WHAT THE PAPERS SAY

Evening Star, Issue 15540, 9 July 1914, Page 7

WHAT THE PAPERS SAY

We hops that the Public Service Commissioner.?, stimulated by the initial (success, will not be over-eager to speed up the rak> of reform. The art and science of ; ' efficiency," if applied suddenly among large numbers of persons accustomed to different methods, can suffer a set-back. This has been proved in America, where there hae been an *' efficiency" boom for several years, with, "efficiency doctors" for every imaginable- ill in things industrial and commercial. We have no reason to fear that the local managers will retard progress by not making haste slowly. —Wellington "Post."

Although it- is early to look for the full fruit of Commissioner control, it is evident that the Public Service now offers opportunities of recognition and advancement for intelligent and competent officers that they never had before, and there seems to he genuine ground for believing that the average Government department may yet be able to compare favorably with a well-conducted business house in the matter of efficiency and the despatch of business.— Christchurch ' Sun.'

At present the Imperial strength in the Pacific enforces our Restriction Act against China, our own Territorials are sufficient to protect vb against Hindus, the need of Japan for British friendship temporarily disposes our Asiatic allies to make no trouble for us, but this state of affairs cannot last. Sooner or later an Asiatic Power, -with fighting ships and fighting men, will demand admittance for her hordes, ■ and if we cannot uphold our refusal, the best Act- will bo no more than so much waste paper.—Auckland ' Heraid.'

That the Public Sea-vice Commissioners are actually saving ir.any candle ends and cheeseparings—and such has been the prodigality engendered by the old s.j-6tem, whole candies and whole cheeses too —is made so clear by their report that every citizen who hates the wasting of public money will stand by the reform effected by the Government. —Christchurch ' Press.'

Probably the idea of State control would be as distasteful to the brewers and the publicans as it would be to the Prohibitionists, but th» appearance of the third issue on the ballot paper would give the electors a chanco to escape from the endless bickerings between the and to devote their energies to other national problems that are crying out for attention.—'Lyttelton Times.' '

It is possible, indeed probable, that there 5s life enough, in our waters iov the support and development of large fishei-ies. Now, this country is manifestly destined to b« a maritime country. A wide commerce and a strong fleet to guard it win be the features ot a future day. We shall want sailors, and what better nursery for sailors than a great fishery -well developed? The advances system may one day, in the manner indicated by the member for Kaipara play a greater part even than its fraraers intended.—Wellington ' Times,'