The Manawatu Herald. Tuesday, August 4, 1914. NOTES AND COMMENTS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 1280, 4 August 1914, Page 2

The Manawatu Herald. Tuesday, August 4, 1914. NOTES AND COMMENTS.

Not only will the war have a very disastrous effect upon the frozen meat and dairy industries of the Dominion, but what is of vital importance to this particular district is the possibility of having to suspend the flaxmilling operations, which would throw a considerable number of men out of employment. Yesterday’s cable Informed us that the hemp market is lifeless, and there was a drop in prices. If there is no immediate demand for hemp, owing to the dislocation of shipping and, increased war risks, the millers cannot take the risk of continuing. A hold-up of shipping would quickly tax the storage capacity, and preference in this respect would be given to food stuffs. Millers under contract are in no better position, for the sale note provides the following conditions : Should any under this contract be prevented or delayed by civil commotion, war, or strikes (if of flaxmill employees to be a general one in this district) the buyer shall have the option within fourteen days after receiving notice from the seller to that effect, of either cancelling the contract for and in respect of the portion so prevented or delayed or electing to take the same at the contract price, in which latter event such portion shall be delivered as soon as practicable. The said hemp having been purchased for sale or consignment abroad, it is hereby agreed that in the event of any strike, civil commotion, or war, preventing or delaying shipment of goods from New Zealand or delivery abroad, the buyer shall have the right at any time after

such cause arising, and from' time to time while such cause shall subsist, in respect of the deliveries for each month (each month to be dealt with separately) by notice in writing sent by telegram or registered post addressed to the seller at his mill or other place of business to cancel this contract for and in respect of the hemp agreed to be delivered for or during that month or to take such hemp at the contract price, and in the latter event such hemp shall be delivered as soon as practicable after the sellers receiving notice from the buyer that such cause as aforesaid no

longer subsists. It will be seen, from the above, that the outlook for the hemp industry is not bright.

The Education Act, which has pro forma passed its second reading in the House, is creating widespread interest among educationalists throughout the Dominion. The BUI is a non-party measure, and members can give full expression to their opinions and convictions on this vitally important subject. Education Boards, the teaching profession and school committees are subjecting the provisions to the closest scrutiny, and the Minister and Education committee of the House will have their hands lull in sifting out the numerous recommendations and suggested amendments which are pouring in. The boundaries of the existing Boards will be altered either by Parliament or a Commission. For instance, it is proposed that the Taranaki and Wanganui Board districts will be merged into one, to be called the Egmont district. The combined district will be divided into Urban and rurual areas. The representatives in the former will be elected on the municipal franchise and the latter as at present by school committees. It is also proposed to transfer the control of inspectors from Boards to a State executive body. The new Bill will shake up the education question generally and place it on a more satisfactory basis.

Owing to the strict censorship very little war news is filtering through concerning the operations of the German, French and Russian armies. The Auslro-Servian campaign is paling into insignificance beside the grim and obscure movements of the other powers. We know comparatively nothing of the German invasion of French territory or of the engagement near Nancy. Germany’s violation of a neutral zone has created a wave of indignation and is connected with the seizure of some strategical point. The British Cabinet has just completed a protracted sitting and as a result Sir Edward Grey has announced to Parliament that “should the German fleet enter the Channel to bombard the French coast or interfere with French shipping, Britain will offer all possible protection.” This conveys a great deal. But we are still in the dark as to Britain’s next move but we shall not be kept in suspense much longer. It is self-evident that her mind is now made up and action swift and decisive will be taken at the psycological moment and the Empire will be with her and ready to make any sacrifice ungrudgingly