TOPICAL READING.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXIX, Issue 8311, 14 December 1906, Page 4

TOPICAL READING.

In an important article in the Quarterly Review on "The Naval Situation," ttao writer, after giviug statistics which show thai England haa obtained a notable lead in vessels whieb embody, more or leas completely, the main lesaou of the Par Eastern war—the prime importance of the big gun—oonoludor.— "The stern straggle lor the maiutenance of an invinoible British fleet has nnt. yet come, but it is assuredly coming. It is well that we should be forewarned aud alert. The nation must understand that the reduction in expenditure on the fleet cannot be continued, lu cutting down waste, and by various other meaus effeoting a saving of five millions in our c3utlay in two yeari, the Board of Admiralty have done a patriotic act; bus hopes that the navy estimates can be kept at about £30,000,000, at whioh they will stand next year, are illfounded. The future depends not on the Government or the Board of Admiralty, but on the efforts of our neighbours. If they build, we must do so also, and up to the two-Power standard, with the necessary margin over."

Siuoo agriculture became more popular in Queensland there has been a demand to plaoe bojs at the agricultural college at Gattou. Ihe accommodation is limited to about seventy studonts, and the department has been forced to take Other steps. The necessary accommodation was rooently provided at the Hermitage State farm for what are allied apprentices. Pour hare been taken on, and this number will bo iuoroased in the third year to twelve, at which it will bo maintained, four going out nn< l f° nr coming in enob yonr. Unlike students at tbo colleges, these boys pay nothing for tuition; on the contrary they receive a small sum per week after tha first year. They will receive instruction on the farm during the day, and lectures at night.

The report issued recently by the British Board of Agriculture mid Fisheries, ot proceedings during 1905 under various Acts contains an interesting section defiling with food adulteration. T'io Board was informed of a fir;n of provision brokers who offered for sale to butter makers a mixing article nt 50s per owfc. fcb be t/sed for the adulteration of but ier. This firm also offered to BUpply neutral blending and to give instructions in adulterating butter fat for n fee of £SO, Owners uf creameries and dairies were approached, ami it was explaiued that • certain adulterants could be added to butter in acaordance with certain formulae without risk of detention. Offers >,o sell machinery for the purpose wore also made to them. A huttor faking faotory was discovered in Essex. Material entered it us iardine and came out as butter, and though sample* were procured and analysed, the analyst could l) ot certify adulteration. This factory has, however, ceased operations.

Just beforo the opening of a Parliamentary SHaaiou, says a London paper, Mr Keir Ilardie had occasion to refer tu some of tbe Books in the House of Commons Library. Sauntering through Palace Yard, with his übiquitous pipe stuck in the corner of hia mouth, ho made for the inonibars' entrance, only to be pulled! up by a susploioua polioeman, and the following colloquy resulted. "Say, mate!" this from the policeman, "where are you off to?" "Work," was Hardie'a laconic reply. "Are you working here, then?" "Yes." "On the roof?" "No," was the M.P.'s laughing response, "on the floor". This was not the first time that Mr Keir Hardie's unparliamentary garb has made him the object of suspioion. When in Belgium a few years ago, despito bis particularly Scottish face, bo was arrested as a confederate of Rubini, tbe Anarchist, and "all the King's hordes and all the King-i men" had to be moved before his release was secured. The defence of the Belgian polioe was ingenious. How could they know that one so democratically attired was a member of so highly ro speotable and perfeotly clad a body as the British Parliament. Quite recently Mr Kair Hardie surprised the House by invading its saored precincts in aaudals.