WHAT THE PAPERS SAY.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLVII, Issue XLVII, 9 March 1912, Page 2

WHAT THE PAPERS SAY.

It is true that disgruntled ex-Minic-tei's have occasionally made themselves unpleasant to their successors and theii' party, but we have 110 fears 111 this respect as the situation is in New Zealand just now. Indeed, most of the rumours and predictions which nre afoot originate in the wishes of anxious partisans rather than in the serious thoughts of responsible observers. The Opposition are hoping- against hope, hoping with the final pathetic passion which is half despair. that failureawaits the attempt to ratify a new Li-beral-Labour alliance, and to form a new progressive Government that shall be acceptable to Parliament and th-s country. Once again they will be disappointed. —Dunedin "Star." The subject of the Panama Canal dues and of whether th'c-y shall be lowered to American-owned vessels bv the system suggested by Mr Stimeon, is one of considerable importance, not only to ■Great Britain herself, but to her oversea dominions in Australasia. Canada, which according to the Toronto Press, hopes to establish a successful direct steamer trade with Australia and New Zealand is also specially intere-ted. The' United States Government deserves every credit for the energy with which it is prosecuting the completion of the Canal, but no departure from the "open do° r " principle could be countenanced by Great Britain. —"N.Z Times." We have held again and again that the workers as a corporate bcxiy of unionists had a right to be heard' in conference, but we see n <> reason why the dictatorial Federation should be. recognised in the matter. The officers of this Socialist organisation -evidently hone to be an oligarchy, a coterie of deSpots ruling New Zealand with a red or iron. They hope to have a Vulcan smithy where Jovian thunderbolts may be forged to "paralyse the country," as the gentle Mr Semple puts it, if the country is disposed to resist the thin red line.—"Evening Post." A Minister could not possibly be spared for a work certain to occupy two or three years, most of which must bo spent in other parts of the Empire lor that reason Sir .Joseph Ward, as 11'«mieiv would not be eligible, but he wilt be released from that office in a week or two. With this disqualification removed he will,, by general admission, be the best man that could possiblv be selected 011 thrs Imperial Trade Commission, and in view of this fact. and'of the urgency of a matter which has anondy been hung up too long. «'e trust that the riew Government, frail though its tenure is, will not hesitate to make the appointment. —"livening Post. A great many people hold the view that In the nature of things the organised workers must remain in the hands of self-seeking demagogues, but. we do not share that view. There are Labour leaders in every country who are sincere and honc-st men. not selfseekers, and are as anxious for justice fo others as for justice to their clients. In New Zealand, unhappily, the work--r*' interests have in most cases grot into bad hands, into the hands of slv demagogues, and it is a fortunate circumstance that the Federation of Labour is helpintr To make this clear to everyone.— "Dominion."