THE VOICE OF THE PRESS

Stratford Evening Post, Issue 99, 8 December 1928, Page 5

THE VOICE OF THE PRESS

WHAT THE PAPERS SAY CURRENT EVENTS REVIEWED WOMEN IN AFFAIRS. Suggestions made at the Women's Bifanch, of the Citizens’ Association for the furtherance of the study. of civic affairs among women were excellent, and ought to be followed t-p. When w© have men in official positions who show an utter disregard for women’s interests, there is mum need that worn l a should be organised not only for the presentation of their point of mew, but also For ensuring that those views, when presented. should have an effective body of opinion r 0 give them weight. As things *re a’ present, women'will be forced to more effective organisation purely in self protection.— Christchurch ‘‘Star”.

TOO LATE TO CRY OUT. In 1 1922 Reform polled' only 42', per cent, of the total vote", recoraYd, as against 30 per cent for the Liberals and 23 per cent for Labour, Ip 1925 the Reformers secnrediO per cent of tb© votes polled, as against. alist Party’s 24 per cent. At thfA last election Reform, secured 36 percent of the votes polled. Labour 20per cent hud the United Party of per cent. Prom 1914 onwarci, it 3 s thereforel ck/aaj, dfefbim fwas kept in office by al minority of the elect'ors solely through tfife splitting of the opposition vote. Now that the United Party is in a position to supersede the Reformers, it is a little late in the day for the Chr.stchiirch I ‘Press” to deny to Sir Joseph Ward‘ and his followers the benefits of a system by which the - Reformers themselves Wive profited se long.— Auckland “Star”. ‘ r-yy; ■ THE common weal. In the subsequent history of fhis Parliament it may bo; found!: possible to form a group constituting, an actual majority, but we have to consider the conditions as ttiey are. and to jassumo that a majority party is hot in sight. In these circumstances, it is the duty of members to find the' solution that will best, in their judgment, meet the needs of the country. We do not propose to offer them advice ais to the precise course they shonlcl pursue, but we do suggest that the only motive them should be the good of the country. If they find. it practicable to' maintain one or ether dTMhe groups in office, with an assurance of support, that course, we are sure, w would satisfy the pooplo, gonciliDy, If,' bn the other hand], they dp not find that course workable, then the obvious course is to seek a - new mandate from the ©lectors. Sb long as they exercise their judgment with, a mind fixed solelv cml the welfare of the Dominion the people of the Dominion will have no cause for complain K “Lyttelton Times”.

A GRAVE DANGER. The Press hUve no standing whatever in the Children's C-Quit. The danger of legislatibn •’’wtycjtf permits such a state of affairs is twofold, Xu the first place, the public interest iS disregarded by the automatic suppression of the names of old offenders whose identity should be< published as widely as possible. In the second place the liberty of; the ■suonxt may be wrongly jeopardised because the evidence in these ccurts is, not oven taken on oath, and, it is possible that a man may be arrested and sentenced to six mouths’ .mpnscinment, ;as happened quite recently in Constchurch, and be bundled off to'’ gaol without being represented by a soli--oitor, or having a'wCnd said • -aboutr tlia case in any newspaper. ; This mi-, deferrable state of p\tTairs - has .been brought about by ill-considered «•*“ form legislation, which wo hope Sir Joseph Ward will take an early opportunity of repealing.—’ Christchurch “Star”.