NOTES OF THE DAY

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2394, 25 February 1915, Page 4

NOTES OF THE DAY

Those residents of Masterton who are petitioning for the internment" of all enemy subjects until the end of the war are allowing their zeal to run away with their common sense. The last census returns show that in 1911 there were in the Dominion 4015 persons bora in Germany, and 2131 ' born in Austria. The official records again show that during the last thirty-two years 1951 Germans ancl 1516 Austrians have been naturalised in the Dominion. As many of those naturalised in that period must be dead, it would pear that the bulk of the German and Austrian-born residents .in New' Zealand still retain the character of enemy subjects, If these persons, the greater .portion of whom are harmless, are interned, the principal outcome will be that instead of being supported by their own labour they will be supported by that of their British fellow-residents. All enemy subjects whose behaviour is in any way suspicious should most certainly be placed under re-

straint. Moreover, it is most inadvisable that enemy subjects should be permitted to remain on the public pay-sheet and occupy official positions. We have- been asked by various correspondents how it is that in Wellington we have a Chair of Modern Languages at Victoria College held by a German subject. Frankly, it is a little puzzling that the College Council does not appear to have concerned itself in the matter. It may have good reason; but surely the staff of, say, the University of Louvain could, if desired, provide us with a scholar to whom such a post would be welcome.

It is satisfactory to note from the Labour Journal's review that after six months of war trade conditions continue good throughout the Dominion. In the building trade, it is true, a general slackness is reported, but in most other industries the unemployment is negligible. It has been predicted—with what accuracy remains to be seen—that New Zealand will .feel the pinch not during the war .but in ■ the reaction afterwards. The country, however, is in a sound and- flourishing state, and it may even be argued that a temporary decline in prosperity would be more salutary than otherwise. This is the view taken by Dp.. James M'llweaith in a suggestive article which he has contributed to the Christchurch Press. The standard of -living, he points out, has altered very materially in Ney Zear land of recent years. We drink 25 per cent. more, liquor per head than in 1895. The amount per head put through the totalisator was half a guinea in 1890, 30s. in 1900, 50s. in 1911, and 80s. in 1914; an increase of 60 per cent, in the last three years alone! We wear more, eat more, and generally consume more than ever we did. The averagfe father and mother spend on their children on material things alone from 120 to 140 per cent, more in value than was spent on the parents in their youth. We lack statistics to show the effect of all this on the physical, moral, and mental condition of the people. 16 is apparent though that the margin of luxury upon which retrenchment could. be made_ without real hurt, should the, necessity arise, is a wide one.

The steps taken , by the military authorities to suppress drunkenness among the troops on' leave from Trentnam have already had a marked result. It has been argued by some correspondents that the best method of dealing with the situation would be to open a "wet" canteen at the camp at Trentham where liquor could be sold under proper restrictions.. A good deal can be said on both sides ox the question. In Victoria last week, for inthe State Premier, Mr. Watt, informed a deputation that a great part of the excessive drinking in Melbourne by soldiers on leave was due, in his opinion, to the abolition of the "wet" canteen.. Mr. Allen -has stated that there iB no immediate prospect of the sale of liquor being authorised at Trentham camp. If it were not against military discipline a vote of the men themselves would be the most'equitable way of settling the question. The main point is not so much whether the canteen shall be .wet or dry; whether our volunteers for service in their country's cause are fit to be trusted with the liberty they ordinarily possess as citizens; but rather that excessive drinking shall be effectually prevented, ana the steps taken by the Government give promise of achieving the end aimed at.

A very considerable section of the supporters of the movement for the disestablishment of the Church in Wales has always been inclined to look with disfavour on the disendowment clauses of the Bill which became law last year under the Parliament Act. While the measure was under discussion a group of Liberal Churchmen endeavoured, to effect a. compromise which would allow, the Church to retain the greater part of its property, but it was 'found impossible to arrive at an agreement acceptable to both parties. Since the passing of the Act the feeling against depriving the Church of her revenues nas become more pronounced. A cablegram which appears in another column states that Mr. Asquith and the Archbishop of Canterbury _ are now negotiating as to the possibility of a compromise in reference to' disendowment. If the provisions of. tho Act are strictly enforced no less than £178,200 out of the £215,500 representing the net aftnual income of the Welsh Church will be secularised. This would, of course, be a very severe blow, and would necessarily cause great hardship. Sir Henry Lunn, a- leading Nonconformist, recently asked whether Free Churchmen, "at a time when our nation has raised in one week three hundred and fifty millions to carry on the war against Gormany, are prepared, for the sake of a capital sum of less than two millions,, to cripple and weaken the work, of the Welsh Church in its war against the forces of "evil." He appealed' to the ministers and official laymen of tho Free Church of Great Britain to join with him in requesting the Government so to modify the Act that, while the Church in Wales is liberated from State patronage and control, she shall not be deprived of a penny of her heritage of the past. This would mean disestablishment without disendowment. Many-Non-conformists, like Sir Henry Ltjnn, would be glad if a satisfactory agreement could be arrived at between tho Archbishop and the Prijie Minister. ...

It is a curious paradox, as Dr. InviNG pointed out in his presidential address to the Medical Association in Cbristchurcn, that doctors in tbelf ffi ffli* th« •raaat of modic&l eomce&ie wed&iq

to make themselves unnecessary. Diseases which gave bread and butter to medical men in former days were disappearing, as smallpox had disappeared before Jenner. This is very true up to a certain point. But can ifc be said that the medical man's portion of bread and butter is a whit the less ample than it was a quarter of a century ago? And for every disease of bygone days of which we hear nothing now has not the progress of medical science supplied us with a dozen new ones in its place ?