PUBLIC OPINION.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXXII, Issue 15557, 6 March 1911, Page 8

PUBLIC OPINION.

FROM SATURDAY’S NEWSPAPERS.

(By Telegraph.)

THE AMERICAN BEEF TRUST.

It is satisfactory to know that the Government are fully alive to the dangers arising from the development of the American Beef Trust, and fully determined to safeguard the interests of the people of New Zealand. The Prime Minister's remarks on the subject at Wellington on Thursday, show a thorough grasp of the issues at stake, and if there is some vagueness concerning the actual intentions of the Government in given circumstances, it must be borne in mind that reticence may have an expedient value.—Dunedin “ Star.” THE METHODIST CONFERENCE. The independence of the _ Methodist Church in New Zealand ha ving become one of its definite aims and purposes, and having been accepted as inevitable by the Methodist Church in the Commonwealth it is certainly desirable that its consummation should be facilitated in every reasonable way. Further unprofitable delay may not damp, but can hardly be expected ,to stimulate nope and enthusiasm respecting the future. —“ Otago Daily Times.”

LETHARGY PERSONIFIED.

Those who wish to believe that the Government is now pursuing a vigorous land opening policy will hardly find comfort from the reply of Sir Joseph Ward to the Christchurch deputation which asked for opportunity to settle in the North Island under the improved farm system. Sir Joseph stated that there were no Native lands in the Waikato or along the Main Trunk line under offer to the Crown as the Maori Land Boards are dealing with these lands and leasing or soiling them to Europeans. Sir Joseph does not add that the Maori Land Boards are establishing along the Main Trunk a rack-rent system fof the benefit of idle Maori land-owners upon lands which have been made valuable solely by pakelia improvements and which will lie developed solely by pakelia tenantry.—-“ New Zealand Herald.”