TOPICAL READING.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXIX, Issue 8156, 9 June 1906, Page 4

TOPICAL READING.

Sir John Forrest notes a ohange that has taken olaoe in the social atmosphere of London since he was last here (says the London correspondent of the Melbourne Age). The rich alien is more obtrusive. ' 'Foreigners," he says, "seem to be taking possession of the place. For instance, in this hotel (the Cecil) I don't recognise a single Britisher among the guests." It is true that foreigners, of the wealthy and trading classes are becoming every year a more conspicuous element in the life of the oity. And as for the poor aliens, we know—it has often been pointed out within the last two or three years they now monopolise almost the whole of certain areas in the East End. The law which came into force at the beginning of the present year keeps out only the aotnal paupers and criminals, and will ■ soon not ex* elude even the majority of these if silly sentimentalists have their way.

In an interview while at Sydney recently in reapeot to going lo thai Imperial Oonferenoe to be held next year, Mr Seddon said: "It looks as if I shall again represent New Zealand. I don't feel very hopeful as to the results of the oonferenoe myself; but if we hold to the ground we have already gained, and make a step further towards an Imperial Council I shall be satisfied. Every day the necessity for snch a oounoil beooraes more and more apparent, and if it were composed of men who knew what they were about in" dealing with questions that are causing grave concern in the Mother Country to-day it would be a source of relief to the Imperial authorities. The troubles in South Africa and Natal are oases in points"

Dr Mason, Chief Health Officer, states that hospital boards all over New Zealand are realising the necessity of providing for persons suffering from consumption, the same as those for afflicted with other ailments. The New Plymouth, Wainui, Nelson, Waimate, and Inveroargill authorities have all made provision for consumptives, and North and South Canterbury have taken combined action with a view to the erection of a very fine sanitorium, which will meet the wants of both districts. The Wellington Board intended going on with shelters.in the oity, and the Auckland Board has the question under consideration, while several other boards are either proceeding with the sheltering wcrk, or at any rate are seriously considering the matter. The fact that the people are taking the consumption campaign seriously is proved by the way in whioh they are subscribing money for buildings and so on. The Chief Health Officer adds that during the past year or two New Zealahd has made beter provision for fighting the disease than almost any other oountry has done.

A communication bearing on the shipping war has been forwarded to the Dock Trust by the general manager of the New Zealand Shipping Company. It oonveys an intimation tbat the two direct lines will shortly open o impetition In the West of England service if they can get oargoes. The facts immediately prompting the writer of the letter are probably these: In terms of the oontraot, the Dook Trust's frozen produae should be shipped by the New Zealand Shipping Company. Nevertheless, 2,700 o -ates Oj rabbits went out of Port Ohalmer by tho Drayton Grange en routes for the West of England. Of this consignment 700 crates were frozen on the Dock Trust's premises. The New Zealand Shipping Company have now given the Trust a warning that if they wish to repeat that move they will have to give notice. The New Zealand Shipping Company will then presumably put on a steamer for West of England ports. In the meatime freights on leading lines are 40s per ton for rabbits and .40s per ton for, hemp. The figure for rabbits is the same as last your, and all rabbits that went by the Drayton ! Grange were booked at ttiat figure. The freight on hemp has fallen 15s during the past month.*

Every boat that arrives in Buenos Aytes from' New Zealand or South Africa, says the Pastoralists' Review correspondent, brings a considerable quota of your oountrymen to assist in the development of this Republic. The number, of Australians and South Africans in this city at the present moment looking for work is, in view of the scaroity of suitable billets, somewhat alarmingly great. I should like to avail myself of this opportunity of tendering a piece of advice to any colonial who anticipates leaving him home to try his luck in this country. And that piece of advice" is: "Don't, unless you have plenty of capital." The days of what are known in the colonies as rosy billets are gone past, and the over-supply of young mep from England.and elsewhere who are only too ready to work for nothing in exchange for an opportunity of' learning the language, has uaused a glut on the market; with the result that a colonial, however oapable he may be, finds the greatest difficulty in securing a position where he will get paid anything more than the nominal wage. Furthest fields are always the greenest, and doubtless the glowing reports sent by settlers here to friends in Australia are exceedingly tempting to those who are not making a fortune in their own country. But it would be as well if intending immigrants re-, membered that people who write letters from* foreign countries are somewhat inclined to unintentionally exaggerate the good and leave the bad unsaid.