The Manawatu Herald. Thursday, January 7, 1915. NOTES AND COMMENTS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 1344, 7 January 1915, Page 2

The Manawatu Herald. Thursday, January 7, 1915. NOTES AND COMMENTS.

The following request for a New Year message was received by the Prime Minister, Rt. Hen. W. F. Massey, from the editor of the Daily Chronicle, London, at the end of last week ;—“ The editor of the London Daily Chronicle respectfully, solicits from you, on behalf of the New Zealand nation, a cable message of Imperial fellowship and support for the Mother Country, on the occasion of the opening of a New Year that will be so fateful for the future of the Empire and the world’s civilisation.” In reply, Mr Massey stated; —“As British citizens, New Zealanders commence the New Year with perfect confidence, feeling certain that the spirit which has consolidated and strengthened the Empire during 1914. will continue to animate the different members of the great Imperial family until the whole world realises that in peace or war we stand together, ready and willing to defend to the last our glorious heritage of freedom, and that we consider no sacrifice too great to maintain the honour of our race, and which will enable us to keep faith with our allies.’’ An interesting decision, bearing on discrimination practised against the negro, has just been rendered by the Supreme Court of the United States. This Court has, on several occasions, sustained the constitutionality of State laws, permitting railway companies to furnish separate coaches for white people and coloured people. But the State of Oklahoma went a step beyond this, and passed a law forbidding railway companies from lurnisbing sleeping or dining-car accommodation to any but those of the while race. Oklahoma is settled largely from the Southern States, which explains this instance of race prejudice. Five negroes appealed to the Courts against the law, and a few days ago the highest Court of the nation, by a majority decision, found the law to be unconstitutional. However, owing to a defect in the petition, no decree to this effect could be made, and it will be necessary to start the proceedings all over again. Discussing the visit to New Zealand ol the Federal Prime Minister and the possibility of a further development of our trade with Australia the N.?L Herald points out that we buy in Australia because it suits us, and no doubt they buy from us when it suits them. But Australia is easily our second largest customer, aud anything that the Fisher Administration can do to further improve the trade relations between the Dominion aud the Commonwealth will be warmly welcomed by our producers. Mr Bed don set himself to accomplish this task during the last year of his life, and there were no results. The efforts of our present Minister for Customs, two years ago were equally unsuccessful, on account, it is said, of a change in Government in Australia. It will probably be found that the best solution of trade relations between New Zealand and the Commonwealth will be in an extension ot the principle of preferential trade, and it is along this line that Mr Fisher’s efforts may be directed. So far as New Zealand is concerned there is abundance of scope for wider preference. Only 193 out of the total of 483 items on the tariff have so far been brought under the fostering influence of preferential rates, A few of these rates are distinctly limited to certain ports of the British Dominions, such as the very low rates ot duty levied upon South African wine, maize, tobacco, and a few smaller lines iu return lor which the Union gave us special terms for the entry of our produce. In a general way, however, the preferential advantages given by all the great self-governing Dominions are open to all parts of the Empire. They are freely given, and do not in any way partake of the nature of bargaining. On some lines the preference is given by taking off the duty against imports from British territory, but usually it is given by charging an extra duty against foreign countries. The effect is exactly the same In either case; the Empire gets a distinct preference. Rules have just been issued for the use of the Panama Canal by belligerents. Generally speaking, they are based upon The Hague conventions about neutral ports. For the passage of the canal the written permission of the canal authoiities is necessary. Belli-

gerent vessels are only allowed stores sufficient to reach a friendly port. All such stores must come from the canal authorities and not from private firms. No belligerent vessel is to remain more than 2+ hours in the canal, or to leave the canal within 24 hours of the departure of an enemy vessel. Not more than three vessels of any nation or the allied nations shall be allowed simultaneously in the canal or the waters of the Isthmian zone. No repairs or descending of flying machines is permitted. Finally, attention is called to the agreement with Panama prohibiting a belligerent vessel to use a port of the Isthmian zone more than once in three months. In the various centres of the Dominion the feeling has been expressed by many since the"opening of the war that very lenient treatment indeed is being meted om to the German residents of New Zealand. In Dunedin, particularly strong feeling has been aroused, and representations have been made £0 the Government, but apparently no action has followed. In Christchurch, feeling has been by no means quiescent upon the subject. Although very little has been made of the matter publicly, an incident which occurred recently, and which is fully vouched for, is narrated by the Press. A lady school teacher, who has a knowledge of the Gferman language, was riding in a tiara recently. On a seat in front of her were two men conversing in German. One of them has been a resident of Christchurch for some years, and has been conspicuously known for his German sentiments. Their conversation—in their native language—was about the war. The teacher could not help overhearing their remarks and the contemptuous references made to the English. The language was by no means choice, as may be gathered from this single specimen : “These dogs of English !” This incident is regarded as proof that naturalisation does not in every case change the individual’s nationality and deepest feelings. The incident is quoted in support of the argument that greater restrictions are required. Mr Fisher will tender his resignation as a Minister of the Crown to the Governor to-day. The question as to which member of the party shall succeed Mr Fisher is one of considerable interest, says the Post. Thf general rule is that the position goes almost as a matter of right to the Senior Government Whip, who in this case is Mr D. H. Guthrie, the re-elected member for Oroua. The name of Mr E. Newman, member for Rangitikei, has also been mentioned as a candidate for the portfolio. Both members have done valuable service for the party. In any case, it is not considered likely that the vacancy will be filled until the present condition of political uncertainty has been restored to order, which may be some time yet, and until the party as a whole has been consulted. If the political readjustment leaves the Government with a majority the new Minister will probably take the portfolio ofEducation and Agriculture, thus relieving both the Prime Minister and the Hon. J. Allen of responsibilities which have all along been exceedingly burdensome. A kcrust young fellow between 17 and 18 years of age resents being called an infant. He has just reached the fringe of manhood, and desires to spread himself out on his margin of ten shillings per week. The serious things in the battle of life have not yet come bis way, but: be is a man, and demands a man’s privileges. Anyhow, a wise law brutally punches his conceit and dubs him an infant until he crosses the threshold of 21 years. Under this age he cannot be sued at law for debts he may incur—fortunately for his creditor, he is not aware of this, although bis creditor may be; he cannot slake his thirst at a licensed bar, but being over 16 years he may purchase and puff cigarettes. —this is some consolation; he musn’t travel on his size to inve.st money on the totalisator but the “bookie” flourishes on Ms investment.' At Christchurch yesterday, William Archibald Biunie, aged seventeen, was found guilty on a charge of falsely representing his age to be twenty-one years. He obtained a totalisator ticket at Riccarton. George Mason, a clerk who sold the ticket, admitted the charge of selling to a boy under age, but pleaded that he did not see him. The Magistrate (Mr Bishop) said he would inflict a heavy penalty, but he deferred sentence till he could see the boy.