He suggested that when honours were conferred upon others than Royalties, or for naval, military, or civil services, a public statement should be made giving the reasons, and also that the Premier should make a declaration that no payment, direct or indirect, had been associated therewith.
Lord Curzon, in reply, said that hereditary honours were widely diffused in our generation, and their democratisation was one of the best safeguards of public life. The cases of alleged purchase bore an infinitesimal proportion to the whole. Moreover, honours were given far less for party services than formerly.
The Government was prepared to consider an extension of the system of publishing reasons for granting honours. Lord Salisbury denied that the evil was exaggerated. The nation's conscience was awakened, and the Government should find a remedy.
Improving uniforms
For the year 1917, says the annual report of the Munitions and Supplies Department, an improved quality of khaki uniform cloth has been secured.
A better quality material for pantaloon cloth for mounted men has been manufactured in the dominion, and a decided improvement in the cut of the pantaloons has been effected; the latter being the result of an observation made in Egypt by one of our New Zealand officers, which was duly referred to the experts (Messrs Kirkcaldie and Morrison). Overcoating cloth has similarly been improved, and is now subjected to a proofing process which, while not rendering the overcoats waterproof, assists in turning the water.
The putties now being secured are all woven ones, and are much more popular among both the officers and men than the cloth putties issued under necessity during the year 1916.
An effort has been made to adopt some standard colour for all uniform cloths and overcoatings, but, owing to the difficulties of the dye trade, the woollen mills, while they have been successful in approaching the standard shade required, have not in all instances been able to get as near to the standard as could have been wished; but it will be observed that better results have been secured than during last year.
Rain solution
The continuous rain in Auckland caused an old resident to recall the fact that some 55 years ago, when the ship he was on neared the waters of the Waitemata, an old sailor who had previously visited Auckland was asked his opinion of the place. His reply fits the present season (says the Star): ''A very fine country if only it had a fly-tent over it.''
Central's dry winter
The winter in Central Otago has been very dry, with an unusual absence of both frost and snow (states a recent visitor). It is noticeable that in recent years there has been a fair amount of subdivision of the large runs, and whilst the dredging and gold mining are becoming minor industries the settlement of the land appears to be progressing fairly satisfactorily.
Effective poisoning
After a night's poisoning a Clydevale farmer secured 725 rabbits. His method was to plough a furrow round the paddock, and to feed the rabbits for two or three nights with unpoisoned oats and carrots, and then to lay deadly strychnine poisoning.
- ODT, 9.8.1917.
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