NOTES OF THE DAY.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1971, 30 January 1914, Page 6

NOTES OF THE DAY.

' Mr. Harcobrt, the of State for the Colonies, has wisely declined to receive a deputation H'hich desired' to discuss certain aspects of the methods of the South African Government in dealing with ■the recent labour upheaval. The Government is responsible to the • people of South Africa for its action, 'and the electors will have an opportunity in due time of expressing their approval .or disapproval at the ballot-box. The Imperial authorities might lay themselves open to an unpleasant rebuff if they interfered in such a matter with the administration of a self-governing State, and Mr. Harcobrt is evidently not willing to take any such risk. There may be room for difference of opinion as to the wisdom or necessity of some of the measures adopted by the South African Government but it must always be borne in mina that they had to face a perilous position, and had. they'not taken drastic measures the forces of anarchy might have become so strong that bloodshed would probably have resulted before order was restored, The authority of the State was challenged, and the Government were compelled to meet force by greater force. It is not surprising that their action has met with adverse criticism in certain quarters, but the comments of'the London /W/y flew#, a, leading Radical journal, 'misrepresent the position in a most glaring way, This journal states, that the action oi the Government in deporting the Labour .leaders "proclaim that a.-workman, in attempting the improvement of his economic position, pjits himself outside, the shelter ,ot the law." .Of eortrgo it proclaims, nothing of the sort; but it does assert that lawlessness will not be tolerated, and that the State ''has the power aiid the duly to protect itself from anarchy and terrorism. Any section of tho community which' may have . a grievance has a right to the shelter of the law so long as it conducts .its .agitation in a lawful maimer;.but it is the duty of-every civilised Government to see that the community as a whole is sheltered by the law from the threats and intimidation of any lawless minority.

A pEf ISI.TE statement rogfJrding. the Panama tolls question is expected from President Wilson ak.-an early daw. The point in dispute is whether United States skipping should have preferential or whether the ships of other nations are entitled to pass through _ the Canal 011 the same terms as American vessels. Some tiniij !ago' Great Britain presented a protest to the United States Government against the proposal to exempt.American coastwise vessels from payment of tolls, but the President did'not desire ta make a definite pronouncement on the matter until after the tariff (jucstion had been disposed of, though if, is generally understood .that no gave an informal indication to Great Britain that a favourable adjustment would bo forthcoming. The general opinion now seems to be that Congress will either agree to abandon the proposed preferential treatment, or postpone its operation for a period of two years. The British .contahtiou that the vessels of all na» tions should receive equal treatment i? supported by many leading American authorities. It .is based upon the provision'of the Hay-PaUxc-EFote Treaty, which states that the Canal shall be open to vessels of all nations 011 terms of entire equality, and it is argued that the exemption of American coastwise vessels would tend to increase. the charges on all other vessels using the Canal. .This would be a disadvantage to other nations, and would place American shipping in a privileged position. It is urged on the othei 1 side that the term "all nations" was not meant to include the United States; and that the American Government has the right to give free tolls to the vessels of that country. The weighi of argument is certainly on the British side, and it is stated that Viscount Bryce while Ambassador at Washington obtained a proraiss from President Wilson to'use his influence to secure a removal of the discrimination in favour of American shipping.

■ The establishment, of the Board of Agriculture, ft- body which is likol> to exert a useful inlinciictMiprm th> future development- of primary industries in this country, is now in immediate prosoect. Regulations governing-the election of members by tlie Agricultural and Pastoral Societies in both Islands have just- he-en gazetted, and arc published in our news columns to-day, It will he seenthat although the system of election is simple, and calculated to be inexpensive in ' working, a reasonably wide basis.of representation has been provided.' Four members are to be elected by the A. and P. Societies in each Island, and the hoard will be brought up to its full strength of twelve members by the .ippsintmAnt of four Comment nominees, one M who.nV will be the president, the CfiWpre'hciiMve' nature of. the activities which will be open to the new board is indicated in the provision made, for the attendance at its'meet-

inge not only of the Secretary of Agriculture and the. Under-Secretary ol Lands, but also of the lnspectorGenernl.of Schools. The function* ot' the board will bo to advise the Minister of Agriculture on questions relating to agriculture and the promotion of rural industries. The subject of agricultural education is specifically recommended to its consideration. To a great , extent the hoard will itself define the scope of its operations, but these may be expected to cover a widti range. The PitmtE Ministeu, who piloted th<> Board of Agriculture Bill through: Parliament, wisely abstained from confining it within hard and fast limitations. Broadly, his idea, is that a selected body ol capable and wellinformed farmers shall be called together to give advice which will insreaso the value of the assistance rendered by fclic State, through the Department of Agriculture, to ttioss engaged in tho primary industries. Local facts and possibilities and the experience of other countries in which similar bodies have been created justify the hope that the operations of tho Board of Agriculture will confer important benefits not only, upon those engaged in tho ■ farming industry, but also upon tho country as a. whole.