TOPICAL READING.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXVIX, Issue 8128, 30 April 1906, Page 4

TOPICAL READING.

The depletion of our fiooks, consequent on the great expansion of the frozen meat trade gave rise to cou-

siderable concern a year or two back. Now it appears as if oar greatest competitor, the Argentine, is having a similar, if not a worse, experience. Says Lloyd's News of March 16th last:—"A commercial crisis appears to be approaching in the Argentine in view of the very critical condition of the frozen meat trade. The freezing companies find it altogether impossible to procure adequate supplies to enable them to carry on their business, and this is especially the case in the frozen mutton trade, the supplies of sheep and lambs forthcoming being altogether insufficient to keep the compauies engaged in anything like regular work."

Commenting on the Premier's reoent speeoh and financial statement at Rangiora, the Lyttelton Times says "The Premier, so far as we can gather, is in no great hurry to get rid of the surplus. We presume that a half-million will again be transferred to the Public Works Fund, but apparently the remissions of taxation promised during the election campaign are not to be made until next year. We oonfess we cannot see in the dangers that always surround tariff reform sufficient exouse for delay. The present Government have done a good deal towards tne realisation of Sir George Grey's dream of a free breakfast table, but, as Mr S9ddon showed last night, a good deal remains to be done. The poorer ulasses contribute by far the largest share of the transfers that are- made to the Public Works Fund each year, and it is quite time they were given some additional relief. We should be glad to leaflrn that we are mistaken, and that the Premier intends to prooeed with tariff reform in the first session of the new Parliament.

It has been frequently stated of late That there is growing discontent in Hawke's bay at the aotion of the Native Lands Department in not giving effect to legislation passed last session, dealing' with native lands. The Native Miniuter, Mr Oarroll, considers that the statement that a million aores of native land in Hawke's Bay could be alienated for settlement is an exaggeration. The moat important step was the valuation of all the native lands in the district, when the Hoard's services would be more in requisition. An up to-date valuation was necessary, and the Valuation Department was at present engaged in that work. One of the main principles of the Act was to ensure that the natives obtained the best and fairest price for their land, and the Board in making the classification required to show what was first-class, second-class, and so on, as the different areas permissible for alienation to one individual were dependent on such classification.

An anomaly under the Shipping and Seamen Act of 1903 is in evi dence just now, (says a Dunediu correspondent). The fishing smaok Bravo arrived from the Blutf a week or two ago for the purpose of entering the local fishing trade. Her owner now finds that he cannot do so, as the provisions of the Act referring to vessels plying in restricted limits debar her from fishing outside Taiaroa Heads, although she is of 11 tons register, and is fitted with an oil-engine. Had she been of five tons register or under she might have fished outside the Heads, as the smaller fishing boats do. Her owner has only one card to play, and it is a ratner expensive one for him. He is taking £250 worth of machinery which she oarries, out of her, and pegging the stern up with wood. Then she will to fish as an ordinary sailing craft.