NOTES OF THE DAY.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1181, 17 July 1911, Page 4

NOTES OF THE DAY.

The Mayor of Christchurch, Mr. T. 15. Taylor, has heen getting at loggerheads with the Press over his big borrowing scheme for improving the roads of the city. The I'rcss of Saturday last deals with the latest phase of the controversy in its very best style:

We fear (it says) the strain of municipal office must bo getting on the Mayor's nerves. A few nights ago he was shaking his nst on a public platform in the face of a mueh-respectcil citizen who had made nu observation with which his Worship did not happen to agree. Last night, when he was invited to expound his road-mak-ing scheme to the Citizens' Association, iho broke out into on. amazing tirade of ' abuso against "The Press." Because this journal, in the miblic interest, ventured to submit that the financial and engineering features of the scheme should bo fully considered before the city committed itself to a loan of .£IOII,OOO, the editor is stigmatised by his Worship the Mayor as a "fool" and an "ass." We are reminded of what took place in the Houso of Commons when an utterly reckless and irresponsible member called out lo Lord Palmerston that he was a liar. "Who said that?" demanded Lord Palmerston in a voice of thunder. The intorjeclor, in a somewhat shamefaced manlier, stood up. "Oh, it's you, is it?" said Lord Palmerston. "In that case it doesn't matter." And his Lordship calmly resumed his speech.

We should imagine that Mr. Taylor's opinion of our contemporary will not be greatly improved by its reply to his attack.

The cable message which we publish this morning announcing that Sir William Hall-Jones will relinquish the office of High Commissioner for New Zealand at the end of August would seem to make it clear that he is not to be appointed for a further'term. This was generally expected, but Sir James Carroll, when speaking of the matter recently, left it open to doubt. As both Sir Joseph Ward and Sir John Findlay have left London it is to be assumed that the news now published comes from Sir William Hall-Jones himself. Possibly its publication was delayed in order to avoid the necessity of Sir Joseph Ward, while in London, answering questions on the subject of who is. to bo the next High Commissioner. This question is really a very interesting one, and wc suppose that no one in New Zealand to-day'can answer it. No doubt Sir Joseph Ward and Snt John Findlay have already decided the matter, and for ourselves wc are inclined to the opinion that the Prime Minister is reserving this opening— probably under improved conditions —for himself. The unusual activity of the Acting-Prime Minister and of some of his colleagues would almost seem to indicate that they were desirous of showing the country how well able they are to conduct the affairs of their party in the absence of their leader. Sir James Carroll's recently quite amazing energy in the south could only bo inspired by some great purpose—cither a desperate fear of the cold shades of opposition or the hope of the leadership of the party in the event of Sir Joseph Ward departing linally for England. There are so many interesting questions to be cleared up when Sir Joseph Ward returns that the public must be growing impatient. It is at such times as this that one realises the drawbacks of a_ party which haves everything to its leader.

The electioneering tour in the south of the member for Wellington North served to emphasise the progress being made by the political reform movement throughout the Dominion. At Palmerston South and at Oainaru Mr. Herdman is reported to have had splendid meetings, and at the latter place especially the enthusiasm of the very largo audience was most marked. Oamaru has been regarded for so many years as a Government stronghold that it has been practically neglected by the Opposition in its campaigning work, but the turn of the tide there was fully demonstrated at Mr. Herdman's meeting. A resolution couched in strong terms expressive of approval of the Reform party and urging the removal of tho, Government from office was carried with enthusiasm, and Mr. Heihiman was cheered, and the additional favour of "musical honours" was bestowed on him by the gathering. That this should have occurred at Oamaru augurs well, more especially in view of the fact that a strong Reform party candidate is now announced for the Oamaru seat.

A rather curious position will .arise in the Legislative Council when Parliament meets next week. In the absence of Sir John Findlay abroad the Government has uo Ministerial representative in the Upper Cham-

her and the Council is without its leader. It. will be of interest to nolo the selection that, is made, to fill, temporarily, of course, the vacant post. There arc at present three ex-mem-bers of the present Continuous Ministry in the Legislative Council, naii'ielv, the Mons. T. Thompson. C. 11. Mills, and J. iM'Oowas, and it would he supposed that one ot these gentlemen would he chosen to act lor the Government. On the_ other hand there arc more energetic supporters of the Government who, in the event of the Attorney-General's position falling vacant—as is hinted at in connection with the possibilities attached to the High Commissioncrship— would he considered to have greater claims. The Ho.vs. 0. Samuel and J. it. Sinclair, for instance, arc amongst, the ablest of the Government's following in the. Upper House; while the Hon. AY. F. Cakncross, at present Chairman of Committees, might appeal to the Government as an amiable mouthpiece for their views. One of the first things that will require the attention of the Council will be an Imprest Supply Bill. It is not customary for Legislative Councillors to show any great concern respecting those matters which usually are discussed en an Imprest Supply Bill in the House of Representatives, but some awkward questions might nevertheless he asked the Acting-Leader of the Council during its progress., A somewhat farcical situation would in that case aiisc for the representative of the Government for the time being could not possibly be in a position to answer the questions—not having been behind the scenes—and a prompter would be necessary. So far nobody seems to have troubled to say when Sir John Findlay is due back from his holiday trip—or whether he is due back at all.