TOPICS OF THE DAY.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 9134, 5 February 1910, Page 4

TOPICS OF THE DAY.

As we anticipated, no attempt has been made to reply to Abuse the solid facts we pubNot lished last evening in Criticism, reference to the lighting of the Opera House, but instead this morning the public are treated by the Weak Watchman to a farrago of words which every sensible man will condemn as nonsensical and childish. Good, honest criticism is beneficial in a community, but when the fulminations of a writer who is not taken at his own valuation are sent forth in the garb of criticism it is time for all fair-minded people to object. The Borough Council has been a target for abuse by a certain print for months past simply because it refuses to take the conductor's advice on public questions. Local residents are sick and tired of the daily wail. If the print was able to gauge public opinion it would endeavour to win respect by changing its ridiculous tactics.

Very general sympathy will be felt for the Premier, whose The illness has necessitated Premier's the postponement of his Health. intended Southern visit. Sir Joseph Ward is so popular personally and has so many friends on Both sidos of politics that there would be universal regret if he had to retire from public life. It will be hoped that his illness is nothing more than a passing indisposition, and that his complete recovery will speedily result. Those who are aware of the trying nature of the recent summer session to all who took part in it will not find it hard to'connect the Premier's ill-health with the aftereffects of the few weeks of strenuous effort then put forth, and they will again be led to question the wisdom of compressing the transaction of the country's business into too short a period. If f©r no other reason than for the sake of the health of Ministers and members the House should insist on longer sessions and easier conditions than has hitherto been the custom.

The College Street School Committee discussed an important Truant principle on Thursday Inspector, night in connection

with the retirement of the present Truant Inspector, Mr Easther, on superannuation. The point considered was whether another inspector should be appointed to carry on the duties in the same manner as during the last few years, or whether an attempt should not be made to gather in the waifs and strays from the streets. During the discussion several members quoted their own experiences in connection with children who did not attend any school, one membfer stating he could mention half-a-dozen in a very short while. The custom followed by the Inspector is to scrutinise school rolls or the reports of masters sent to him ; and legal proceedings are then instituted against parents whose children have not made the minimuni of attendances. Under such circumstances it may be easily conceived that children whose names are not on the school rolls go entirely free, whilst in many other cases parents are unduly harassed. It was considered that the only efficient means of gathering in those who are not making use of the facilities the State provides was by invoking the aid of a local officer, and the committee decided to suggest to the Education Board that the Justice Department should be asked through the Minister for Education to appoint the police local truant inspectors in preference to the appointment of an official who would carry out his duties merely from reports or inspection of school registers. It is very doubtful, however, whether the police are the right authorities to whom this work should be delegated.