TOPICAL READING.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXIX, Issue 8324, 4 January 1907, Page 4

TOPICAL READING.

"The prospects of increased trade with Canada," said the Premier, in an interview in Christchurch, "are very good. I am inclined to - think that we can work up a trade with Canada —at all events we are going to make a good effort to bring that about. I also think that the treaty with South Africa will be the means of increasing our trade with that country very considerably." The Premier added that the Government were very desirous of opening up new markets for the colony's pro'duce, and also of arranging commercial treaties with the view of increasing our present trade with other countries.

The Rector of the Palmerston North High School, in his speech at the presentation of prizes; recently, opposed the popular idea on three subjects connected with school work —cram, examinations and overstrain. He said that it was all nonsense to talk about cram, and that he did not believe that there was anything like the amount of it that they had been led to think. The trouble was that people confused hard work with cram, but his experience was that very little of the latter was done. "Then as to examinations: > people ran them down, but they were quite necessary. If there was not some incentive for pupils to work they would not get on so well. It was not likely that many boys or girls would work hard for the mere pleasure of acquiring knowledge but they would if there was an examination in sight. He did not believe in the fiction of over-strain either. Perhaps one or two per cent, might suffer in this way, but the rest knew absolutely nothing about it.

With the object of increasing the penetrative power of the armourpiercing shells supplied to the British Navy, the Admiralty have latfely tested a new type of shell with complete success. The shell is of unusual shape. Instead of a sharp point at the apex there is a cup-shaped hollow. A 6-inch projectile of this pattern has now been fired through armour of the same thickness as that protecting the Dreadnought on the water-line. In view of this somewhat surprising result, it looks as though the battle between the gun and armour had for the time being been decided in favour of the gun, and it may become necessary in future battleships to increase the thickness - of the armour, the more so as the armour would be attacked in action by much heavier shells than the 6-inch,, which calibre has been practically abandoned of recent years in the British Navy as too weak.

The local option provisions of the Licensing Act passed recently by the Victorian Legislature came into operation on Saturday. They provide' for the establishment from that date of a licensing court in every district. The maximum number of licensed hotels or clubs is not to exceed the number in any district on January Ist, 1907, except on special authority. A local option vote is to be- taken in every district at every general election, provided that such elections do not occur within 18 months. The resolutions to be submitted are: —(1) That the number of licenses existing continue; (2) that they be reduced, or (3) .that no licenses be granted, or where prohibition shall have been carried previously; (4) that licenses be restored. A simple majority will b? sufficient for continuance oi\reduction, an J a three-fifths majority for prohibition -or restoration. If reduction is carried the licensing court, subject to the bill, will decide what reduction shall take place; and if prohibition is decreed, it must be given effect-to at the end of the year-in which the vote is taken. The Licensing Court will inform the Treasurer the amount of compensation that will be required for the year, and the Treasurer must set apart frojm the compensation fund sufficient to meet the requirements. If necessary he may levy additional compensation fees pro rata from licensees to secure enough to make the payments. Every elector yvill be entitled to vote at the local option poll, but for one resolution only.