THE Wairarapa Age. THURSDAY, APRIL 8, 1909. "INDIA IS READY."

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 3158, 8 April 1909, Page 4

THE Wairarapa Age. THURSDAY, APRIL 8, 1909. "INDIA IS READY."

A recent cablegram from London stated that Lord Kitchener, speaking in the Budget debate, had declared that India was able to mobilise nine infantry divisions and "eight cavalry brigades with a rapidity which had hitherto been impossible. There-arming of the artillery with quick-firers, and of the troops with new rifles, was now practically completed. Lord Kitchener added that India was capable of producing guns, rifles, and ammunition for all her needs. Military re-organisation has been steadily going on in India during the last five years. In addition to the tactical part of this work, effort has also been concentrated upon re-atming the forces, bringing the equipment toward perfection, provid ing reserves, and developing factories. The effect is seen now in Lor.l Kitchener's announcement that the re-arming of the artillery and infantry is practically complete, and that India is capable of producing guns, rifles tnd ammunition, for all her needs. Where such a large regular force is maintained as is the fact in India, this provision for selfsufficiency in the matter of munitions of war is obviously necessary. In whole, Lord Kithener's report has a curiously different signifiance now to that which wouH have attached to it a few years ago. Then, India was a country perennially liable to become one of the Empire's linea of least resistance; to-day, owing to the transforming effect of recent Far Eastern history and to Britain's Japanese and Russian understandings the country is no longer regarded as a potential storm-centre. It has-its own internal troubles, however, which at any time may call for sharp repression. And in any case it is a very comfortable reflection that'the Empire has there a well disciplined, well-armed and well-equipped force ready for service, and that it has at command the scientific and organising skill which can develop such an ar y'\ and keep it in fighting tr»m. _• I

TOPICAL READING.

LEGION OF FRONTIERSMEN. Numerous efforts have been made to induce the New Zealand Government to grant the Legion that official sanction without which, according to their constitution, they cannot make a start here, and which has been accorded to it by Canada, tha South African Governments, Australia, India, the Straits Settlements, Egypt, Hongkong, and elsewhere. The New Zealand defence authorities reply monotonously to all appeals that such an organisation is not required in this country. The Government might, at least, says the "Christchurch Press," give their reasons"for an attitude'apparentl} so devoid of reason or excuse. MR TAYLOR'S CABLEGRAM. When Mr Asquith received the cablegram despatched from Christchurch, assuring him that New Zealand's offer of a Dreadnought was "an unconstitutional and unfortunate interference with British party politics," we doubt, says the Auckland "Star," that his first remark was: "Who on'earth is Mr T. E. Taylor?" The British Prima Minister may well wonder what manner of man this is who, on the strength of his position as "member for Christchurch North," calmly assumes the right to address the Imperial authorities on behalf of a Government, a Parliament, and a Dominion inhabited by a million other subjects of the Crown. It is a pity that Mr T. E. Taylor has no sense of humour,, or that his friends cannot prevent him from making himself so supremely ridiculous. TRAVELLING SCHOLARSHIPS. Mr P. A. Vaile's scheme of travelling scholarships for young Englishmen as a complement of the Rhodes scholarship scheme has stimulated the "Standard of Empire" to publish a series of articles and letters dealing with this truly Imperial idea. Mr J. D. Symon has contributed a couple of articles, in the course of which he says: "Oxford's opportunities are unique, and she ought not to leave the work wholly to the Rhodes scholars. They can do much, but she can reinforce them. They cannot actually bring the mountain to Mohammed: she must send Mohammed- to the mountain. For it is J;ime that the university founded, or got some benefactor to found forher, the Imperial Travelling Scholarships. . . The only logical complement to the Rhodes scholarships is a foundation that will unable the best Greats men and the best History men to visit the British Dominions beyond the seas, in order to study their governments, cities, edu :tional systems, industries, agriculture and national resources." Mr Vaile's schsme, however, is on a bigger scale than this. He*is not at all keen on restricting the travel scholarships to Oxford men. "Let the best men get them," he says, "no matter what part of the United Kingdom they have been educated in."

THE OLD ORDER CHANGETH. We have before expressed the opinion that thejiew policy enforced by Sir Joseph Ward in retiring those servants who have attained the! a<?e of sixty-five is a right one, remarks the "Mataura Ensign." It opens out a way of promotion to the younger men, and enable efEect to be given to new methods. While respect must ever be given to the aged, it cannot be forgotten that youth has vigour. The Dominion must look for advancement to the prime of its manhood. There comes a day w.hen the vigorous have to make way lor those who press forward in the van „f the succeeding generation. New Zealand legislators have recognised this, and provided bountifully for the aged among the country's Civil servants. Their declining years will be generously provided for, and rightly so. It is but natural that many among their numbers will take amiss the order to stand aside, but upon consideration they will see that the country's good is the supreme law.