NOTES OF THE DAY.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1842, 30 August 1913, Page 4

NOTES OF THE DAY.

It is not surprising that the British Press is dissatisfied with President Wilson's Message to Congress regarding the situation in Mexico.' It is a non-committal statement, and the policy indicated in it seems more likely, as the Daily Chronicle points out, eventually to compel active intervention than to avert it. The position is complicated by the fact that a number of the Powers, including Britain, Germany, Russia, and Japan, have recognised Huerta as President of Mexico, but the United States refuses to do so. The representatives of European Powers in Mexico City contend that the United States ought cither to recognise Huerta or take upon itself the duty of protecting life and property and restoring order. One Washington paper declares that President Wilson's action in refusing recognition to the newly-established Government on the score of the irregularity of its foundation may'be highly moral, but it does not make for the protection of American citizens which is the main business of the United States authorities with reference to the Mexican situation. President Wilson's position is that as Huerta secured office by the assassination of tho Maderos, or at least connived at the treachery, he should not be recognised as Provisional President of Mexico until his election by the people. Referring to the international aspect of the' situation the Washington correspondent of the London Morning Post states: ''Some of the newspapers suggest that the United States will be driven into action, otherwise Europe will act without regard to the United States, which would bo a violation of the Monroe Doctrine, and lead to complications of the gravest nature. That fear may be entertained in American newspaper offices, where great'international questions are lightly tossed about, hut it excites no alarm in responsible quarters. Resentful as Europe may be of the United States profiting'by the Monroe Doctrine, and escaping its obligations, it is not believed that any European Power would intervene in Mexico unless with the co-operation of the United Stat3s."

The Australian Federal Ministry aucl their supporters have an extremely difficult task before them. Besides maintaining their positional} the House of Representatives with only a very narrow majority, they have also to do battlo with the Senate in which the Labour members largely outnumber the Liberals. Judging by a cablegram which appeared in yesterday's Dominion the Senate is now beginning to cause trouble by taking the business out of the hands of the Government in a manner which is resented . by the Prime Minister (Mr. Cook), who declares that the crisis cannot be postponed for long. Both parties recognise that a dissolution must come, and both are manoeuvring with the object of getting some advantage as regards the time and circumstances of the inevitable appeal to the people. In order to secure a dissolution of both Chambers, and not merely the House of Representatives, the Government must find means of forcing a crisis with the Senate. To do this it may be necessary to carry some important measures in the House in the teeth of obstruction. This can only be done by_ patience, and firmness, combined with the effective use of the closure. The position is resolving itself into a matter of tactics, and the Melbourne Age adthe Government to make sure "that when the election comes both Houses will have to confront the electors together on some critical, clearcut issue—preferably electoral reform,"

The member for Napier, who entertained the House a few days ago with a discourse _ on blackberries, turned his attention yesterday to whisky. He raised a plaintive protest against the practice of Bellamy's of (serving whisky to members of Parliament in decanters, all of tho one brand, whereas he wanted his whisky out of bottles with the labels on. Mr. Brown, as a hotelowner, no doubt knows what he is talking about on the subjcct of alcoholic liquors, but the question was one which he might have discussed with the House Committee instead of dragging it on to the floor of Parliament. Bellamy's, it would seem, is not a paying institution. Whether it is the liquid or the more solid form of refreshments provided that is responsible for the loss has not been disclosed; but according to the statement last evening of the Minister in charge of the Estimates, it has been customary for Parliament to vote an annual sum of the taxpayers' money to make up the deficiency between what members pay for their refreshments and what those refreshments actually cost to provide. The member for Hawke's Bay, Mr. Campbell, very justly made protest against this state of things, but apparently such protests carry little weight with the House, for' they have been made at different' times without result for many years past. Another point in connection with Bellamy's, and one of some interest was raised by the memEer for Christchurch North, Mr. L. M. Isitt. It is provided under the Legislature Act that in tho first session of each new Parliament, on the fourth Tuesday after the Address-in-Reply has been determined by the House of Representatives, a poll of members of both Houses shall bo taken to decide whether alcoholic liquors shall be sold at Bellamy's during the term of tho Parliament. _It has so happened that in the last three new Parliaments the first session has ended before the fourth Tuesday after-, the close of the Addrcss-in-Reply debate was reached. The result has been that no poll could be taken on the specified date, and alcoholic liquors have continued to bs sold without members having a voioo in the matter. Mr. Isitt protested last evening that the law should be so amended that the intention of the Act could not be defeated, but that a poll would in all cases be taken. Thero is no doubt that his contention is a reasonable one. Either tho law should be altered to make it certain that the poll will be held, or the clause providing for the poll should be struck out altogether. Bellamy's is an institution which Parliamentmight well give a little attention to from the financial as well as the other points of view discussed above.

