NOTES OF THE DAY.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1338, 16 January 1912, Page 4

NOTES OF THE DAY.

There are new possibilities in the political situation according to a Press Association telegram published this morning. We are now told that an election petition has been lodged with a view to upsetting the election of Mr. M'CaUiUM, the new member for Wairau. There are also rumours afloat as to the possible nullifying of two other elections, one in the North, and the other in the South Island. In all three cases the members affected are supporters of the Ward Government. So far, however,, it would seem that the only instance in which definite action has been taken is in the case of the Wairau election. The alleged irregularities in case have been, a subject of discussion in the Marlboroutrh district ever since the result of the polling became known, but it remains to bo seen whether there will be sufficient evidence forthcoming to necessitate a second election being held.

The'current issitfi of The Round Lnhle, described as a quarterly review of the politics of the British Empire, contains an article 011 "The Defence Policy of New Zealand," in the course of which reference is made to the question of the naval strength in the Pacific of Britain and her overseas Dominions. The article is ot particular interest just now because of the activity being shown in the direction of giving effect to the new system of military training; and also on account of the proposals of the Labour party in Australia to reopen the question of the federation of New Zealand with the Commonwealth. Like all the articles pulilished in Ihc Hound Tabic the particular contribution under discussion 13 unsigned, but the writer plainly has an ;ntimate knowledge of defence matters, go-fat as they'relate to Australasia. Much of the ground he covers is familiar to our readers, but his summary of the naval position which is developing as the result in part of the Naval Conference of 1909 1; worth quoting: ■ Now Zealand provides the armoured cruiser (new Indomitable class) for the China unit and ,£IOO,OOO per annum towards payment of the personnel. . . Presumably the Mother Country will supply the East Indies unit, and -Australia will become responsible for the Australian unit, the Mother Country offering to assist the Commonwealth by an annual contribution of .£250,000 towards the maintenance of the complete fleet unit. If is gratifying to note that the Commonwealth has decided not lo accept this contribution and will provide the .whole cost from the Commonwealth funds. As a result of the above arrangements there will .shortly bo in the Pacific: 3 Armoured Cruisers (now Indomitable class). - „ 0 I'narmoured Cruisers (Bristols). 18 Destroyers (River class). ' 9 Submarines (C class). So begins the Eastern fleet of Empire. . . . Some at least who could not view the position in the Pacific without great disquietude find comfort in the fact that a commencement hins been miido to secure for the Empire that control of communications and protection to commerce which is so essential for the progress of the young British nationalities situated in the Pacific. The writer waxes enthusiastic regarding Australia's patriotic action in assuming so heavy a burden as the building and maintenance of a complete fleet unit; but is less so respecting New Zealand's attitude. He apparcnf.lv derives some satisfaction,however; from the view that it is inconceivable thdt the Dominion will long continue the present arrangement of a monetary contribution to the upkeep of the British fleet; and looks forward to the time when national sentiment will induce this country to build, equip, and man the mosquito fleet thought necessary for its second line of defence, and in addition to provide such a portion of a fleet unit as can reasonably be expected of her.

The Englishmen seem to have given the Australians a gruelling experience on Saturday and Monday in the third Test Match at Adelaide. As against the 133 runs compiled by the Australians in their first innings, the visitors ran up the fine total of 501 runs. This score will find a place amongst the list of "largest aggregate innings" scores in Test game's, and is well on the way towards tho record score obtained by an English team in a Test Match. According to Wigrfen, the previous list of largest aggregate innings scores in games England v. Australia is as follow: — By England. Score. Place. Year. r>77 Sydney 1003-1 , r )7IJ The Oval 18!IO ft'il Sydney 1897-8 ■l!)!l Adelaide 1801-2 48.1 The Oval 1893 ■175 Melbourne 1894-S Kit Sydney 11101-2 By Australia. SSI! ' Sydney IS9J-5 !i":l Adelaide 1897-S ,V>l Tho Oval 1884 5211 Melbourne 1807-S :M Adelaide KIO7-8 IS:i Sydney IOO.'M In all the above games, with two exceptions, the score slated was made in the first innings. In the game under review the Australian bowling scorns to have been lacking in sling, and yet the batsmen would appear to have indulged in long spells of very cautious play. Apparently time is no object with them, and they are C|uiti; right in playing the game which they consider best suited to the circumstances of the case. Although Warner, unfortunately for his side, lias been unable to take (.lie fiVld, there can be little doubt, nevertheless, that h<. , lias hsid his share in tin , recent successes of the team. His skill us u tactician is uiu|iiest ionable, and he has a happy knack, of bringing out the best that is in a team. The Australians have made a very fair beginning in their second venture, but the prospects ahead of i

them arc not encouraging. Bansl'oiii) may have recovered from the injury which he sustained in the first innings of the match, bill TituMi'KK would now seem to be on the list of the maimed, which is very unfortunate indeed for Australia.

Otr contributor "Senior Sub." makes out a. very good case in this issue against the junior cadet system as it at present stands. No doubt it served its purpose well enough before the new system of universal military training was introduced, but it now requires readjustment. _to meet the changed conditions. For some reason the officer in charge of the junior cadet system has been a particularly favoured person at the hands of the Ward Government. I He lias been given an amount of latitude that has provoked comment on more than one occasion and has advanced very rapidly in the matter of salary—far more rapidly apparently than would have been the case had he remained attached to the Defence Department. Now he has gone to England for a course of training and his mantle seems to have fallen on his assistant in the Junior Cadet Department. The new Parliament will be called on to give the question of the , junior cadet system its careful consideration with a view to placing it on a different and more satisfactory footing.