WHAT THE PAPERS SAY

Evening Star, Issue 14307, 4 March 1910, Page 1

WHAT THE PAPERS SAY

THE TERRITORIALS. The revival of enthusiasm in the'defence movement, which was conspicuous before it was specially stirred by Lord Kitchener's visit, is the fiappiest augury for the success of the new order of things. The attention that is being paid to the training of olliccrs is especially gratifying. Tho insufficiency of what has hitherto been achieved in this respect is sure to be emphasised in Lord Kitchener's report, and the recommendation that, our officers should be trained in the military colleges of the Commonwealth is foreshadowed. As the cost, of a special college for New Zealand would be very burdensome, we should be glad to see this additional bond established between two countries whose military problems are almost identical.—Wellington •Post.' hj LORD KITCHENER'S VISIT. The profound conviction of the world that war is at hand, unless thc_ British Empire realises that it must lie more adequately defended, is behind the determinations of Australia and ~Sevr Zealand to make every young man a potential defender, and has undoubtedly inspired the great reorganisation work" which Lord Kitchener has made his own. When his work is concluded Lord Kitchener will be the only great soldier in the Empire who knows its every part by personal experience, and who is able, of his own knowledge, not merely to provide for its needs in time of emergency, but also to draw its full strength to the Imperial battle.— Auckland ' Herald.' CO-OPERATIVE LABOR. Hitherto the argument has been that the co-operative system was quite as economical in the long run as construction by contract. and had the groat merit of being absolutely fair to the workmen, as it assured every man being paid according to his capacity. Upon the first of these points there has always been a great difference of opinion, and while it is certain that contracts for railway works would put great sums into the pockets of contractors, if is practically beyond dispute that tinder co-operative effort the total sum expended has often enough been in excess of what the work might have been done for under the other method.—Wellington 'Times.' ♦ DEFENCE. Neither in, Australia nor in New Zealand will the defence forces be anything but an illusion and a waste of money unless they have behind them the living interest and moral support of the community, and unless it is recognised that training for the defence of one's country is part of the life work of every earnest and intelligent man. Unless the new defence force is roared on a high conception of citizenship it will not serve the purpose it is intended for. The question of defence should be placed absolutely beyond ihe pale of party politics, and the material for the forces should be drawn from all parts of the Dominion and from the whole of the community without respect to distinctions of any sort. .So far as the defence of the country is concerned there must be absolute equality.—'Southland Times." LABOR LAWS. The employers claim that the Arbitration Act must be supreme while it exists. They would he quite prepared to look after themselves if the Act were repealed, and the old, clumsy method of settlement by strikes and lock-outs resorted to. but while the Act is on the Statute Book tTiey rightly ask that it should be respected both by the Government and the unions. That is a perfectly reasonable attitude to take up. If the unions prefer the old conditions, the sooner an understanding is arrived at the better, but in tho meantime thev should realise that there is a moral obligation upon them to observe the law.— .Manawatu ' Standard.'

THE TERRITORIALS. In our small communities, where each one knows ihe least important details of tho others' affairs, and where allmeet on tho same social plane, the man is exceptional who with his uniform can don the power to enforce from his equals the habit of strict, obedience to his dictates. We have the men amone; us who command the ntw.es.sary respect—-men who arc prepared to devote much valuable time, and even to incur considerable liabilities, in the. interest of defence but their efforts are too frequently stultified by these up higher, whose petty economies manifest incapacity, and galling roiilrnetions kill all enthusiasm and make of volunteering a labor full of aggravations. We believe that, until our forces are better officered from top to bottom, they can never be competent to fulfil their functions as gttardiars of the peace of our land.—Oamaru '.Mail.'