PRESS OPINIONS.

Patea Mail, Volume XXXVIII, 12 September 1913, Page 4

PRESS OPINIONS.

NOT "REACTIONARY." The energetic administration and extension of the workers' dwellings scheme and the extension of the Old Age Pensions Act afford an answer to the charge "reactionary" which is still trotted out against the Government occasionally when other charges fail, or when opponents are too tired to make complaints in support of which some evidence must be adduced.—Timaru Herald. THE SECOND BALLOT. j The Liberals and the Laborites should positively refuse to assist in abolishing the second ballot till they have secured something better in it 3 place. On this point Ministers' promises and assurances must not be accepted at their face value. The processes of Parliament permit of so ' many miscarriages of good intentions that on such a vital question as this no-" thing should be taken on trust.—Lyttelton Times. A " WHITE NEW ZEALAND." There can be no doubt whatever that ' the great majority of the people of New Zealand are desirous of keeping this Dominion a white man's county, the only exception being the 'Maori race, who were in possession of the land when the first British colonists arrived; and if there is any veal danger of an influx of coolies from Fiji or elsewhere there can i be no room for doubt on the part of the Government as to the view the country holds on the Question. —Dominion. THE GOVERNMENT'S WORK. It is unquestionably the position that the now Government have, already done much in the way of reform—particularly as regards matters of administration — and it would be a good thing, we feel, if even with reference to all matters political both its supporters and its journals were to set a much higher standard in connection with their discussion than has been in evidence in ihis Dominion \ for a number of years past.—Gisborne Times. THE OPPOSITION. Even if the Opposition had not shown by their conduct in Opposition that they ' are unfit for office, the public would require something from them in the shape of a policy, and the only point upon which they agree, or appear to agree, is that the Civil Service should be brought once again within the reach of the needy wire-puller.—Christchurch Press. DOMINION MUSEUM. The proposed Dominion Museum is very much wanted, and /we are not parochial enough to cavil at its being located in Wellington. We hope that when it becomes an accomplished fact a special effort will be made to secure relics connected with the early history of the colony, and a thoroughly representative collection of Maori implements and articles of use, and specimens of Maori art.—Christchurch Press.

The Tories are not concerned to repeal the progressive legislation of the last 20 years, though they would dearly love to do so, and arc willing to extend it slightly in the meantime if by this concession to popular opinion they can maintain themselves in power. What they are concerned about is to prevent the onward march of real and effective progressive legislation. They dread, above all things, a further graduated land tax that will compel the subdivision of the groat territorial estates for closer settlement.—'Wellington Times.