PUBLIC OPINION

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVI, Issue 8265, 30 October 1912, Page 5

PUBLIC OPINION

THE CABLE SERVICE AGAIN To tho Editor ‘‘N.Z. Times.’’ •Sir,—On ttie Sth inst. you published a cable message stating that, in response to a requisition signed by 10,000 agricultural laborers, Mr Lloyd George was to deliver an address on the land question at Swindon on Saturday last. On Monday morning, however, I looked in vain for the cabled precis of the Chancellor’s speech, nor has a lino been sent since concerning it, although the cable agent has seen fit to tell us about tho doings of a conference of “blacklegs” in London i This is one more instance of the bins displayed by our daily mail cable service, and such instances are so frequent that one wonders why tho press of this country does not protest. On the 10th inst. a cable message was published giving the precis of a question in the House of Commons by Mr Clough, Liberal member for the Skiptou Division of Yorkshire. regarding military training in Australia and New Zealand, and inter alia wo were informed that Mr Clough bad asked “a long rambling question.” It is perhaps too much to expect our <onscriptiomst daily press to protest against such a glaring departure from the rule which requires news to be impersonal as far as possible, but I take leave to say that if wo are to have cable news, it should not bear tho hall-mark of the

National Service League or of the Tariff Reform League. For years past it has been the settled policy of tho cable agent to uso his position ns far n.s possible to assist tho protcctionist-conscriptionist agitation in Great Britain. —1 am, etc., J. P. O’EEGAN. October 29th. STATE FIRE INSURANCE To the Editor “N.Z. Times.’’ Sir, —Referring to your sub-leader re State Fire Insurance, permit me to add a few remarks on the subject. Little can be added to the report of tho committee or the statement in your article to show that tho Government has been caught in an attempt to injure the State Fire Department. As an example of what nil insurers have received through that department during the eight years since its inception. I may state that I have saved .£lO 13s -id on a £SOO policy. The previous rates were 16s per cent, when I was insured with one of the proprietary companies; the department’s rates being now one-third less. There were plenty of reforms for tho present Massey Government to institute without attempting to upset the honest efforts of the late Government to lighten tho financial burdens of the people and equalise the distribution of wealth where possible. It behoves the country to bo cautious how they allow the Government to take a retrograde step by weakening the hands of the administration of the State Fire Department, It has proved itself necessary and should be strengthened and not weakened. Tho enmity of interested private insurance companies whose premiums and dividends are sent out of the country should not be allowed to imperil the existence of a legitimate and valuable public department. Tho agitation against the Public Trust Office is another instance of an attempt to revert to the old order of things. Would the enmity end there? I think not. This is Reform.—l am, etc., CURIOUS. Wellington, October 26th.