WHAT THE PAPERS SAY.

Evening Star, Issue 14053, 7 May 1909, Page 11

WHAT THE PAPERS SAY.

FELF-PRESERVATION If the. present cadet system were made compulsory from, say, the age of twelve to sixteen, and then the able-bodied of our young men from seventeen to twentyone were effectively trained in the same manner as the volunteers are trained at present, the country would gradually bccome possessed of an effective force of large dimensions to draw upon when necessary. Even if the cost of such a system were three times the amount at present expended upon the volunteers, it would be money well spent. Our nation lias been singularly blessed in that it has not for ages been overrun by an enemy, and it has never been devastated by an Eastern foe. 'When New Zealanders arc called upon to face and repel an invasion it will TSmost certainly be from one of the Eastern rations. These people have their o,wn opinions regarding womankind. Any sacrifice we can make to fit ourselves to drive such an enemy into the sea over which they came will be amply justified. We should therefore make that sacrifice willingly, and not begrudge the monev asked for equipment.—'‘Mataura Ensign.’ ‘ THE POLICY SPEECH.' The policy speech' did not contain as many thrilling confidences as might have been anticipated', and indicated that Sir Joseph Ward is becoming adept in savins very little in very many words. We have for years protested against the manner in which expense has been piled upon expense, department multiplied upon department, and vast sums expended in directions promising neither return nor profit. Now that Sir Joseph Ward is bending his energies to the difficult and disagreeable task of curtailment and retrenchment, we do not wish to hamper or weaken him by any captious criticism, for retrenchment is a most unenviable occupation, and one in which the wisest of men cannot possibly please everybody.—Auckland ’Herald.’ CATHOLICS AND THE PUBLIC SERVICE. The cry of “stuffing the Public Service will) Papists ’ is no longer a. safe one to raise in New Zealand. It is seldom heard nowadays, even on the 'July platform or amidst the clamorous party cries of an election campaign. When voiced to-dav. it is usually spoken in soft and mincing undertones, and with doubts and "ifs“ and qualifications. For the facts are readily accessible to those who care to investigate. . . . Investigation discloses results which make it wise policy on the part of those most inclined to clamor, not jo direct public attention too forcibly to the facts of the case. For stated reasons we have ever been opposed to Catholic voting men—especially those of grit and industry and energy—wasting their lives “ watching the clock,’’ and waiting and sighing for retired men’s chairs or dead men s shoes. Catholic young men with brains .and “push ’ will readily discover other occupations in which their qualities ■will find speedier .and better recompense than they are ever likely to receive in the lubhc Service.—‘ New Zealand Tablet,’ OPTIMISM WELL GROUNDED. In spite of the predictions of coming depression and disaster that the opponents of Liberalism pour forth so fluently, the Premier has proved that so far as this past year is concerned hia invincible optimism is well grounded, and his inspiring confidence in the soundness and stability of our prosperity has been fully justified by •Jie result. The outstanding fact on which Mr Joseph Ward has naturally laid most Aress is the success of the Government’s hnancial operations during the past year. Jlie revenue has exceeded the Premier’s estimate, and though our revenue for the J ear J'jst closed is about £55,000 less than J ol ' \ it is in itself a noteworthy tact that this little country, with a total pouplation of one million, can produce an income of considerably over £9,000.000 a year.—Auckland ‘Star.’ DEFENCE MATTERS. Labor, as represented in trades councils, has not been notably sympathetic so far’ but the statements of some members of the - US Relieve that the minds of the bulk of the workers are open to conviction in the right direction. We do not believe that Labor in New Zealand will prove less patriotic than Labor in Australia, and Labor there is pledging itself iO universal military training. Sir Joseph who gauged the temper of the country rather correctly a month ago, may be making a mistake in his present assessment of the national sentiment.—'Wellington •Post.’ b OUR FINANCES’. It is possible that Sir Joseph Ward niav desire to make up his decrease in revenue by an increase in borrowing, and it would be like lifting up a voice in the wilderness to decry one of the financial principles of New Zealand s finance. Our progress has received a check, and no one in his senses could have imagined we could escape it at the pace we were going. We have now to wait the triumph of the Government's retrenchment proposals to ascertain exactly where we are.— 1 North Otago Times.’