CURRENT TOPICS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 262, 15 March 1911, Page 4

CURRENT TOPICS.

RECIPROCITY WITH AUSTRALIA. As has been shown, the Premier said some very fine things in Sydney about Imperial unity and cohesion. It occuis to us that in the matter of binding the bits of Empire together trade is a very powerful factor. For many years the matter of a finer and more fraternal reciprocity between the Commonwealth and this Dominion has been spoken of—and shelved; and although our Premier is reported «is saying that he would be quite willing to enter into a reciprocal treaty with the Commonwealth, "there are difficulties." The arguments in favor of reciprocity are as always. Australia produces almost the same variety of law material this Dominion produces. Seasons vary. Australian produce is frequently a boon to New Zealanders and vice versa. It is discouraging to New Zealanders if, for instance, a certain crop fails, that they should be heavily taxed in obtaining similar Australian goods. Sir Joseph Ward was careful to show that manufacturing industries must not be interfered with, and, of course, while preference is supposed to be the sheet anchor of the colonial manufacturing trade, wc must not smite our brother' by patronising our cousin. Although the much-talked-of Federation of Empire looks so well on paper, there is no talk of laying the foundation for such a federation by Imperial free-trade. The New South "Wales Postmaster-General is a bold person, and stands a chance of being disliked for asking, ''Why not freetrade between Australia and New Zealand!" The reason why we are not o-oing to have free-trade between the Commonwealth and the Dominion is that it is thought necessary to protect a small minority at the expense of the majority. Both Australia and New Zealand must not dare to think of commercial brotherhood. Their business is to keep tariff walls without holes in them in order to encourage the industries of the future. Intercolonial free-trade would do more for fraternity, between the Commonwealth and the Dominion than almost anything else. Even if a reciprocal tariff between the related countries is arranged, be sure it will bo arranged with the greatest precaution in order that our colonial brothers may not take advantage of us. In the larger matter of Imperial freetrade, John. Bull might be expected to fall on the neck of the colonies much more fervently if their ports were as open to him as his are to them.

EUGENICS AND THE RACE. As the study of eugenics is occupying the attention of some New Zealand scientific pfcople, who arc hopeful of applying their knowledge later, the fact that the late Sir Francis Galton, the famous writer . and traveller, has bequeathed £f«,000 for the establishment of a chair of eugeiiies in the London University is of local moment. The application of eugenics'is by way of improving the mentality afld physique of the race. It is believed that by proper selection and mating a race may be produced having exceptional mind development and approximating jnost closely to the perfect man. The aim of eugenics is to encourage only the highest type of persons to marry and to discourage or prevent the reproduction of the wcofk or unfit. Sir Francis Galton spent much of a very useful life in close study of heredity. He came to his conclusions by the most careful system of statistics, proving to hie own satisfaction the enormous influence environment, heredity, habit and food plays in the production of human types. He himself in his 1904 address before the Sociological Society defined eugenics as the science dealing with all -the influences that improve and develop the inborn qualities of a race. He endowed a Research Fellowship in the University of London, and was indeed one of the most, notable of the promoters of the study of national eugenics. The students of eugenics must not be guided by individual opinion or supposition, but by actual fact revealed by research. He is naturally, if working privately, handicapped by the fact that only a limited number of persons or families are available for his study, it being necessary to minutely trace family history back to more or less remote periods in order to achieve definite data on which to base opinion. In order to attain definite and national results in any country the eugenist obviously must obtain the aid of the State, and it can only be by creating a public opinion which will demand that the fit be not allowed to procreate that the benefits of eugenics can be demonstrated. Although scientists have been found to recommend State interference in the matter of marriages, no statesman has yet been found to assure the people of its practicability or justice. In his book, "Heredity in the Light of Recent Research," Mr. L. Doncaster asserts thut the nation which goes in for applied eugenics will soon be the leader of the world. THE CAMORRA. It seems likely that the recent vigorous action of the London police in dealing with anarchists has spurred Continental folk to equally vigorous action in fighting secret criminal societies. The amazing stories of the Camorra, lately published, show the wonderful vitality of a society that has flourish vigorously since the days of Bourbon misgovernment in the old kingdom of Naples. The Camorra was originally recruited from lowclass criminals, and existed chiefly for plunder. Its power became greater when it was used by the wealthy classes to further criminal schemes for which they could pay handsomely. The Camorra has been used for many wicked schemes, including political ones, and it is on record that the last of the Bourbon ministers of the Interior—one Romano—used it with great advantage for his own ends. The power of the Camorra can be judged when it is remembered that the 1860 rebellion, although not engineered by the Society,' was placed in their hands for execution. When the kingdoms of Naples and Sardinia united, a strong man arose in Naples as Governor. Lamarmaro, in fact, fought the Camorra tooth and nail, and at least minimised their worst crimes. The Camorra appeared to become almost respectable .at the end of the nineteenth century, and adopted the charming American plan of dominating municipal government, becoming absolutely possessed of the civic machinery of Naples. It was only nine years ago that the Italian Government, seeing how corrupt Neapolitan methods had beepme under criminal management, interfered, and at least made the Camorrists'appear less openly active. The recent successful coup by which over forty of these interesting people have been caged will, it is hoped, shake the faith of the remainder. The Camorrists are bound together by a discipline that is extremely exacting, and as the Camorrists hate being killed by the hands of fellow members of the Society, they are naturally loyal. There is a' probability that the Italian public executioner will be busy directly, and that the Camorra may postpone its contemplated crimes until a later occasion.