What the Papers Say.

Observer, Volume XXIII, Issue 28, 28 March 1903, Page 3

What the Papers Say.

THE Prohibitionists have sought to inaugurate a reign of intolerance

and coercion by making Prohibition the test question in all matters of secular business, with the result that they have raised a plentiful crop of hypocrites and social tyrants, who at such times as the present go about the country fomenting strife and ill-feeling in connection with the liquor problem, which will never be solved in that way. — Wanganui Herald.

Despite the brag, bounce and bluster from the much-travelled, it is apparent that we are still unable to cut the silken bonds with John Bull's market, and, instead of abusing the English for temporarily closing their pockets against us, it would be wiser for the Premier to eat humble pie and wait for a more favouiable opportunity. — Palmerston Standard.

Provision should be made for the payment of jurors in civil cases at the same rate as in criminal cases. To pay a juror 8s a day for trying a criminal case, and only 10s for trying a civil case, whether it last one nay or any longer period, is an absurd anomaly, which should be done away with as soon as possible. — Wellington Post.

Of the other appointments (than th,at of Mr Carncross) wb would rather say nothing, except that they are a proof that an elective Upper House should he insisted upon. Mr Baldy, of Southland ! Mr Trask, of Nelson ! ! Hut, above all, Mr Thomas Thompson, of Auckland ! ! ! — The Car.erton f. ruder on the Legislative Council appointments.

Last year the Premier was in England ; everything political and official was confused and erratic. The Premier is in New Zealand now ; everything political and official is orderly and business like. — Kawhia Settler.

"Warn everyone not to touch Arltunga; bombastic booming ; grossly exaggerated." This message has been sent to the Bulletin direct from the field, and is from one of the most experienced explorers and successful prospectors in Australia. — Sydney Bulletin.

The co-operative theory is against a man's working hard or earning too much ; it does not openly preach the Government stroke, but in practice it always results in that abominable desultory style of elaborate fooling witli work. — Cromwell Argus.

The average juryman i.s as proud as a dog with a brass tail if he be summoned to the "Grand Jury," and correspondingly humiliated if he be called to the " Common Jury" and then told that he i.s " petty." — Nelson Mail.

The New Zealand Government can work its railways successfully, has made a triumphant success of land settlement, and governs the whole country well. Even the hottest enemies of Seddon's socialism have to admit this. — Melbourne Punch.

The farmers being responsible for more than three fourths of the total exports, it is somewhat surprising to note the paucity of direct representation in Parliament they as a class have secured. In the last Parliament there were 17 land-owners or farmers out of 70 members. The present House consists of 76 members, only 20 of whom are included in the agricultural category. In the first Atkinson Ministry of eight members five were landowners. In the Seddon Ministry of 14 members only two are land- owners. — Gisborne Herald.

Our labour laws in general have bred a class of professional agitators and cranks, who, by following the game of " organiser," or, more correctly speaking, professional mischief-maker between master and man, have succeeded in keeping things stirring, and at the same time, doubtless, in securing to themselves popular emoluments. — Hokitika Times.

The cabinet-making trade incident in Auckland is, it is to be feared, only the forerunner of many similar troubles, as the demands of the Unions and the awards of the Court reach a point where the employers find it impossible to make a reasonable profit out of their manufacturing business. — Taranaki Herald.

The gangs of spielers, card-sharpers, pick-pockets, thieves, and rogues and vagabonds which flit from town to town during the racing season are a menace to the decent portion of the population, and are allowed far too much latitude.— Wanganui Herald.

No one can deny that, whatever the future may have in store for us, New Zealand is at present being blessed with every evidence of a practical progress and substantial prosperity. — Blenheim Express.

When Si- Robert Stout succeeded to the place vacated by Sir James Prendergast, it was reported that the new Chief Justice had secured a promise from the Premier that a readjustment of judicial salaries should take place with as little delay as possible. . . Let Ministers and Parliament do the -graceful and just and proper thiiiir, and do it before the first session of the new Parliament comes to^an end. — Dunedin Star.

MrSeddon anil Sir J. G. Ward have been talking very loudly lately about New Zealand's approaching independence of the London money market, If part of the scheme to bring about tins independence is to collar the Bank of New Zealand, the outlook for the shareholders is not particularly bright, and as a matter of abstract justice it should nnt be consented to by Parliament. — Waikato Argus.

It must be a great relief to the Premier to feel that he has received the last instalment of the so-called " National Purse," and that he will no longer be compelled to unavailingly cudgel his brains for tenable reasons for accepting further contributions. — Wellington Post.

A full half of all industrial troubles, we are convinced, arise directly or indirectly from the incomplete organisation on the part of the workers, and the tendency of the preference clause, it is admitted, is to bring more and more of the workers into the Unions. A compulsory preference clause, as the phrase is, would thus be beneficial to employers and employed alike, since it would obviate unsettling and expensive disputes. — Lyttelton Times.

The advocates of the co-operative system may be recommended to study its practical test in connection with the Grahamtown Extension. As a solution of the labour question, it has proved itself to be a pitiable fiasco. As a substitute for open contracts, it has turned out to be a disastrous failure. That it does not commend itself to the men employed has been conclusively demonstrated by continuous dissatisfaction and rreijuent strikes. — Whangarei Advocate.

Unfortunately, tire Premier, or Minister for Labour, as he prefers to call himself in this relation, has unmistakably sided with the men in the Auckland cabinetmakers' case, when his attitude should have been one of entire non-committal pending the disclosure of all evidence of fact and the judgment r*f the Court. As to his declared intention to find Government employment for the mechanics who have lost their employment, it is an appeal to the gallery pure and simple. Is the Premier prepared, should the conditions be reversed, to compensate the employer who may be required to run his business at a loss ?—-Wellington Post.