CURRENT TOPICS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 254, 25 March 1914, Page 4

CURRENT TOPICS.

DEFENCE OF THE PACIFIC. Every advantage should Tie taken of the Anglo-Japanese alliance in order to build up an adequate Pacific fleet in these days of peace and security. It is much to be regretted that some people should endeavor to make a party matter of this great problem of naval defence, hut after Mr. Churchill's unmistakable confirmation of Mr. Allen's positive assurance that the New Zealand Government and the Admiralty are in agreement and working together in harmony on the lines laid down last session, there remains no shadow of excuse for the repetition of the mischievous suggestion of friction which has now been filially and completely exploded.—Wellington Dominion.

JAPANESE SHIPBUILDING. Reference was made at a recent meeting of the Japanese Institute of Naval Architects to Japan's forward policy in regard to both the army and navy. It was pointed out that the battle-cruiser Kongo has already arrived from Vickers' works, Barrow-in-Furness, and the sis-ter-ships Kiriahima and Haruna are on the eve of being launched, while the Hiyie is approaching completion. The Fuso, the moßt powerful warship in existence, is to take the water early next spring. In speaking of the mercantile marine, the chairman pointed with gratification' to the work M the year completed in the home shipyards. "The total number of ships launched this year (in Japan), war and mercantile, is over 190; tonnage, 120,000; while under construction are four Fusos, and some 20 steamers ranging from 1000 to 12,000 tons; the total tonnage in hand exceeds 220,000 tons, breaking all records. On the other hand, during the past three years, a number of ships have been imported to meet our unprecedented activity of sea commerce; these aggregate 140 in number and 430,000 in tons, all bought from abroad. Of these, 17 ships, of 70,000 tons, arc newly built. Thus, in spite of Government protection, we still seek the assistance of foreign builders for the supply of our new ships."

PARIHAKA KECALLED. Lord Liverpool's reception by tire Taranaki Natives at Pariliaka on Wednesday was a picturesque incident which would have attracted much more attention a few years ago (remarks the Lvttelton Times). The Maoris who live at the foot of "the Mountain" are peaceful enough in those days, and they milk their cows and draw their monthly cheques for butter-fat just as the steady going pakeha farmers. The old fanatic fire has gone, and the Maori and the white join cordial hands above Te Wliiti's grave. But it was very different when the prophet of the Mountain was alive, and when thousands of the faithful journeyed to Parihnka every March, on the anniversary of the firing of the first shots in the war at Waitara, to listen reverently to the old mystic's exhortations and te discuss liis cryptic prophecies, Te Wliiti never would invite or encourage a Governor to visit him, and the old man used to boast in his sardonic way that the British Sovereign's representative had never set foot in his town. Sir Arthur Gordon was anxious to visit him and his brother prophet Toliu in 1880, but the A.D.G. who went to Pariliaka with an interpreter to arrange for the visit was politely informed that Te Whiti would not be "at home" to his Excellency. Not long after that display of Native independence Te Whiti received a visit from the Native Minister, Mr. John Bryce, but, as that gentleman took an army with him, foot, horse and artillery, the prophet and his followers could not very well shut the town gates on him. However, TeWhiti's troubles have long been ended, and the sulky isolation in which the prophet and hundreds of his people lived is a thing of the past. The Taranakis still wear with pride the old badge of Te Whitiism, the white feather in their hair or their hats, but it is no longer a symbol of pakeha-liatred, and the sacred poichants which the prophet taught his women-folk as a kind of scripture embodying his oracular sayings have lost their olden significance, and are revived in these less troublesome times to make a Governor's holiday.