The Manawatu Herald. Saturday, January 3RD, 1914. NOTES AND COMMENTS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 1191, 3 January 1914, Page 2

The Manawatu Herald. Saturday, January 3RD, 1914. NOTES AND COMMENTS.

Something should be done by the authorities to provide more accommodation for second-class passengers on the railways during the holiday season. Overcrowding was very noticeable in the secondclass compartments during the recent holidays on nearly every section, much to the inconvenience of women and children. More consideration should be shown for those who produce the greatest passenger revenue. The overflow second-class female passengers are allowed to pass Into the first-class carriages until room is found for them in their own compartments. In this connection it is most amusing to notice the superior airs of the first-classers towards their less fortunate travellers, when the overflows are bundled in—the latter are made to feel as interlopers. We hope our new Commissioner will endeavour to meet the requirements of the second-class travelling public in larger measure- in the future. Another matter which requires attention is the necessity on our trains for separate lavatories for women. A matter of much greater moment, which needs attention is, the excessive charges on the railways for children. It is outrageous to think that a child over 12 years of age has to pay full fate. It is all very well for politicians to talk glibly about children being the State’s best asset and at the same time penalise parents who are helping to keep the cradles full by depriving them of a little break in the domestic drudgery once a year through the excessive charges lor their children. Babies up to five years of age should be allowed to travel free and from that age to fourteen years only hair fare should be charged. Such concessions would not lessen the profits of the passenger traffic. Surely our children are entitled to greater consideration In the way of concessions than polo ponies, racehorses and blood stock ! The contemplated loss of revenue as a result of concessions in children’s fares is pure moonshine. The revenue from the increased adults who would travel would more than' counterbalance the concessions. We recognise much has been done of late to improve the salaries and working conditions of railway employees, but reduced fares for children present no obstacles in this connection. Just a word of commendation to the universal courtesy displayed by the railway officials in handling the holiday traffic, and the entire absence of accidents, minor or otherwise, which is a fine tribute to the department all round.

Foxton kicked out 1913 in the noisiest possible fashion. The fire bell was rung vigorously, whistles screeched and most unearthly noises rent the air. The superstitious element gave a sigh of relief as the clock ticked out the unlucky 13. New Zealand has certainly passed through a very trying page of her history during the latter period of the past year but, thanks to a determined Government and a patriotic country backing, the revolutionaries who sought to create a reign of anarchy, have been utterly routed and the industrial, commercial and social outlook for the new year is distinctly bright. A record was established in the length of the Parliamentary session and legislation passed for the good government of the country under conditions hitherto unparalleled in local parliamentary history—a fact which will be borne in mind by the people as a whole when the Massey Government gives an account of itself on the hustings. The visit of our dreadnought, the small-pox epidemic; the arrival of the Scott

polar parly bearing the dread tidings of the death of Scott and his gallant baud of heroes, the successful raising of the ,£3,500,000 loau, the prowess of our footballers in California are among the principal features of the old year. The new year is ushered in with bright prospects ahead for the Dominion, and we siucerly hope it will be accompanied by peace and prosperity to all.

The King has been pleased to confer a special honour upon the Hon. W. F. Massey, Prime Minister, by making him a Privy Councillor. The Royal choice for such honour in New Zealand is well merited and will meet with the approval of the Right Hon. gentleman’s political friends and opponents alike. Those who have followed Mr Massey’s career through long years of opposition and recently as Prime Minister, recognise that he is possessed of those qualities which have char* aclerised great Knglish Commoners. In the rules of ’precedence observed at official functions, Privy Councillors come before Knights of all Orders, including baronets, except the Knights of Garter, Originally the Privy Council was a Council of State appointed and periodically held by the Sovereign to consider matters for the public welfare. In actual lact, however, the only members who are ever summoned to meetings of the Privy Council now are those who are for the time being Ministers in the Parliament at Westminster. The number, which at first was only about 12, is now indefinite. At present there are about 300 in the Council of Great Britain, and about 70 in that of Ireland, but some 15 of these are members of both. The members of both Councils range down from the first Prince of the Blood Royal. On the accession of a new Sovereign the Privy Council must be reconstituted, or newly sworn in within six mouths, and any member who does not present himself for resweariug within that time forfeits his membership, but not the style of “Right Honourable.”