Notes and Comments.

Taihape Daily Times, 9 December 1918, Page 5

Notes and Comments.

—•— I THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT. i Some few months ago, the GovernI ment found it advisable, in the interj ests of the health of returned sot jdiers, to remove the military hospitals from the control of the Minister for Internal Affairs, Public Health, and Hospitals and Charitable Air. In view of the mismanagement and confusion which have arisen under the present administration, it would be equally advantageous, in the interests of the health of the whole community, to remove the Department of Public Health from the control of the Minister who now holds the portfolio. This matter calls for the immediate earnest consideration f the National Government. —Auckland "Herald." REPATRIATION AND SOLDIERS. Mr. Downie Stewart, speaking in the House recently, criticising the proposal to have four Ministers on the Board, contended that it would lead to endless difficulty ,and trouble if there were four Ministers equally responsible for the administration of the Repatriation Department, for which one Minster should be solely responsible. Mr. Ngata supported Mr. Stewart, contending that unity of command was needed. He also asked , why there was no person on the Board for the returned soldiers. The member added: They are the men most vitally interested, and they know what they want, and, mark you, they will get it. If they don't get "what they want, they are going to get it in about 12 months' time. (Hear, hear). The men whose interest is at stake and who have been doing work for the Empire are the men whose views should dominate at the present time. AN "OF COURSE" THAT ISN'T. "Of course" is a phrase that usually expresses the obvious. But from the Germans and Germany we get the exception to the rule. Thus, in another column we publish a cablegram in which a hear interview with the head of the Hohenzollerns is given. He refers to the signing of the renunciaj tion of the throne, and adds:" "Of course, having signed,. I take the full responsibility." But' who believes the "of course" of a German? The Kaiser signed the treaty securing Belgium's safety, of course, he tore Up the treaty. And, of course, he will fepu- j diate anything and any signature at any time it suits or pleases him to do A SILLY PROROGATIVE. Some of our big morning papers and members of Parliament have been worrying the Premier about the delay that ensued in publishing the official news of tfc.3 armistice. It appears that the people might have made a night of it, because ,the information was cabled to Wellington before midnight. But it was not released until 9 o'clock next morning. Mr. Massey practically admits, this, but he did not like to. put the blame for the delay upon the right shoulders. The fact of the. matter is that the Governor-Gen-eral gets all the confidential news (by cede) from the British Government, and Lord Liverpool keeps Cabinet Ministers and people awaiting his sweet will. He can hang up any vital information, and the Premier has to kick his heels and hold in his patience. This is one of the really silly prerogatives which really matter in the government of the country. The sooner it is abolished, the better for | everybody. | * I A DEMOCRATIC LEAVEN.

Mr. John Masefield, a well-known British lecturer, states: Last summer I was talking with a general about thewar, and he said: "Guess what my best staff officer was before the war 7" I ooudn't guess. He said he was a barber's assistant. "Now what do you think my second best staff officer was before the war?" Again I couldn't guess. . He said he was a milkman's assistant and went round with the milk cans in the morning. Now what do you think my third best staff officers was before the war? He's the bravest man I've got." Again I could not guess. He said, "He was a milliner's assistant, and sold ribbons over the counter."