PRESBYTERY ON DEFENCE.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1852, 11 September 1913, Page 4

PRESBYTERY ON DEFENCE.

THEIR ATTITUDE VAGUE. (By Telegraph—Frees AEoooiatioii.l • Ghristchurcli, September 10. At tho Christclnirch Presbytery to-day the Revs. J. Mackenzie and the Rev. C. Murray, who had been appointed as a commission to inquire into the working of the Defenco Act, had no specilio report to submit. ■Mr. Mackenzie expressed himself in favour of compulsory physical training and voluntary military servico. Regarding tho lads, in military detention at Ripa Island, ho expressed tho opinion that they were being well treated. 'Die Rot. C. M. Murray said that there were two poniod's in t'lie history of tlio lads on Ripa Island. Ho maintained that, at first, they had not beem properly treated, but admitted! that, at present, they had ; ' no complaints' to> maka regarding their food and general treatment. He could not, however, seo what good was being done by committing these lads to Ripa Island, They would not drill, the Defenco Act could not be enforced in tlioir case, and thoy were merely living at the. expense of tlw country. Speaking generally, ho was entirely against militarism, winch was nor in accordanco with tho teachings ol Christ. A brief discussion ensued', out no action was taken in regard to tho matter.

The loan which is in prospect to moot tho cost of new station buildings nc Wellington, Auckland, Palmerston, Timaru. and other places was again mentioned 111 the Houso of Representatives last evening. Questioned by Mr. Craigio about a new railway station at Timaru, tho Ho.ll. W. li. Herries said that tho work was required, but that this was a bad year to go on tlio London market for a loan. Mr. A. M. Myers said that money would bo very cheap in tlio early part 'of next- year. Tho Minister remarked that he was glad to hear it. lio suggested, liowover, that as tho Doimiiion was going 011 tho market for some ten millions, tlio magnates at Homo might consider tho total amount unreasonable if tlio Railway Department went for a further loan. Mr. Myers: "Much of that is for redemptions. Mr. Herries: "Yes, that is the worst of shortdated debentures." He added that' ao soon as tho time was favourable .110 would ask tlio Houso to authorise a loan for the necessary works mentioned. 'Are you going to tflke authority formic this year?" asked Mr. Russell. "No, next year," replied Mr. Herries. "I hope to raise tho amount required at the end of next year if the money market continues bright for Ivew aeaMasters and mates of vessels trading day iii ; and day out of Wellington aro naturally interested in the various opinions which have of late been put forward regarding tho lighting of tho fin* trance to tlio harbour. ' Ono shipmaster of experience, when asked Ilia opinion of the' proppsal to place a light on Steeple Rock (off Seatoun), shook, his head as though rather _ dubious of snob a proposal. Ho inclined to tlio belief that it was quite practicable to placo a light 011 the outer rock of Barrett's Reef. "They tell 111 c," said lie, "that 110 tower could resist tlio woiglit of the seas there, but that objection is not insuperable. What could bo done, in my opinion, would bo to raise !l littlo mound of concrete which would not resist tho waves, and imbed a light in tho centre, covered in securely with thick glass, over which the seas could rush as they liked. Such liglits throw a beam straight up, and aro therefore quite distinctive from all others. The idea is not a-new' one, as suc.i lights are fairly common 011 the coast .of France, and are placed 011 such danger points as Barrett's Reef, where a tower pf any kind would bo impracticable."

The effect of a publicity campaign in connection with the Christeliureli Pubb'c Library has been most noticeable. The Christeliureli ."Press" states that so far this month about half the total amourit of subscriptions that was received, during the whole of last month has been received. An attractive wall card, drawing attention to the advantases of the library, is beinc distributed and displayed in public places. Some weeks ago tho Ashburton County Council's traffic inspector tool; the number of a car that was being driven at :tn excessive speed over the Ashburton traffic bridge. A perusal of the list of motor licenses (says tlio "Guardian") revealed the fact that the car in question was licensed in tlio name of Dr. Colquhoun, of Dunedin. Action was taken against that gentleman, and it then transpired that the car had chanced hands on two occasions, tlio license number in each instance being allowed to remain 011 the machine. The inspector of traffic, having gained full particulars in connection with tue case, to proceed against the three psrsons' concerned for breaches of tlio Motor Regulations Act, 1908. Tll Levin on Tuesday tho local poundkeeper went, to see the cow that he had been informed was in the pound. A glanco of mutual recognition was exchanged through tho rails (says tlio "Chronicle"!; it was his own oow that had been taken into custody.