TOPICAL READING.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXIX, Issue 8353, 8 February 1907, Page 4

TOPICAL READING.

The statistics of the colony's imports and exports introduced into the annual report of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce, affords a remarkably satisfactory proof of.-our prosperity. Our exports last year reached a total of nearly £17,800,000, which represents an increase of more than £2,000,000 over the previous year. On the other hand our imports increased by nearly £1,200,000, giving a total of about £13,600,000 for last year. It is highly encouraging to observe that our exports are increasing in value more rapidly than our imports. Of course, much of our financial success during the past year has been due to the extraordinary rise in wool, which has gone up steadily from 4|d per lb in 1901-2 to nearly 10|d per lb during the current year. We can hardly expect windfalls on the same scale in the future; but the present benefit is almost incalculable.

Dr C. Stanford Read, in his book, "How to Keep Well," has something to say concerning smoking. That , tobacco used moderately is generally injurious seems improbable; at any , rate, the .mischief of it, is not proved. But smokers do not altogether escape the effects of the nicotine. Among %he slighter consequences are decay of the teeth, and this few escape; a tendency to a chronic inflammatory condition of the back of the throat and slight muscular tremor. In respect of severer consequences, "tobacco blindness" stands out prominently. Dizziness is not an uncommon sign of excess or intolerance of tobacco. This symptom is seen more in cigarette smokers, perhaps, because in this practice the smoke is generally inhaled. Dr Read also points out that tobacco, in, common with most kinds of chronic poisoning, tends to produce anaemia. Up to the age of 40 years, says the doctor, much excess may be indulged in without permanent harm being wi'ought;- but over that age much greater caution must be exercised.

The report of the British Royal Commission on tuberculosis, of which an abstract appeared in our cables recently, is likely to mark an important epoch in the history of this terrible disease. The chief points of the report are that tuberculosis can be transmitted from animals to human beings, and that cows' milk. i= a dangerous medium of infection. A few years ago the celebrated bacteriologist Koch committed himself to the opinion that bovine tuberculosis could not be transferred to men; and elaborate experiments have been carried out in France and Germany with the object of proying or disproving this assertion. The weight of evidence, however, seems to be on the side of the traditional belief that human and bovine tuberculosis are not distinct diseases, and that men and women may, and do, contract the disease from tuberculous animals. This is' certainly the view expressed in the report of the Royal Commission; and milk, which is known to be a splendid medium for the cultivation of germs of all kinds, is naturally one chief source .oi infection. \

An extraordinary position of affairs in connection with the selection of Parliamentary candidates by labour bodies was disclosed at the recent Labour Conference in Sydney. The executive recommended that future selections of candidates in the metropolitan electorates should be supervised by an executive officer. The reason advanced was that leagues were packed, there was "dirty work" done, and in short, candidates were hoisted in who were not the genuine selection of the leagues, but were the friends of voting members ."rung-in" at the last moment. Grave suspicion was thrown on the honesty of the ballot generally, and the stories told by the aggregate of speakers supplied a picture of a decidedly disagreeable character. The conference agreed that two members of the executive should be present at each league selection.

Mr D. J. Nathan, of Wellington, is still sceptical as to the probability of the North Island Main Trunk Railway being completed, as prophesied by the Minister, by the end of 1908. He strongly urged the Council of the

Wellington Chamber of Commerce, on Wednesday, to "keep the work steadily in view." If it had been carried out by contract it would have been completed long ago. If <i t continued at the same rate as in the past it would never be finished. Mr Harold Beauchamp said, that the Minister for Railways (the Hon. HallJones), a night or two ago, had stated to him that during his political career he had been rather chary as to making promises in connection with performances, but from information he had from responsible officers he thought he could be in the happy position of being able to show the public that his statement that the Main Trunk line would be finished in 1908 would be realised.