NOTES OF THE DAY.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1773, 11 June 1913, Page 6

NOTES OF THE DAY.

The. defeat of the Australasian Davis Cup challengers at the hands of the American team was not at all surprising. With Brookes and Wilding both unable to play no team sent could be said to fairly represent the true strength of Australasia, and with Heath and Dunlop also not available the players available for the selectors to choose from were still further restricted. At the same time, except for Brookes and Wilding, who arc in a class by themselves, there is very little difference in point of merit between the leading Australasian players who rank in the next grade. A. B. Jones is classed by some ( as the third best player in Australia; Dous'r has been showing excellent form in England, and Rice is an old. and experienced player who has acquitted himself well in Australasian contests for years past. The American team, with its players at their best, is a very powerful one, ana the probabilities are that it will carry off the Davis Cup this year. M'Lougiilin and Williams are both brilliant young players, although at times inclined to be erratic, and are in the very first flight of the world s best. On the whole the Australasian team did quite as well as was expected against such formidable opponents, and their fine win in the doubles is some solace for their defeat in the singles games. It is regrettable that Jones was not well enough to play in the singles, for he is probably the best of the three Australians, but it is hardly likely that he would have been successful against both M'Lougiilin and Williams, even if he defeated either of the pair, and the final result would have been just as it is now. In the other preliminary tic for the' Davis Cup, that between France and Germany, the latter have scored a somewhat unexpected win. The' French representatives had been playing with great dash and brilliancy, out had appeared to lack staying power, and apparently this < weakness has been in u measure responsible for their downfall. The American team should win through to the final—although Williams will have to improve somewhat on the form lie lias shown against the Australians—and they should then have a very good chance of beating the British team which at present holds the coveted trophy. It will be a trial of steadiness coupled with fine ground shots and back-court driving on the part of tlx,British team against the brilliant smashing and volleying methods of the Americans.

Tiif, pronouncement reported to have been made by Captain Halsey concerning the merits of the port of PicLon, both as a part and as a naval base, should not be lightly passed over. We know that it is tho customary thing for visitors to endeavour "to say pleasant things 011 such occasions, but the comments of the Captain of H.M.S. New Zealand are far from being any tiling in the nature of an empty compliment. For a long time past it has been urged— and weighty facts have been added in support of the contention —that I'ictou, eituutcd as it is at the head

of a long, narrow, sheltered, deepwater sound, practically at tho centre of the Dominion and within easy reach of both coasts of both islands, possesses advantages over any other port of New Zealand as a naval base. It would almost seem to have been designed by Nature for that special purpose, and Captain Halsev, in expressing the view lie did, has only added further emphasis and weight to the opinions already expressed. The time is now opportune for the full consideration of this question of making the port of Picton tho principal naval base in these waters. It has been' made very plain that an important departure in the matter of naval defence is in prospect, involving, we believe, tho stationing of our own war vessels in these waters, and it is dear from past expression of opinion on the part of the Admiralty authorities that the creation of a naval base is regarded as one of the most vital necessities of the immediate future. When the Government comes to the consideration of the details of its naval policy the advantages of Pieton as a naval base_ may be expected to occupy their serious attention.

