WHAT THE PAPERS SAY

Observer, Volume XXXV, Issue 6, 17 October 1914, Page 3

WHAT THE PAPERS SAY

WE note that the Minister has not done anything yet to increase the officers" pay up to the Australian standard. We nave no doubt that when he settles that matter on a basis of justice he will have the approval of beth Parliament and country. — Wellington "Times."

A godden opportunity presents iteelf to the British manufacturer. Indications point to the fact tbat it ie not being neglected. — Taur&nga "Times."

Yesterday we were asked if we had any details of the bombardment of Greymouth and Westporb.— Carterton "News."

So far as danger from the King's enemies is concerned, the risk is regarded as slight. The Admiralty is actively guarding trade routes, and there will presently be so many British warships released 1 from the duty of convoying troops from distant parts of the Empire that the eeae will swarm with them, and the career of the German marauders is about over.—Carterton "News."

The spectacle of a shamed, disunited, and broken British Empire, reviled in Europe, hooted in America, and scorned by the Overseas Dominions, protesting to a triumphant Germany and "standing firm for the fullest reparation to violated Belgium" would be one to make the very angels weep, were it within the possibilities of the future. The late Mr Chamberlain once expressed himself quite candidly on his utter inability to understand why and how certain of his fellow-mem-bers ever came to be in Parliament. He could neither understand their presence there nor the constituencies that returned them. — Dunedin "Star."

Those who have German goods in stock were forced to do so by the unpatriotic action of those who refused to take British goods, and were constantly clamouring for those of the "made in Germany" brand. Now ie the time to make good resolutions, and when peace is declared as the time to carry them out.—Grey "Argus."

Should Germany prove victorious in the war then, the incomparable German fleet would have to come out to smash England.—Wairoa "Guardian."

The time has come for the fleet to be brought to bear on the German side The man in the street has got into a bad fashion of viewing the German fleet. He thinks that because it has submitted to "bottling that it is both incapable of fighting and unwilling besides. But the fleet is big, well-balanced, containing first-class capital ships equal to anything that floats. It is as well ■trained as equipped, and every officer and man on board ie anxious to come out into the open eea and strike a blow for his Kaiser and hie Fatherland. This may be new© to the man in the street, but it has long been the A B Cof the naval meil .—Wellington "Times."

To most of us croaking comes quite natural. Even free-born Britishers have walked upright for co short a time that their heads have a tendency to shake solemniv at the slightest provocation. Wherefore, it should be a case of heads up, and keep smiling. It is quite true that any of us could do much better, in any position of responsibility, than those who are in charge.—Qamaru "Times."

The name of every General has been cut out, and the whole allied army seems to have been commanded by General Blank, a near relative, we presume, to that General Desire whose requests for an extended season carry so much weight with theatrical managers. — Invercargill "Times."

When the war is over, we hope the Imperial Government will at least send expert geologist© to inspect and report as to whether New Plymouth is not a field that offers a good prospect of supplying the navy with a good portion of the oil which is so necessary to the maintainance of its overwhelming superiority.—New Plymouth "Herald/ , * « •

The last word rests with the soldier, and it is his paramount duty to assist .the officers by strictly following the instructions laid down by competent authorities. Nature also will inform him with no uncertain commands that time for sleep must, be providied whenever possible. —Rotorua. "Chronicle."

New Zealanders generally, and especially the residents of undefended ports, will feel much more secure when once the good , news arrives that the active and wary enemy has been satisfactorily accounted for.—Blenheim "Express."

If we are ready to take advantage of the situation caused by the lack of German goods on the market we may establish ourselves today in the markets of the world in a totally unexpected manner. —Gisborne "Herald."

Modern Germany has concentrated her genius upon the dievelopmenit of a material force intendm to annihilate opposition. To this she has consecrated her energies and her wealth, and for this shte has sacrificed her people. Gunpowder and steel were elevated to the rank of deities, until at last they became Germany's supreme deity. Through force.—blood and ixoa —Germany, or rather the handful of men who "run" Germany, was to become the overlord of Europe. And she has failed.—Dunedin "Star."

The elections this year will be stripped of pyrotechnics, and platform oratory will not carry much weight. We doubt if any difference would be made in the polling if the people went to the ballot-box tomorrow or two months hence.—Foxton "Herald."

The rifik that an Upper House, elected by the same franchise as the so-called popular Chamber and on a broader basis, may not be content with its present subordinate position, and the doubtful efficacy of the provisions against a deadlock, are points to which the Liberals should have paid more attention. The chiet merit of their attitude is the negative one that the idea, of obstructing the Bill appears to hare been abandoned .—Wellington ' 'Poet.

We all know that Mr Massey has professed to condemn the pernicious system of political patronage and the equally pernicious system of political appointments to exalted positions.— Wellington "Times."