NOTES OF THE DAY.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 885, 3 August 1910, Page 4

NOTES OF THE DAY.

We are not quite sure whether the public ought to feel flattered by the testimonial to its sporting qualities which has.been furnished by Dβ. Burbank, the manager of the team of American University footballers. As a football enthusiast, Dr. Burbank is of course very pleased with the extreme devotion of the New Zealand public to the Rugby game, and we do not doubt that he,'sincerely believes that in becoming a nation of footballers we are storing up a great asset of virility and red blood for; our descendants. This, however, is too bold a conclusion to satisfy inquiring minds; and one that will probably- not bear strict examination. Sport, of course, is a good thing, but, like many other good things, it has the defects of its qualities, and it is' in any l case simply bad in excess. It may be perfectly true that the battle of Waterloo was won on the playing fields of Eton, but thoughtful Englishmen have for some years been fearing that some future military, historian may have to observe that the Waterloo of some distant, day vwas lost at the Crystal Palace. Devotion to sport is a very good thing, but some of the best British sports are becoming gladiatorial—exhibitions in which experts contend for the multitude. The two evils of old Home indicated in the phrase pants et circenses are evils' that threaten some modern societies.' Dependence on the State and absorption in games will have the same effect on human societies while the world endures. Virility and red blood can be best ensured for the race by simplicity and hard work.

The liability of tho Government suddenly to inflict sumptuary or quasi-sumptuary legislation, upon tho public is sufficient excuse for a note upon the recent request of the Ministers' Association for some sort of' dramatic censorship. That the stage, like the newspapers, should be kept free from impropriety is the wish of all decent persons, but to appoint a Censor is not the way to set about it. A good many people seen) to have forgotten the report issued in November last by tho House of Commons Committee on tho censorship of stage plays. After bitting for months and hearing the evidence of tho flowor of British intellect the Committee recommended that while' tho Lord Chamberlain •should remain tho Licensor of Plays, it should bo optional to submit a play for licence, and legal to perform an unlicensed, play. The London Times summarises the rest of the Committee's recommendations as follows:

If the Director of Public Prosecutions is of opinion that any unlicensed play which has been. performed is open to objection on tho ground of indecency, ho should prefer an indictment ngalnst Hi© manager of the theatre concerned and tho author of tho play. Tho Court before which the inilictmout is preferred should bo empowered to make ono or moro orders, prohibiting tho performance of tho piny, imposing penalties on the manager of the theatre and tho author of the play, and endorsing a conviction on' tho" licence of tho theatre. On certain other grounds specified in the report, it is recommended ' that tho Attorney-Gen-eral should be empowered to apply to * conunlttMi of the Privy Council far an

order of prohibition. The powers of the authorities which license theatres should remain as they now are.

The principle hero implied is manifestly in accord with the traditions 0/ British law. Let the bounds of freedom he set, and provide the machinery to punish whosoever oversteps them. Dr. Findlay might with advantage consider' whether he cannot add a, few clauses to his Indecent Publications Bill with the object of covering the stage with the principle of that useful measure. We can see some difficulties in the way, but he can rely on the sympathetic assistance of Parliament.

An Auckland telegram in another column will remind the public that no serious endeavour has yet- been made in the • House to obtain from the Government a defence of Mr. L'iNNiE's appointment to the presidency of the Tokerau Land Board. The telegram indicates the sort of work which attaches to that position, and we arc sure that the public will find matter for amusement in the idea of Mr. Dinnie, a lifelong policeman, endeavouring to do that work. He has been arranging for the formation of roads in the To Karau Block at Kohukohu. We can conceive it possible that some people with a keen sense of the ridiculous will be stirred to merriment at the thought of Mr. Dinnie supervising the : roading and settlement of the Native wastes. The press of 'the country was unanimous in condemning Ma. DuraiE's appointment—the sharpest critics were faithful Ministerialist journals like the Christchurch Times and the Dunedin Star. Amusing as the matter certainly is, it has its very serious side, and Mr. Massey will bo guilty of a breach of trust if he does not take an early opportunity to bring this matter before the House.