WELLINGTON TOPICS.

Taranaki Daily News, 6 April 1918, Page 2

WELLINGTON TOPICS.

MORE MEN, THE MOTHER COUNTRY CALLS. (Special Correspondent). Wellington, April 3. The Mother Country's call for more men has been addressed to all tlie outlying portions of the Empire, and New .Zealand has 110 need to reproach itself with having neglected its duty in this respect in the past. The Minister of Defence has not yet received any indication from the Imperial authorities as to what further effort is desired from the Dominion, and cann6t speak definitely on the subject just yet. If all that is wanted is that the New Zealand division should be maintained intact till the end of the war, there will be no necessity i\or any fresh effort. If, on the other hand, the War Council requires more men sent forward irrespective of reinforcements, of course they will he supplied. It might mean calling up the B class of the Second Division a little earlier than had been antS-pated, but in any ease the men would be given .the promised three months' notice be,fore going into camp. There are men in all clases of the Division who would be glad to volunteer in advance of their .turn, and it is just possible these may be given an opportunity to come forward first.

COLORED TROOPS. Mr. Llyod George's message has given Sir James Carroll another opportunity to urge the claim of the colored races or the Empire to a laager share in upholding the cause of right and liberty in the great world struggle. Sir James has never wavered for a moment in his firm belief that Britain and her Allies will ultimately destroy Prussian militarism "and all the abominations for which it stands," and "win for the world an abiding peace which will make for the betters mant of all mankind," but he wants every portion of the Empire "to have a hand in bringing about the inestimable benefits that are to follow upon its efforts and its sacrifices." Speaking today to a representative of the "News," he said he had satisfied himself by the closest investigation, that the Mother Country could put ten million colored troops into the field without offending against any national sentiment and without inpairing any of the white man's high traditions. He had discussed this question, while a member of the parliamentary delegation, with representative men in London and Paris and Cape Town, and had not heard one valid objection. , COAL AND LABOR. The announcement this morning that tho State Coal depot here has not a bag of coal for its regular customers has, set the people thinking of what is going on at the source of supply. . The men at the Paparoa mine are to make up their miiids to-day whether they will reaumeVwork or whether they ■will continue their attempt to coerce some of their number into subscribing against their will to the Australian strike fund. If their decision should be in favor of maintaining their present attitude the Government will take vigorous action without further parley and the men will obtain little sympathy from the general public. For weeks past it has been an open secret that supplies of coal in the city have been running very low, and that the Railway Department and the steamship companies have been compelled to "go slow" on account of the threatened famine. In these circumstances the miners, whose grievance is not against their employment, would have little moral or material support.

national education. The deputation from the New Zealand Education Institute which waited upon the Hon. J. A. Hanan yesterday with a number of recommendations for the improvements in the education, system of the Dominion, obtained little encouragement from the Minister except in the way of fair words. The deputation wanted improved buildings and grounds, more inspectors, medical and dental inspection and treatment, compulsory continuation classes, antral schools and additional staffing. Mr. Hasan admitted that all those things were highly desirable and promised that "when Cabinet gave him the opportunity"—meaning, it may be supposed, tlie legislation and the money—he would see they were brought abont. Meanwhile the Efficiency Board, the military authorities and private employers are criticising unsparingly the finished products of the national system of education and urging that ronnJi needed reform should not be delayed till after the war. They ara insisting, indeed, that they are among the sorest needs for the welfare and stability of the country..