CURRENT TOPICS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 263, 16 March 1911, Page 4

CURRENT TOPICS.

THE MAYORALTY. I The largo and. representative deputation that waited upon Mr. G. Tisch yesterday afternoon, seeking his eonsent to nomination for the Mayoralty for a further term, could not be otherwise than gratifying to the Mayor; and few men, situated as Mr. Tisch is—untrammelled by business and other interests —could have resisted their representations. It was a distinct compliment to him, and one we would not say was undeserved, for, however one may disagree with his administration, there is no getting away from the fact that he has done a very great deal for the welfare of the town, that he lias always been actuated by the most conscientious and worthy motives, and that he has subordinated and sacrificed his own interests to those of the community. He has also shown that he is not lacking in initiative, confidence, generosity, and public spirit —very valuable qualities in any citizen, but especially in a town's first citizen. In these respects, Mr. Tisch has set a shining example to other members of the community, who, though just as able, if not more so, to give of their services and substance in the furtherance of the interests of the town, are positively apathetic, apparently being quite insensible to the duty they owe to the community, and of the beneficial results that would follow their participation in the activities and public life of the town. This is in a general way. In matters of details of administration, we have, as our readers know, differed profoundly with the Mayor and Council, for reasons that we have fully given. A continuance of the conditions I would, to our mind, make for anything | but efficiency or advancement, but a new factor, we are glad to see, has lately made its appearance, and must exercise a great influence on the future municipal life of the town, and create a healthier interest in public affairs. We allude to the Municipal Progressive Association, the main plank of the platform of which is "to secure the return to the Borough Council and other public bodies of such men as the Association shall consider \ best qualified to carry into effect the aims of its members*" Such an organisa-1 tion is badly needed, and, if worked on the lines laid down by its promoters, and a progressive policy adhered to, must do an immense amount of good. It is : hoped to bring out the very best men and ''run" them for the ensuing municipal elections. If the organisation succeeds in its purpose—and there is no reason why it should not—local municipal affairs will be lifted from the position into which they have drifted, and a new era of advancement begun. Backed by a body of able men, intent on pushing i the town ahead, Mr. Tisch should be able to carry out the important schemes he has identified himself with, namely, the inauguration of tramways, extension of, the electric lighting system, and the creation of a Greater New Plymouth. A SPLENDID SUGGESTION. The farming community of Taranaki is indebted to Mr. F. J. Heatley, M.A., technical organiser, for the illuminating circular he his issued in regard to proposed classes in agricultural subjects. It is of the highest importance to the community that it should learn all that 1 is to be known about the industries that support the community. Nature is kindly even without assistance in Taranaki, but applied science can be harnessed to assist nature in so remarkable a manner that even the smallest amount of added ; knowledge may mean added capital. The ancient type of farmer was jealous of his spare time, and scorne'd application to anything that was beyond the use of muscle. The world grows wiser, and | farmers year by year find it does not pay to "muddle along." Farming is, in | fact, to-day an exact science, or, at least, exact science is applied to farming | with wonderful results. It is inevitable in the settlement of this Dominion that 1 the land must as time proceeds yield a | larger proportion of necessaries, and it ; is only by the expansion of agricultural knowledge that New Zealand can hope to compete with other countries using the most modern scientific methods, The proposed Taranaki classes would claim the attendance of pupils for one short session per week, but by these classes it would be possible to instil into the minds of future agriculturalists that the most payable farming can only come by the application of scientific knowledge. It is as necessary to specialise in farming as in any other profession, and with the increase of farming knowledge the proi fession of agriculture will be the most honorable as well as the most useful of all professions. The endeavor to exalt [ agriculture into the rank of the "pro-, fessions" may have the effect of presenting the sad exodus of youths from farm t to town. Tlic success of the proposed classes can only be assured by the interest the public take in them. We have , pathetic evidence in New Zealand of the ' comparative unpopularity of technical ; training. If it were generally recognised that Taranaki in the future will de- . pend for its income on the technical , ski" of its people, the classes would be ] .overwhelmed with pupils eager to per- ! feet themselves in knowledge so neces- '| sary to success. RUSSIA AND CHINA. 1 Trouble is brewing between Russia and China. Already the Russian Press is urging the Government to issue an ultimatum, declaring that parleying is useless. The cables have thrown very little light on the cause of the friction, but a statement made by the editor of the Sydney Chinese paper explains the situation somewhat. "Russia's determination to secure a footing in Mongolia," he says, "finds expression in various ways. Her I latest move was for the appointment of Russian Consuls at various Mongolian centres to act as advisers to the"local authorities, a subject which was discussed between the Russian Prime Minister at Pekin and the Wni-Wa-Pu (the Chinese Foreign office). The Wai-Wa-Pu declined to consider the proposal, being warrantly suspicious that Russia would be satisfied with this except as the beginning of much grander schemes to the detriment of the Chinese Umpire. The time has now arrived when China can see the real character of Russia. She can no longer take advantage, as she has done in the past, of the ignorance, weakness and corruption on the part of hi'di and mighty Mandarins by her bonus friendship to China, and bv'assuring her that Russia was most anxious indeed that China should not fall a prey to others, and that it was the keen desire of 1:0 maintain the independence of China. Let any impartial person carefully study Russia's attitude towards China, and he will .find that Russia always demanded something when China was most helpless. Now, China at the present moment, as the world knows is suflering from the effects of plague and famine, and In strike her now is a cr i nlP against humanity. The Russo-Japanese agreement is held in the gravest apprehension by the people of China, who think that Russia and Japan have come to an understanding as to the best means of absorbing China. Japan's friendship towards China is no better than that of • Russia. The selfish aggressive policy which was so conspicuous in Russia be- I fore Japan defeated her is now even as , much, if not more, pronounced, in Japan j Therefore, instead of the protector Japan' i assumes the role of the oppressor, and i in CTery way proves herself not an un- 11 worthy successor of Russia. Her policy 1 1

in Korea, her actions in the HainmintuFakumun railway question, her opposition, in conjunction with Russia, to the neutralisation of the Manchurian railway, and her recent interference in the Chin-Chow railway scheme, arc certainly measures which will not inspire confidence as regards Japan's sincerity in the oft-repeated profession of the opendoor."