RUSSIA'S RIGOROUS REFORMS

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 5, Issue 225, 10 November 1916, Page 2 (Supplement)

RUSSIA'S RIGOROUS REFORMS

HOW SHE HAS TP.IKI) TO ALTER HKR KI.AG.

One of the most striking features if this war is the rigour with which Russia has determined to prosecuite it. Nothing seems to be too drastic lor her to alter. Martial law was proclaimed in Moscow to wope out th" Teuton clement.

The Government sale of vodka wt< abolished. This is rjuito Iho most drasth niovo ol tho war.

In the early days of the war she altered the nam.' ol her capital from .St. Petersburg to Petrugrad, another reform.

Last, hut not least, vvii.s Russia's attempt, to adopt a new ensign for r national Hag in place of tho red, white-. and blue tricolour.

Phis latter design was practical!;. copied from the Dutc 1 ling by Peter tho (Jreat. Tbo latter, who was too busy with vita! matters, to design an original flag, simply rearranged the order of the three coloured stripes. .Just about the time of the outbreak of war, a Commission was appointed to design a now ensign for Russia. I ntil the pe;ue of fturopo became assured, however, tie* Commission thought it best to wait.

Black, white, and yellow strit>es were, recommended as a more favourable Russian ensign than the rod, white, and blue stripes they have had since Peter the Great's flag suggested by th.> Dutch ensign.

NO CUOWDIXG. A travelling showman in Enghinl had a parrot ,which was accustomed t'i imitate his voice and words wlivn he v;s ;.ddm.sing tJw crowd about hi* tent. and always created much amusement by doing so. In the course of the man's wanderings they came to a fanning region, and here one day the parroi escaped and took to the fields. The >];i>wlll:in organised a posse of men and boys, and went in pursuit of the fugit ve. After a good deal oi vain search, they lie ii'd a great i I amour in a tall tre."' i n the edge <\ a wood. Creeping up t.i tii- |J:i<-e, they found that the poor parrot was up in the tro.>. stripped of most of his feathers, and surroundel by a Hock of screaming rooks, win wciv peeking at him mercilessly. la the midst of it all the parrot was calling out, at the top of his v.;' "One at a tim:\ gentlemen! Don*, crush so, please! Take your time! There's plenty of room! 'i'a'-e you; time!''

"Major Rasher, I saw a man to-day who would like the pleasure of kicking you," said a friend.

•'Kicking me!" exploded the Major. "Kicking me! Give me his name at once I"

"I hardly like to tell you," said the other.

"I insist upon knowing," said the Major. "Ah, well, I'll tell you," said the other. "It's a soldier who's in hospital with both legs off."