NOTES OF THE DAY.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1856, 16 September 1913, Page 6

NOTES OF THE DAY.

Although the obstruction of. the business of the House of Bcpresentatives which is being carried on by the Opposition under Sir Joseph Waiid is a serious matter from the point of view of the cost to the country, the action of the Opposition is not without its amusing side. The party somehow has got the idea into its head that it is doing something clever—that the costly wasto of time that it is responsible for is a proof of its strength and resourcefulness. It is perhaps a pity to ex- j pose this fallacy and to show that j the stupid tactics of the Wardists; have not even the saving grace of affording evidence of strength; but such is the actual fact. Under tho forms of Parliament, and particularly in Committee of Supply on the Estimates, any dozen members who arc reckless enough and sufficiently indifferent to the cost to tho country can block the progress of business almost indefinitely. Each member can speak four times, ten minutes each time, on evory question; and as frequent amendments can be moved on practically every item, it will be readily_ seen that no great ingenuity or skill is required to put into effect obstructive tactics. Mr. Seddon, with the powerful and disciplined party he had behind him, was on one occasion blocked for hours by half a dozen determined members, and_ at, the close of an all-night sitting was forced to vield the information demanded. In the present instance, with an Opposition some 30 it should be an easy matter for them to go on wasting time and degrading the proceedings of Parliament to the lovel of a circus. Hour after hour Opposition members are talking against time, giving utterance to foolish twaddle, and, when something more stupid than usual _ is snid, grinning at one another like silly schoolboys out for a prank. It is said to cost the, country a littlo under a. pound a minute for this exhibition of folly, which has signal-

ised Sin Joseph Ward's return to the leadership of the "Liberal" party.

The announcement that Dr. Salmond, Professor of Mental and Moral Philosophy in the University of Otago, has sent in his resignation will be received with sincere regret by all interested in higher edncation in New Zealand. He lays down his work as a teacher full of years and honour, and enjoying the esteem of his colleagues and the gratitude of hundreds of students who have passed through his classes. He has always been an interesting and impressive figure in Church and University life in Otago. Though ho has done splendid work for the Dominion as a University professor, he has never allowed his interests to be confined within the four walls of his classroom, and on more than one occasion he has, made his influence felt from one end of New Zealand to the other. A good many years ago he creatcd a great sensation in religious circles by' the publication of a little book entitled The llcir/n of Grace, in which he gave his reasons for accepting what is known as tho doctrine of tne "larger hope," which points to the possibility of repentance and forgiveness in the life beyond tho grave; and more recently he threw a bombshell in the NoLicense camp in the form of a pamphlet in which the arguments for Prohibition were vigorously attacked. In both these instances his action was regretted by some of his friends, but everyono recognised that he was actuated by the highest motives. Ho has always show'n himself to bo a keen and independent thinker, who is not afraid to express his opinions even when they may be unpopular. As Professor of Mental and Moral Philosophy, Dr. Salmond has set a very high standard, and his successor will have 110 easy task if ho is to exercise an equal influence on the hearts and minds of the students. .