What the Papers Say

Observer, Volume XXVII, Issue 43, 13 July 1907, Page 3

What the Papers Say

THE opposition to the- Land Bill is based not on economic grounds, but on sentimental. This statement will be denied, but it is true. The only way it affects economics is by taking out of the hands of money-lenders and financiers an opportunity of squeezing the tiller of the soil. — Reef ton "Times."

From a social, economic, or political standpoint a dominion is superior to a colony, for the very name endows it with importance. Self-governing colonies are always on a higher plane than colonies governed by the Crown, and in like manner dominions are a higher grade still.— Waihi "Telegraph."

The Bank of New Zealand charges the enormous exchange of 2s 6d r>n every • Bank of England five pound note presented in this colony, and also, for fear the revenue isn't fat enough, demands the addition of a penny stamp. This, of course, is rank out and out robbery, and one no . longer expresses surprise that banks in this country are able to rear ornate buildings. — Foxton "Herald."

Henceforth, it seems, we are to be known as ' ' the Dominion of New Zealand." There is nothing really dreadful in this change, though we think it hardly necessary. And there ii a suggestion of Brummagem about it that is not pleasant. — Blenheim •' Express."

Last year the receipts from the sales of the products of the colony increased very largely, but so also did the amount expended on luxuries, and it is in the growth of expenditure thereon that the real danger lies, for when less prosperous times come it is always difficult to reduce one's expenditure. — Nelson " Colonist."

Were anything untoward to happen to the dairying industry, disaster must happen in the North Island, where lands have been run to prices that may not be excessive at the present time, but that will certainly iand their holders m difficulties if the expected happens. — Oamaru "Times."

The Governtneat valuations :>f land are fully as high as they ought to be in all cases, and are in some cases higher than can be justified by the productiveness, actual or possible, of the land so valued. — Napier ' Telegraph."

The evils following in the train of a large Asiatic population in proximity to a white one are incontrovertible, and it is admitted that the two cannot live together without lowering the moral standard of both. — P aimer ston " Standard."

It is no good being anti- Asiatic in your sentiments and pro-Asiatic in your fruit, no use yelling for a white New Zealand from the door of a pak-a-pu emporium, and no use talking of racial purity with a bunch of Chow-laundered linen under your arm. — Wellington " Free Lance."

Touting by shipping companies' agents at Home is a slur on the colony, for tfie tout is generally accepted by the intending emigrant as one authorised by our Government to make the statements that fill the berths on the ocean liners. It is degrading to the colony that people are brought out under false pretences. — -New Plymouth "News.

We are just now ii» a pyele of high prices, and benefits obtained in certain respects are neutralised by disadvantages in others. Combinations of labour are met by combinatious of capital and though special sections in each camp derive benefits the high range of values press heavily on many people. — Hawera " Star."

We do not for a moment disparage the good work done in the past and still being done by missionary effort amongst the Maoris, but it must be patent to' any observant person that something on a much wider scale is n <|i ired to stem the tendency to degen^Tucy amongst the natives which is so painfully apparent. — Wanganui "Berald."

The destinies of this colony are largely in the hands or the working man, and he must rise superior o narrow views if we are to have that enlightened p ogress which the natural advantages of our country will enable us to secure if used aright. — Carterton "News."

Naturally the interests of the liquor party favor a dissolution, and not unnaturally that party would do nothing to hinder it, if indeed they would not do everything in their power to hasten it. For if such dissolution were to take place before the end of the present triennial term no local option poll would take place at the General Election. — Grey town "Standard."

It is clear that the distaste of democracies for distinctions and titles is now on the wane, otherwise objection would have been taken ere this to the change in' modern democratic feeling. — Cambridge " Independent."

Here in New Zealand, from our geographical position, the possession of an abundant timber supply is especially important. Yet here nothing is being done, and the Government are actually doing their best to assist in cutting out our bush areas as fast as possible. — Napier " Herald."

One hardly knows whether to pity or execrate such politicians as those 1 twenty-two members of the House of Commons who issued the antipreference manifesto referred to in yesterday's cable news. It is pitiable that such men could find seats in an Imperial Legislature. — Carterton " News."

A tariff under which, as was stated recently, garden forks are free, and garden trowels are dutiable, may have some scientific principle as its basis, but it is not easy to discover what that principle is r especially when we further find that while a carpenter's tool-basket is admitted free, the basket in which a plumber's tools are carried has to pay duty. — Christchurch "Press."

It is quite possible that outwardly the gambling evil may be lessened, but secretly it will be carried on - y and of the two evils, we are inclined to the belief that that practised in the light of day, and to some extent under the supervision of the powers that be, is the least. — Stratford "Post."

When New Zealand has settled its land question its troubles will not be over, for it will then be called upon to face and solve a social problem at least as complex — the inter-relation of wages and prices. The Government that takes up this contract is not to be envied. — Dareaville " Times."

Is there not some way by which the principles of First Aid might be disseminated among the men who work at a dangerous calling in isolated camps ? How many people know" how to apply the simplest bandages ? Many a life has, no doubt, been lost wnen an artery has been cut, owing to the friends of the injured man not knowing how to apply a ligature.--Clyde " Guardian."