address in a silver casket, as a mark of appreciation of his action in offering a battleship to Great Britain. Meeting of Parliament. It is persistently stated in well-in-formed quarters that Parliament will meet on June 10 for a short session, and then adjourn for the purpose of enabling .Sir Joseph Ward to attend tha Imperial Defence Conference, reassembling early in September for the transaction of other business. The suggestion that the Prime Minister should attend the conference will, it is declared, afford a true test of the bona fides of Opposition party patriotism.

The "Pest” Rajs: "The difficulties in the way of Sir Joseph Ward's attendance are considerable. Parliament must meet before the end of June, and every indication is that the cession will be "long and full of trouble. ‘There are two ways by which the Prime Minister may attend tbe Conference with safety. He may arrange with the Opposition not to bring forward in his absence any motion which will seriously embarrass the Government, he on his part guaranteeing that no legislation of an extraordinary character shall be brought forward. That way out of tbe difficulty is not too easy. Sir Joseph Ward has already sketched a legislative programme which is not only of considerable length, but which includes many measures of a controversial nature. Judging also from reported utterances the members of the Opposition intend making the present session remarkable for the strength of their critieiem, espe- iully in regard to finance. Another way in which the presence of Sir Joseph Ward at the Conference could be arranged is to call Parliament together early in June, extend the appropriations so as to enable the Government to expend money after June 30 without going through the trouble of passing an Imprest Supply Bill, prorogue, and have another session beginning about the eii.l of -September. In -well-informed circles it is understood that Sir Joseph Ward is very desirous of attending the Conference, out at present, in the face of ti e facts set out above, he does not yc how he can possibly manage it.” Reckless Motorists. No doubt under the exhilaration of the 25 niile-an-bour rush, and with the knowledge that there are no police on the corners, the happy-go-lucky motorist and motor cyclist have been causing some apprehension on the roads controlled by tbe Makara County Council by the free and reckless way they break records and the peace of vehicular and pedestrian travellers. Theirs is no 10-mile gait, so ;..! councillors attested, in the council chambers. Mostly the petrol-driven people are getting themselves very seriously’ disliked by- their tactics, and the evil, it is said, is increasing at a rapid rate. Councillors came to the conclusion that something should be done to cope ■with tlmsc ‘‘road bogs,” and motor police, r-’vOlvcrs, and road wires were "mentioned es likely to achieve the object in view. A resolution was passeel to the effect "that the co-operation of the Wellington City Council and neighbouring local bodbe sought in approaching the Government to establish a force of motor police In order to protect the public against excessive travelling on the public highway, tl e cost of such system to be met by a direct tax on all motor cars and motor iw.lee.”