NOTES OF THE DAY.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1400, 28 March 1912, Page 4

NOTES OF THE DAY.

Colonel Allen Bell thinks "the time has come for radical alterations in the old-time Army methods." "Fancy uniforms consisting of frock coats, yards of gold braid, and cocked hats, with feathers" must lie "swept out of existence." He concedes that feathers "look very pretty on a lady," but he insists that they "make a soldier look effeminate and ridiculous." All these objectionable things, he states, have been "handed down from the dark ages," and he consigns "many other customs" of the like dreadful origin to the same utter annihilation. But Colonel Bell has not taken account of quite all the things that have come down from the dark ages. One, which many less enlightened people regard as of some importance, is human nature, and it is just because gold lace and cocked hats belong to human nature that they still survive. Simple and natural peoplo have always liked to dress their parts, and to see others do likewise. The great social sentiments, loyalty, justice, order, patriotism, demand this sort of expression, and by means of it are extended through the community. The Monarch's crown and robes, the blue ribbon of the Garter, the Judge's wig, the constable's helmet, the soldier's uniform, and- even tho feathers deprecated by Colonel Bell aro parts of the secular ritual of tho State. They help to unite the community in the same feelings like a sort of greater family, for they speak to all but the over-sophisticated in a language less capable of being misunderstood than even the utterances of Colonel Bell himself. If he could have his way and bereave the Army of all its sartorial splendour, the effect would only be temporary. Human nature simply sprouts cockades and epaulets,' wands of office and Windsor uniforms, helmets and scarlet coats, and nobody can prevent it. Colonel Bell is a good friend of national defence: the movement owes much to him, and we can forgive much to him; but he is altogether too rationalistic for plain people like the rest of us.

' The annual meeting of the Boys' Institute last Tuesday evening was rendered specially interesting by the presence of General Godu;v, and nouody who knows anything of the work of this admirable organisation will question the fitness of the praise he bestowed upon it. It is indeed well for this city that it has in its midst such devoted workers as Mr. Troup and thoso associated with him, men who give their spare time freely to educate, train, and influence for good so many boys who might otherwise bo wasting their leisure in the streets. The institute wants more money, for the work has outgro'wn the means. The public responded so generously to the last appeal that all the money for the proposed new building is now in hand. The fine site in Tasinan Street was given by a generous lady who also gave over £5000 towards the building fund. It is, however, anticipated that a loss will be incurred in boarding the boys, and the committee, in pursuance of its policy of keeping the institute out of debt, has decided not to build until a further sum of £2500 is available. We hope the public will again be generous and come to the aid of thoso who have undertaken this splendid work of making good citizens.

We should bo sorry to think that the people in the Auckland district are as hopelessly out of touch with the general public sentiment and with common sense as the Auckland HerulJ shows itself to bo in its editorial observations on the new Parliament House scheme. "The making of laws," tbe lltrald says, "for the well-being of a nation is the supreme function of a civilised community, and if there lie anything in the theory so generally accepted of the subtle influence of environment on conduct and character, the Legislative Halls in which the chosen of the People meet to deliberate on the government of the country, and to mould if not to make history, .should bo of such a description as to add dignity and even solemnity to their proceedings." And so, bnmlnmin.* in vitrun, our contemporary, while expecting the buildings to cost far more than is estimated, declines to range itself "anions those who grudge a large expenditure of public money oil the erection of a building dedicated to" etc., etc., etc. "Xor," it explains, "are we inclined fo lend a serious esr to I lie object ions against. i ho "basle of ih-part in.i? Ministers In initiate tli» building." from this hollow rubbish it is a relief to

turn to tho Duncdin Star's oommont. Although the Star is a staunch Ministerialist journal, it can on occasion see tlii! truth and talk plainly about it. it is sharply sarcastic over Saturday's ccremony. It hales to suggest thai Sir Joseph Ward and Mu. j{. M'Kunzie should have been deprived of tho privilege of getting their names on the stone, but it fears Mint "the inscription on tho stone will not be regarded in times to come, by those who remember the special circumstances, with feelings of reverence or edification." The Star goes on to Bay, with groat good sense, (hat the function should have been postponed "because, as Sin Joseph Ward and his political and personal friends ought to recognise, all important decisions and movements, outside the absolute necessities of governmental routine, should be held in abeyance for the time being." Moreover, ns the Star points out, this is not a time for the splashing about of public money. It is a great pity that tho Duncdin paper is the only one of the Ministerialist journals which dares ever to speak with another voice than that which the party commands.