TOPICAL HEADING.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXIX, Issue 8381, 15 March 1907, Page 4

TOPICAL HEADING.

One of the points of the Victorian Government policy mentioned by Mr Bent, til? Premier, in his policy speech, is provision for compulsory voting. He has received a letter covering an extract from the London Times, in which it was stated that the Canadian Government was bringing forward a proposal to compel electors to exercise the franchise. One of the penalties proposed against a person who does not vote is that he shall be disfranchised for a period of six years, and during that period if he seeks to vote will render himself liable to a penalty.

Commenting on the statement made in New Zealand papers that in consequence of the strike troubles in this colony Australian -slaughtermen would go to Argentina next year, the Australian Meat Trades Journal says: -—"ln view of the -fact that Australian butchers have not even the option of being employed in Argentine freezing works this statement is ridiculous. In the Argentine works they would not have an Australian butcher at any price; the only Australians that are employed are in the capacities of managers, etc. On the killing boards none but foreign butchers work, and at the rate this class of labour is pouring into the Argentine Australian butchers would have small chance of obtaining work. The whole paragraph is really bluff, and as far as the 284 slaughtermen are concerned an inquiry would more than probably elicit the fact that the majority are New Zealanders, who, in, the off season, can earn good wages at bush felling and such like occupations.".

Several education boards have of late been complaining loudly at the action of the Education Department in ignoring their requests,, and for want of attention to correspondence. A, glaring case of this has been brought under notice in connection with the establishment of a school on the Moa Flat'estate (Otago). The Otago Education Board in November, after making enquiries, decided to establish a school on the Moa Plat estate. The settlers gave, free of cost, a site of five acres, and undertook to cart all material for the building, provided that it was proceeded with before harvesting began. The application was forwarded to the Government for the necessary funds on November 23rd, and though nearly four months have elapsed since the application was forwarded no action has been taken by the Department, not withstanding the fact that representations have x;epeatedly been made by the Board. On February 20th a telegram was received from the Department stating that it was hoped to advise the Board re the matter in question in a day or two, but since then nothing has been done. ■

A British Parliamentary paper was issued recently containing a copy of the instructions issued by the War Office to the various military commands with reference to giving technical instruct'on to soldiers to fit them for civil life. The recommendations'are based on the report of Sir Edward Ward's Committee on the Employment of ex-soldiers and sailors. In order that soldiers in all commands should be given the opportunity of acquiring during their colour service technical knowledge of some trade, every effort is to be made to interest the men in their future prospects. The men will be given the opportunity of attending a course of instruction in any available trade they may select. On completion of the course a certificate will be given to. each man, showing the degree of proficiency he has attained. The following branches of instruction* are described as being generally suit-: able: Shorthand and typewriting,

business correspondence and commercial bookkeeping, carpentering, shoeing, and blacksmith's work, platelaying and trenching, railway signalling, saddlery, slaughtering sheep and cattle, telegraphy, electrical wiring, driving motor vehicles, farm work and ploughing, driving and care of horses and of harness, arid motoring. •