Rangitikei Advocate. TWO EDITIONS DAILY. SATURDAY, AUGUST 30, 1913. EDITORIAL NOTES.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXVII, Issue 10737, 30 August 1913, Page 4

Rangitikei Advocate. TWO EDITIONS DAILY. SATURDAY, AUGUST 30, 1913. EDITORIAL NOTES.

IF we are to judge from their present actions as to what the advocates of the Bible in Schools would do if they succeeded in getting, the unfortunate teachers under their control, then the outlook for the latter'would be dismal indeed. Sundry attempts to gag the press have come under our notice recently, -and another is at present being made of which more may be heard shortly. It seems to be forgotten by some people that a newspaper editor holds a position of trust, and that at all risks he must place publio interests first, arid must fearlessly express what he to be true and best for the interests of the people. We have no hesitation in strongly condemning the. movement which aims at the destruction of our system of education which, although capable of improvement in some respects, is the best that has ever been devised by any country, and has produced the best results, as is proved amply by the statistics relating, to crime. The great majority of the people desire to maintain the secular character of our education system and will discountenance and resent any interference which may result in State aid being given to the teaching of dogmas, or tdat may develop religious strife and bitterness. We should be failing in our duty if we neglected to caliche attention: of the people to the danger threatening, our educational system from the malignant attacks of frenzied fanatics. In proportion to our numbers there are fewer criminals among our native born population, who have passed through our schools,* than there are in any otl.er country in the world, and this fact is so pregnant with meaning that we do not need to elaborate it. We strongly counsel every parent and everyone/Who has the future welfare of New Zealand at heart to turn deaf ears to the ravings of the Bible in Schools party, who would destroy tiiat which, to a large extent, ensures the religious liberty the people of this country enjoy. It may be noted in conclusion as another significant fact that most of those, who are vigorously striving to destroy pur educational system have. no children attending the schools, and therefore, in. a sense, have no right to dictate to others as to how their children shoula be brought up.

THE idea of an Imperial Co-iJiil, which originated in New Zealand, - and was advocated by Sir Joseph Ward at an Imperial Conference has evidently attracted the attention of many [political leaders in the overseas Dominions. But of course it does not follow that British statesmen will immediately consent'to the creation of such a body. The political leaders outside Britain apparently realise, among other things, that such a Council would open for them"; positions far superior to any obtainable in the colonies, and\give them a wider and more important sphere of influence. As to its benefit to the Empire there can be no ques- i tion. Its creation wouid be the first. 1 step towards real federation of the Empire and the eventual working of the whole as a gigantio co-operative, conoern. Mr Sohr,einer, ex-Premie* of South Africa, is the"latest to express hope that an imperiaUCouncil' will become an accomplished fact. If it does then the problems of the Empire, will be easier of solution,, and it,will promote such "firm union 6f the Brltistf-peop ■?i-■'■ "Vtil: "•■'- h~.■>"., ■■■ ':'+ .';';•:■ A*tspW..C'lt^Ml!

has never been equalled in the history of any race.

THE International Co-operative j Congress at London furnishes "strik-a t ing proof of the rapidity with which c the 00-operative movement has grown. Half a century ago there t was but little practical application of the principle of co-operation, and < now the]6oo have as- j sembled in' London represent' no i fewer than twenty- niillioa>members of co-operative societies. These ] societies must ensure an enormous , total saving to their members. In ' our own country something has been done in thedirection. of co-operation, not only by societies established for : trading purposes but by" the- dairymen.. Every dairy union is practically a co-operative concern, though usually its operations are limited to the production and marketing of butter or cheese. The benefits that haye thereby resulted to the farmers, however, should be sufficient to convince them that an extension of the principle could not fail to give beneficial Jesuits. . " IN'course of time the doctors will no doubt cease oapturing ohickenpox patients and vaccinating them. If it is true, as stated by .Mr Reed in th'e House that there are oyer two thousand cases of the disease raging in the Bay of Islands electorate, then it js certain that if-it were smallpox there would have been very many deaths recorded. The fact that many have been vaccinated seems to indicate that vaccination is not a preventive oE this disease. If it is smallpox, as alleged, then those forty Maoris who have esoaped further medical attention and have scattered in various directions, should leave a*trail of disfigurement and deaths. Bat we strongly doubt whether there is any reason for alarm.