NOTES OF THE DAY.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1800, 12 July 1913, Page 4

NOTES OF THE DAY.

The discussion in the House of Representatives yesterday afternoon on the defencc question was instructive from more than one point of view. It gave members an opportunity of. making suggestions for the improvement of the system, and of showing that they regard the military training scheme as a matter of national importance in the consideration of which party spirit is out of place. Every speaker agreed that the system is right in principle, and that the Minister for Defence is entitled to the help and sympathy of members on both sides of the House in surmounting the difficulties he has to face. The most troublesome problem is the treatment of the irreconcilables. The Minister pointed out that he is willing to meet tho conscientious objector in every reasonable way, but there are certain people in the Dominion who take up an utterly unreasonable attitude, and it is impossible to allow them to openly defy the law. Mr. Allen is carefully considering the question of alternative service, but these irreconcilablcs object both to military _ training and to alternative service in any .shape or form. Mr. Allen's predecessor in offico (Mr, A. M. Myers) yesterday declared emphatically that tho House should support tho Minister, and show no sympathy with thoso who deliberately refuse to obey the law. No one can deny that Mr. Allen has administered the Defence Act in a most tolerant and sympathetic spirit, or that he has shown extreme forbearance with the objectors, wlio have simply taken advantage of his leniency, and encouraged others to do the same. It is tho duty of the Government and Parliament to remedy any defects which may have been disclosed in the working of the scheme, and to see that it is impartially carried out. _ It is based on the democratic principle of equality of service and sacrifice; it is supported by the great mass of the community; and it would be intolerable if a few noisy knots of unpatriotic agitators were allowed to thwart tho will of the people. The Government have the country behind them in this matter, and the tone of yesterday's debate indicates that members, regardless of party ties, are wholeheartedly determined to render every assistance in making the administration of the Act a success.

We publish in another column a summary of the provisions of tho Legislative Council Bill, which differs in somo important respects from the measure introduced last year. Instead of each island forming one electorate, it is now proposed to havo four electorates, two in the North Island and two in the South; and except in the first election each of tho North Island constituencies will elect'eleven members, and the South Island constituencies will have nine members each, tho representation being as nearly as possible on a population basis. In view of the fact that there will be some life and seven-year members in tho first two Parliaments, the number of elected members at the outset will be twenty-four—fourteen for the North Island and ten for the South. In last year's Bill continuity was preserved by half of the members being elected every three years and sitting for six years ; but the Government is of opinion that this method would_ not give proportional- representation a fair chance under the system provided for in the new Bill, in view of the fact' that tho constituencies would be smaller and tho number of candidates for each fewer. As there are suro to be a number of former members returned at each election continuity is not likely to bo altogether sacrificed. The Tasmanian system of voting is adopted, and provision is made to -meet tho case of a deadlock, Last year tho Legislative Council signified its acceptance of the principle of an elective Chamber, in place of tho nominative system, by agreeing to the second reading of the Bill, but it declined to procced further with tho measure that session. Five new Councillors have since been appointed, and the Bill will now come before the Council in an amended form. Its principle and details arc sure to be very keenly debated, and signs are not wanting that it will have a very hazardous passage.

In view of tho fact that smallpox, though in a mild form, has made its appearance in the Auckland province, and that an outbreak has also occurred in Sydney, the New Zealand Health Authorities are acting wisely in the precautions they are taking to prevent tho spread of the disease. There is a natural disinclination to interfere with the ordinary traffic by railway and steamer, or to impose restrictions upon the ■ travelling public; but in emergencies prompt measures are necessary, and every citizen ought cheerfully to submit to any inconvenience which may arise in consequence. Special arrangements have been made for the vaccination of the public throughout the Dominion, and those who desiro to travel aro rightly subjected to special medical examination, vaccination . being insisted upon when deemed nccessary. It is, of course, almost impossible to examine all those going from place to place in tho North Island by land; but the Health officials can exercise some supervision over thoso travelling by sea-, and this is being done, l't was announced yesterday that ■ all passengers for the South Island would have to be vaccinated, but owing to the'short notice it was found impossible to fully give effect to this decision. We understand, however, that the treatment will now be strictly enforced, and intending travellers should avail themselves of the opportunities for vaccination provided at various depots in the city. Tho same rule is to appl.v to the crews of the vessels; and, indeed, it would bo well for citizens generally to be treated, both for their own sakes and for tho safety of the community as a whole.