WHAT THE PAPERS SAY.

Evening Star, Issue 14574, 24 May 1911, Page 9

WHAT THE PAPERS SAY.

We are not improving as a people, for all the efforts of the Prohibition movement. —‘Taranaki Herald.’ « 4t • The Opposition platform is a poor, weak affair, and will require the addition of a few strong planks before the Conservatives can hope to gain much support from the electors.—Timaru ‘Post.’ * * * The census just taken shows that onethird of the population of this fair land is cooped up in four cities. Single fax would alter that, because people are as prone to get out of heavily-rated localities as sparks are to fly upwards.—Waimate ‘.Advertiser.* * ' * * “ Militarism ” cannot thrive in this democratic atmosphere, but because we are patriot* we believe in defending our country, and because we are democrats we believe that the task should not be delegated to a professional class, but undertaken by all the able-bodied manhood of the country. —Wellington ‘Post.’

The microbe of pettifogging parochialism has apparently so poisoned the mental system of the average Aucklander that he has crane to believe that his interests alone deserve consideration. Hence the impudent and ridiculous request that the S'atefhoukl subsidise the more rapid service which a lew Auckland merchants, backed by a parochially-minded Prefs, which is fast becoming a byword and standing jest throughout the Dominion, want to see a three-days* seivic. to Sydney —Marlborough •Express.’ • * * If all forms of taxation bore as heavily, speaking proportionally, upon the wealthy as they do upon the poor, the Government would have more revenue than they are ever likely to have if the people do not lose , their senses.—Napier ‘Telegraph.’ • * • It is safe to say, notwithstanding the Hgh-falutin talk of Liberal journals about “the sacredness of the Bench,” that Mr Allen’s plain speaking will have the effect of stopping the growing practice of paying Judges and magistrates extra emoluments, and, if so, the member for Bruce will have rendered the Slate good service in patting a stop to the practice.—‘Bruce Herald.’