NOTES OF THE DAY.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 695, 21 December 1909, Page 6

NOTES OF THE DAY.

TaE members representing North' Island electorates in the House will not, we hope, fail to give close attention to tho proposals of the Government in the matter of railway construction and additions to open lines. For a considerable time past we have been giving figures to show the extent to which the lines in the South are supported by the lines in this island. The following table shows tho "net profits" on the two systems, Northern and Southern, for tho past five ycare:— North. South. £ . £ 1904-5 322,301 334,030 1005-6 .;.».....; 328,806 339,593 1906-7 , 382,371 429,717 1907-8 ' 410,000 396,179 1908-9 ~:.., .....; 420,031.,, 394,679 Here are tho percentages on capital: — North. ';■ South, per cont. per ccut. 1901-5 3.70 3.03 190J-0 3.60 2.99 1906-7 : i.h 3.02 1907-8 4.28 2.71 . 1908-9 3.78 2 6-1 The Southern lines .earn much less than the Northern lines, yot their mileage is far more—lß7l miles against 1130. In these circumstances it is manifest that every penny _ spent in extending the Sonthern lines is a penny invested iu a losing concern, while the exact ro-

verso is the; case of.the North. In June last tho Minister for Public Works was reported as saying that until the mileago was the same in the North Island as , in the South Island the Government would build ten lines in this island to overy lino built in tho South. Laber he denied having made this statement, saying that what he meant was that as tho railways in the South were "nearing completion" there would soon be under construction in this island several miles to overy one.in the South. More money, however, is spent in the South than in tho North. : The Public Works, Estimates provide only-. £287,500 for railway' construction in this island arid £399,500 in the South. The friends, not merely of this island, but of national prudence, must enter tho very strongest protest against this pampering of the South at the oxpense of the island'in< which the railways pay. It is the expenditure in the South that has made the railways system as a whole a sink: for. public money. ■ :■' ..v : ' ■'• - ,'■

Various , cable messages received lately have contained a vague promise of the possibility that an Anglo-German understanding may bo arranged in tho near future/ A good, deal of ■ importance! was attached in Britain last imonth to a communication prominently reproduced in the German Ercuz Zcitung. The writer asks: •;. '/'.■:■ '. .■' ■' .; "' V.•.■.""' ■■' ■,';■'' ' "Whatsis to' j}B done to restore tho British feeling of security against a German invasion, thereby silencing mischievous discussions regarding naval preparations in the, two. courttrios?. The Imperial Chancellor's rather obscuro hints in Vienna would seem to indicate that ho is considering the question. Perhaps ho may. say to himself thnt now.that •German diplomacy has declared the British proposal to be inexpedient for Germany it is certainly her Jurn to make a proposal. Opeu discussion, having proved fruitless, nothing but an agree; incnt remains—a mutual assurance in writing that neither of the two Powers has designs on the property of tho other. England and Germany, must give each other their word that neither sees danger for tho other in their mutual economic development,, that'no intention exists 1 of appropriating any part ef the territory of the other.'-'- ~- : .. :, ■ !'. : As long .ago as, September" 7. Me. AsQUiTH stated 'that any intimation ' that the German Government desired to'come to an- understanding respecting naval armaments would meet with "a most cordial response" from Britain. He added that Britain had already taken the initia-; tive. vA fortnight later the German Chancellor said_ it was for Britain to take the initiative. Asked whether Germany in such an event would take the same attitude as before, he replied; "We shall see and, hear—and ■: see .what we shall see." It is very apparent that attempts to: reach an understanding have been seriously made. L6m> Charles latest speeehes, in -which he has sought to terrify the British people, will riot bo likely to' Kelp the cause of sweet reasonableness.

■'"I A somewhat serious matter was mentioned in the House of Kepresentativcß while' the Defence Estimates were under consideration in the early hours of Saturday morning. It. was stated ihatva certain officer of the Defence Forces was reported, to" have been drawing horse allow: ance although not possessing a horse. The seriousness of..' the position lies in the fact that- the Defence regulations prescribe a bourse of procedure before the horse allow.-' ance can jm' drawn, which necessitates tho signing of a, voucher making certain declarations. :;Some time ago there was a somewhat similar trouble, and, the late Mr. Seddon is stated! to'. have acted with commendable' promptness. . There should bo no difficulty, in clearing up. any doubts which may4exist i -fin' j the'-presentr' case'. If; the payments were made thfc vouchers must still bo available, and ; the Prime Minister could getcto, the bottom' of the matter in ( a few hours' time.' Eailing that,:a military.inquiry would, quickly, probe , the truth of the allegations. Probably tho matter will again be brought up in the House before the''session closes.'.