NOTES OF' THE DAY.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1188, 25 July 1911, Page 4

NOTES OF' THE DAY.

Until, and unless, Mr. Fisher, the Australian Premier, confirms the extraordinary statements attributed to him by Mr. AV. T. Stead, most people will share the incredulity of the London Globe. Mr. Stead is notoriously subject to these outbursts, and wc shall not be surprised if Mr. Fisher says the interview has little more authenticity _ than the ludicrous "spirif'-intervicw with the late Mr. Gladstone that Mr.. Stead gave in all seriousness to an amused and disgusted world. There is no more loveliness in the doctrine attributed to Mr. Fisher—the doctrine, as the Globe snys, "that Brii tain should pay. all the price of Em-

pire, and Australia should have all the advantage until the hour of danger"—than in thi doctrine of (he Pretoria Vol/,■*■■>•!an that Britain is only "one portion" of the Umpire in this question. Wo arc perfectly certain that the vast majority of people in every one of the Dominions hold that when Britain is at war they are, at war. They would certainly be at war, or considered to be at war, by any enemy of Britain's. Of course a Dominion could hoist the white Hag —and cease to exist. There is a legend of a recreant who, the assassin's point at his throat, was promised his life if ho would deny God. He denied his faith, and the assassin drove the dagger home, enjoying the added delight of believing that he was sending his enemy into everlasting torment. That would lie a reasonable representation of the case of a Dominion that acted as Mit. Fisher, in the alleged interview, is reported to have advised. The everlasting torment would be the immortal shame of having repudiated the obligation entailed by the protection of Britain's arms. In point of fact wc know that New Zealand, and we are sure that all the other Dominions, would spurn the folly and baseness of the claim of independence of Britain in the time of war. We are glad to have the opportunity hereof emphasising a sound piece of criticism in one of an excellent series of articles in the Westminster Gazette. Sensible men, it says, will not worry themselves with bogies:

They will consider the probable emergencies of the Empire, and see how extremely remote, and improbable are ihe concrete cases in which a collision of interests is likely to occur between the five nations. They will seo how strong nre the motives for keeping them in unify with the Empire, and how difficult their separate problems if they driit apart. They will also, without being too sanguine, be able to reckon somewhat on the good sense and forbearance of men with common blood and history, who have every practical motive for keeping together.

To-day's cable messages show that a profound effect has been created by Mn. Lloyd-George's statement at the Lord Mayor's banquet upon Britain's consciousness of her rights and her power. All that we were told of the speech was that the Chancellor "emphatically declared that where vital interests were concerned Great Britain would not allow herself to be treated as if of no account in the Cabinet of nations." Although this is in the manner of the Emperor of Germany, and is an extremely direct and pointed warning of Britain's opinion upon the. Morocco crisis, Mr. Lloyd-George must have said a good deal more than the words quoted, for the Germanophil Xeue Frct'c I'restsc of Vienna has referred to his tone as "vehpment." The statement has been welcomed by tho French press, but has caused consternation • in Germany. It is really of less importance \that* Germany should be impressed by the exposure of a British "mailed fist" than that France should be stimulated into taking a strong tone. The Chancellor's speech, we should imagine, was meant rather for French than for German cars. There is believed to be no doubt of the continued reality and fiimness of the Anglo-French entente, but there is the risk that France, while loyal to the spirit of the understanding, may be tricked or menaced into a settlement that will give Germany the advantage that she is seeking. She can obtain that advantage without weak-' cning French interests in Morocco,and she must not be permitted byBritain to obtain any advantage. It is greatly to be hoped that the cable messages of the near future will show that the Chancellor's speech has had the effect of hardening up France into remembering that Britain's interests must not be imperilled in the Berlin negotiations.

The secretary of the Mokau Estate Company, Mr. C. A. Loughxan, of Palmcrston North, issued a challenge on Friday last in which he offered £100 if Mr. Massey could prove that any of his statements respecting the Mokau Company were correct. _ As Me. Massey, so far as the published report of his meeting shows, did not make any reference to the Company, Mr. Loughnan might with perfect safety have made his challenge £1000 or £10,000 had he so chosen. Realising probably that this shallow trick could not hope to stand close scrutiny, he promptly withdrew the challenge and substituted equally irrelevant to the main points at issue. "We would suggest to this gentleman, whose chief concern, so far as we can see, is to assist the electioneering efforts of Mr. M'Nmj for the Palmerston scat, that he should direct his attention to what Mr. Massey really did say regarding the aspects of the Mokau transaction which are of public moment. For instance, he might submit to the jury which he is so anxious to set up:

(1) Is it correct, as slated by Mr. Massev, tlr.it a Royal Commission specially appointed by the Government, as tho result of its investigations recommended the Government itself to deal with the Mokau Estate, and to set apart part of it for the Native owners and open llio rest for settlement?

(2) Is it correct that the Government, as stated by Mr. Massey, in defiance of this recommendation, issued an Order-in-Council over-riding tho Ordinary provisions of the Act. respecting the limitation of the area of Native land which may bo purchased by any individual or syndicate, and granted permission to a private land speculator lo acquire (his huge area of land?

(3) Is it correct, as stated by Mr. Masscy, that Messrs. Findlay and Dalziell were tho firm of solicitors which acted far tho individual who was able to sccuro this exceptional concession from the Government?

If these statements are correct, and the public recordsshow that they are, a public inquiry is necessary to throw further light upon the influences which have been at work to secure this departure from the recognised policy in respect of Native lands, and also regarding the very curious procedure relating to the issuing of the Order-in-Council. Mr. Lougiinax, knowing quite well that his company or syndicate have not acted in any illegal way, and that the only offence that can be charged against them as a company is that they have made a bargain that a good many other people would like to make, is seeking all the time to thrust the affairs of his company before the public, with tho object no doubt of screening the actions of the Government. He docs not fear any exposure of wrong-doing on the part of the purchasers of the land, hut as a good supporter of the Government no doubt desires to lend every

assistance to Ministers. So he is trying to side-track public attention from the actions of the Government by issuing empty challenges respecting minor issues, which he probably imagines will assist also the candidature of his friend, Mr. M'Nab. ■We" have no complaint to make re-

garding these tactics—they arc, transparent enough to these who have fol-

lowed the Mokaw transaction at all closely. Probably he will come clown to the. region of realities when the public investigation promised by the Acting-Prime Minister takes place.

The meeting of protest in connection with the objectionable new Lramway regulations which the Government submitted to the municipal bodies for consideration had to be postponed last evening. The report, of the experts who arc revising the regulations on behalf of the local bodies affected was not ready at the appointed hour, and in view of this circumstance and the effect of the wretched weather on the attendance of the public it was decided to allow discussion of the icgulations to stand over. No doubt there is something to be said in favour of the course followed, but even if the report of the experts was not available the general effect of the regulations could

have been placed before those present and the harmful nature of this Ministerial interference with the tramways disclosed. However, it is too late now to raise objections to the action of those responsible for the postponement. We can only hope that the deputation which is to wait on the Minister on the subject of the regulations will leave no room for doubt as to what they think of his action in the matter, and make it clear that they intend to fight to the bitter end against any undue interference with the workincr <•'--. tramways owned by the municipalities.