WHAT THE PAPERS SAY

Evening Star, Issue 14527, 1 December 1910, Page 8

WHAT THE PAPERS SAY

One may survey several phases of New Zealand's civic, commercial, and industrial life, and discover a very vague and unsatisfactory relationship between the general public, as represented by the Government of the day, and largo sections of the public, as represented by city, borough, and county councils or harbor boards. —Wellington ' Post.' There is no real need to found the State issue on a gold basis, but it may comfort nervous folk to know that there is also no objection to doing so, and that, if the. country desires it, the State can just as easily maintain a gold reserve behind tho notes as any other security. In any case, whether founded on a gold reserve or not, the State note is bound to como some day, and that day is probably nearer than most people realise. ' YVanganui Herald.' * • * Tho new prison system is a credit to its author, tho Uon. J)r Findlay, and to Parliament, which authorised its enforcement. It should do a splendid work in the reformation of criminals, preventing many from continuing on the downward grade. The conutry will hare cause to rejoice in the possession of such a beneficial system of crime prevention.— Manawatu ' Standard.' The Government are possessed of a land policy, though it changes wiih ihe variableness of a kaleidoscope, but they are too pusillanimous, too frightened of the restive section of their own party, or too fearful of losiug their seats on the Treasury benches to put it to the test. —-Napier 'Telegraph.' * * + As long as compulsory teetoUihsni is imposed upon the people theie will be illicit liquor selling. And if it should ever happen that National Prohibition is carried, the whole country will be overrun with sly grog-shops, and tho police will be converted into an army of spies, ft is not a pleasant thing to contemplate.—Wellington ' Free Lance.' The list of J.P.s in some electorates furnishes a farcical example of political favoritism. U is to be hoped that the Magistrate's Bench will never be stuffed in the same scandalous maimer.—J>annevirke ' News.' * * » The day for the use of timber for public buildings has passed already, and it should be an axiom that all future structures ought to be of a material that not. only will last, but which also will offer the minimum risk to fire or vermin.—Nelson ' -Mail.' If it were made an offence to seli crackers or other explosives to boy:, under sixteen years" of age, he (Guy Fawkos) nuisance would speedily be abated. There is enough buffoonery in life without perpetuating the type which savors of violence.—.Masteiton