What the Papers Say

Observer, Volume XXVII, Issue 48, 17 August 1907, Page 3

What the Papers Say

THE outstanding feature of the new tariff is the reduction on goods used by every man, woman and child in the colony, and that feature seems in some danger of being obscured by .the smoke of the battle raging round the motor cars and billiard tables.— - Wanganui Eerald.

It is an undoubted fact that some railway works in the colony have received the preference merely as a reward for political support, but to leave unfinished lines in their present state would be a suicidal policy, and it is the duty of the Government to bring thera to a paying point as speedily as possible. — Palmerston Standard.

All the land the Government bave set aside for endowments is only fit for sheep and rabbits, and if it were offered free on the usual settlement conditions applicable to the lease-in-perpetuity, it would be safe to hazard the opinion that not an acre of it would be applied for. — Oamaru Times. * * *

In time, perhaps, the totalisator may be abolished altogether, but that time has not yet arrived, and to unduly force the reform — if reform it would really be, which is a debatable pomt — would simply mean a waste of time and energy. — Blenheim Express.

In some European countries of far less pretentions to progress than this colony, the telephone is found practically in every house, even in the houses of peasants living far in the interior. No doubt, in time to come similar facilities will be given to the people in New Zealand. — Greytown Standard.

If the effect of the new duty is to shut out English shoddy goods and to enable the local manufacturers to replace them with honest leather boots at a very small advance in price, the alteration will be entirely justified, and we are satisfied from our inquiries that the intention of the Government will be attained. — Chiistchurch Times. • • •

Defence is the first element of peace, but it is clear that active military men in New Zealand are not identifying themselves with the National League because they see in it an enemy to existing militarism. It is the element of militarism that wants killing, and the element of defence, universal defence, encouraged. — Waihi Telegraph. • • •

If the tariff is devised to check sweating, it should at least be remembered that a high tariff has evils of its own which are just as great in their way. Sweating is an incident of Freetrade, but a high Protective duty brings with it the evil of trade combinations which have an even wider effect on the population. — Napier Herald.

So far as we can see, tbere would be little or nothing wrong in a law which prohibited the use of cardboard, and " bull'B-wool," and other materials of the boot faker with which at present the public are robbed. Duties or no duties, a professedly leather boot ought to be of leather. — Napier Telegraph.

Tbere is a feeling abroad in Parliament and tbe country tbat stonewalling is deserving of severe condemnation, and should be put down .with a strong hand. This is in pleasing con trast to tbe feeling shown in the bad old day 8 of Parliament, when nearly every session " stonewalls " were familiar features of its proceedings — Cambridge Independent.

The only way to check the importation of products' of sweated industries is to place such a duty uponthem that it will no longer pay dealers' to export such articles to this country. If that is not done, how can legitimate images be paid in New Zealand? — Nelßon Colonist.

Deputationists may be too persistent ; they may even bore to the point of desperation, but it is the duty of Ministers to give every man a polite and patient hearing. This privilege of the citizen is one of the few remaining relics of what seems to us to be a fastfast - decaying democracy. — Petone Chronicle.

The Maori is a born musician, and this accomplishment alone has brought him in touch with methods of recreation that were foreign to him before he was made aware that nature intended him to use to the best advantage those high qualifications with which he is undoubtedly endowed. — Stratford Post.

It would certainly meet with the general approval of the businesa community if Parliament were to drop the three Saints' days and the Prince of Wales's Birthday out of the list of bank holidays, inserting Empire Day (May 24tb) in the place of the lastnamed. — Christchurch Press.

The question of profit-sharisg has been a favourite one with trades unionists lately, but there is less justification for the trades unionist than there would be for the bank clerk to demand a large share of the profit from corporations known to be often excessively wealthy. — New Plymouth News.

The treasure-box of the New Zealand Rugby Union was filled to bursting point with the spoils from the invasion of Great Britain, and it was, perhaps, the chink of this bullion that first pat the professional idea into amateur heads here. Whatever the cause, the fact is very deplorable. — Wellington Post.

Many Parliamentarians could, with advantage, wash themselves with water oftener, and refrain frequently from ablutions in alcohol. It is in the last degree pathetic that inches of intellect should represent people who for a large part are ordinarily intelligent. — Foxton Herald.

It must be admitted that, as politicians pure and simple, the Government are handling their responsibilities in a remarkably astute and clever manner, and it is not absurd to entertain the suspicion that the Opposition's policy has been once more hoplessly " outlined." — Masterton Age.

Without necessarily implying that the Exhibition was not a success, one cannot help regarding the Treasurer's financial calculations ot rough balance-sheet connected with the affair as somewhat optimistic. The bulk of the receipts came from the people's pockets, and if the Xreasury is the richer it does not follow that the country made a gain. — Hawera Star

We do not want to see Parliament proceeding to panic legislation simply because the Chinese have captured the fruit trade in Wellington. The fruiterers all over the colony have been inviting the competition of some enterprising outsiders for years, and they have little claim upon the sympathy of the public in their extremity. — Christchurch Times.

We owe £68 per head of population to the pawnbroker, and instead of repaying him we are asking him for more money ©very year. It seems to us we should show more self-re-liance and provide a . portion of the capital ourselves. This, in view of the buoyant position of the colony, it can well do, and, in our opinion, Bhould do. — New Plymouth Mws.