NOTES OF THE DAY.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1217, 28 August 1911, Page 4

NOTES OF THE DAY.

The banquet tendered by a number of citizens to Sir Joseph Ward ancl Sir John Findlay on Saturday evening last proved, as was to be expected, a very pleasant function. The occasion was a non-party one; the Prime Minister had returned from his Imperial mission, and it was as the Dominion's representative at what wc must all recognise as a memorable conference that he was welcomed. Whatever opinions may be held as to the particular views voiced by Sir Joseph Ward at the Imperial Conference, it was fitting that he should be afforded some suitable opportunity of laying before the country an outline of his labours and of the work of the conference generally. On Saturday evening, it is pleasing to note, the Prime Minister did not permit party politics in intrude in the slightest degree into his interesting review of his labours. Wc shall have something to say on one or two of the questions he raised, as well as on the opinions lie expressed, in due course, but for the present wo have no desire to do more than to congratulate him upon the excellent spirit which pervaded the entertainment in his honour, and on the success with which the function was attended.

A contemporary has complimented Sir John Findlay on his courage in announcing his determination to contest a scat at the general election. This has the appearance of a doubtful compliment. Why shoulci any particular amount of courage bo required for a Minister to woo the doctors ? A good deal of speculation has already taken place as to the possible or probable electorate Slit John Findlay will choose. Before he left for England Parnell was spoken of as a likely constituency, the idea being that Mr. La-wry would be quite content to take a seat in the Legislative Council. Dunedin North, which Mr. Thomson only won for the Opposition by two votes has also been mentioned, and other' places. But why should Sir John go away from Wellington. He lives here; he is known here, politically at least. Why not choose a Wellington scat? Of course there is the new electorate of Raglan without a Government candidate, but it is not the sort of constituency likely to appeal to the new Knight. It is over close to Mr. Massey's electorate for one thing. When the selection is finally made wc have no doubt that our contemporary, which admires so gicatly Sir John Findlay's courage in cominE forward, will find that no needless risks have been taken. Wc shall probably find thilt some good and faithful supporter with a safe seat has been exalted to another sphere, and that Sin John Findlay will hi) announced as his legitimate successor It is interesting to note that Mr. E. G. Jellicoe has announced his" determination to follow Silt John around and to light him wherever he may stand. The encounter should certainly pio\e of interest.

The trials (if Now Zealand citics in this time of danger from :i Government anxious to lake cntiro charge of municipal affairs seem almost trivial beside the trials of the people of Home. The modern spirit Is working like bad yeast there, but

public Hcntiiiioiit for tlic prcscrvatioii of tlic sanctity ami romanec of their Eternal City is strong enough to rlieck the modern vandals pictty effuctiwly. A vigorous campaign lias been carried on lately against street noises in the city, and especially the noises of motor-cars and other loud manifestations of "civilisation," and during July something like a crisis was reached in another respect. There was recently before the Chamber of Deputies a Bill for the administration of the city, and a deputy v.'ho has been prominent in the defence of Michael Anoelo's work on the Capitol, moved nn amendment to the eifccfc that "all proposed modifications of the monuments, squares, and nncient' streets of Rome, as well as those of the ancient villas and their environs, should be submitted to the opinion of the Supreme Council of Fine Arts" —a body oi experts comprising the most celebrated names in Italy. Unfortunately the Minister for Education, who is the Minister conccrned, is not a scholar, but only a politician—our case is hero just like the. ease of Rome—and ho is under the influence of a Professor Baccelli, who is an expert neither in art. nor in archaeology. The amendment was withdrawn, and for the present the vandals have scored. Their mode of thought may bs imagined from the fact that last year they would have succeeded—but for the force of public opinion and the opposition of one plucky archaeologist of European reputation—in constructing a huge boulevard along lira Appian Way within the city, which would have precluded future excavations. What Rome is trying to defend against the Government is different in kind from what the New Zealand cities arc trying to defend against our own Government, but there is a common bond of local sentiment that will provoke sympathy here with the Roman public.

Members of Parliament often ask strange questions, but the palm for ineptitude must go to Mfl. \\ T . H. Field for his inquiry whether the Government could not bring down an amendment of the electoral law that would "destroy or lessen the huge advantage" of wealth and influence "in the ownership and command of motor-cars for the conveyance of electors to the poll." If Mr. Field feels really anxious about his chances —and he may well feel anxious—why does he not boldly suggest the only thing that can make him absolutely safe, namely, an amendment to prevent anybody going to the poll excepting Ministerialist voters. But wc-need not take the matter too seriWc prefer to enjoy the implications of the question and of the Government's intimation that it is "considering" the matter. The first implication seems to be s that democrats arc so far from being faithful that a ride in a motor-car will make them vote against Sin Joseph Ward; or, in the alternative, that democracy will not vote unless it is driven to the booths in a 40-horse-power car. The richest thing of all, however, is the suggestion that the motor-cars are owned by the opponents of democracy. If a census- were taken, we think we should find that most of the motor-cars in this town are of the right colour. It is a delightful picture: Mb. Massey lolling back in one of his half-dozen 1000guinea cars, and poov Sir Joseph Ward or-Sir J. Fixer,ay taking pennyworths in the tram when they can afford it.