What the Paper Say.

Observer, Volume XXIX, Issue 42, 3 July 1909, Page 3

What the Paper Say.

IF Parliament meets again on 30th September, as expected, the time and circumstances will be opportune for a thorough Spring cleaning. — Nelson " Mail."

There is some splendid material in our volunteer force, but the whole system has been so grossly mis-man-aged by various Governments as to almost ruin it, and it is now being recognised on all sides that a change to a system of compulsory military training must be made. — Gisborne "Times."

What do we want with two Ministers to look after native affairs ? It seems to us that, in view of the small progress made in that department, we could very well do without any ; but that is probably asking too much. — Napier " Herald."

If a substantial loan could be raie-' ed for surveying, roading, and settling the lands already in the hands of the State, and for the purchase and opening up of further large areas, the unemployed difficulty would speedily vanish into thin air, and the prosperity and development of the Dominion would follow as a natural sequence. — AVanganui "Herald."

Some men are bora tired, some achieve tiredness, some have tiredness thrust upon them, and it is safe to say that there never was a politician born more tired than the Hon. Jas. Carroll. — Cambridge "'lndependent^'

There is no getting away from the fact that public confidence in the efficiency and morale of the Police Force of the Dominion has been impaired. The Royal Commission should be the beginning either of the complete restoration of confidence in existing methods or of a policy of radical reform. — Dunedin " Star."

All the explanations that Sir Joseph "Ward can offer will fail to disabuse the cautious capitalist of the idea that we, as a community, are going the pace too strongly. — New Plymouth "Herald."

Mr Hogg has given sturdy service in the cause of land reform, and the days of his usefulness and this all-im-portant domain are not yet numbered. In other departments of public life he has earned the gratitude of the people, and he will, no doubt, continue to prove a valuable member . of Parliament. — Wellington " Poet."

.^. lth . Mr H °gg out and Mr Carroll at the helm, we can rest assured that there will be no fireworks while the premier is away, and that, no doubt is precisely what the Prime Minister wants. — Palmerston "Times."

We believe that away from politics Mr Hogg is a genial, jovial, goodnatured human being, but in politics h© i 6 Caesar's Column, the Ularion, Marx, aoid a German socialist (not sausage) all rolled into one and served up with trimmings for the delectation of the people of far away New Zealand. — Oamaru " limes."

It is a great reflection upon our own race and upon the other members of the Ministry that a Maori should rule the Dominion until Sir Joseph Ward retires. — Feilding "' Star."

* • • While the ■' taihoa " policy of the Government is permitted, Maori land will remain unoccupied and undeveloped. It is not creditable to the -Dominion that this condition of things should exist, especially when the land hungor is so acute. — Palmerston " Standard."

The masses, the ever-growing masses, of unemployed that are to be found in all large centres of civilisation are a distinct menace to the continuance of that civilisation, and it is for statesmen everywhere to be beware in time. — Dutiedin " Star."

The plain fact is that when it suits his purpose the Prime Minister is ready to profess the utmost regard for the will of Parliament, while, when it does not suit the purpose, he does not hesitate to put a blunt and brutal affront upon the Assembly. Wellington ' ' Dominion . ' '

If the question were submitted to a referendum tomorrow, compulsory service would probably come into immediate existence in New Zealand at the mandate .of a large majority. ' That before long it will be brought about by the ordinary methods of I legislation, no observer of public i opinion can doubt. — Nelson " Colo- * nist."

However divergent may be the views which people entertain on Mr Hogg's ideas as to land nationalisation and the expediency of the State' issuing its own notes, they must give him credit for fidelity to prjr£.* ciple and political courage and ¥nselfishness of a high order. — Welling- '. ton " Free Lance."

Everyone in the Masterton electorate knows that Mr Hogg's "bark" is very loud, but that his "bite" is perfectly harmless. — Masterton •'Age."

Who has watched the cheering crowds that assemble in every colonial town on each Saturday to witness games of football, and has not felt that such strength, spirit, and enthusiasm on the part of our youth could be put to good account for the defence of the country if., only adequately trained. — Gisborne "Herald."