WHAT THE PAPERS SAY.

Evening Star, Issue 14036, 17 April 1909, Page 1

WHAT THE PAPERS SAY.

THE DREADNOUGHT MEETING. Mr Taylor was surrounded by his larrikin admirers. They hailed him as their idol, and evidently thought that their conduct was likely to please him. We again challenge him to submit himself to the constituents whose fair fame he has dragged in the' jnire by his telegram to Mr Asqiiitlf'{in which he used their name warrant), by his speechStfejHis Majesty’s Theatre, and by the -hrmduct of his boon companions, for whose proceedings he must take his share of responsibility. If he giudges the expense of another contested election, we feel sure the money will be subscribed for him by his opponents if not by his friends. He dare not accept our challenge. He knows that while his organised “tail” may by their bellowing prevent freedom of speech in public meeting we still have the freedom of the ballot-box, through which the voice of .the people may make itself heard, in spite of every effort to howl it down.—Christchurch 1 Press.’ TAXATION. It is altogether idle to pretend that it is only wealthy corporations and rich men who are concerned with capital for investment. The whole life and progress of the Dominion depend upon it. The present position in which the country finds itself is not one for lugubrious wailing about the past and the future, but rather for a general survey of the situation, in order to devise ways and means to meet our altered requirements. The main necessity is money. It is the duty of Parliament to grapple with the problem of how it shall be made available, and to do it in such a thorough manner that there will be no intervals of plenty or periods of famine. If 'it can make money more easily available by abolishing the mortgage tax, then abolished it should he; but there are still other things to do.—Wellington ‘ Times.’

LABOR’S POSITION. Last year marked an advance towards the rational, and it is believed that common-sense will be even more in evidence with this year’s Conference. Labor seems inclined to do the best with the world as it exists, and desires to exist on earth for a year or two lather than in elaborate schemes of Paradise not on earth and not to be on earth just yet. The development of this spirit will imply that the “Revolutionary Socialist” section, which made much noise in recent limes, must still further decline in importance.— Wellington ‘Post.’

MR MASSEY’S ISOLATION. Retrenchment and financial reform are, after all, not party questions. Neither is the help offered to the Empire in a moment of trouble a party question. In presence of the possible enemy the Empire stands straight and shoulder to shoulder, without sign ot division or suspicion of disagreement. The idea of ousting the Govern meat i.s out of the question now on any issue. The numbers are against it. To go on pretending to try and oust the Government is only waste of time and useless expenditure of foice. It would he better to play the noble game of highsouled public service. The Opposition can watch the Administration all the same, and the more it watches the Administration the. better for the country. But if it wastes its time and its intellect in vain attempts to do the impossible, there will be an end of its influence.—‘ Southland News.’ ALCOHOL AND INSANITY. Intoxication, whether transient or habitual, is insanity. And while the alcoholic degenerate may he legally held irresponsible for his final act, what shall bo said of those who, knowing his weakness, supply him with drink ? What of the responsibility of those who are taking the first steps in intemperance? While much reform is urgently needed in our dealings with drunkards, the greatest need is to stop the manufacture of them. And an ever-increasing portion of the inhabitants of our country are becoming convinced that the No-license system is the best means available of attaining this end, and thus of preventing such tragedies as the recent one at Waitara, and others perhaps more heart-rending that never come before the public.— ‘ Olutha Leader.’

POWER OF THE WORKERS. Profit-sharing, that system which lias been adopted by large employers of labor in Great Britain, may do much to restore the shaken confidence of the ranks of Labor, and results of the experiments will lie awaited with interest. Any movement or scheme which tends to conduce to better understanding between employer and employee is welcome ; it will serve to quicken flagging energy and promote an ideal the very effort of attaining to which will be beneficial. Industrial upheavals are always to he deplored, and the very fact of their eternal imminence is a reason why every nerve should he strained on both sides to so conduct affairs and treat men that they may be avoided. Bitter experience has taught many a worker that the last resource—a strike—proves too often to be a weapon whose recoil has to lie reckoned with; it is a finality that might very well he dispensed with, with relief to all concerned.—‘ Mataura Ensign.’ THE COMMERCIAL VIEW. So long as the country is dependent on foreign capital and is subject to outside competition, any pood that might result from experiments in wealth redistribution is more than counterbalanced by the harm which is caused by the c'scouragement of the cutside investor. What vbe speakers at the Chambers of Commerce Conference said the critics of the Government have been saying for a long time. Whatever reasons the Government maxgive for refusing to believe their critics, they cannot ignore the importance of the view- which is taken of their policy by the official representatives of the commercial interests of the whole country.—The ‘ Dominion.’ UNPROFITABLE RAILWAYS. In the South there are a number of unprofitable lines, which absorb funds that should be used for more pressing works in the fast-developing North. It is satisfactory to note, however, that the Government are showing a disposition to curtail expenditure and are presenting a bold front to those districts that are clamoring for small railway works of a totally unnecessary and unprofitable character. Retrenchment is the dominant note in the Government policy, and force of circumstances will compel adherence to that policy for a much longer period than their most ardent supporters imagine. .Manawatu ‘ Standard.’!