AUSTRAUAN NEWS.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 754, 1 March 1910, Page 8

AUSTRAUAN NEWS.

DOINGS OF THE WEEK. PENSIONS .FOE LITEEAKY MEN. The Minister for External Affaire has decided (writes the Melbourne correspondent of the Sydney "Telegraph") that members of the Commonwealth Literary Fnnd Committee must not fall short of funds. Tie committee was placed by Parliament in an independent position, and authorised to nse its own judgment, but Mr. Groom soems to think I hat lie knows better, and at the last meeting of the committee members were somewhat astonished to receive through Mr. Atlee Hunt, the private secretary a Ministerial hint that in future no grants were to be given to anybody associated with journalism. It was intended to confine the pensions, it was said, to literary men. Having regard to his restricted definition of the term, it ie to be hoped that Mr. Groom may accomplish the difficult task of finding them. APPOINT THE BEST MAN. The question' of the expediency of. throwing all appointments to the civil service open to public competition, with a view to securing the best possible men, was discussed last, week by a deputation which waited upon the State Treasurer in Sydney. The deputation, representing the Australian Institute of Marine Engineers, which embraces about 1000 members, including the whole of the marine engineers trading out of Sydney, asked that this procedure shonld be adopted in connection with the appointment of en-gineer-survoyors to the Department of -Navigation. It was pointed out that in the past incompetent men had been selected from the service to fill' these positions, and that in the interests of public .safety it was essential that absolutely the best men available should be chosen as marine surveyors. Mr. Waddell's reply was that the method of appointment was laid down by the Public Servico Act. The Public Service Board was bound by the Act to appoint a man already in the service if a suitable one was available. A man must iisre the necessary qualifications for any position- othervase the board could not appoint him. Mr. Waddell. added that it was beyond ins powers to interfere with. the board ■in these matters, though he would forwavji- the deputation's representations. At the same time, he would be glad to inquire into any specific' charges of incompetency. He had invariably found, however, that when the board's appointments had been criticised, it was due to want of information on the part of the critic.

The Salvation Army has recently added another (ft their many institutions, by opening a home for Inebriate Women, at Bast Malvern. The home stands on five acres of land in Waverley Eoad. There are 18 rooms, including a hospital ward, and it will be possible to accommodate 37 patients. .Tie total cost was ■£3000. All classes of female inebriates will be treated, and fees' will be charged according to the capacity of the patients to pay them. The main upkeep of the institution will be by donations. Mr. Murray, Premier of Victoria, said the Government had no institution such as that at work—nothing had been .done to provide for the reclamation-of female inebriates'. But he would say. that the Government was prepared to avail itself of the efforts of the Salvation Army, and pay for patient? to be treated there. That, however, would not relieve the Government of the responsibility _ resting upon them of providing a kindred institution. Drunkenness was a failinghe would not call it a vice—attended with consequences of, a terrible character. Women, it was said, were harder.to reform than men,.'and sank to. lower depths; but he did not think> they.-■ fell 60 easily. With proper. treatment , they could be restored to self-respect! It should be impressed upon patients that when they left the ■ institution cured ■'.' they, should avoid alcohol. Many persons seemed to think thaty after, being cured of drunkenness they could be moderate drinkers, but that was not so. They must be total abstainers, or the craving would grow on them again. He was glad to inform them that the institution at Lara, which at first seemed doomed to failure, was doing splendid work. I ■ EXTENSIVE CADET TOTiR. Melbourne advices state that Captain Bushall, officer commanding the Melbourne Cavalry and the Mounted Cadets, and a committee, of officers have in hand a scheme for organising a troop of Australian mounted cadets to travel to the United Kingdom and Europe. In a circular which Captain Eushall has forwarded to the headmasters of colleges and schools, and to. cadet officers, lie states that it is considered that a trip arranged on the lines set out will give an opportunity for lads to go who would not be allowedjiby their parents to do so, unless they were . under proper control, and subject to discipline, as this expedition would be. "Facilities," he > says, "will also be given for cadets to see more in the naval, military, and manufacturing circles than any private individual could expect.to have in the various places visited."

It.is proposed to limit the number to one section (that is, fout cadets) from each State. The lads need not be at present in the'forces, provided they can ride and comply with the following conditions:—Age, from 15Vand under 18 years; height, about sft. iijn. to sft. Sin.: physical development, rmist be strong, sturdy lads j a medical certificate to ■ be furnished; a certificate must be supplied that the teeth have been properly attended to before starting; charactereach must furnish a certificate of good behaviour and good disposition from a schoolmaster or cadet officer; qualifications—the cadet must be able to ride well, should understand shooting and swimming, and be generally good at athletics. It is proposed to leave Melbourne by the Orient steamer Otway on April 20, and to return by the White Star liner, leaving London on July 28. Disembarkation ' will take place at Naples. Thence the- cadets will proceed via Koine, Venice, Switzerland, Franco, making a short stay at Paris, to, London. They will return via South Africa. Trips will bo arranged to visit Scotland, Ireland, and to go to. Belgium (to Waterloo, etc.), and Berlin. Arrangements will be made to attend any manoeuvres in England, and to attend and take part in the great Empire carnival, which is being organised by Lord Roberts. Horses and saddlery, when required, will be arranged for in England. At least one (probably more) of the cavalry officers ; will accompany the troop. The officers will travel with tho lads in the same class in boats and train, the senior officer to have complete control of the expedition. ■ The Orient Company guarantees good accommodation and plenty of good food during the voyage. As it is proposed to limit the troop to so . small a number as four from each State, it is'anticipated that no difficulty will be experienced in getting sufficient who are willing to pay their own expenses (as the 140 West Australian lads did in the recent trip). ' The following will be required :—Fare from Australian ports (except Queensland) to Naples and overlaid. via Rome, etc., Switzerland, Prance, and return by White Star liner via South Africa, ,£4O. Time on Continent and United Kingdom, eight weeks, estiniated at full for beds and meals at 2 guineas, say ,£l7. Fares for trips in United Kingdom, etc. (these have already, been properly worked out), XIS. Incidental expenses, £5. Total amount per head, ,£SO. Tho fares are to be paid in Melbourne for both journeys before starting. The other amounts vrill be forwarded to a bank in London,- and operated on by the officer commanding. It is not proposed (o ask for any Government or outside monetary assistance. If another four weeks I were added to tho stay in the' United (Kingdom, etc., it would cost about .£l2 more (probably less). Captain Itushn.ll asks the governing bodies of the institution he hae circularised to forward, as early as possible,' the names of cadets who would be. prepared to males the trip, as no time must be lost in making the arrangements. . .