TOPICAL READING.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9526, 25 June 1909, Page 4

TOPICAL READING.

IMPERIAL CONFERENCE.

When the Empire la soundly organised for defence —as it should be very speedily—when every British State is taking active and equitable part in building, maintaining and manning the Imperial Navy, and when every British State is efficiently trained and armed for its own local defence, and for mutual protection, we shall find that the German ambition for a great navy and the German dream of aggrandisement at our expense have vanished together. A world-wide Empire such as ours, says the New Zealand "Herald/' with free States numbering 60,000,000 peofle and colonial territory capable of supporting many times that number, cannot be injured by any Europe an nation, if [only we have com mon sense enough to organise for the maintenance of the Imperial peace. .

THE POLICE FORCE

The condition of the police force at the present time furnishes abundant proof of the demoralising effect of I allowing political considerations to influence appointments to the Public Service, says the Christchurch "News." The force is a favourite pumping ground for the riends and supporters of noliticians. When the average M.P. wants the country to reward a man for some personal service, he pulls Lhe leg of the Government to make him a policeman, and in lhe light of the 'revelations made j in the House on Tuesday, the country j would do well to pass a special Act for the speedy deporation of the average politician's friends, instead Gf putting them on its payroll as responsible officials. When one recalls the Dunedin police scandals of a few ago, the bungling of the police in the Westport murder ease, the conviction of constables in Wellington recently for assault, and the numberless minor complains against the conduct of embers of the force, it is quite obvious that it needs reforming very badly. By the admission of all these undesirables a slur is cast on the whole force, and one that must be felt very keenly by the largo number of honest and capable officers who are really holding it together. Under th2 system advocated by Mr Herdman of vesting the responsibility of making all Public Service appointmnts in a non-political Board, there would be an end to the wretched and degrading system of stuffing the service with political hangers-on and persons generally incapable of impres sing private employers with their Abilities.

AERIAL NAVIGATION

The development of the airship, both as aeroplane and dirigible balloon, is proceeding at such a rapid rate that it must very soon take a recognised place means of and among weapons of war. through the aeroplane still is, it has attained a sufficient degree of stability to make it capable of great things in the hands of capable men, while its comparative cheapness is immensely in its favour. Were war to arise between civilised nations it is impossible to say what might not be accomplished by recklessly driven aeroplanes. The dirigible balloon is similarly being brought into practical shape. Armies are being supplied with them, and in Germany a company has been formed to establish a Zeppelin transit service. A great popular movement for

the study and encouragement of aeronautics is gathering head in the United Kingdom. So far, however, important dirigible balloons and aeroplanes may be as adjuncts to armies and navies, there does not appear to be any indication that they are more.