TOPICAL READING.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9223, 22 June 1909, Page 4

TOPICAL READING.

CHINESE IMMIGRATION. The New Zealand Government Year Book just issued shows that New Zealand made a net "gain" of 290 on her Chinese immigration and emigration. Chinese to the number of 538 arrived in the Dominion (522 males and 16 females), while 248 left our shores (230 males and 18 females). The price New Zealand received for this last annual instalment of yellow Asiatic nationality was £32,000 in. poll tax.

INSULTING THE NORTH. Auckland has only 100,000 people, and employment is said to be dull, says the Auckland "Herald." There would soon be tmployment for 200,000 people of the Government took energe'ic action instead of sending Mr Buddo to misrepresent and insult the North. We have been congratulating the Auckland farmers upon the splendid results shown by the Winter exhibition,and it is not calculated to encourage confidence in the Administration to be told by Mr Buddo, at a tim-3 when all know that the agricultural and pastoral career of the North is just commencing, that there is no general d

THE UNEMPLOYED. Our own remedy for unemployment would be to so shape the Government policy as to encourage private enterprise instead of cramping it, as is being done at present by restrictive legislation and penal taxation, says the Christchurch "Press." With the natural revival of industry and reproductive investment, the unemployed difficulty would soon disappear. Pending this, to get over any temporary difficulty, it would be far better for tha Government to subsidise local bodies, so as to enabk the latter to carry out works which, although not of a pres. ing nature, | are yet worth carrying out from the point of view of giving some | return for the morey. I

THE OLD SHOWGROUNDS. As considerable interest attaches to the progress of the Masterton A. and P, Association, in respect of its removal to Sol way—a matter retarded through the non-disposal of the Dixon street grounds —it will be learnt of with genera! -satisfaction that a number of highly patriotic sympathisers have determined to assist the Association by purchasing the latter grounds. It is understood that sufficient money baa now been promised for the purpose, and matters should shortly consummate to the complete satisfaction of the Association. Too much cannot be said in praise of such a public spirited and unselfish action, and it is to be hoped that the gentlemen concerned in assisting the Association will in due course be amply rewarded by finding their purchase a thoroughly profitable investment. \ There ia every reasoa to anticipate 1 it will be so. (

REGULATION OP MOTOR TRAFFIC.

Inspector Gillies, of Ohristchurch, states that the principal ditficuly met with by the police authorities in regard to the regulation of motor traffic is the absence of speed limits in either the cities or the country districts. The point is dealt' with by the Motor Regulation Act of IGO7. Its provisions are"of a very general character. They do not place specific restrictions on motors,, and they leave a very wide margin for difference of opinion in regard to their meaning. "Every person," the regulations say, "commits an offence who drives a motor on a public highway recklessly J or negligently, or at a speed or in a manner which is dangerous to the public, having regard to all the circumstances of the case, including the nature, condition, and use of the highway, and the amount of the traffic which acually is at the lime, or which might reasonably be expected to be, on the highway." A constable may apprehend without warrant the driver of any motor who commits an offence against this section within the view of the constable, if the offender refuses to give his name and address on demand, and if the motor does not bear marks of identification.