TOPICAL READING.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 3008, 3 October 1908, Page 4

TOPICAL READING.

FARMERS AND POLITICS

If the farmers were as well represented in Parliament as are the trades unions we should have ex tremely moderate and quite justifiabls dairying regulations, and no registration fee would be imposed. Unfortunately for themselves, says the Auckland "Herald/' the farmers of New Zealand have not yet realised completely that they must attend to politics if they want consideration. FARM LABOURERS' DISPUTE. Interviewed regarding statements made at the meeting of the Auckland Trades and Council on Wednesday night last, regarding the farm labourers' dispute, the Hon. J. A. Millar said that the position was very simple. Ther9 was nothing to prevent the farm labourers from forming a union. Likewise, there was nothing to prevent them seeking an award. Because they had failed once, that was not to say that they would fail again. There was absolutely nothing in the Arbitration Bill to prevent them, or any other body of workers, from forming a union. The Bill aimed at a simplitication of industrial matters, and he was confident that it would succesd. A LOST APPLICATION.

The Mount Holdsworth Track Committee, which is very anxious to take advantage of the favourable season and improve the track to the summit and fell a clearing round the mountain house, applied to the Borough Council several months ago for a grant towards the work. The Council referred the matter first to the Park Committee. Then it went to the Finance Committee. Now, according: to a member of the Track Committee, it has gone no one knows where. The Government and the public have liberally supported the Track Committee in its splendid work, and the Borough Council might see its way to show evn in a small way its appreciation of the public spirited efforts of the Committee.

AUSTRALIAN DEFENCE. The Australian Defence Bill is the first measure which proposes to compel British citizens to train for defence during a tinn of profound peace. The Commonwealth Government has boldly adopted a policy of constant defensive preparation, and has propounded a scheme which, within a few years, would make every Australian citizen capabh of defending his country in the event of its attack by any invading force. According to the Federal Bill, Australian training commences with school boys of 12, who, until 18, are to be enrolled in the cadet corps, and from 18 to 26 in the defence force proper. The,Bill further endows the Governor-General with the authority of calling out, in emergency, every citizen up to the age of 60. Eighteen days' training, annually, are to be required of the National Guard, a modification of the Swiss and Swedish militia methods. It has been understood that in order to simplify the Australian defence scheme it:i application will be confined to those who have not yet reached adult age, and this wiil presumably be the course followed, as the aim is the gradual training of the whole manhood of the Continent, so that in years *x) come a levy en masse can be confidently resorted to should the occasion arise.