WHAT THE PAPERS SAY.

Dunstan Times, Issue 2677, 4 August 1913, Page 5

WHAT THE PAPERS SAY.

The return of Mr Webb, a result brought about largely by the fostering of Old-World animosities which ought to be forgotten in New Zealand, does not mean that New Zealand has accepted the Federation’s platform, But it does mean that the Opposition have fora temporary triumph, permanently linked their fortunes with those of the revolutionary Socialists, and the electors arc not going to forget itChristchurch ‘News.’

When we crticiscd the railway returns in the earlier part of the present Government’s career it was suggested by defenders of the Tories that it was too early to form a judgment, but that excuse will surely not last much longer, “Reform” is now in its second year, and has ample time to get into Its stride yet we find that the latest official record shows the railway expenditure to be forging ahead at a rate that makes it exceed the expansion of revenue by more than ,£SOO a week. — Wellington ‘Times.’ si; * The Liberals of Grey were in sympathy with Mr Webb on a score of questions, but the Reformers of Grey Lynn were not in sympathy with Mr Payne on one. Yet nobody cried out that Mr Massey and his _ friends were allying themselves with the forces of anarchy and unrighteousness for the purpose of overthrowing the cornerstone of social morality. The Liberals require to make no excuses for their action in the Grey election, but, even if they did, the Reformers are scarcely the people to demand them.—Lyttelton Times. * * If the Government secured a substantial majority at next election they would soon demonish the fabric (old age pension system built up by the Liberals, which has proved so beneficent for the last 16 years, and substitute for It a compulsory insurance scheme under which neither man nor woman would be entitled to a pension unless they had contributed to it over a period of years. But as a perliminary to that the country may have to face a proposal for a universal and when that is on the board it will be with one purpose only—namely, to break down the whole system of old age pension by the heaviness of its cost to the country.—Christchurch ‘Spectator.’ r * * ■ It will be cheerful news to backblocks settlers that the Prime Minister has agreed to place before Cabinet a proposal that a special loan be raised for roading the out districts. To secure the sanction of the Government, and of Parliment to such a proposal may well be considered an important step towards the adoption of a general scheme of roading to replace the present haphazard system —Auckland ‘Herald. For Chronic Cheat Complaints, Woods Feppommt ?/&