TOPICAL READING.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9154, 30 July 1908, Page 4

TOPICAL READING.

A SHEEP RETURN

A noticeable feature in an inteiim return of sheep recently presented to Parliament, is the large increase that has taken place during the last seven years of lamb carcases exported. The number has increased since 1902 from 1,736,780 to 2,826,437 in 1908, while the number of sheep in the Dominion was 20,342,727 in 1902, and to-day the approximate number is 22,124,202. The export of mutton carcases in the same period increased from 1,712,670 to only 1,821,426.

"THE DEMOCRATISING DUMA."

Under this head, or. Dillon, in t'oe "Contemporary Review," indicate-* that the progress of constitutional government in Russia is not in so poor a plight after all. iJr. Dillon insists that the trend of the Duma is democratic, though it.-i pace is duly slow. It has accomplished what WU3 beyond th". puvv-jr of tho first and second Duma to effect. For within .six months it has abolished autocracy, and set a limit,>d monarchy in its place. Twice over, the present Chamber, which works harmoniously with the Premier, has deliberately deprived the monarch of his title of autocrat. M. Stnlypin has assured the Duma that he now possesses and has wielded full power and authority over the Governors-General, and can dismiss them if he thinks fit. Dr. Dillon adds the significant warning: "The only drawback is that consti tutionalism is confined to the Tavrida Palace; it is not, it cannot be, engrafted on the nation. And herein lies tbe tragic' fatality of the situation."