WHAT THE PAPERS SAY

Evening Star, Issue 14511, 1 November 1910, Page 1

WHAT THE PAPERS SAY

At a time like the present, with an abundant revenue and the cost of living certainly showing; no signs of a decrease, the Government, as Mr Massey said, should have lowered taxation instead of increasing it. If they knew or eared anything for the principles of sound finance, they would have done so. But ae Sir Joseph Ward has so often proved, finance is ono of the many subjects of which Ids knowledge is purely empirical.—Christchurch ‘Press.’

The procedure adopted in the House of Commons lias rendered it possible to close each day’s sitting at a definite hour without any disorganisation of the public business. The party whips, supported by the power of the (Government to apply the closure, seem able to stem the tide of futile oratory. A little more latitude may be necessary in this country, where the party machines are not eo highly organised, but the license of the existing system is shamefully abused by members every session.—‘Lyttelton Times.’

If the ('Government are really sincere in their professed desire to minimise the gambling evil by putting an end to the operations of the bookmakers, they can do so in a manner which will carry conviction to everyone. They can reinstate the clause which appeared in the draft of the Gaming Bill. This clause specifically provided that the business of bookmaking shall be deemed an unlawful calling, and every person who pursued it was made liable to a fine of £IOO, or in default of payment three months’ imprisonment. Also, it was provided that every person knowingly betting with a bookmaker made himself liable to a fine of £so.—The ‘Dominion.’

It is when the parliamentary session reaches such a stage as the one now in being that the need is felt for a means of bringing the House to division after controversy has proceeded a certain stage—that is. when argument gives place to wrangle. • However, if tire present archaic methods will not allow the transaction of business in reasonable time, there is no justification in that fact for members being allowed to disperse before their work is completed.—Wellington ‘ Times.’,

Many of the new centres of population along the Main Trank line have been allowed to spring up without any control whatever, and with no thought for their future. The land speculator very often has been tho architect, and the years will probably show that ho has been an architect of ruin.—Palmerston ‘ Standard.’

Effective occupation is the best of lilies, and that will be assisted materially by the diversion of English emigration froih foreign lands to our own oversea States. Tho younger, within reason, that the emigrant is caught, the belter and more adaptable he will be in his new home.—Hawcra ‘ Star.’

It is tine that the Arbitration Bill provides that the Court must be satisfied that it is “ equitable ” to make a Dominion award, but experience has shown that legal machinery works blindly, and that dangerous machinery should not be hastily set in motion.—Auckland ‘Herald.’

We t rust that a. Libel Bill to give newspapers the same reasonable measure of protection which they have enjoyed for more than twenty years in the United Kingdom may he'introduced by the Government and approved bv Parliament. —Wellington ‘Post.’