NOTES OF THE DAY.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1809, 23 July 1913, Page 6

NOTES OF THE DAY.

The Police Force Bill, which was read a second time in the House of Representatives yesterday, was admitted by members on both sides of the House to be, on the whole, a reasonable and necessary measure, though there was not entire agreement on all its details. The Bill places the control of the force on a more satisfactory footing, and gives the police rights of appeal which they did not previously possess. Some objection was taken to the Ministerial veto, but Mr. Herdman assured the House that some such safeguard was absolutely essential in tlie public interest. The police arc in a different position from any other body of State employees, and the Bill rightly provides that they must not interfere in political matters beyond exercising their vote. It is equally essential that no outside interference with their management or control should be permitted. The provisions of the Bill will improve the lot of members of the police force; and should also assist to increase their efficiency as guardians of the public safety. The criticism on the second reading did not assail the main principles of the measure, and the Minister promised to accept any reasonable amendment likely to improve the measure in Committee.

It is not surprising that the defeated Turks should endeavour to take advantage, of the war among the Balkan nations for the purpose of regaining some of their lost territory. The latest news is to the effect that the Porte has sent a Note to the Powers giving reasons for occupying Thrace and Adrianople. The Note is regarded as foreshadowing a declaration of war, and 150,000 Turkish troops arc marching on Adrianople. It would be a strange development of events if, after so much has been written about the passing of the Turkish Empire in Europe, tho Turk should seize the present opportunity to re-establish liis influence, and once again become a force to be reckoned with in European international affairs. Such a turn of events is quite possible if the other Balkan nations do not quickly settle their quarrels, and present a united front to the common enemy. Fortunately, the prospect of an agreement appears to be improving, but,it is stated that the Kaiser expects "that further complications will arise. The next few days should decide whether peace will be restored or the area of conflict extended, and a dangerous situation again created, menacing the peace of Europe.

There is every indication that the Olympic Games to be" held at Berlin in 1916 will be.of. an exceptionally interesting character. A cablegram -which appears in another column shows that the British Committee arc taking activc steps to ensure that Great Britain will be represented by the best available athletic talent, and it is well known that the United States is also going to make a great effort; but no nation is more determined than many to outstrip her competitors. The •Berlin "St-adion" was opened by the Kaiser early in June last. It occupies a favourable situation to the West of Berlin, and is to be the scene of the contests which will be held for the purpose of enabling the proper authorities to select the German representatives at the Olympic Games of 1916. The last of these international contests was held at Stockholm in 1912, when S'weden scored 133 points, United States 129, Great Britain 76, and Germany 47. The results were not considered by any means satisfactory, as far as Britain was concerned, and provoked a great deal of discussion. The British Committee are commencing their preparations for the next trials of skill and endurance in good time, and are doing what they can to discover, latent talent. Until comparatively recent years, Germany has not given the same amount of attention to outdoor sports as Britain and America, gymnastics being the principal form of exercise among Germans; but now, with their traditional thoroughness, they arc perfecting themselves' in such sports as hockey, football, rowing,_ running, swimming, and cycling. A campaign of advertisement has been going on for some time, and lectures are being delivered on the meaning of the contests.

Recent London papers contain full accounts of the memorable debate in the House of Commons on the second reading of the reintroduced Home Rule Bill. It was characterised by several striking incidents, one of the most interesting features being a reference to the supposed bargain between the Government and the Nationalist Leader, Mr. W. Rediiond. Mr. Bonar Law, according to the Morning Post, was suggesting that part of the bargain possibly bo that the Government undertook to carry the Bill into law without an appeal" to the .electors, when he was interrupted by Mr. Redmond. "Does the hon. and learned gentleman deny that there was'a bargain?" asked the Opposition Leader. "I don't know what the right hon. gentleman means by a bargain," said Mr. Redjiond, amid a Unionist chorus of "Oh's." Ho added: "In the sense in which he is using the word, there was no bargain." "Oh, oh. oh, oh," again shouted the Opposition. "The interruption of the lion, and learned gentleman is quite satisfactory to me," said Mr. Bonar Law." The almost deafening cheers raised by his followers showed tlint it was equally satisfactory to them. But it did not satisfy the Prime Minister. Mr. Asquith sprang to his feet, and, of course, the Opposition Leader at once gave way., "I wish to say distinctly, for myself and for the Government," said the Prime Minister, "that there never was any bargain of any sort or kind." The Opposition cheeved ironically, for it was impossible to avoid noticing the distinction between the Nationalist Leader's disclaimer and Mr. Asquith's. "There seems to be some difference of opinion between

the two'parties," dryly remarked Mr. Bonar Law. ."Some day, when they are not united so closely as they are now, perhaps we shall have some interesting revelations:"