Rangitikei Advocate TWO EDITIONS DAILY. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 23. EDITORIAL NOTES.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXVI, Issue 10512, 23 November 1912, Page 4

Rangitikei Advocate TWO EDITIONS DAILY. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 23. EDITORIAL NOTES.

THE fact is being made fairly evident that Mr Massey has a greater influence on the majority of the people than any of bis predecessors in the Premiership. His straightforwardness, firmness, and ability are generally admired, and the electors are rapidly realising that the country benefits when those in control of its public affairs are actuated by principles, not by desire to pander to extremists and delude the unthinking. Others, so long "as they could borrow money wholesale, were able to hold their grip on the public, but Mr Massey is gaining good opinions every day in spite of the adverse financial conditions, consequent on the mismanagement of others. Among all classes the belief is growing that this is a Ministry of the people, not one that will unduly favour any particular class, and we believe that during their tenure of office more truly Liberal legislation will be passed than ever before in the history of New Zealand. The Seddon Ministry flourished in spite of its acts, but the country paid dearly for its existence by„ an enormous addition to the publicMebt and increase of the annual interest charge. It, and its short-lived successors, existed because they practised the methods of the Roman Emperors who gave their people “bread and circuses, ” and also appointed Pretor iau guards to protect their party interests at elections, in the form of co-operative labour contingents. Had it not been for the class legislation they promoted we should not have had such trouble as • occurred at Waihi, and there would have been a much greater development of private enterprises, because fear and uncertainty would not have made men too cautious to engage in industrial or commercial undertakings. What was needed in this country when the sham-Liberal partj l- was shattered was “a still, strong man in a blatant land,” and Mr Massey, supported by other strong men, seems to be meeting the requirement.

THE need for a solar observatory in Australia or New Zealand has been stressed by the Meteorological Society. It is required for the purpose of striving to elucidate the connection of solar changes and meteorological conditions on our planet. It is known that there is a close connection between sun-spots and terrestrial magnetism, but this is about the sum of human knowledge on this subject. Some time ago it was suggested by;’ a correspondent of this paper that possibly the sun is merely a great centre of electrical energy, and that light and heat are manifested on earth in a similar manner to that in which they are created in the electric light and the electric furnace, that is to say that actual light and heat do not pass over the enormous spaces between the sun and its planetary system, which spaces, so far as we can judge, must be intensely cold. Another suggestion has recently been made that possibly it is the very extensive use that is now being made of wireless telegraphy, which sends great discharges of electrical energy through the atmosphere, that is causing the extraordinary disturbances manifested by typhoons, earthquakes, and in some countries such as our own’the substitution of winter conditions for late spring. No doubt a solar observatory in this part of the world would aid in solving many problems.

WB congratulate Mr Massey. on his expressed intention to secure laud in the country districts to provide workers with residences and sufficient areas for profitable occupation. He need have no fear as to the success of the scheme, which will not only greatly benefit the workers, but will go a long way towards solving the land and labour problems. It may be taken for granted that a worker who has a residence and a small area to cultivate will have no time for socialist agitators, and it will provide him with occupation and means of earning something when work is slack on the farms. It will also give the larger farmers a permanent supply ot labour of those who are capable of doing the necessary work, instead of having to depend on casual labour, which may be unreliable or of little real use. We trust Mr Massey will be able to give effect to the scheme next session, and after it is pnt into operation it should coutri- I bute to the happiness, peace, and ? prosperity of of New Zealand | especially the country districts. The | idea is of greater value than all the single-tax and similar theories that j bnve ever been formulated.

THE doings of the Federation of Labour provide incidents and situa- | tions worthy of comic opera. At j Waihi those of whom their leaders alleged that they would die to defend their action, fled like frightened rabbits before the rush of exasperated workers. Those who for long defied law and order, threat- I ened the peace of the country, and | endeavoured to restrict the liberty |

of others, have since appealed to the Premier to see that the representatives of law and order shall protect them. They are not the first who have fashioned engines to their own hurt, but the sudden change is somewhat amusing. Where would those Red Federationists have been, after Constable Wade was shot, had it not been for the presence of the police they hated?