TOPICAL READING.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXIX, Issue 8380, 14 March 1907, Page 4

TOPICAL READING.

Next t° Russia the country from which political discontent has most driven its citizens to emigrate is Austria-Hungary, states a London paper. Its dual monarchy is one of the most sorely tried Governments in the world. Each of its different nationalities wishes to be free, and each cordially hates the others. "So bitter is the race feeling that Hungarian regiments have been known to ignore words of command given in German, although perfectly understanding them; and more than once the Hungarian members of Parliamen have walked out of the House without waiting- for the Royal message. There is a constant stream of emigration to the United States, but even with this safety, valve the future of the realm will, it is to be feared, be one of war and revolution.

New regulations have been prepared 'to guide the Land Boards in disposing of the workers' dwellings erected by the Government. Generally they are the same as the old regulations, but there are a few important differences. Applicants, to be eligible, must not' be the or part owners or lessees of any land. No deposit is required with the, application, but the successful applicant, before being admitted to possession, must pay .one week's rent if the tenancy js weekly, or a month's rent and 10s, or registration in the case of a lease. An applicant may indicate his preference for a particular dwelling, but none shall be .allowed to acquire or hold more than one dwelling. There are carefully-drawn regulations regarding the maintenance of the dwellings and grounds in a state of repair. In the event of a- forfeiture or surrender the tenant or lessee shall be enitled to compensation for the then value of any permanent improvements, this value being determined by an appraiser appointed by the Land Board,

We are glad to see that our High Commissioner is making: a vigorous effort to bring colonial frozen meat under the notice of the Imperial authorities. If things were as they should be, the War Office contracts should afford a splendid permanent opening for our frozen beef and mutton; and nothing stands in our way but vague popular prejudice and the conservatism of British officialdom. Quite apart from any theory about the value of Imperial Reciprocity, we venture to say that no other Power able to draw upon its own dependencies for food supplies would be willing to give its custom to foreigners. But all that the War Office will do for us in this direction just now is to let us take our chance with the rest, and to "hope" that the contracts will come to us. One might fairly argue that if the Imperial . Government has any sound

reason for such a hope, it should surely be worth a little exertion to make it an accomplished fact.

A writer in the Atlantic Monthly states that the possession .luring boyhood or youth of great muscular strength and athletic prowess is too often a serious handicap in after life. The danger of over-duing athletics, to the consequent neglect of studies, is a matter'to which considerable attention is directed at the present time. Here we get a more novel aspect of the case. The point of view taken is not the neglect of studies, but the effect on character. "A man," says the writer, "whose principal regard during youth has been to maintain physical supremacy over his fellows finds himself less well equipped for the struggle as it becomes less and less manual." As boy and youth hi.-] easy victories in field sports and his physical strength give 'him a position and an authority. But when he comes out to play his part in life, he finds a new set of conditions. Strength gains him neither applause nor success. Subtler methods of competition are at work, and he is, as a rule, slow to adapt himself to them. In the result he too often gets pushed aside and falls out.