TOPICAL READING.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 3218, 16 June 1909, Page 4

TOPICAL READING.

THE UNEMPLOYED.

When speaking in Wellington the other day, Sir Joseph Ward suggested that specially favourable terms would be offered to "rstrenched" Civil servants who wished to go on to the land, but we hope, says the "Lyttelton Times," that the encouragement offered to these gentlemen to make homes ior themselves in the country will be extended to every capable worker whether he happens to have occupied a seat in a Government office or not. No one will grudge the retrenched Civil servants any reasonable facilities that may be given them for getting on to the land, but their case ij certainly no wor3e than that of hundreds of man who have never had the advantage of regular employment. The great point just now, however, is to find work for the idle hands in the cduiitry.

OPPOSITION ENTHUSIASM

Sir Joseph Ward has been attacked because of the Dreadnought offer, and a futile attempt has been made to show that he used improper methods to secure the support of the Press of the Dominion, says the Auckland "Herald." "We will," says the "Herald," "support any Prime Minister and any party, without hesitation or reserve, in patriotic actions, whhh should be above party and have no motive or intention but the safety of the Dominion and the good of the Empire. That Sir Joseph Ward's offer was justified, and not a panic offer, is proved by the action of the Deakin-CoDk Government in repeating it on bshalf of Australia the moment they attained office."

DEFENCE REFORM

"Before the House rises, I will, as promised, put before members a scheme for national training," said Mr James Allen (Bruce) in the House of Representatives on Monday last. "I will attempt to put forward a fairly complete scheme." He entirely disagreed with a statement made that such a scheme would require a million sterling per annum. So far as our own local defence was concerned, he undertook to suggest a scheme which would not cost half the amount New Zealand was at present payinsr, and which in fifteen years would provide 52,000 trained men. The cont of the maintenance of tha Australasian Squadron was about £60,000 per annum. If an Australasian Navy were established it would be absurd to suggest that New Zeaand's share of tire cost wonld be £200,000 per annum. Mr Allen warmly approved of Australia's desire to e/itablish a local navy.