CURRENT TOPICS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 292, 4 May 1911, Page 4

CURRENT TOPICS.

THE CENSUS. We refrained from commenting on the New Plymouth census figures when they first appeared, because it seemed to us that there must have been a discrepancy somewhere. The revised figures which we published yesterday show this to be the case. In the five years One town and suburbs have increased by 591, making the population of "renter New Plymouth 7,042. The increase is not as large as we would like to see it, but it cannot be regarded as unsatisfactory, especially in view of the fact that when the last census was taken there must have been between 300 and 400 "extra" people here in connection with the railway duplication works, and the fact also that the inmates of the Old People's Home, since shifted outside the suburban boundary, figured in the 100(1 returns. Allowing for these, the town has really, improved its position in the matter of population by over 1,000. From now on the growth should be more marked. There is good reason for believing that we are on the eve of a period of great development. Firstly, we have the harbor, the improvements to which, will shortly make it possible for ocean-going liners'to berth in safety and comfort, and alloiv of an important trade, provincial and transhipment, being built up. Secondly, we have thousands and thousands of acres of rich land in the hinterland of the province being rapidly opened up by the .Stratford-Ongarue railway line, which is being vigorously pushed onward, as well as by the improvement to the roads that is going on in nearly all the bush districts. Thirdly, there is the petroleum, the successful development of which in the near future is practically assured. Fourthly, we have the ironsand deposits, which at last look as if they are going to be profitably treated, if not by the syndicate in whose hands the leases are held at present, then by another syndicate which is prepared to commence operations almost immediately. Then we have the cutting up of the blocks of land in the Moknu district, as well as the sub-division of the bigger farms tluit is going on nearer home, all of which must make for increased settlement. increased productivity, and increased business in respect to the capital of the province. Few towns in New I Zealand have, we are convinced, better prospects than New Plymouth, but they | cannot be realised unless its citizens display, as the. editor of the "New Zealand Shipping Oazette" recently put it after a visit to New Plymouth, "a little more faith and confidence in the town's future, a little more enterprise, and a little more public spirit." A town, after all, is to a large extent, what its people make it, and with the material at their disposal, the uncommon opportunities they possess, and Nature's riches strewn at their very doors, there is no reason why tliev should not make New Plymouth in a few years I lie most important and prosperous town outside the four centres.

THK MOROCCAN TROUBLE. A position exists in Morocco, the complexity of which, as regards international relations and ultimate settlement, cannot be overestimated. The main point of interest is that the disturbing element can be justified in its revolutionary tactics by it* hatred of a reigning potentate

capable of every known infamy. For diplomatic reasons, therefore, France is found on the side of the wicked Mului Hand and in opposition to the Berbers, who are the backbone of the country and its only hope of escape from the perfidies of a criminal maniac. It was smugly asserted when Mulai Hand thoroughly trounced his weakling brother, Abdul Aziz, whose chief characteristics were cunning and selfishness, that a brighter day had dawned for Morocco. On the contrary, the infamous conqueror has instituted a reign of evil almost unparalleled, and one which at last roused the Berbers to open revolt—a revolt that civilisation in the guise of a French force must quell if it has the power. Morocco has about eight million people, a large proportion of whom are Arabs. There is a very large Jewish community, a people generally described as "Moors," and an army of at least thirty thousand men, which was raised and commanded by the ex-British officer Kaid Sir Harry McLean. The most powerful outside influence in Morocco is French, and it will be remembered that in 1905 the German Emperor interfered in matters Moroccan until the tension between France and Germany became most acute. An international conference was held at Algeciras in the same year to regulate affairs in Morocco, but it is obvious that even if the great Powers interested ensured more or less peaceful relations in regard to trade within Morocco, thoy have been quite unable to prevent vile misrule, rapine, murder and utter discontent. The ostensible reason for the relief of Fez by a French force is that many French subjects are there. There seems to be no chance that the interference of the Christian powers will reconcile Morocco to the rule of a human fiend, and i> is more than likely that the presence of white troops will greatly enhance the troubles of an unhappy country.

JAPAN AND THE POLE. When a Japanese hooker hitched up at Wellington a while ago and its commander mentioned that he was about to search for the South Pole, we took the liberty of disbelieving the dark gentleman who voiced the alleged determination. Since the time when a Japanese squadron and its people were received with great affection in this country, New Zealanders have looked upon the Japanese as highly amusing and harmless little people. The Japanese gentlemen who were bound for the Pole, while in Wellington protested their innocence of the English language, and bought a couple of hundredweight of English novels to read at the South Pole. The latest news is that the Japanese Polar expedition has returned to Sydney with the explanation that it dioVt intend to go to the Pole anyhow, and that as it didn't go to the Pole, it couldn't possibly do what it didn't intend to do, because its dogs had died. It was reported that that Japanese expedition intended to "get to the Pole or die," so that the alleged intention of the officers now In Sydney to refrain from capturing the Pole is new news. "The Japanese officers are reticent." The reticence consists of statements that they were to reach the Pole, that they cannot understand English, and therefore enjoy English novels, and ho on. In the meantime, presumably Sydney society is, like Wellington society, falling on the necks of our little brown allies, introducing them to the coast-line, so to speak, and asking them to observe the advantages of residence in the big island. The meek subjects of the Mikado will probably leave Sydney for the Australian coast and elsewhere in search of more doers. It is impossible to believe that Japan has any interest in the South Pole. 11 cannot' plant its surplus population at the South Pole.