RANDOM REMARKS.

King Country Chronicle, Volume IV, Issue 225, 15 January 1910, Page 5

RANDOM REMARKS.

Life is made up of little things, and when we come to analyse the various influences which constitute the sum of human happiness, or sorrow, it is little modern existence, or ancient that matter, in dubbed complex. The various conflicting interests are affected in different degrees, and in entirely opposite directions, by ordinary happenings, while extraordinary occurrences have an unhappy knack of arriving to impress upon us that man is but mortal. Still, the ordinary siprale events which occur and recur are sufficient in themselves, to make the variations of joy and sorrow nceessary to keep a normal individual interested. The chief matter for gratification locally, is, at present, the excellent prices ruling for wool. So many individuals and communities are affected by a rise or fall in the price of our staple product that the matter becomes of national importance. Hence the timbrels are sounded, neighbour invites nighbour to ' have an extra drink, and the Premier points proudly to the increasing prosperity of the country.

Talk of staple products, however, brings us to consider the position of another staple industry in the form of dairying. It is well known that in the wake, of dairying follows, prosperity, and to the small farmer the ability to dairy spells success. Our district of small farmers, and the natural business instinct is prompting them to get into dairying as soon as possible. The result will be highly beneficial when it arrives; beneficial in the first place to the farmers, and ecxeedingly beneficial to the State, as providing a larger revenue, and the opportunity for our leading politicians to .'point proudly to the swelling figures, and declaim triat a paternal Government is responsible for it all. Unfortunately, the Government, by its action in neglecting to provide roads, is indefinitely deferring the arrival of prosperity, and the contingent opportunities to swell its chest, and point to convincing figures. Good roads are indispensable to our prosperity, and the result would be so beneficial to everyone that it is incomprehensible our political geniuses fail to grasp the situation.

The mention of things political brings to notice the fact that wild rumours are current regarding possible changes on the political stage of the Dominion. One inspired individual asserts that Sir Joseph is to be granted a baronetcy, and' will retire to the seclusion of the Old Country to spend his declining years in the peaceful serenity of British politics. Mr T. Taylor is spoken of as the next Prime Minister, the understanding being that he will abolish the liquor traffic everywhere except in the King Country, in which favoured locality the liquor revenue is to be devoted to road-making. A further rumour is that Kitchener is coming to exchange billets with Sir Joseph in the interests of the Empire, and Captain Knyvett will figure prominently in the Opposition ranks. The writer has it on good authority that the Waitomo County Council has vowed a vendetta against the Ministry, but first intends to chal lenge the members to single combat, as in "the brave days of old." Weapons are not mentioned, but it is a significant fact that Mr Boddie has been assiduously practicing with an axe of late, and appearing in public with a- "death or glory" gleam in his eye. It is understood the Minister of Public Works is his particular quarry, by special request.

The case of Captain Knyvett, the Auckland volunteer officer, who has been dismissed for a breach of military discipline or etiquette, is creating widespread agitation. On the evidence taken before the commission appointed to inquire into the charges it was generally thought that the gallant captain had proved his bona fides, and would be held guiltless of intent. However, military enquiries are weird things, and the captain has been dismissed. Probably the episode rings the death knell of our absurd volunteer system. In the early stages of settlement in the Colony, when practically every settler was a volunteer by force of circumstances, the system was excusable, but subsequently when our little internal flutters subsided there wa s no earthly excuse for one small section of the community swatting to become efficient to protect the country. Universal training is coming not a day too soon, and the sooner the present volunteer system becomes extremely unpopular, the sooner will the rational method of making every individual, without respect to class, caste, or prediliction, do his just portion of publie duty become adopted.