PUBLIC OPINION.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXX, Issue 14977, 24 April 1909, Page 9

PUBLIC OPINION.

FROM YESTERDAY'S NEWSPAPERS. (By Telegraph.) A MENACE TO SOCIETY. There must bo differentiation between the insane and the criminally insane in the provision that is made for their housing and we hope the Government will recognise without further delay the wisdom of providing for the. custody of criminal lunatics in a special institution, which would be furnished, of course, with all the proper amenities and would be distinguished from a goal in that the treatment would be entirely humane in the sense in which humaneness marks the enlightened treatment of the irresponsible. The cost of the small institution which ought to meet all requirements would be inconsiderable as compared with benefits that would accrue from such improved classification. The present system is unjust to the authorities, who, in the case of the existing mental hospitals, are expected to protect society without having iproper facilities for so doing, and it involves an injustice to the public as the events of this week have shown.—" Otago Daily Times." * CHEAPENED CABLES. Mr Honniker Heaton's enthusiasm affords no argument to justify a State expenditure of millions. Before that can bo thought of seriously there would have to be much precise information forthcoming about the actual benefits that were to follow, and who would specially benefit thereby.—" New Zealand Times." ' LABOUR AND EXERTION.; Labour's idea according to some observers is not the securing of a certain quantity of work of a certain quality but payment for time given to employers. This scheme of, course, is very unsound economically, however comfortable it may be for the believers in the doctrine of non-exertion. Many enthusiasts preach the emancipation of labour, but the emancipation will not come from non-exertion. Large numbers of captains of industry and the best of these have riEen from the ranks, but they have not done it by non-exertion. If Mabour votes for a go slow on the dead level, then labour will remain on the dead level. It will not gather enough momentum to rise. The hostility to the exertion principle in any shape or form springs from ignorance of economics. If the labourer is to be worthy of his hire he must exert himself.—" Evening Post."