CURRENT TOPICS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 196, 8 January 1913, Page 4

CURRENT TOPICS.

LICENSING OF LAND AGENTS. Yesterday wag the day prescribed by the Act When all land agents were required to register and tind bonds for the due and faithful performance of their obligations to their clients. Only one linn registered in New Plymouth. Therefore the other lirms are, carrying on an "illegal occupation." Their nonregistration was due to misconception of the conditions, and doubtless all the Applications will be in order to-day.

PENALISING VISITORS. The Inglewood Record has a grievance. It lum many grievances, in fact, but its particular worry this time is one that interests the many outside people who patronise Stratford races and shows. "At present," says the Record, "all visitors are compelled to detrain at the Stratford railway station, and then (in the case of visitors from the north) walk or drive back a mile and a-half, more or less, in order to reach the, course which they had passed in the train but a few minutes previously." Our contemporary goes on to say that this is quite unsatisfactory to all but the units of the carrying service, who thrive on the trade, and calls for the stoppage of the trains at the nearest crossing. Then the Record exclaims with much heat: "Stratford has enjoyed an extortionate harvest for very many years, and it. is quite time that the compulsory toll was removed from those who visit, Stratford for the races and show, and not to make a monetary pre--.intafiou to its carrying fraternity. . . . . The greatest good for the greatest number comes lirst in the duty of any Government, and that does not point to running thousands into a special spot for the financial betterment of a- few livery stable-keepers and mo-tor-car owners."

TRADESPEOPLE INCON VEX lENCED. The late arrival of Home goods has inconvenienced several New Plymouth traders, floods ordered for the Christinas trade have lint yet come to hand. Last year the inconvenience was even more marked. Strikes and briskness of business at Home are the cause.

Till'] ILLUSION. ilr. Norman Angel I's theory that war is an illusion, since "it is impossible for one nation to 'benefit by imposing its will on another nation by force," might be thought to have fared rather badly during the past few 'months (says the Lyttelton Times). The Balkan Allies have put great national issues' to the hazard of war and their victory has placed within their reach the means of extending their authority and increasing their prosperity, while it lias given the deliverance to people who have groaned under au intolerable tyranny.

ADVERTISING THE TOWN. A good many people are accepting the invitation of the Expansion and Tourist League to obtain the illustrated folders and post them as souvenirs of the town and district to their friends but still there must be hundreds of people in town and country who have not yet obtained supplies and posted them away. The folders are handsomely got-up, and as an advertisement for the district have never been surpassed. They are available grktis, as are also suitable envelopes, at the office of the secrettary, Mr. A. H. Humphries, care of Webster and McKellar, Curric street.

"A DISGRACE TO CIVILISATION." Some of the railway crossings in Taranaki arc extremely dangerous, and few more so than the one at Normanby that claimed another victim on New Year's' Day. Commenting on this subject, the Ilawera tSar says:—"A medical mail of .large experience, stated publicly here in Ilawera the" other day that most of the railway crossings in the district are a disgrace to civilisation, and particularly in their relation to the safety of motorists. 'One crossing he bluntly characterised as "a veritable deathtrap," and as he promised to draw up a list for the information of the Railway Department, his experience should be turned to account in the public interest without -.delay."

TO MAINTAIN THE ROADS. _ From the first day of this month motorists in Victoria have to pay the following annual taxation fees:—Motor cycles. 5s each; motor cars, not exceeding 6.y 2 h.p., £1 Is each; cars from •6%-h.p. to 12-h.p., £'2 2s each; from 12-h.p. to 1(5h.p., £3 3s each; from 16-li.p. to 26-h.p., £4 4s; 20-h.p. to 33-h.p., £5 ss; and exceeding 33-h.p., £G Gs. each. Motor waggons are to be taxed at £3 3s each. It is estimated that the total amount that will accrue to the Road Board this year from these nrxes will closely approach £20,000, a sum that will pay interest on the £400,000 which is to be spent annually by the Victorian Board for the next five years. The new scale of Victorian taxes will amount to about three. times that paid in 1912. The number of cars in Victoria is 4683, with 3127 motor cycles.

COMPULSORY TECHNICAL SCHOOLS. America is advocating what progressive thinkers are advocating in New Zealand —compulsory technical education at a period when toys and girls should be beginning to form their real character, and to have tangible ideas in regard to responsibility. Germany's commercial success may in part be attributed to the practical education imparted at continuation schools, and it ig evident that technical institutions must be established in the Dominion to take the place of the apprenticeship period, for circumstances are such that neither the employer nor the journeyman will concern himself with the education of the boy who desires to learn a trade. This country is not so much concerned with spending a million, 01' .more, in education, but in ensuring that the money available shall be devoted to developing the varying talents, and to maintaining as far as possible the proper balance between the trades and the professions. Here is the fountain head of nearly all New Zealand's economic troubles (says the Southland News).

