What the papers Say

Observer, Volume XXIV, Issue 26, 12 March 1904, Page 3

What the papers Say

THE tourist is too much of a fetish in this country. We are glad to

to see him, but we need not keep on killing the fatted calf for him, and getting the value of a frozen rabbit from him in exchange. Let us lay ourselves out for the solid commercial man with money to spend in the country, and give the eternal tourist a rest for a while. — Christchurch Truth.

We can recall only one other modern instance [than that of Lord and Lady Ranfurly] of a British Governor and his consort joining so freely, spontaneously, and uncondescendingly in the pursuits, aspirations, and pastimes of a colonial people— that of Lord and Lady Carrington in New South Wales. — Nelson Mail.

There is a natural disposition on the part of some of our lads to run to wildness, and if the colony were in possession of a properly equipped training ship that wildness could be curbed by the discipline that would exist aboard such a ship. — Oamaru Times.

The phrase "Moscow message" is coming to have about the same significance as "Yankee yarn." — Carterton Leader on the war news. As to freetrade as far as is practicable, any farmer who is opposed to it is hlind to his own interests. He is the friend of the town mechanic, and his own enemy. — Hamilton Argus. • • • Time was when the utterances of Cabinet Ministers were looked upon with something like respect, and opinions expressed by them were considered authoritative. Nowadays one looks for dodgery between the lines, and ignorance on top of them.— Petone Chronicle. • • • We don't want the kind of shooting that depends entirely on the artificial aids supplied from distant workshops by inventors who entirely discount the rifleman's skill, which aids will be practically useless in war-time. It is a poor ambition to want to go to Bisley and win prizes with a bagful of paintpots and assorted ironmongery. It is about as sportsmanlike as shooting a sitting rabbit, and not half as useful. — Wellington Free Lance. •• • - The extravagance which, has for years past characterised the arrangements in connection with the ViceRoyalty of New Zealand will continue until the people of the colony have a word to say on the subject. The gubernatorial business costs this country nothing short of £20,000 a year. — Carterton Leader. • • • It is the reproach of our University system that there is no taste at all for original research among the students sent forth every year from the halls of the University duly marked with titles and degrees. — Blenheim Express. • • • The destruction of dangerous weeds is a matter that concerns the State, and it is time that the State took action. In leaving the solution of the problem to the individual, we run the grave risk of not getting it solved. — New Plymouth News. • • • Mr Massey is an earnest and capable politician, who has made considerable sacrifices in the public service with little prospect of any advantage to himself. With the generous co-opera-tion of Sir William Russell he has rescued the Opposition from chaos and has made it a real force in the House of Representatives. — Christchurch Times.

The New Zealand Farmers 1 Union seems to be suffering from a navere attack of ennui— ah least a good many of the branches appear to be so afflicted. — New Plymouth News. m Farmers, as a rale, do not realise sufficiently the dignity and importance of their occ ipations, and this undue modesty on their part acts seriously to their disadvantage. It is possible for them to claim the most prominent and dominant part in the national life.— — Palmerston Times. ••■ • ■ . The manager of the State Fire Insurance Department has not yet been appointed, yet the news reaches us that the Underwriters' Association has already decided to lower the rates ! — Carterton Leader. • • • We wonder whether Mr Seddon will continue bis pet fomentation of Mr Chamberlain's jingoism when he learns how the people who encouraged him at Home snub him when he happens to brush them the wrong way ! Time will tell.— Reef ton Times. » * • To all outward appearance, Mr Seddon is as solidly seated in power as he has been at any time during the last 13 years, and has his party as well in hand as at any time during his unprecedentedly long reign. If there are any dangers ahead, however, they are more likely to be found in the ranks of his own party than in those of the Opposition, who are, to all appearances, but little more dangerous to the Government than during the feeble and ineffective reign of Sir William Russell. — Grey mouth Argus. • » • It will be of no use for the apostles of the leasehold to appeal to an audience of farmers on socialistic or altruistic grounds. If they do, their mission is doomed to ignominious failure. They must prove to the farmer that it is more profitable to him to hold his land by a leasehold than by a freehold tenure, and this will be difficult. — Cromwell Argus. There is so much cheating to be seen at some sports gatherings that it must not be wondered at if young people come to regard it as quite legitimat \ —New Plymouth Herald. « • m If day labour on Government works is to have a fair trial, the whole system of "spoils to the victors" must be swept away, and absolute freedom given to the chief engineer in charge with regard to appointment and retention of subordinates. And we feel sure that such a course would be hailed with delight by all competent workmen. — Wellington Post. • " r. Mr Seddon is too shrewd not to realise that there is probably less danger to the Government in not interfering with the personnel of the Ministry than in bringing in two new men and disappointing half a dozen others who will imagine that their transcendent abilities have been shamefully overlooked. After all, what does it matter in a one-man Government who is appointed? — Grey mouth A rgus. • • . New Zealand has no class of young men who would better their positions by joining the Imperial Navy under present conditions. Almost any occupation from bush - felling to bank clerking offers a better career, financially speaking, than the Navy offers to its recruits. . . . Promise our youths advantages at sea equal to those they may- enjoy on land, and there will be no lack of enthusiasm and plenty of recruits. — Wellington Free Lance. • <♦ • There was a time when colonial Governorships were not altogether popnlar among the nobility of the Old Land, and stories have even been told of posts that have been "hawed" round the great houses. Times have changed, however, and a position like that of Governor of New Zealand is i sought after by energetic and am- ( bitious young anstocrate who want to \ qualify for political office, or who have % feeling that they should be helping in the building of the Empire.—Christohurch Times.