SOME PRESS COMMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 662, 12 November 1909, Page 5

SOME PRESS COMMENTS.

(By Telegraph.—Special Oorrcspondent.). . :,', ' Auckland, November 11. ;The "Herald" devotes ■ two and a half colnmns to editorial comment on the Budget> On the question of .finance, the paper says: "Sir 'Joseph Ward's x bewildering - array ,-oi figures is; intended to justify increased taxation by explaining that our national wealth has risen faster than our national indebted-k-.css, and that if taxes have been increased 'the country is able to bear them. But. the truth is that the serions increase in taxation which has taken place of. recent years;, and .which cannot be obscured to. intelligent, citizens by any confusing tables, has not .been accompanied by that adequato return for taxation v/hich makes tf.sation bearable. The pxst indifference of the Government ,to land settlement, its persistent opposition to the occupation with fight of purchase, land openings which are so supremely popular, is the chief cause of all our financial trouble, and if Sir Joseph Ward carries- into effect his promise of reformation, a better era will dawn; On the compulsory training proposals the "Herald" remarks: "As the restilt of the agitation comtoenced in' Auckland three years ago by the National Defence League, the universal training movement has gradually ■won its way into practical .'politics, and" is now supported.by the overwhelming majority of- the, people of. the Dominion. Sir Joseph Ward in recognising;, this has again displayed the patriotic spirit, and the promptitude which inspired- the Dreadnought incident, arid will Dβ identified m the future: history of Now ■ with a statesmanlike appreciation of the urgency of effective defence." Discussing 'tne .oversea mail service propositions, the same ..paper-says: "Itus- encouraging to note that the question of the; San Francisco connection .appears to havo been revived. This is the only practicable fast route between New ZeaT and t an &. tbe Mother Country, and if Sir Joseph Ward would concentrate his energies upon it,' we , have iiot the,slightest doubt that it would speedily bo re-established either with or without American co-operation and assistance. .. ,' .-■■ . .' ;' ..■-.-. ' . ,-■ ,-.;,; -.'. ;.;-,•

■ (By Telezraph;-Spcclal : !corrc3Dondeii|:V;' '/ : ■ • ■ Christchurch, November U, : «.-. i? j P f ess , reserves'''detailed criticism of the Budget, contenting itself to-day with a runnine, comment. on its chiefs features. It ; remarks that perhaps the most-amazing.part of tbe manifesto,is that:referring:to the new lnnd proposals of. the Government. Minister, have completely capitulated to the Opposition demand- for thevgrant of the freehold, although the option.of conversion is hedged around with some-rather' complicate conditions. - -No-part' of the nine million acres., constituting: the national endowment is to be disposed of on. any other tenure than that of-the leasehold. That at least is announced as the' Government's present'intention,- but after -what- it has already done with the leasehold flag, once' so firmly nailed to ■'■• the mast;", it ' requires considerable faith to belieya that the : Government; may not see fit to..alter its views in regard to the national -endowriient. Tho Government has atep'at length/been goaded ihto : more-active steps tor the' settlement of the Native land areas. Ths public, unless'.we are very much mistaken, will be greatly impresscd'.with the manner in which' the' Government has completely, abandoned its old-pol-icy in _ some important respects, while ••' the' neavy increase in taxation' cannot,'fail to ex.cite serious .concern. f It is now. .clear that the Government. m'aderav hi! adandoning the sugar duties, and that some of the vaunted concessions" in'Tailway rntee were .very illiudged, It is also difficult to bS, lioye _ that the .-Ministry have tackled ■> the question of reducing' our overgrowji expenditure m> the thorough manner: in which-it ousht to be. taken m hand.-.-V n ' .•.'■-.■ " ,