A GREAT CONCERN. The presence of that rolling good fellow, Mr. Charlie Berkeley, avaunt courier to J. 0. Williamson's "Girl in the Train Company, reminds one of the colossal proportions to wkieli the theatrical organisation has grown. Last year it' had a turnover of no less than CI,IJ'OO,' OOO cash, and in order to pay expenses £20,000 a week has to be found. It is the fourth, if not the third, biggest concern of its kind in the world, and as it is steadily growing it won't be long before it reaches an even higher position. New Plymouth is fortunate in securing visits from the firstclass companies run by J. C. Williamson. The town is a convenient half-way place; otherwise it would probably see' less of the companies. It is not generally known that despite what is commonly held to be the high charges levied, the company frequently loses money iu New Plymouth. Over the last panto, the loss was £OO. It was put on for two nights. It's too big a thing for the town to fill the house twice in succession. and that must be done if a big company is to pay expenses. Eltham treats -I. C. W. better in the way of patronage than any town outside the four centres. _ It holds about £2BO at J. O. W.'s prices, and so far has always been filled. Eltliam therefore is included in all Williamson's tours between here and the Empire City. "The Girl in the Train" arrives here on the evening of January 20, and as she will be 'here for but the one evening she is bound to lpeet with a good reception.

UPKEEP OF THE ROADS. "It's all very well for people to rave ■about the appearance of the streets and footpaths of Now Plymouth," said a prominent borough councillor yesterday; "but they ' don't understand. They don't appreciate the hurdle set us in trying to keep up -(S3 to (So miles of streets (I'm taking the old borough only) and the hundred odd miles of footpaths on about £2300 a year. Fancy a county council trying to maintain the road between here and Hawera on £2300 a year! It is impossible. The fact of the matter is that we have insufficient money for the work, and an increase in the rates is the only solution. We ihave been pursuing a mistaken policy in the past. We have been keeping down, the valuations, and consequently the rates, for years when the money was badly wanted for the roads and footpaths. The increase can't, be baulked any longer, and the .sooner the better for tie improvement of the streets and footpaths. What is wanted in New Plymouth, too, is the altera lion of the incident of rating, from taxing improvement and industry, as is now the case, to taxing the unimproved values. The real enemies of the place are the people who are holding unimproved sections and asking prohibitive prices for them. This would soon be altered if they had to surrender in the way of rates* some of the increment that they are gathering as a result of the enterprise and progress of their fellows. Their hands will soon be forced when ratepayers awake to a realisation of the fact that

they are carrying these people on their backs without receiving anything in return."

A KI'BBISH DEPOSITORY. 'T wish the News would draw attention to the awful condition of the IJuatoki river near the Devon street culvert," said an indignant shopkeeper to a representative of this paper yesterday, lb' went on: "There you will see tin cans, refuse of all descriptions, dead dog's and putrefying felines; in fact, the river seems to be the depository for all the rubbish of the town. . It is, for sure, a nice advertisement for a town whose attractions we are making known outBides! Can't the Council do something to clean it out, and keep it clean?" We hereby refer the complaint to the Council, with the suggestion that they at once ask their nrgus-eyed Inspector of Nuisances to cease worrying people in the execution of his duty until he has got busy in this locality and abated what is truly a nuisance and an oll'enee to the olfactory senses.

"TAM" MACKENZIE WANES SARCASTIC. "It is really very good of you to take so much interest in other people's affairs," said the Hon. 11.I 1 . .Mackenzie, High Commissioner for New Zealand, in reply to Mr. T. C. Gregory, of Bristol, who has been bombarding him with literature setting forth tile wickedness and the oppression of the New Zealand system of universal training. ''You possibly forget," he adds, ''that we are working under a Constitution which gives us certain rights, and von are overlooking the fact that we have been in the habit of working out our destiny in our own way without so much exterior, unappreciated advice. You also forget that what is being done has the almost unanimous support of our Parliament, and that our Parliament is responsible to New Zealanders, and not to outsiders. It may be news to you to learn that not only is our defence system not keeping desirable people away from New Zealand, but, on the contrary, far more are applying to go to our grand country than we can possibly find shipping accommodation for. The action you are taking, if it has the effect you claim for it, quite suits us, because, in keeping away those friends of yours who think the country not worth defending, you are unconsciously helping us by leaving passenger space in our ships for those desirable people .-that' we want."

KING AND REPUBLICAN'S. Kin« Alfonso's liberal political views do no find universal favor in Spain. But he has the courage of his views. Last year, when his Majesty was made honorary president of the Sociedad Venatol'ia' (a shooting club), he received the official president, Bon Lina Rua, an ardent Republican, on board the yoyal yacht Giralda. 1 It was the latter's duty ■to present to the King the diploma and insignia of the club, and on being acquainted by his entourage with Senor liiiut's political convictions, King Alfonso said: "It matters nothing to me. Let hint pass. I prefer that everyone should think as he pleases." As soon as Senor Rua came on board King Alfonso came forward, and, shaking him warmly by the hand, said: '"I have the greatest pleasure in receiving you. Your political opinions," added King Alfonso, "can be on obstacle in my receiving you with the. same affection as I do others, and with even more pleasure. lam monarchal because I was born a King, otherwise nobody knows what my opinions might have been. Who knows but that very soon we shall all have to bo Republicans?" 1