NOTES OF THE DAY.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1989, 20 February 1914, Page 6

NOTES OF THE DAY.

The aggressive gentlemen wilo preach Ited-Feddism iri tho narns of Labour;'and the more peaceful adherents of Labour unionism ■ who work under the curiously inappropriate name of the United Labour Party, should enjoy the advice tendered to them by that enthusiastic advocate of Warclism, tho Lytteltan Times. Tho journal in question, which has been angling assiduously fpr some time, past to land the Labour Party in the Liberal frying-pan, in the course of one of }ts affecting homilies on the unfortunate divisions in the ranks of organised £<abaur, touched on the fine example of unity and intensity of purpose shown by the Labour forces of Australia, concluding as follows; Ate were deploring the other day that we have not a'Hotmail ill. New Zealand to emulate the achievements of the -?e\v • .South Wales Premier, but the ..Labour' parlies here really cannot expect t.o find a Hobnail tilt tlscy .provide a' uoiled. Party for him to lead.'. ; . When they do this a Hotman -will be discovered, and labour will come into its own. This simple plan we should think will appeal mightily to the ardent spirits who have striven so desperately to make their particular brand of Labour-Socialism a force in the land. They arc unctuously advised by the Wardist journal to exert themselves to_ build up a fighting force' of, sufficient strength to ,wai\* rant some rJistingnjsJicd person, at present in the background, coming out into tho open as their leader. It is an admirable the modest gentleman in the background, who will reap the harvest of the efforts of the simple people who have done the work. Perhaps the Lyitcltofi Times might even be willing, in Such circumstances,, to nominate the Leader: say' Sift Joseps Wmiß, oy Sie John Findlay, or even the Hon. G. Fowlds. At the psychological moment it might bo possible to persuade one of this distinguished trio to take control of the destinies of Labour, provided the smaller men .who_at present carry the burden are willing to obliterate themselves and' find sufficient recompense for their efforts in the conseOTsness of duty well done.

The wool market shows a distinct upward tendency, and at the sales held in Duncdin as high as a penny per lb.'- above London parity was paid by local consumers. There was great activity -on the part tl Con-' tinental buyers, and this was also a pronounced feature of th* lust sale held in Wellington. .The buying on th«. part of Continental operators is more or .less of a .speculative movement, and is due to the fact that, there has been a substantial increase in the Continental armies. Besides finding barrack accommodation, the mew have to be clothed, and neeouling to one of the Continental .buyers the whole of tho French Array is to receive new uniforms this year. Even if only -the additional men called, to the colours under the extended defence _ schemes of France, Germany, Russia, and Austria arc provided.'or there must necessarily he a very.large consumption of wool. .The next series of London sales are

due to begin on March 3, when a very considerable quantity of New Zealand wool will be catalogued. The strength of the market will then ho revealed, .and as money is cheap speculators for the me will operate very freely, Wool is once more a very big asset for the Dominion.

The leading Anti-Reform journal in Ghristeburch, in the course of an article inspired no doubt by a Jaiulablc i desire to cheer the drooping spirits of the members for Wairau and Nelson after their, discouraging reception at Hnvelock a few days ago, makes one very amusing remark. It says that the independence displayed by Messrs. M'Calmiji and Atmoeb since they entered Parliament ''makes their criticism of the Government's policy and administration all the more impressive." The southern journal, it is to be feared, has been living at the bottom of a wo.ll or in some spot equally remote from Parliamentary lite. With the exception, perhaps, of the loquacious member for Avon, it would be difficult to find amongst the members of His Majesty's Opposition two more persistent scolds of the Government than the two gentlemen mentioned as showing a tendency to independence. In and out of season they have railed at Ministers until— especially in the case of the member for Wairati, who is a peculiarly -wearisome speaker—even their own friends have at times tired of their diatribes, We shall be heaving directly of the "independence" of that entertaining political scold, the member for Ohristchureh •'North. There was a time when- Mr. Isitt posed as an Independent, but even he saw .the absurdity of attempting to continue a pose which fitted so ill with his actions, and he now frankly admits his party ties. Onr Anii-Bcfdynj friends must be very hard pressed., indeed for weapons of attack when 'they are forced to fall back on the "independence" of such bitter opponents of ths Government as MEBSJts. M'Calmm and Atmore to bolster up their case.