PUBLIC OPINION.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXX, Issue 14978, 26 April 1909, Page 8

PUBLIC OPINION.

FROM SATURDAY’S NEWSPAPERS (By Telegraph.) LAWRENCE,-ROXBURGH RAILWAY. Until Ministers think fit to disclose the exact purport of the “ information ” upon which their decision, was avowedly-based, they must not be surprised if the people of Otago having informa,tion of their own, persist in attaching a very slight value to Sir Joseph Ward’s apology. In the friendliest spirit, wo feel bound to toll Air Millar that bis acquiescence in the egregious proposal to stop work on the Lawrence-Roxburgh line, and so break faith with the people to whom the Scddon Government (including Sir Joseph Ward) pledged their word in 1905, is placing many of his Dunedin friends and supporters in a very difficult position.—Dunedin Star.” SATURDAY HALF-HOLIDAY. Sufficient evidence has been adduced to warrant the conclusion that the Saturday half-holiday has proved unsatisfactory wherever it has been tried in the past. The assertion by retailers that tho effect of Saturday oloeiug has been exceedingly injurious to trade stands unchallenged, and ia, we are satisfied, irrefutable in all tbe circumstances. The majority of the electors will, wo think, bo -wisely guided if they decide to give their verdict in favour of a system that has stood tlie test of time rather than in favour of one that would involve a doubtful experiment.—“ Otago Daily Times.” FAKES AND FRAUDS.

Clearly the individual with a passion for “ancient” work of any kind is nowadays inviting the attention of the despoiler. Tho position, seems to be that if a man buys something “old” ho will got something that is bogus, if he invests in what is “new” he will get it adulterated. Cultivation of a wise scepticism is, therefore, likely to be the only safeguard. It is essentially a period for economy.—“ New Zealand Times.”