What the Papers Say

Observer, Volume XXVIII, Issue 27, 21 March 1908, Page 3

What the Papers Say

EXCESSIVE indulgence in strong drink by the male population is

bad enough in all conscience, and, while opinions will vary as to the best method of dealing with the question, there can be no division of thought as to the disastrous effect of women succumbing to intoxication. — Manaia Witness.

Upon the higher education of the Maoris their future salvation greatly depends. By sending amongst these people skilled doctors and nurses of their own race the excessive mortality of both children and adults will be checked, by the inculcation of more wholesome systems of living. — Blenheim Express.

Government really can only lift labour up to a certain point, the point of fair wages and fair conditions of labour. After that, every man must be the architect of his own fortune. — Wellington Post.

The conditions obtaining in connection with the dairies supplying some of the cities of the Dominion are a disgrace to the owners, being reminiscent of the Chicago "Jungle" revelations. — Palmerston Standard.

It is only a matter of time when the cane and strap will be abolished from every school in the Dominion, and subsequent generations will look back upon them as relics of semibarbarous times. — Gisborne Times.

The purchase of school books becomes a big item in large families year after year. We cannot afford to handicap and discourage big families the Dominion wants more of them but that is just what this present lack of system is doing. It requires straightening out. — Wellington Free Lance.

When we consider the past history of native land settlement, with its heartrending delays and ruinous litigation, it is undoubtedly a matter for hearty congratulation that the work of putting people on the Maori lands of the Dominion is proceeding so smoothly, speedily and satisfactorily. — yisborne Herald.

We feel convinced that the patience of the community will become exhausted presently, and that steps will be taken to enforce a due respect for law and order throughout the land, and to compel Unionists and Socialists and everyone else to observe the law and take their remedies in a lawful manner. — Dunedin Star.

All the unionists who were so lavish with sympathy for the Blackball miners and promises of substantial assistance, will find some difficulty in justifying their impetuosity before hearing both sides of the question. — Grey mouth Argus.

We do not believe in conscription in the ordinary sense, but we do believe that it is the duty of every able-bodied man in the Dominion to make himself ready to take his part in the defence of his country, should the necessity ever arise. — Gisborne Times.

The Arbitration Court ha 9 practically been snuffed out by the action of the Ministry, who wish to keep it in existence, and by the action of the unions, who desire to be able to. accommodate themselves to an occasional strike. The Ministry seemingly dare not give .instructipns to their officers to proceed against either the Denniston or Blackball miners ; if they dare, why has it not been done 1 — Uaiuara Times'.

Thm is much less drinking than here us ed to be, and if there is the strictest supervision to see that nothing but good liquor is sold, there will be still less drunkenness and still less harm done by drink. — Palmerston Times.

It is better for the people of this Dominion that they should resist any attempt to bring in the bare majority system in connection with our licensing elections and support the present system, which, whatever faults some people may see in it, has much to commend it in preference to the bare majority proposals. — Hastings Standard.

In spite of the preference said to be exhibited by young women in New Zealand for emoloyment as typists and clerks, factory girls out here are greatly superior to the same class of labour in the Old Country, and it would be inadvisable in the extreme to lower the standard in any way. — Christchurch Press.

The law against 'the distributionjjof obscene literature should be extended to prevent the distribution of ariminal literature — stories of the exploits of thieves, highwaymen, and bushrangers, without literary merit, and designed obviously to fill the publishers' pockets by pandering to criminal instincts. — Wellington Post.

While we are not of those who condemn party government and think it ought to be abolished, we do think that the system has run riot in New Zealand and is carried to an extreme. — New Plymouth Herald.

If prisoners on gaol farms are to be paid wages for the work they do, why not extend the same concession to all the prisoners in all the gaols ? On what logical ground can they be refused the right given to the farm prisoners ? — Christchurch Spectator.

Everyone who follows politics at all closely knows that just now it is only by misrepresentation that the Opposition can justify its existence. It has no policy of ita own, and its favourite method is to seize on some wild idea advocated by some small section of enthusiasts, and credit it to the Liberal Party. — Christchurch Times.

F No doubt there is something in the contention that the " good old game of bowls" is being run too much on the trophy line ; but there must be something further than the mere game to give the thing that " go " so necessary to the ordinary sport of the present day. —Stratford Post.

B* There is much in the socialistic platform that is at present utterly impracticable, and the safety of the country depends upon an acceptance of reforms that are sound and safe, coupled with a firm resistance of unwise proposals. — Invercargill Times.

The scarcity of domestic servants constitutes a social problem of considerable importance, but it is now doubtful whether the scarcity of factory labour should not be associated with it as a problem only to be solved by the introduction of workers from abroad. — Dunedin Timts.

If Ministers were to abandon their practice of flying about the country to take part in trifling functions, and to hear petty requests and 1 complaints, and if they confined themselves to the broad concerns of administration, leaving to the Departmental officers the control of details, we should hear less about the " overwork " that is alleged to be calling loudly for new portfolios. — Wellington Dominio?i.

If the policy of the Government is hurtful to the country, then it is sufficient to show how it is hurtful. If it is not hurtful, but on the contrary beneficial, then to call it Socialism is to advocate Socialism. The country is prepared to hear Mr Ma s sey indict the policy of the Government, but nob to take interest in him as political label-paster. — Napier Telegraph.