WHAT THE PAPERS SAY

Observer, Volume XXXII, Issue 20, 27 January 1912, Page 3

WHAT THE PAPERS SAY

FOR our part we have not the slightest doubt that the free interchange of commerce would do more to consolidate Australia than could be hoped for from experiments in government foi which no reasonable justification has ever been advanced.—Wellington "Times."

It is clear that the warning of financial authorities has fallen on deaf ears. The whole country from the Premier down has refused to see any necessity for caution. It is a pity, because with reduced purchasing power the enormous increase of imports may cause a block which it will be hard to get rid of. — Napier "Herald."

There is no need for apprehension. The colony should be able to etand a temporary tightness, but everybody will be the better pleased if the iodl is" of short duration.—lnvercargill "Times. " m .• .•

There is no denying the fact that the land policy of the Government has been spineless and ineffective, and we are of opinion that the revulsion of political opinion which, characterised the recent election was traceable in the main to that cause. —Tauranga "Times."

What is -wanted is a Civil Service Board which shall deal with the evergrowing public services in a capable and intelligent manner. The sooner the Services are removed from political control the better.—Palmerston " Standard."

The " anti - militarists " assume that obedience to those whose business it is to protect, the country from aggression is humiliating. The humiliation of permitting a foe to devastate his property and kill his relatives is a position does not occur to the anti-militarist.—New Plymouth "News."

We cannot believe that any more than a series of deadlocks will result, until another Parliament is elected with one party possessing majority. —Wairoa "Guardian."

When Mr Maesey gets to work and lops off extravagances, besides establishing confidence in this country, there is some hope of the cost of living being appreciably reduced. —Masterton "Age." • • •

The Administration which has had control of the country worked its land policy to a full stop, and having marked time for an uncomfortably long period the result is now evident in restricted exports.—Palmerston "Standard."

New Zealand is badly in need of a Gtove>rnment which fa prepared to laettle down to the solid business of developing the country's resources instead of talking about it. It wants most of all settled conditions and active land settlement.—Wellington "Dominion."

Matters have now reached such a pass in New Zealand that the country is tired of temporising politicians, and if the new Parliament tinkers with palliatives instead of applying a remedy it too will fall, and will have to give way to other men who boldly advocate the remedy and put it into operation.—Wanganui "Herald."

New Zealand will probably one clay form part of the great federation of the British Empire, but it can be safefly prophesied that it will never form part of federal Australia. — Carterton "News. ,,

The outcome of the crisis must in the end be the grouping of Liberalism and Labour together, an(d another long forward march of progress when the present Massey spasm hae passed away, as we hope it will before the end of February.—Christchurch " Spectator." • • •

We would rather see the LiberalLabour Party preparing for an early appeal to the electors than exercising their ingenuity in devising means of keeping their opponents out of office.—Lyttelton " Times."

The representatives of Labour in the present Parliament will not be long in learning that they have mono to gain by straight, open conduct than by .trying to snatch an advantage from a distressed Ministry or its ambitious rivals. The air will be electrical on the 15th of February, but the storm will clear the air, and, let us hope, restore good government and peace to New Zealand. —Oamaru " Mail."

The Ministry, now in shaky occupation of the Treasury Benches, has given more examples of expedients to retain office than of expedition in the doing of solid work for the country's good, now and in the years to come. —Wellington "Post."

New Zealand hae been the happy hunting ground of experimentalists in the past. What it wants more than anything is a course of legislative rest and business management. This will act as a much-needed political pick-me-up, and add to the country's prosperity enormously. —Mataura "Ensign."

Except on the question of defence, we see no reason why New Zealand should depart from the decision arrived at by her statesmen when the Commonwealth wae in course of foundation. The Dominion has, in our opinion, much more to lose than to gain by political federation with Australia.—Blenheim "Express."

There is every indication that the Commonwealth may revert to its old condition, and we quite fail to understand the Prime Minister's belief that New Zealand can profitably enter into partnership with a federation that is not very fond of federation for iteelf. — New Plymouth ."News."

Government should mean justice to all, opportunity to all, and privileges to none. If Mr Massey cannot see his way, should he be called on, to govern upon these lines, he had better stay a while yet longer in the wilderness. — Hawera " Star."

A £50,000 bath house for the luxurious wealthy in a tin-pot country like New Zealand afforde a fair insight into the methods of the Government, with which methods even one of the Prime Minister's colleagues cannot agree. — Oamaru "Times."

It is only too evident that eince a certain Mr Payne unexpectedly came into the position formerly occupied by the Hon. George Fowlds as member for Grey Lynn, his notion of status (" where he are ") in New Zealand politics has become almost incredibly extravagant. — Dunedin " Star."

The North Island voted down Ward, his title, his loans, his party and all belonging to him, but Sir Joseph cannot realise the fact. He says : " They love me just the same, but they are not satisfied with my Ministry." The very opposite is the case.—Whangarei " Advocate."

It would be a national disaster for another election to take place within the next few months ; and we believe the country as a whole, apart from a handful of disappointed Masseyites, would gladly welcome a solution of the problem which would secure a season of .political rest. — Chrietchurch " Spectator."