NOTES OF THE DAY

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 54, 27 November 1919, Page 6

NOTES OF THE DAY

Dilatory electors should not fail to note that the rolls will close tomorrow a't-B»p.m. Any who neglect before that time to make the necessary application or ascertain definitely that their names already appear on the roll will have themselves to thank if they are denied a vote on polling day. Thoro will bo- a few such failures on the part of the Labour-Socialist faction, and thoso who deeire sound government ought to recognise that by neglecting their electoral- duties they would materially assist the extremists who arc at present showing thoir quality by howling down their opponents at public meetings.

The appointment of a Director of Forestry is announced,, and on tho particulars supplied Captaih L. M. Ellis, who is to fill that position, is woll qualified for the duty of organising the timbnr resources of the Dominion. He has had experience) it is stated, not only in Canada, whero ho was trained, but in the United States, France, and tho United Kingdom. This is 'experiences of a wide range. In the United States and Canada the forests are now being systematically developed and worked, though they wore for a long poriod wastefully exploited. In France, which devotes nearly one-fifth of its land area to forest, scientific forestry, which means simply the economical and profitable production of timber, is dovelonnd to its highest point. The United Kingdom, on the other hand, is striving at great cost and effort to replace forests it has unwisely allowed to pass out_ of existence. The effects of a growing scarcity of timber are already felt so acutely in this country that there ought to be no question about giving the new Director of Forestry a free hand in making the most of what romains of our 'once magnificent forest assets. The 'work is boing undertaken late in tho day, but if it is pushed as it ought to be the indigenous forests may yet bo developed as an enormously valuable Dominion asset. For the fact that it has at length been undertaken the people of this country are not a littlo indebted to Mr._ D. E. Hutchins, the able and distinguished forester who has thrown so much light both upon the consequences of past waste- and neglect and upon the rich possibilities still inherent in our native forests.

All the later news on the subject suggests a general expectation in the United States that the recent action of the Senate will be bo far reversed as to permit the ratification of the Treaty in a form acceptable to the Allies and American membership of the League of Nations. The issue will soon bo decided, but the hopeful view derives at least a measure of support from such expressions of public sentiment as have come to light. Not only have demands for the early and unconditional ratification of the Treaty been raised all over the country, and with strong Republican support, but some of the strongest demands of this character have been made in States represented by irreconcilable opnonents of the Treaty. Senatok" Lodge, the Republican leader in the Senate, hails irom Massachusetts, and the Republican's of that State passed a resolution demanding the speedy ratification of the Treaty without amendments. Senator Johnson, of California, has been disowned by his constituents in a similar fashion, so far as peace issues are concerned. Not lono; ago Senator Hitchcock, who leach the Democrats in the Senate, presented a telegram from the Los Angeles branch of the League to Enforce Poace, saying, amongst othr things, that "the people of California wen , , overwlinlminely in favour of thu Leaspae of Nations.' , Presenting the telegram, Senator Hitchcock declared that Republicans of high standing and every calling in California, and some of Senator Johnson's former camnaign managers, "repudiated Senator Johnson's action on tho Lenguo of Nations." The fact stands, however, thnt Republican P"P_atr>rs have riovsUtcd thin* far in their irreconcilable attitude in spiV of such expressions of niiblic opinion.

Writing from London, Mr. John Mill, of Port Chalmers, stated that ho was having great difficulty in securing a passago back to New Zealand for himself and his wife. The steamers trading to New Zealand liad all their passenger accommodation hken up till the end of Hie year. Mr. Mill did not make his projected trip to the Continent, there being 6uch a rush of visitors across the Channel from England. He anticipates being back iii Now Zoaland early in tho now year, :