Some very interesting speeches wero mado at the luncheon given at Parliament Buildings yesterday to the British Parliamentary party. The gathering afforded an excellent opportunity for a useful_ exchange of ideas on Imperial questions between New inland politicians and repro.gantatives of taa Parliament of Great

.Britain; and tho opportunity was nut to excellent use 011 both sides., The Prime Minister, in his opening speech, struck the., right key, and his suggestion that the Imperial Conference might occasionally be' held in one of the Dominions will meet with general approval. Of ■course, there are many strong reasons for holding these periodical consultations in London. It is the political and commercial centre of the British world, and it is there that the threads are held which keep the centre in constant touch with all the. outlying parts. The great Imperial departments are there, as well as the reoords which may at any moment have to bo consulted. However, if the difficulties could be overcome, the proposal has milch to .commend it, and the Conference would be heartily welcomed by any of the Dominions. Mn. Masses made .it quite clear that ho "stood for a strong, free, and united Empire," but he had a timely word of caution to utter against drastic changes in the constitution of the Empire. That constitution has been gradually developed to meet Imperial needs as they arise, and rash attempts to force the pace might have very harmful results. Lord Emmott, the Under-Secretary of State for the. Colonies, made reference to the difficulties in the way, of closer organic unity, but pointed out that, nevertheless, real progress in that direction had taken place in recent years. Lord Emmott made tjio-interesting announcement that his tour had been undertaken at the special request of the British Prime Minister and of the Secretary of State for the Colonies, and that his Majesty the King had stated that he "would follow closely the events of what must be a very interesting and notable tour." This information, takon in conjunction with Mr. Massey's remark that he had conferred with Lord Emmott on matters of very great importance, indicates that, as far as the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies is concerned, the visit has a special significance beyond what appears on the surface.

A correspondent, who evidently takes the member for Grey Lynn seriously as a factor in politics, writes a scathing letter on that gentleman's broken pledge to Mr. Massey. There was a brief moment, in liis brief political career when Mr. Payne really carried weight with the House; and that was the occasion when he broke his pledge, and enabled the Ward Government to escape defeat by tho casting vote of Mr. Speaker. Since that time the member for Grey Lynn can hardly be said to have commanded much attention in Parliament. His recent attitude under tho exposure made V the Prime Minister of the nature of the pledge that was given should be sufficient to enable those of the public who have not already realised his curious bent of mind to form a fairly accurate judgment of his standard of political ethics. According to the letter quoted by Mr. Massey, the member for Grey Lynn, on January 11, 1912, wrote him as follows:—

I may say tliero will be no wavering on my. part in , connection,,with voting tho Government out ou n no-confidenco motion. ... I shall nso my Ijps.fc endeavours to see that thero is no vacillation oil tho part of otlior Labour,member.?.

On February 27, Mr. Payne, who gave this pledge' to Mr. Massey, broke it,' and by his vote kept the Ward Government a few weeks longer in office. That is, of coursc, ancient history now, although the publication. of the written pledge is new matter. Mr. Paynej's excuse, however, is perhaps the most remarkable part of this extraordinary episode. After stating that -it could not be shown that lie had] pledged himself to his constituents to vote for. Mr. Massey (which he claimed was tho material part of the case), lie added this astounding remark: the letter was a document "without consideration," and was therefore invalid and illegal. Iti other words, as Mr, Massey'had given him nothing by way of payment for his pledge, the letter was not binding. Comment on such an attitude of mind would be waste of time and space.

The very important questions raised in the House of Representatives yesterday by the member for the Bay of Islands fully warranted the break in the routine business to which some members appeared to take exception. Mr. Heed would seem to have rendered a valuable public service by his visit of investigation to his electorate, and his prompt disclosure of' the state, of things existing amongst the Native population there. It is satisfactory to note that the Government have taken steps to ensure the more rapid vaccination of the Natives in the district most affected by the disease.

At a meeting of tlio Mjistot'ton Labour party it was resolved: "That this meeting record its appreciation of the action of tho Government in acquiring land in Masterton for workers' homes, but that, seeing there are a number of applications for rural houses for workers, tho member for tlio district bo respectfully urged tfi bring tho samo under tho notice of tlio Prime Minister, with a view to action being taken in tho desired direction.". SECOND-HAND MOTOR-CARS AND DELIVERY VANS. In order to stimulate a speedy clearance of a number of second-hand motor-card and motor delivery vans in our garage at Clirisbchurch wo liave decided t(o offeir those at exceptionally low - prices. The oars are all in good running order, and are by tho vory best British and Continental manufacturers. First in order .comes a magnificent 15-25 h.p. Sileint Knight Daimler, finished in putty colour and complete with all extras. Tho price is .£450, and any trial will bo Riven. Then come a couple of Talbots, stauncliest, strongest, and most reliable of British cars, with a wonderful competitive record in New Zealand. A 15-28 h.p. Tal--1 jot, 5-G seator touring car, finished in French grey with lower parts enamolled black, complete with lamps, hood, spare w'heel, and speedometer,' is offered at .£350. A 12-26 h.p. Talbot, .Vseator. similar finish, all complete, is offered at .£250. These cars would admirably niit a farmer, as they are equal -fjo the stillest of grades and the worst of roads. There a,re also three Clement Bayards, French cars with an enviable reputation fer reliability and economical runminf*. A 1015 h.p. 3-scator Bayard, practically new, complete with all extras, is priced at ,£350, an 8-12 h.p. 3-seater Bayard in excellent condition is priced at .£2.50, and an 8-12 h.p. 2-soater Bayard, n' neat, sturdy little car, is offered at 50. We particularly rc-commend these cars to the attontifon of comnrojrcia.l travellers. A 10 h.p. Reo, offered at ,£GO, would -suit prir.-on doririnp to learn motor-driving in an inexpensive car. In delivery vans we liavo an Avto-carrior, suitable for country storekeeper, for .£lls, a 10 .h.p. Cadillac delivery van with brand new body. l-l«n c'apacity, for JCI2S, and a 12-26 h.p. Talljot van of 5-ton capacity, specially adapted to passenger traffic, hockey, fooLball, or crickr.t teams, picnic, parties, etc.. Can lje painted any colour quired. Price, .0275. Write fcr particulars and photograph of the envs we are otforins. Adams, Ltd., Garnpp, Tnam StTOBt., Cliristchurch, near lligh Street .Ets tabli aliment,—A.dvt,