The San Francisco call., 1904-02-25
WOULD PROTECT
COMMONWE WEALTH
Australian Parliament to Or
ganiZe COuntry'S Military
DefenseS in Hurry-Up Order
COLONIES WILL BE READY
Crop Returns in AntipodeS
Are Keeping Up-Large I'm
migration to New Zealand

There is much popular interest in the
work that will be done by the Austria
lian Parliament, which meets in March.
The capital question and the arbitra-
ton acts, important as they are, will
give place to the question of Austria
lian defense in view Of the war now in
progress between Russia and Japan.
On this subject the Sydney Herald,
few days before the war in the Orient
began, said editorially
1t is not unlikely that the question of Aus
tralian defense will enter upon a new phase,
either before or soon after the Commonwealth
Parliament meets in March Should war break
out in the Far East there will naturally be
much discussion as TO the condition OF each
States forces and equipment and the problem
OF how TO organize our detenses in d hurry
will give politicians and people much to think
about. The trouble. Of course, always is that
munitions Of war are like gold in ordinary
business; everybody can do without them until
everybody is arming Nobody demands gold
until everybody is rushing to the banks for II,
and creating a panic thereby. Yet in defense
n-ntions Of war are but part Of the diff
Guilty. The finest equipment in the world
would be useless with an enemy hammering at
gates unless there had been beforehand the
careful planning Of master minds to insure
successful mobilization of the forces at our
disposal. and corolary the careful train
ing OF both the permanent forces and the mi
ltia. citizen soldiery. The one thing that
Mr.. Watson and his colleagues have failed to
grasp in this connection is the vital Importance
Of brain to whatever may be established as
Australian army.
NOT IN HOPEFUL MOOD.
The Federal Postoff1ce Department is
not in a very hopeful mood regarding
the tenders 1t has invited for the Eng
lish mail service. as may be seen from
the fact that is has postponed until
February Is the time up to which these
tenders may be received. The condi-
tions shut out the two best equipped
lines. the P. and o. and the Orient.
The Sydney Morning Herald regrets
the news that the P. and o. Company
will not tender for the new Anglo
Australian mail service.
For many years. more than fifty indeed.
since the Chusan first ran. that company and
its familiar flag have been valuable and at
one time an almost Indispensable link between
Australia and the old land II has carried on
Its service. like the Orient Company, efficiently
and well. Regular fast mail service has been
maintained between the two hemispheres,
comfortable and safe means Of sea-traVeling
has been provided. and the peoples of these
States have learned TO trust and esteem the
two companies. The cause of the rupture is
the clause in the postal act forbidding con-
tracts with steamship companies employing
colored crews. To the Labor party, which
procured the insertion OF the veto. il does not
greatly matter how the mails carried or
what delays occur. or what cost results. so
long effect is given to view which in the
present case is purely sentimental. It cannot
matter to Australian seamen whether ocean
going ships carry white or black crews. seeing
that both receive less than Australian rates Of
pay. Any who has seen the mails shipped
lit is an operation which sometimes takes
h0urs-musst perceive that to the public. gen
orally quick transit is important. Yet under
the changed arrangements Australia Will lose
the benefit Of the fast service between Brin-
disi and Port tSaid-the service OF which ap-
parently accounts for p. and O. mails always
being delivered day earlier than mails by
The Naples route
Crop returns are keeping up to the
expectations. but how much profit will
accrue TO the farmer is another ques-
ton.
The caterpillar pest has somewhat
abated. but the butterflies and white
ants show up yet in immense numbers.
NEW ZEALAND REJOICES.
While Australia is bewailing the fall
ing off in the number of immigrants
TO her shores, New Zealand is rejoic-
ing in a steady and increasing stream
of newcomers attracted 'hither by the
many advantages offered there for set
tlement. The excess Of arrivals over
departures last year was 1925, as
against 1892 the year before. OF this
number nearly 10000 came from Aus
tralia. and the influx from the COM
monwealth still continues, every boat
arriving from Sydney and Melbourne
bringing a large contingent OF intend
ing settlers and artisans in quest Of
The over sea tourist traffic is also
quite large this season.
That the San Francisco mail route is
the best for the whole Of New Zealand
is once more exemplified by the ar
rival Of the Sierra on January IS With
the British mails which left London
on December 19, while the mails via
Suez, which left London on December
II (eight days before the Sierra's mailsl
have not yet reached Auckland, nor
are they likely TO do so for several
days.
The Premier has received a cable
from the Agent General, stating that
the Foreign Office has authorized the
British Charge d'Affaires in Mexico to
sign a postal convention under which
letters from New Zealand shall pay
penny postage instead of 21zd.
New Zealand made a good showing
in all agricultural and industrial lines
last year, and her gold production was
over s10,150,000 The increase is more
especially from the quartz mines.
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