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Wairarapa Age, Volume XXX, Issue 8878, 12 November 1907, Page 4

Admiral Scott, commanding the first Cruiser Squadron, is more practical than polite, and has caused \yhat the cables describe as a "regrettable incident." The Admiralty, in view of the Kaiser's visit to England, instructed Lord Charles Beresford, commander of the Channel Squadron, to signal to the fleet to "paint ship." The fleet had only just returned to Portland after a fortnight's hard manoeuvring in very trying Channel weather, and Admiral Scott, upon receiving the signal, sarcastically signalled to the captain of the Roxburgh, who had gone out for gun practice: "Paint work appears to be in greater demand than gunnery, so you had better come in in

time to look pretty by the Bth." This brought a signal to the commander of the Cruiser Squadon that his signal was contemptuous and insubordinate, and it was ordered that his observation must be expunged from the fhgship records. One can sympathise with Admiral Scott, for there was some common-sense in his view of the position; but, of course, it was dreadfully out of place to express it as he did. The public will agree with his opinion and deprecate its expression. The Admiralty will reprobate both.

The Leader of the Opposition was on good grounds when he, yesterday, complained in tho House of Representatives that it was unfair to members and local bodies to delaj the Public Works Estimates to so late a period of the year. He contended, with reason, that August was as late as the Statement and accompanying estimates should be held back; but to postpone so important a matter for seven months was preposterous. This delay, he declared —and rightly —was due to the absence of a spirit of independence amongst members. While the amount lor roads and bridges had reduced, there was never a time when the establishment of these means of communication was nlore urgent. f Mr Massey said he knew of no conditions such as existed in the North Island at the close of the wet season this jear. Koads only existed in name, and he had yet to see the vehicle which could travel over the roads o>r the horse that could draw the vehicle. He urged that the Tourist Department vote should be reduced and some of the money now devoted to it ; spent upon ordinary country roads.