Exactly a fortnight of Parliament's time has been consumed in the consideration of the measure, which has received throughout the most careful and detailed thought of the House.
The bill emerged from committee unharmed in principle and strengthened in detail.
Its successful passage represents a parliamentary triumph of the first degree for the Hon. James Allen (Minister of Defence), and his tact and readiness to listen to suggestions and accept them where possible facilitated the passage of the Bill immensely, and favourably impressed members, whose attitude became markedly more appreciative of the Minister as the Bill progressed.
The Minister in the past has been regarded as cold and obstinate, but upon this occasion, at least, he has risen above the charge and displayed the possession of qualities of tact and diplomacy to an unexpected degree.
The Bill stands as a monument to his skill, and no man in recent parliamentary history has been so thoroughly steeped in the details of his measure as was Mr Allen.
• Yesterday was marked by exceedingly general expressions of sorrow and regret over the death of Lord Kitchener, impressive memorial services being held in practically all the churches in and around Dunedin, in all of which a note of high encouragement was discernible.
A parade of troops was also held in accordance with the military significance of the occasion, the arrangements, which were undertaken by Captain Cooper (General Staff Officer), being very complete.
The troops were massed at the Oval shortly before 10 a.m., and, after the necessary preliminaries, were drawn up in order of march, the proceedings being watched by a crowd of interested spectators who lined the edge of the reserve.
The returned soldiers, who turned out in force, were naturally objects of more than ordinary interest, and were under the command of Major Waite, D. S. O.
Everything was remarkably well ordered, and the heads were most ably assisted by the warrant officers and the sergeant-majors of the Staff.
• A report on the climate and resources of Macquarie Island by Mr A. S. Tulloch, who was meteorological observer there for the year preceding the abandonment of the station in December last, was tabled in the Tasmanian Legislative Council last week.
The weather seems to consist mostly of wind and rain, varied by falls of snow.
During the year which Mr Tulloch spent there only about 30 days passed without rain or snow falling.
When Mr Tulloch went there some ducks and fowls, and also a number of sheep, were landed.
The fowls did not do very well; it was too cold and wet for them, but the ducks fared better, and in the last month four of them laid 120 eggs.
The sheep adapted themselves to the conditions, and there were a number of lambs, though some of them perished in the cold wet weather.
Mr Tulloch expressed the opinion that sheep, once they became acclimatised, would do fairly well on the tussocks and Maori cabbage of the island would maintain a good many thousands of them.
• Positions as bank clerks are now open to young women in this country as a consequence of the war.
The Balclutha branch of the Bank of New Zealand is the first to make the innovation there, a young lady clerk having arrived last week (says the Free Press). - ODT, 12.6.1916.
