The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING GISBORNE, NOV. 2, 1906.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIV, Issue 1921, 2 November 1906, Page 2

The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING GISBORNE, NOV. 2, 1906.

A. cheat deal is being heard lately concerning the opinions of Socialists and of those opposed to them, As electioneering is having something to do with the outcry beiDg more than usual just now, the points of issue have no greater import than usual; but there is one outstanding subject that must occupy attention, and in regard to which the attitude of the Socialists is incomprehensible—the subject of national defence It is easy to understand the position taken up by people of the peaco-at ony-price persuasion, those who do not realise the danger of a nation being unprepared to defend itself, or those who

from conscientious motives really believe that the nation which neglects precautionary measures will be spared in time of conflict, and will'not feel humiliated in submitting to the conditions that would soon be imposed on that nation by such as the “ unspeakable Turk,’ or the shifty Muscovite, or even by the domineering Kaiser when in a bombastic mood. ; But why the Socialists should so < strongly clamor for the nation to be ] left in a condition unfitted to defend i

itsolf is a problem that has yet to bo solvod. With tho increasing arma monts and militarism tho main bopo of a nation which doos not resort to conscription must bo in tho people generally being ablo to take a hand in (lofonco in caso tho need should aviso, and thoro is no bettor time for rhe touching of the arts of defence than when the pupil is young. Yet Mr Koir Hardio Ijus only to raise a protest aguinst tho teaching of boys to handle a rifle than Mr Augustine Birrell, President of tho Education Board, falls into line, and practically upholds Mr llardio in the matter. An apologetic attitude is adopted in regard to tho stops that have been taken ; it is explained that in one caso the tuition was morely an experiment, and in four other eases tho consent was given through a misunderstand" iug. Well might Lord Roberts lament the condition into which Great

Britain is drifting in tho matter of defence; his effort to promote rifle shooting among adults was a failure ; tho Socialists are for over deelaimiug against militarism and professional soldiery, and now when a reasonable effort is made to teach the boys to be ablo to assist in defence in time of need, wo find a Liboral Minister at once rushing to the aid of those who desire to break down the system with" out giving it a trial.

Tuk earliest opportunity is wisely being taken for a conference between tho Borough Council and the waterworks engineer to deal with points at issue between Mr Hay and the Council in regard to the terms of the appointment. At the last meeting of tho Council the action in puttiug on an additional inspector at the expense of the Council was the subject of warm criticism ; the gentlemen who spoke so strongly on that occasion would not be likely to say more because he was absent from the meeting or less because he was present, and a remarkable feature of the criticism was that some of those who most warmly supported the appointment of Mr Hay were the most pronounced in their resentment at the new turn of affairs. But alter all the whole matter resolves into a question of interpretation of the agreement, and to come to any fair understanding in the matter it is essential that tho Council should adopt Or darding’s suggestion and get the solicitor to clear up the point. It is not likely that anyone would accuse Mr Hay of trying to take an unfair advantage of the Council or the latter of seeking to avoid compliance with anything in the letter or spirit of the agreement. There is no doubt the privilege of appointing an inspector was introduced into the agreement at the behest of the Council, and whether this emendation gives the power now seemingly claimed by Mr Hay cannot safely be left to laymen to decide. Councillors may know lull what was in their minds when the agreement was rirawn up, and they may also be convinced themselves as to the purport of that agreement; but that is not enough where fine points of the kind are raised. In the case of the Harbor Board’s arrangement with Mr Marchant a misunderstauding took place almost immediately, and it certainly did seem as if Mr Marchant was seek, ing to make such terms as were not contemplated in the original arrangement. This, however, was soon shown to be a w T rong impression when the engineer was conferred with, and the likelihood of friction over the matter was promptly removed. May it not be so in the case of Mr Hay ? In his unavoidable absence through ill-

health inspection w r as undoubtedly necessary. It would have been the height of folly to have allowed so much of the ratepayers’ money to be spent without check of any kind. The need of such inspection is positive; the point to bo decided is, who is to pay for it'? A 3 neither side is unlikely to ask for that to which they do not believe they are entitled, angry words cannot assist in the solution of the difficulty—they are more likely to prove an irritant at a time when disagreement may have a most disastrous effect on a work of considerable magnitude. It would be better to coniine the matter to the points in question, each giving the other credit for a desire to act strictly within their rights, and in case of their still being at variance, both sides should agree to accept the legal interpretation of the deed signed.

Our cablegrams to*day give a digest of some remarkable statements made ia the House of Commons regarding the New Hebrides convention, It was there made to appear that the Governments of the colonies had been consulted at every stepi and had ultimately, although reluctantly agreed to the terms of the convention. In view of the adverse opinion held in the colonies in regard to tue convention the Bt«t, m ns caruo iti n great BU'pri-..., and it would bo interesting to know what the late Premier, who was so strong in his fulininations, would have to say about the subject. If what has been stated in tho

House of Commons is true, then the people of the colonies have a distinct grievance against their leaders for the part they have played in the matter. Mr Seddon, we know, chafed under the ban of secrecy imposed by the Homo Government, but it is hard to believe that lie could havo given a silent assent to the convention, as clmu.d by Mr Onurehm. “Long oefore the draft was even provisionally oonoluded there had been constant and detailed aomamnioations with theoolauial Govern meat’.” Bo wo nro told, and if Mr Churobill bo tpsokiug the t-uth in the oi alter, havo *0 not grave oauao to oom plain a? to the way wo h'svn bean trotted by our statesmen ? Ra-bor lot ns assumthere is i* mistake oomswhore.