WHAT THE PAPER SAY

Observer, Volume XXXIII, Issue 4, 5 October 1912, Page 3

WHAT THE PAPER SAY

THE ending of the Waihi strike probably sounds the death knell of the Federation of Labour, and no one will rejoice more than those who have at heart the huge interests of the labouring classes. — Paeroa " Gazette."

Should the Federation of Labour, in pursuance of its reckless policy of intimidation, attempt to spread the area of conflict it will afford the country the opportunity of making it clear beyond all doubt that powerful as the Federation may imagine itself to be it is a puny thing when it pits its powers against those of an outraged public, thoroughly disgusted with the intolerant bossism of an aggressively offensive class of Labour agitators " Dominion."

It is hinted that the reason why the Waihi strikers went to gaol was to relieve the strike pay funds, and at the same time throw their wives and families on the tender mercies of the public ! The Federation of Labour certainly does not shine with any particular brilliancy over the Waihi affair.—Oamaru "Times."

If the young man's fancy, which, in spring, is said to lightly turn to love, has first of all to turn to a matrimonial expert, trouble must ensue. Eugenists set out to secure that the right man will always marry the right woman. But who is to decide the momentous question ? — Nelson "Mail/ ,

A well-written handbook for Territorials might be of real service in the comprehension of the scheme. buch a handbook ehould be a model oi brevity, beginning with a lucid statement of the origin and objects of the Act, and then, after summarising the obligations it places on all concerned, clearly setting forth the completeness of the provision made fbr enforcing those obligations to their last syllable.—Hawera "Star." • * *

The simple fact which it is the duty of our national leaders to keep in mind, and to drive home m the minds of our people, is this : that it is, if not necessary to the salvation ot the Empire, yet certainly necessary to the moral and national salvation ot New Zealand, that New Zealand should make its part in Imperial defence, on land and sea, as real and serious a thing for iteelf as its building of roads and bridees and its passing of local laws— Wellington "Dominion/ ,

The fact is that there is little scruple in party fighting. When it was brought under Mr Fisher's notice that a monopoly of the Government Life Insurance Departments legal work had been given, unsought, to one firm in Invercargill, he was quite right to issue instructions that the arrangement formerly , existing should be restored, but he could have referred to the matter in Parliament without unwarrantably reflecting upon a reputable lawyer and a political opponent.— Invercargill " Times/

We believe that the next few years will see an awakening of civilised peoples to the fact that mental and some other diseases can only be checked by making propagation impossible in those unfortunately affected. — Stratford " Post."

Why should a man employed to serve the State at a thousand a year be necessarily corrupt if called "Minister," and necessarily good if called " Commissioner " ? Cannot the Minister in charge of the bill, for example, give himself credit for as much rectitude as any Commissioner could boast of ? If yes, then why not assume other Ministers to be equally strong ? If no, what is the reason ? —Napier " Telegraph."

The miners, as they must know themselves, are simply wasting their strength affd inflicting sufferings upon their families in a vain attempt to force their opinions on their fellowworkers. They should be reserving their efforts for a worthier cause.— Lyttelton " Times." * • •

The facilities for transport at present in evidence throughout the land are the mournful heritage of a country which is exceedingly young in an old world. Bad roads are the most important factor in the backward and undeveloped condition of the Dominion, and one of the most vicious taxes on settlement and progress in existence.—Eotorua " Chronicle."

No Government or no contractor can go on with the Arthur Pass tunnel unless a sufficiency of labour is available, and the present temper of labour would give the impression that the workers would just as soon hold up the tunnel work in the same ridiculous manner as they have paralysed and bankrupted the once prosperous Waihi Hokitika " Times." * * * Reform and increased taxation are all right so long as some other fellow has to be reformed or taxed. — Greymouth " Argus." * * * One of the most conspicuous sources of waste is in the defective roads of the Dominion. Hundreds of thousands of pounds are wasted annually in this direction, directly and indirectly. On one road alone in this province scores of thousands of pounds have been as literally thrown away as if so many sovereigns had been used in an jeffort to fill the mud-holes. — New Plymouth "Herald."

If a man is too poor to buy land, but not too poor to buy cocoa and coffee, he pays, apart from profits upon tax, and in actual taxation which goes to the Government, from 4s to 5s on every i>l worth of expenditure. Supposing he could go to the Custom. House and get his coffee and cocoa without the intervention of middlemen, that is the rate at which he would be taxed. Why should expenditure on, say, coffee, be taxed three times more heavily than expenditure on land ? — Napier "Telegraph."

We should like to see the Opposition emerge from their present incoherent state into more stable and organised form, for in the event of the Beform party failing to fulfil the obligations to which they are now committed, there will be a necessity for a strongly organised party to assume the reins of office. TJiat party cannot come from the Opposition in their present condition as"" a house divided against itself."—New Plymouth "News."