NOTES OF THE DAY.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1767, 4 June 1913, Page 6

NOTES OF THE DAY.

The Minister for Finance appears to have returned from his trip abroad with very definite views conj corning the question of Naval Defence', out exactly what he proposes to lay before Cabinet can only bo guessed at. Quite properly he has declined to make tlio information public until it has been considered by his colleagues and their decision has been arrived at. "We have already expressed the opinion that the probable outcome of Mr. _ Allen's visit to London and interviews with tho Committee of Defence will be the recommendation in favour of the local navy idea, but the exact form which the proposal will take must be left for tho future to disclose. The ridiculous stories set in circulation by certain of the anti-Reform papers concerning the expeditionary force policy of the Dcfence Dcparte ment have received the emphatic contradiction from tho Minister, which was to be expected. The matter would be hardly worth notice but for the evidence it affords of the unscrupulousncss of some of the Opposition papers just now in their desire to make a point which they think may prove injurious to the Government. On financial matters Mil Allen speaks with cheerfulness, and the information he is able to give concerning the renewal of loans falling due and the credit of the Dominion in London is gratifying. Tho lcgacy of short-dated loans which the Massey Government inherited from the Continuous Ministry might have proved an early and serious embarrassment not only to the Government, but to the Dominion. Fortunately the Minister for Finance appears to have been able to overcome the difficulties of the situation created by his predecessors in office. With.the session so close at hand it is probable that the policy of the Government in the matter of Naval Dcfence will not be made known until Parliament meets, when definite proposals will be looked forward to with great interest.

With reference to our comments in yesterday's issue on the application of Victoria College Council for a, grant from the Macartiiy Trust, we arc informed that it is not proposed to ask for a sufficient sum to enable the complete system of day _ and evening classes in arts and sciences to be instiii'.ied at once. This would mean an of about £3000 per annu/h. The Council arc only asking the Trust to provide _thc_ financial iheans whereby a beginning could be made with (lay and evening work in four science subjects., which would cost a little over £1000 a year. This appears to_ be a very reasonable request, and in view of the explanation which has been placed before us wc gladly alter our qualified approval expressed in yesterday's issuo into full support. The application certainly _ deserves the favourable consideration of those who are responsible for the administration of tho Macartiiy Trust,

The good work which is being done by the Salvation Army in its efforts to save the outcast and help the homeless has received such widespread commendation that more than one of the speakers at the Dominion Congress, which was opened last night, i'clfc enllud upon to remark that there was a danger of tho Army's social work overshadowing its spiritual activity in the estimation of the general public. Brigadier Bray was on firm ground when he corrected this tendency by pointing out that if it had not been for the religious convictions of the members of the Salvation Army none of its social work would have been done. In other words, the social work is the natural outward expression of tho spiritual motive. The purpose of the Congress is to* consider tho whole position of the movement in Now Zealand, to sde how the work already in hand may bo made more efficient, and to discuss proposals for the further extension of the Army's operations, religious and social. It is of course regrettable that in a young country like this so many charitable organisations should be necessary; but as Commissioner .Richards stated "the world is not, as it should lie," and it will probably be a very long while, if ever, before the need for the social work of tho Salvation Army and other similar institutions will have passed away. Tho deliberations of llfiO enthusiastic workers for the moral and social betterment of tho community can hardly fail to bo both interesting and fruitful.

Tim Birthday Honours announced in our cable columns to-day contain no very surprising features, though the list is on the whole an interesting and well-chosen one, tlio Civil Service, politics, the Army and Navy, science, literature, and the stage being represented. The only New Zealander to receive recognition is Mil. Tlunhy Ottkkson, of Wellington, who receives the Companionship of St. Michael ami St. Ueorge. Alii. Ojtkiison has been an officer of Parliament for many years, and has occupied the responsible position of Clerk of the House of Representatives since IW/S.- He has proved himself a ni-osl capable public tenant, and nil who know him and his work will heartily improve of the honour which His Majesty lias thought (it to bestow upon him. The many readers of Mil. ,1. M. Bakiiie's books will lie pleased to know that lie. has been made a baronet, and another interesting'selection is Ml!. FoINIKS-HotiEltTSoV, the well-known actor-manager, who bocamcs a Knight Bachclor, A simi-

lar honour Ims been conferred on l'noFEsson SciiAEFEit. ■ the distinguished scientist, whose presidential address 011 the origin of life at last year's meeting of the British Association attracted a great deal of attention.