What the Papers Say

Observer, Volume XXVII, Issue 36, 25 May 1907, Page 3

What the Papers Say

NEW ZEALANDERS know what is best for their own interest in the matter of trade ; and the Australians know what is best for theirs. We must leave it to the motherland to know what is best for hers. — Waihi Ttlzqraph.

Our police courts are crowded at every sitting by people whom, we sadly fear, are there not through interest in the administration of justice and the punishment of malefactors, but for the gratification of morbid desires. — Hamilton Times.

Some of our politicians and thinkers attach but little importance to the question of defence, and considering the military spirit abroad, it comes somewhat as a matter of surprise that more interest is not shown in the tuition of our citizens in the handling of modern weapons. — Rotorua Times.

The aggregation of large estates in a country like New Zealand, where the land area is limited, must act disastrously on the general welfare of the people of the colony, more especially so as the " land hunger " has latterly become so pronounced. — Hastings Standard.

For our part we hope that the projected professional football team's tour will never eventuate, and we think that in expressing this hope we voice the sentiments of the great majority of the football authorities throughout the colony, and also of the followers of the game. — Wanganui Herald.

In neglecting to provide a navy of our own we are missing a golden opportunity for our development aa a nation, and throwing away the chance of becoming a strength, instead of a weakness, to the Empire. As well might it be said that our future rests with British soldiers fighting thousands of miles away as that it depends on British warships launching their deadly thunders in alien seas. — Greymouth Argus.

The first issue of the School Journal has certainly missed the mark aimed at ; but its promoters must themselves take a school text to heart, and " try again." — Carterton News.

It may be taken for granted that many men who have sat on coroners' juries have concurred in a verdict of '• temporary insanity" when they had doubts whether, on a strict account, they could justify that finding to their conscience. — Hawera Star.

An epidemic of crime may strike in its sweep some man. He may be cured from crime just as he may be cured from boils or carbuncles, or ingrowing toe-nails. Why should the majority of people persist in hindering him from cure by refusing him work chat he may be able to honestly perform? In the treatment of wrongdoers before and after they are dealt with in the Courts lies their ultimate hope of real redemption —in the human, worldly sense. — Wellington Free Lance.

The present Government is practically a freehold Government, and it is trying, for financial reasons, to give the people as much of the freehold as it is judicious to give them in the meantime. M6st people can give apretty shrewd guess as to what will happen afterwards. — Oamaru Times.

Throughout this colony, silly little railways curl away to nowhere in particular mainly because a few people who don't matter at all have desired it. The Main Trunk Line, being a national asset and an essential to all the people, has been neglected. — Fox ton Herald.

The Wednesday half-holiday haa never been universally observed, and while the Factory Act remains Tinaltered it cauuot be universally observed. As there is little hope of amending the Act, why not endeavour by legitimate means to ha*ten on legislation making Saturday universal? — Invercargill limes.

In discussing Imperial matters afc London, Sir Joseph Ward has shown' an eagerness to place colonial atiairs on a better footing that would be commendable were it consistent with his attitude while in the colony. — Petone Chronicle.

The. rule which forbids prisoners to read or receive newspapers ia a piece of stupid red-tape dating back to the dark ages, and ought to be abolished. We can quite believe that this enforced ignorance of current events in some cases acts as an obstacle to a discharged prisoner being able ( to take up honest employment. — Christchurch Press.

The temptation to first-class amateur footballersto become professionals is very great indeed, for with professionalism are associated so many tempting chances to easily acquire money that, if it pays to lose, the game is almost sure to be played with that intention. — JDargaville Bell.

The Land Bill will meet with opposition from every quarter in the North Island. Every day seems to be adding to the danger of the situation, and we have no doubt that this session will be — if the Government are wise — the signal for an appeal to the country. — Reef ton Times.

In every community of any size, even in New Zealand, there are a certain number of people who, from one cause and anor,her, are practically unable, try how they may, to secure homes of their own. The number of such people appears to be rapidly increasing. — Masterton Age.

The Conservatives, say what they might, have never been able to convince the bulk of the people that their main efforts were not directed to the maintenance of privilege and merely sectional welfare, or that their main influence, if they were to attain power, would not tend to lessen the general happiness and prosperity. — Dunedin Star.

To throw open the millions of acres of unused native lands to European occupation, and at the same time to secure the native owners in possession of the rent 8, will surely do more for the Maoris than any coquetting with the ideals of Home itale. In pressing for a new treaty of Waitangi, or a new interpretation of the old one in the manner suggested, Mr Kaihaii and his hearers are merely beating the air. — Wellington Post