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Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 307, 7 January 1902, Page 4

Certain persons of the Jingo persuasion scoff; ponderously at tho idea of an Australian navy, owned, manned and commanded by Australians, and profess to regard tho suggestion as some kind of disloyalty to tho empire. But if Australia shouldn’t have its own fleet, and is pledged in honour to depend on paying for a shadowy lien on the tail-end of a British squadron, then it is hard to see why it should have its own land-troops instead of paying a subscription to the British army, or its own fortifications, or its own South .African cohentingent. Why shouldn't it depend on a subscription in all these cases, and not havo anything ? And why should the same Jingo sing “ Sons of tho Sea” so persistently, it being a ridiculous ditty in a country whose nearest approach to a son of the sea is the grimy deck-hand who throws the rope on the Balmain ferry-boat, or stokes the pleasure craft that goes down to Geelong and Portarlington? Also, wherein lies the appropriateness of. “ Buie Britannia ” if Australia’s only semblance to ruling tho great deep is to consist in handing over the cheque for the salary of a British captain and erarv, and why should we be urged with such intensity to follow the noble example of Britain, the greatest naval state on earth, if a mere suggestion about building- the first beginning of an Australian navy is a subject for mirth and scornful laughter? —Bulletin,

The effect of woman's gentle presence in N.S.W. Trades and Labor Council is always very marked. Some years ago a laundry-woman’s union sent a female delegate to the council. After some objection, she took her scat. For weeks the debates were as interesting as those of N.S.W. Assembly. Threatening language and invitations to come outside were general, and amid all the confusion waved the excited “ brolly ” of the lady delegate. Then female representation was abolished for the tithe, or ruled out of order, or something, and peace reigned again. With tho arrival of tailoresscs this year, the Labor Council debates have again become picturesque, and a general free fight has once or twice been only narrowly averted. —Bulletin.

In some armies sleeping when on outpost duty is punishable with death. We’ do n6i say we should liko to see that practice in the British Army, but the mildest punishment ought to he a year or two in gaol. And we are not disposed to take a different view because the offender Mr Seddon happened to have in view was a New Zealander with friends and influence in Wellington,—Napier Telegraph.