NOTES OF THE DAY.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1284, 13 November 1911, Page 4

NOTES OF THE DAY.

Tun il('iiici!ifil.rnlio!i mnilu I'.v Ibo nnli-!iiilil;irißls in I lie Town Hull mi Friiliiy evening l.'isl, must have pnivi'd pcHiii'wlml, (iiK;ip|i«<i>l'iii|s Hume wlio Di-R.iiiisiMl Hi' , - nffiiir. Tim "tli'iiioiislriiliiira ,, were outnumbered niul outvoted, niitl failed 111 li wilier In show nny gnod reason for tlirir nlliliuk No doubt many of them iivo quite sincere in their objection (o compulsory Bcrvice, and when) (hoit- objection is bnwd on conscientious grounds one can extend them a certain fimniiiiL of sympathy. But tlioy are deceiving Uh.'liiw'lvt.s if Llio.y iiic'iginn thov lire benefiting their niiiPii by such wild lalk and exaggeration as is usually indulged in at these gatherings. The general sentiment ot the penpli; of New Zealand in in favour of giving the new sys(eni a fair trial. Such inconvenience as may bo caused under it will lie reduced to a minimum as thescheme: operates, and even those who grumble, a little now at the restrictions it imposes will probably come to find that it does not interfere with their ordinary pursuits as much as was anticipated. What should not Iks formation is that apart altogether from its military aspect the effect of the training must have a markedly beneficial effect upon the physique of the nation; and, furthermore, the discipline entailed should also have good results. Most pcorilo recognise that our youths arc inclined to break away from restraint, and show little respect for the advice or guidance of their elders, as well as for the restrictions imposed by those in authority above them. The training they will undergo should assist to impress on them a proper recognition of the fact that rules and regulations are a necessary part of society, made to be observed.

Some amusement must have been experienced by those who read the Prime Minister's explanation per medium of the Press Association of the success of his opponent in the recent county election. Sir Joseph Ward appears to be growing very anxious about his seat, or at any rate anxious that the country should not imagine that the constituency which has returned him to Parliament for so long a period is not weakening in its affection for him. As a matter of fact, it is doing so. For the first time for a great many years Sir Joseph Ward has found it necessary to fight for his seat. At the last general election he had no anxiety whatever, and' was so confident of the issue that his electioneering was of the scantiest. That his confidence on that occasion was justified is proved by the fact that he polled nearly twice as many vot-es as his two opponents combined. On ihe present occasion it is very different. The_ discontent with the Ward Administration —the distrust which has developed out of its shiftiness and lack of guiding principles—has spread even to Awarua. Mr. Hamilton, Sir Joseph Ward's opponent, is a much-respected_ settler of a sturdy and enterprising type, who has been conducting a spirited campaign, and where he is best known, will poll very heavily. Whether he can beat the Prime Minister may be open to doubt, but he will certainly cut dov/n his majority very materially. With several weeks yet .to go to polling day, it would be rash to speculate further than that. But it is very plain that Sir JosEra Ward is very anxious about the impression his opponent is creating.

The splendid beginning made by the English team of cricketers in their opening match against South Australia must prove cheering to their supporters. South Australia possesses Wiiittv amongst its bowlers, but it cannot be regarded as a strong bowling team, so that Warner and his team did not have to face any very great variety of trundling. At the same time it has to be borne in mind that it is their first game after a long sea voyage and with comparatively little practice. In these circumstances their performance is most meritorious and may reasonably be said to bear out the anticipations of those, who have spoken so highly of the'merits of the combination. Australia has a very strong Test team to put in the field at the present time, hut it will probablv be found that Warner's team will extend them very thoroughly, and it will_ not cause an overwhelming surprise should the "ashes" journey back to the Motherland. It is too early yet to judge the true form of the visitors, but on their paper reputation they are a very tough nut to crack.

The member for Oroua, Mr. Guthrie, appears to have made a number of telling points in the opening speech of his election campaign, some of which we shall give space to as opportunity occurs. Amongst other matters he touched 911 an aspect of the political situation which must have struck a great many people, that is the effect of the fac-ing-all-ways policy of the Government on its own followers. After mentioning the retirement of Mr. Fowlds at a most critical juncture, Mr. Guthrie proceeded: Wo have for ttmnv years noir teen accustomed to a dense-all nolicy . thnt ia simply disgusting the people and feaj forced many formerly Toyai followers to withdraw their support, and turn to the moro stable political party, and cast in their lot with thorn. In proof of the discontent in the ranks of the Government following arising out of the weakness and lack of principle displayed by Ministers, Mr. Guthrie quoted extracts from tho speeches of various members of the Government party, which, taken together, make a very strong indictment indeed of the_ Ward Administration. During his three years in Parliament Mr. Guthrie proved himself a very hardworking member, with a sound grip of public affairs, and possessed of a sturdy common sense and blunt outspokenness that won him the respect of all parties. The result of his observations and experiences as disclosed in his present electioneering campaign should in consequence prove very interesting to his constituents and to the country at large.