NOTES OF THE DAY.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1820, 5 August 1913, Page 4

NOTES OF THE DAY.

The most interesting' clause of tho Municipal Corporations Amendment Bill, which was circulated yesterday, is that which provides that Mayors of boroughs shall be elected by tho councillors from among their number, instead of direct election by the citizcns as at present. It must be admitted that there is a good deal to be said for each of these methods of election. The present system tends to exalt the office, and gives the Mayor a more independent position in relation to the council than if he were • simply the choice of a majority of the council, but it is doubtful if this is'either necessary or desirable. It is true that it has often secured the services of men of outstanding ability and special fitness for tho position who, for various reasons, might never have occupied the Mayoral chair if they had first to fiass through a long period of office as councillor; but normally it is desirable that .a man should qualify for the higher office by first giving evidence, during a reasonable period of time, of his business capacity and interest in civic affairs, and elevation to the chair should bo the result of the recognition of his ability and suitability by those who have worked with him and are, therefore, in the most favourable position for. judging. This system would also tend to maintain continuity of policy. The Mayor stands in much the same relation to the council as the Speaker to the House of Representatives, and it is in some respects anomalous that a council should havoj no part in tho choice of its own chairman. Tho proposed change would probably involve both loss and gain. A city, like Wellington might occasionally loso tho services of citizens specially qualified to administer' its affairs; but, on the other hand, the office of councillor would become more desirable and important, and it is only reasonable to expect that the class of men offering themselves for election would tend to improve. The highest position the city has to confer would bo open to them, but' only those in whom the people had shown continued confidcnce over a period of years, and who also possessed the rcspect and confidence of their fellow-councillors would be likely to fill it. Another argument in favour of tho change is'that it would reduco the number of public polls which have increased to such an extent as to become quite a trial to public-spirited citizens. Taking all things into consideration tho gain would probably outweigh the loss if effect were given to the proposal that ■the Mayors shall be elected by the councils.

A very practical _ suggestion, capable in its application of ultimately weaning the great mass of the British public from its deeplyrooted objection to the idea of compulsory military training—an objection largely based upon the frequent misuse of tho word "conscription" in public discussion—is that which proposes tho introduction in the Old Country of a system of compulsory cadet training, somewhat similar to that which has been introduced in Australia and New Zealand under the Kitchener scheme. The splendid pioneer work that t\as been accom-.

plished by Lord Roberts and other leaders of tho National Service League movement at Homo in confronting the nation with the danger of trusting to such a makeshift line of defence as the British Territorial Army has proved to be, and has been, of great value. These patriotic appeals, however, probably have not struck home to tho masses. The principle of national service in arms has its true inspiration in tho citizen's acknowledgment of his obligation to make some personal sacrifice for his country's sake. This spirit cannot be quickly grafted upon a population of long-settled convictions and traditions —newer countries more readily adapt themselves to changed conditions and new ideals. It must be engendered in the younger sons, and, in time, leaven the whole. In a cabled reference to tho subject to-day Field-Marshal Lord Methuen is reported to have said that he did not believe that, there would be any opposition in England to the compulsory training of cadets. This seems a reasonable assumption, and the adoption of such a scheme would be a sound and logical beginning of the business of educating tho public mind to the value of military training to the nation's manhood. ,

The welcome home organised for Sir Joseph Ward passed off last evening very pleasantly, and Sir Joseph no doubt will lully appreciate the kindly feeling which prompted tho efforts 011 tho part of his friends. Those who had hoped that Sir Joseph would take advantage of tho opportunity afforded him to give some indication of his future respecting tho Leadership of the "Liberal" party wero disappointed. Ho made an excellent little speeoh, mainly relating to his travels and expressive of his appreciation of tho reception accorded him, and left politics right in tho background. No doubt during the next few days, when ho has felt the pulse of his party, Sir Joseph Ward will make his position quite clear. • Unless he consents to once more place himself at tho head of tho party it will simply go blundering along in the helpless and disorganised fashion it has been doing, needlessly hindering business, and rendering little of tho_ service which a responsible Opposition in Parliament can render. The member for Awarua, with his Parliamentary experience, should bo able to whip the party into some sort of order and bring the free-lances, who now claim the right to act as their ■ own sweet will may dictate, to a sens© of their responsibilities.

The names of the Legislative Council Committee, which it is proposed to set up to consider the Government's proposals for the reform of the Upper House and the whole question generally, afford ground for the belief that some useful results may be looked forward to. The Committee, if constituted ,as proposed, will include both opponents and supporters of the Government's Bill, who have given the subject considerable attention, and it is certain that the pros and cons will be threshed out from all points of view. Seeing that the. Bill will eventually be hung up for some days to come, and in view also of the opportunity which it would afford the members of both Houses to come together through their respective Committees in consultation upon this proposed important change in the Constitution of the Legislature, it would perhaps be a wise step on the part jof the House of Representatives to now set up a.Committee to act jointly with the Legislative Council Committee. It is not too late to do this, provided the Legislative Council offered no objection, and it might lead to a better understanding between the two Houses on the question, and help to lessen the possibilities of futuro friction. The Committees, though sitting together as a joint Committee, could caoh present a separate report to their respective Chambers. We would commend the matter to the attention of the Government and that of members of both Houses who are seriously desirous of seeing this most important matter disposed of in the'manner most likely to prove I beneficial to the country.