NOTES OF THE DAY.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1489, 11 July 1912, Page 4

NOTES OF THE DAY.

Mr. H. G. Ell, the retiring Post-master-General, will be dimly romembere.d in days to come for his strenuous efforts in the direction of establishing slot-telephones , and of opening the post-bagß to fresh fish. Like Mr. Russell (who intruded himself upon Tuesday's proceedings in order to explain that he, "too,, had not been idle"), Mr. Ell has thought fit to bid farowoll to his term-of greatness by issuing a strange circular about his postedfisli scheme. It comes with an official slip, and it .occupies four foolscap pages. The first paragraph relates that nineteen of fish have been posted in Dunedin reand gives the names of the localities (all in Otago and Southland) to which tho wag or wags concerned dispatched tho parcels. Mr. Ell proceeds in a vein of enthusiasm- to discuss the possibilities ahead, observing, inter alia, that it is not expected that "the full strength of the country fish business" will be felt until about September or October (when the warm weather will begin). There is added, as the considered comment of the Dunedin Star on the scheme, a couple of sentences baldly announcing that "the scheme came into operation to-day." It is painful to think that the only press notice suitable for his purpose that Mr. Ell could find was this cold announcement The regulations' are next given in detail,-and even here thoro is tho Ell touch. Some of tho conditions of post-ago are:—"(a) That the contents arc intended for human consumption within 24 hours; (b) that tlic Department assumes no responsibility for the condition of the fish; (c) that tho Department rcsorves tho ■ right to destroy any parcel immediately it becomes offensive." Then follow a series of advertisements by fishdealers in a Dunedin paper—things like this: "Found—The cost of living problem solved from Monday. The post will carry and deliver fish at tnc rate of Clu. for Gd." Mr. Ell's fantastic apolni/in pro vita sua concludes with the transcription of two circulars sent out by fishdealers. Ono is headed "Fish Oh!" the other is headed "Fish! Fish! Cost of living problem solved." Out of such a dull thing as tho Post Office Mil. Ell has dono extremely well in providing a fund of humour. Mr. Ell, no doubt, , took his reBjionsibilitic? as PostmantftrGeneral very seriously,, aud

wo are quite prepared to give him ercdit for an earnest desire to bring about many improvements in the Postal Department. The pity of it is that he should havo ventured on the task at all.

The Russian press, we were told a day or two ago, is lukewarm in its couimcnts upon tho meeting between the Tsar _ and' the Emperor of Germany, and is assuring Franco and Britain that they need not be "disappointed." , The world is in the dark and must be content to remain in the dark, concerning the facts beneath all the recent strange surface movements of European politics. It would be pleasant if we could know that tho lukowarmness of the Russian press means that the Triple Entente is still irrefragable. The Anglo-French understanding wears better than ever. At the end of May and in the early days of last month there was much talk of tho prospects of a definite alliance between France and England. The Times is against the idea of an alliance, and appears to express the views of the Governments in both countries. More, it is argued, can bo gained by a mere understanding, than by an alliance that would lead both countries into war in the event of an attack upon either. The Spectator and the Morning Post, however, advocate an alliance. Tho Spectator dwells on the effect of a German triumph over an unaided France; Germany would command Europe, and Britain would have to fight out the question of the command of the sea without the assistance, actual or moral, of a French army anu navy. "Wo aare not let France go under." To the argument that in tho event of such a war, Britain would join France, the Spectator replies by saying that a properly drawn alliance would free Britain from the danger of embroilment in a Franco-German war that a hothead-, ed or foolish French Premier like M. Caillaux might bring about. An alliance, that is to say, would steady the policies of both countries: "an alliance provides r the only effective drag against a nation being carried away by a gust of passion." It would, moreover, persuade the last German doubter (who would possibly bo the Emperor) of tlio reality of the Anglo-French attachment. The French press _is divided in opinion. An interesting fact' is that _it is the Radicals in Britain, "the peace party," who most strongly oppose the alliance idea— dbubtless Because it offends their delusion that Germany is a friend.

There was no insincerity in the hearty wolcomo given by tho Legislative Council yesterday to its now leader, the Hon. H.' D. Bell. Our readers arc well aware of our opinion of tho Council as a legislative body under the shadow of Wardism; but tho very weakness of tho Council, its resignation to an otiose life, has allowed it to cultivate some good qualities. One of these is dignity, and another is readiness to admire any good leader. Tho undoubted, i! ill-usod. gifts of the late.AttorneyGeneral, were keenly admired by Councillors. _In Mr. Bell they will find a moro richly-endowed personality, and they are certain to apprcr ciate to the full such a notable addition to their rahks. The suavity, dignity, and learning of the' new leader will bo of immense value to the ■ Council as a formative influence. In his modest speech yesterday. 1 Mr. Bell mentioned two points',of common interest. Ho is the first_ Councillor for 21 years to be appointed _by some other party than that which came into office, in 1801. Ho is also the son of a nian (Sir H. Dillon Bell) who sat in tho first Council under the Constitution. This is an extremely interesting coincidence. To Mr. Bell the fact appeared to emphasise the shortness, in point of time, of New Zealand's existence as a self-governing country. People are_ too apt to fancy that our country is age-old, and free from the laws that always have governed, and always will govern, the development of young nations. The Council has .good reason to feel proud of having for its leader a distinguished lawyer who in past years has rendered notable service in Parliament. and in the government' of this city.