Mr. W. D. S. MaCdoxald, whose title to political fame rests on the, fact that he was a member of the short-lived stop-gap Ministry of last year, delivered a spcech at Gisborne last FridajX If the Government has to face nothing more damaging in the way of criticism than the amiable member for the Bay of Plenty has been able to briufj forward, the approach of tho session need not cause them any sleepless nights. The speech was mild to dullness, but it was not entirely devoid of interest. There is, for instance, a touch of unconscious humour in his frank admission that people tell him that they have no objection to him personally, but they do not_ like the party he represents. This is not very complimentary to his colleagues, but it gives an instructive insight into the state of political feeling in the Bay of Plenty. Mr. Macdonald, somewhat lamely, we fear, endeavours to turn the tables on his candid friends by stating that if he is recognised as a good member, then the party he represents must be a good party. This is not at all convincing. One swallow- doesn't make a summer, and it is to be feared that all Mr. Macdonald's individual goodness will not bo able to save the party to which he belongs'from a prolonged occupancy of the Opposition benches, notwithstanding tho fact that ho .believes that it is "stronger to-day than ever." Every man is, of course, entitled to believe what, he likes in such matters, and to be as hopeful as he can; and Mr. Macdonald cannot be blamed for striving to appear cheerful under depressing circumstances. The speech concludes with the hope that during the next session "legislation will be put on in the best interestsof the Dominion, but wo want justice and equity to ■ those who bore the brunt for tho last twenty years." We really do not know what the last part of the above sentence means. However, it is a quite proper sentiment that justice and equity should be meted out to everyone, .even if Mr. Macdonald's own party, when in office, was not conspicuous for any keen regard for its obligations in this respect; and "those who bore the brunt," whoever _ they may be, will, we trust, participate in the good things ahead. The somewhat painful silence of the majority of Opposition members is not difficult to understand after reading the speeches of Mr. Macdonald and his late colleague in the ten-minute Ministry, Mr. G.' W. Russell. Silence, after all, is golden when compared with such speeches.

The unexpected death • of Sir Arthur Guinness not only rob 3 the New Zealand Parliament of its Speaker, but it removes one of its oldest and most experienced members. "\Vhilo Sir Arthur Guinness has never been particularly prominent in party politics, ho has on more than one occasion been mentioned, as likely to be selected for Ministerial distinction, and but for the fact that he represented a West Coast constituency—a part of the country at the time already strongly represented in the Government—he probably would have been allotted a portfolio. As Speaker, Sir Arthur Guinness was chiefly remarkable for the somewhat generous latitude which he allowed in debate and for the kindly assistance he was always ready to extend to new and inexperienced members. On the whole he held the balance fairly between parties, and his familiar presence in the Speaker's wig and gown will be missed and the loss regretted by members on both sides of the House. The Government will not find it an easy matter to fill the vacant office with entire satisfaction. Mr. Lang, the present Chairman of Committees, will presumably have first claim to the Speakership; but lie is still somewhat inexperienced in the Chair and though one of the most popular members of the present House, might feel -that the burden of responsibility would be too great for him to undertake. However, the matter will no doubt receive consideration before the opening of Parliament a fortnight hence.

"TRIUMPH" WINS PAEKAKAEIKI HILL-CLIMB. Last Tuesday thoro was added to the lone list of competitive successes of tho "Triumph" motor-cycle in New Zealand the distinction of breaking, the record (made, of course, by a '"triumph ) for the Paekukariki Hill, winning the llanawatu Motor Cycle Club's annual hillclimbing speed competition, and gaining the silver cup for the private owner making fastest time. Faekakariki is a tough hill, as every motorist who has tcckled it knows, and the field in Tuesday's test comprised it riders, with various makes of motor-cycles from big twocylinder 8 h.p. machines down. G. B. Brown, on a 31 h.p. single-cylinder lnumph" (Tourist Trophy Koadster model), beat (lie lot easily, covering the distance of 21 miles in Imin. 111-ssec., reducing the record he made when he won the smno competition last year (also on n "Triumph") by 81-3 see„ and establishing a new record for tho hill. Second fastest time was made by A. 13. Collins ( Trilimph") and third fastest by G. B. Brown, tills time mounted on a three-speed 'triumph," weighing Ullbs. There have been scores of equally convincing proofs of "Triumph" superiority in the past, and the repetition of these successes, year after year, proves that no motor-cycle yet designed is in as high n class, as tho "Triumph" for reliability, consistency, economv, and power in ratio to cylinder dimensions. The moral to those who propose to join the over-increasing army of molor-evelists is obvious. Get i "Triumph"'and there is 110 doubt about having the bc-;t machine on the market. Call and see the new 191U mode) "Triumphs." Prices: Free engine, .CHI; fixed engine, .CTU; three-speed £&~ IIK c are of present holding a clearing sale of sec-ond-hand "Triumphs" in guaranteed cood condition from .13; other second-hand motor-cycles from J: 15. -\da», IS ' .J' 1 ":* agents for "Triumphs." lliph Mri'Gt, Christchuvch. (Grove Motor Co., Gnuz--1100 Street, Wellington agents).—Advt.