PUBLIC OPINION.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2472, 10 April 1909, Page 5

PUBLIC OPINION.

NATIONAL DEFENCE. The rudiments of military drill are being taught already in most of the State schools, and if the boys were encouraged to continue their “soldiering” after they go out into the world we should soon have the material for a very respectable citizen army. Of course, the .scheme would require the expenditure cf a little money. Young men who give up their own time to drilling and shooting should not be expected to pay for their enthusiasm out cf their own pockets. The State should provide them at least with uniforms and ammunition and facilities for travelling. Particular attention should be given to the young men in the country, wl;o. while offering'the very best material for the creation of a defence lorco, are often too far away from a centre of population to join a volunteer corps or to obtain any practice at a rifle range.— ;s , “Lyttelton Times.” THE BOOKMAKER ON TRIAL. - At last the Minister has declared that if the bookmaker was really turning out the kind of lawbreaker k:s enemies painted him to bo, the law would liavo to look into his case, adding that it he wore found guilty legislative measures would be sought for returning him to his old position outside the gates of the gambling paradise. In other words, the same Minister who led the way for the bookmaker into the racecourse enclosures with fuT liberty to ply his oiling now admits that he has been on his trial, and that it is high time for the matter to be inquired into with a view of settling the question of h'rs guilt or innocence once for all, and acting accordingly. To that ail honest men must, say “amen.” We can only trust thatthe investigation will be soon as well as searching. The sooner mistakes of this kind are corrected the better. —Southland “News.” MR TAYLOR’S CABLEGRAM. When Air Asquith rccevied ihe 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 have no doubt that bis first remark was: “Who on earth is -Mr T. E. Taylor?'’ The British Prime Minister may well wonder what manner of man this is who, on the strength of his position as “mem-* her for Christchurch North,” calmly assumes the right to address the Imperial authorities on behalf of a Government, a Parliament, and a Dominion inhabited bv a million other subjects of the. Crown. It is a pity that -Mr T. E. Taylor has no sense of humor, or that Ins* ; friends cannot prevent him from makings himself so supremely ridiculous. —Auck- J land "Star.” AA Vy!