The Daily News TUESDAY, JUNE 5. CURRENT TOPICS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 8126, 5 June 1906, Page 2

The Daily News TUESDAY, JUNE 5. CURRENT TOPICS.

A wobthy successor to General Babing- ' ington has at last appeared in the [person of the Bishop of Wellington. This prelate has been preaohing a fighting sermon to enoourage volunteers. He is reported to have said that "ho had no misgivings in urging this duty in the name of one who was both Prince of Peace and also Captain of the Lord's Hosts." In the Middle Ages there used to be fighting bishops, who were equally good on " the tented field" and in the pulpit. The Bishop of Wellington seems to be, to use a scientific term, a reversion to an ancient type of prelate. His theological argument may puzzle simple people. It we accept this, ought not General Booth to be a Field Marshal of the British Army and the Archbishop of Canterbury, Lord High Admiral of the Fleet.

Fob the benefit of those who may be at any time attacked by poison internally, Mr G. S. Littlejohn forwards to the "Sydney Daily Telegraph" some useful information, published by Henri de Parville, in the "Annahd Politiques et Litteraires," Paris. It is set out in the Frenchman's article that the Japanese physicians declare it is impossible for internal poisoning to result in death, if the victim swallows a quantity of charcoal as soon as the first gastro-intestinal disturbance is felt. Dr Thourey, a French druggist (who lived about the year 1835), asserted that charcoal would counteract the poison of strychnine. No one believed him, and to prove that ho knew what he was talking about, he swallowed a dose of strychnine, and then swallowed a large quantity of charcoal. Tho result bore out his assertion. He was not even made sick by it. This antidote must be taken when the first symptoms of poison are felt, and the dose must be large. Henri de Parville contends that it would be well to test its powers in all cases of the nature of ptomaine poisoning. It must bo taken in suspension inwater: put into water and stirred while it is taken so that it shall not settle. There is nothing to be feared, even if a great deal of the powder is used. Use a soup spoon, I and take it at intervals of ten minutes.

The Paris journal "Le Temps" prints an exhaustive survey of the AngloFrench agree ment with regard to the New Hebrides question, and also comments upon the great dissatisfaction the agreement has aroused in Australi a and New Zealand. It says that it is a foregone conclusion that when the terms are fully known the two colonies will recognise that their outbreak of indignation is not only premature, but unjustifiable. France and Englnnd havo done their best to arrange matters, and it is absurd for Australia and New Zealand to suppose that if they only cry loud onough both France and England will hastily drop the whole business. If Australia and Now Zealand want a co-dominion they can havo it, and if they want a division they can have it also j and it may be added, as far as Franco is concerned, that she would prefer a division. In any case, France has far more rights and interests in the New Hebrides than any other power, and whether Australia and Now Zealand like it or not, she intends to have these interests properly safeguarded,