WHAT THE PAPERS SAY

Evening Star, Issue 15293, 19 September 1913, Page 1

WHAT THE PAPERS SAY

The Opposition would have been in a J stronger position if they had passed the Estimates of those departments for which the reports had been produced. If their present attitude is correct would they not have been equally justified in blocking the whole of the Estimates from the beginning on acount of the reports that were then missing? The country is pleased to see the Liberals stickling so vigorously for a principle which they flagrantly and systematically ■ violated while they were in office; but this newborn zeal should be strictly confined to the matter that justifies it.—‘Post.’ .. .. The committee set up by the Minister of Defence will be . capable of rendering a great public service if they set about their task with a fearless desire to overhaul the system and furnish Parliament not only with a criticism of things as they are, but also with a helpful programme of suggested reforms. One of these we are sure will be to take the financial administration completely out of the hands of General Qodley and place it in the hands of a responsible board of experts.—Christchurch ‘ Star.’ ■k- * * With the assistance of Labor, the compulsory conciliation clauses of the Arbitration Bill might be made workable, and plight prove beneficial in preventing the interruption of trade and industry by strikes, but under no circumstances can a proposal to compel workers or employers to enter into fresh contracts be justified.— Southland ‘Times.’ Sir Joseph Ward no doubt realises that the manner in which the Reform Government are carrying out their platform pledges makes a very decided contrast to his own unfortunate failures in this respect, and he and his followers want to waste as pinch time as possible on the Estimates, in order to delay the Government’s legislative proposals as far as they can.—‘ Dominion.’ * * * Already the State is suffering very serious loss .through the Reformers’ land legislation, and it is not the wish of the people that the last remnants of their joint estate should be given into private hands. If nothing else can Be preserved, the national endowments at least should be held sacred. ■ —Timaru ‘Post.’ We are not exaggerating when we say that there will be no monopoly in land and no lack of land for all those who want it when full use can be made of the potentialities of the soil, for then the necessities of the State would prevent anyone holding land for other than useful purposes. But what has the Agricultural Department done to hasten the coming of such a desirable state of things?—Feilding ‘ Star.’ # 41* 4r The Opposition have administered a wholesome lesson to the Reformers, who, with a majority at their back, are disposed to adopt an abitrary attitude on all questions. When there is cause for protest there are members in the House of Representatives who will protest to some effect, but none of the Liberals will be guilty of wasting time just for the sake of embarrassing their political opopnents.—Southland ‘News.’