NOTES OF THE DAY

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 265, 3 August 1920, Page 4

NOTES OF THE DAY

The steps taken "by the Boawl of Trade to check profiteering are described in a statement by Mr. Mac Donald this morning. Mr. Mac Donald shows that tho board has done a great deal of work. This is true, but it is equally true that the public are not deriving Iho benefit they should from the work of the Board and the prioe investigation tribunals. Tho reason i 6 not far to ?eek. It is due to the absence of publicity. I'hero is the fullest publicity when a case goes into court, but of the innumerable prices investigated which do not go to court the public hears nothing. Jt is from this fact tlmt the gibes arise, to which Mr. Mac Donald takes exception, that the Board of Trade is a body for fixing the prices of infants' food, suedo shoes, alarm clccks, and rat-traps. We have urged on many occasions that complete lists of the prices investigated by the tribunals should bo issued, with details giving a sufficient trado description of the article, and the finding of the tribunal. What is wanted is moro publicity. p * * * The Russian advance into Poland is creating a situation which may have farreaching consequences throughout tho whole world. Although negotiations for an armistice are in progress, the Russian forces show no intention of staying their onward march. The Polish troops appear to be quite unable to stop them, and the question is, wlio is? A German authority forecasted the present Hussion advance as far back as tho beginning of Juno. He declared that tho French, though keenly desirous of doing so, would never be able to check it, as it would tako them two months to get an army of 100,000 men to Poland, whereas the Bolshevik force.? in any eaeo numbered 700,000 men. Britain is not prepared to pour in sufficient troops to 6ave Poland. Germany 6hows a wish to move in tho matter, but her assistance would further complicate an already dangorously involved situation. The present Polish trouble arose largely through tho Peace Conference leaving Poland temporarily without a defined eastern frontier. Possibly the Allies may be able lo bring sufficient economic and other pressure on Russia to induce the recall cf the Bolehevik urmies to the cast of a properlydsfined permanent Itusso-Poliah' frontier. If diplomacy cannot find n way out, the outlcok for European stability in the near future will be black indeed.

In a violent assault on a police constable/ an offender in the Magistrate's Court' yesterday was fined the trifling sum of J22. From tho evidence it appeared that tiie constable was obliged to seek medical attention for his injuries and is unable to resume duty for some days. It is truo that his assailant was mulcted also in fines of .£2 for obscene language and XI for disorderly behaviour, making .£5 in all; but not to incommode liim he was 'given a month in which to find the money. There is nnt as a Tule much reason to complain of a lack of support from the Bench for tho police in their arduous and unpleasant duties, but the penalty inflicted in yesterday's ca6e was quite inadequate for what should be regarded «s a serious offence. The members of street crowd who witnessed tho assault without making any effort to assist the constable are not to bo congratulated on their behaviour.

Having done as much mischiof to the British cause in America as was posBible in the limited, time at his disposal, the Rev. Dr. Mannix is now on his way across the Atlantic. When Dr. Mannix presumed to epcak to his American auditors "in tho namo of tho Australian people" and represented himself a 9 an Australian stating the Australian point of view, few Americans, we suapoet, realised that the reverend gentleman's residence in Australia* began only two years in advance of tho war. It was in 1912 that Dr. Mannii went from Ireland to Melbourne to act as coadjutor to Archbishop Can* in Melbourne. When the war "broke out his lack of sympathy with Britain's causo was evident, and he described it as a "sordid trade war." Ho was an open opponent of conscription when General Sir John Monash was begging Australia to send reinforcements to her gallant but hard-pressed troops. The Melbourne "Argus" declares that Dr. Mannix, however, waited until ho was in America to show himself fully in his true Colours. Whatever else ho may bo, Dr. Mannix is not an Australian, and there is a great body of opinion in his own church that strongly resents his political activities. Ho has stated that he intends to return to Auetralia : to deal with, Mr. Hughes. If lie does so it mny'be found that not even tho high office which he has abused will prevent his classification as an undesirable immigrant.