WHAT THE PAPERS SAY

Observer, Volume XL, Issue 7, 18 October 1919, Page 4

WHAT THE PAPERS SAY

THE Association is either to be regarded as merely a sort of jovial club arrangement, or it is an organisation with definite aims as to the treatment of returned soldiers. But treatment by whom? By the general public? Or by the Government? To ask the question is to answer it. It is now with the Association, it always has beon, and it always will continue to be ,so while the Association lasts, a question of what the Stat<I—the1 —the Government— is to do or ought to do for returned soldiers. Is is a question of adequate pensions? Of land settlement? Of State assistance in any form , whatever? Of medical treatment for returned .soldiers whose experiences battered them physically or mentally.—Napier ''Telegraph.''

The great fault in the past has been the striving to reduce educational enterprise to a system, a proceeding that is radically wrong. — New Plymouth "News."

Even the strike of railwayman in Britain is having some good. effects, because it is forcing on the; use of aeroplanes for carrymg passengers, goods, and mails, just at the moment when something was required to give a practical turn'to the business of flying. Men of the British race are never so happy as when battling with difficulties,which serve to bring out their best qualities. The pessimists may groan at the troubles which arise around us, but experience proves that if we keep our heads we shall vanquish them and merely look round for new difficulties to conquer.—New Plymouth "Herald." '

Owing to tile demand for fodder, enterprising dabblers in straw chaff are selling that useless commodity at over a penny per pound wholesale, and one has only to watch the* carthorses crawling along the city streets to ascertain how very much they appreciate the mullock. Unless the chaff profiteers are prepared to chuck their principles overboard, a new use might be found for ancient lodg-ing-house mattresses. — Sydney "Truth. ,,

If the elections are fought as a triangular contest, it is fairly certain that neither of the main parties will secure a working majority, particularly as the Labour-Socialists would thus be given ideal conditions in which to increase their strength.— : Wellington "Dominion."

An excerpt from the evidence given before an inquiring commission •explains most siiccintly—"Witness said that in some women's clothes prices had had to be put up before the women would buy them." To those of us who are thrifty and pool , , the fact seems wicked, but, perhaps, there is a clear reason for it. We have come under the influence of high prices, and have lost our perspective of values. There lias l>een an unnatural shortage during the war, and the law of supply and demand was suspended for the time being. When we could not get a thing for a shilling, we got used to giving what was asked for it. As every man knows, womenfolk spend the major portion of what he earns, and, therefore, they have been most affected by this war-time influence. The only sensible remedy scorns to be for men to get together and decide that, in the future, they shall spend their own money until such time as women's outlook has returned to normal.—Melbourne "Table Talk."

If industry is taken over on a large scale, compensation cannot be paid to the expelled employer except out of profit on the industry- And if the employer's property is confiscated industry must still put by something as a contribution to the common funds of the Government. Either it must do that, or common government will cease. Nothing is more mistaken than the idea that temployer's profits can be turned into permanent endowments, readily and completely convertible into shorter hours and longer p«'iy. —Wellington "Post."

If we can stimulate our output, prices will, fall as the siipply oyerr takes the demand, or the conditions of prosperity will be so greatly increased that we shall no longer feel the pressure of the burden. If the 'working man realised where his salvation in a material .sense lies ho would have nothing to do with strikes, direct action, or anything that impeded the development of production.—Cambridge "Independent."

The Legislative Council is willing to shed its brother's blood, but is careful to preserve its own. By a large majority it yesterday passed the Bill providing for the admission of women to Parliament, but with an amendment specially exempting the Council from the operations of the measure. Will the Council now do the gallant thing, and bring in a special Bill to confer *the full electoral privileges upon women in respect to the Upper Chamber? And will tlie Government show that it is in earnest, by accepting the amendment made by the Legislative Council? What is good for the representative goose should also be good for the nominee gander. But then, some may seriously argue that we have already a sufficient number of old women in the Legislative Council !—Masterton "Age."

Until additional labour is secured development schemes must hang fire, and the housing needs which are so acute over a great part of the Dominion will go unsatisfied. It is merely trifling to talk about such schemes without taking prompt and adequate measures to strengthen the labour force of the Dominion. Immigrants of the best stamp are obtainable from Great Britain provided due enterprise is shown in the matter by the New Zealand Government. Tlie country is entitled to an early and explicit pronouncement on this question which has so vital a bearing on its progress and welfare. —Wellington "Dominion."

A melancholy instance of a country's decline from the neglect of forestry is that of Spain. The destruction of the forests began in the latter part of the fifteenth century and went on during the next century and a half. The consequence was a considerable change of climate. From being fairly reliable it became an alternation of floods and droughts; cold became more intense; the hot season became hotter. Agriculture and its subsidiary industries were adversely affected, and Spain has become a poorer country. This is a lesson which all can learn from. Bismarck's saying is sound— the wise man learns from the mistakes of others. — Melbourne "Punch."

From the point of view of the primary producer there is no doubt that Mr. Massey'e knowledge of the needs of the farmer is strongly in his favour. The diminishing mana of Sir Joseph Ward is made apparent by the number of candidates, in the field who describe themselves as Independent Liberals, which means that they are waiting to see how the verdict is going before committing themselves. The official Labour Party is not likely to be any stronger .after the elections than it is now, but some Labour men of less extreme views may do good work in Parliament.—New Plymofrfsl "Herald."