WHAT THE PAPERS SAY

Observer, Volume XL, Issue 12, 22 November 1919, Page 4

WHAT THE PAPERS SAY

MR MASSEY is quite right. The session just closed has been very remarkable. But it is more remarkable for sins of omission and commission than for the good works it has accomplished in the service of the people. The conditions were certainly remarkable, coming so closely after the end of a trying and exhausting war, but this excuse cannot justify the.squandering of public money and the sacrifice of public rights for the mercenary and sordid purpose of buying political support for a discredited Government on the eve of a general election .—Wellington ' "Times. '!

The problem of re-employment of disabled soldiers is of course much less serious in New Zealand than in Great Britain, and so far it appears to have been dealt with on sound lines. The Repatriation Board might, however, if difficulty were experienced in finding work for disabled meu, consider the desirableness of increasing public interest in the matter by the institution of a National Roll and a Seal of Honour, such as we have described above. No returned soldier who wants work should be allowed to remain unemployed, and there is a "high and solemn obligation" on the Dominion to see that none who suffers disability owing to the war lacks adequate means of livelihood.—Christchurch "Press."

The great body of consumers in the country will be interested to know that these representatives of the tillers of the soil, from the Atlantic seaboard to California, expressed themselves as being in favour of the consumers organising, under the law, movements for co-operative buying, in order to reduce the cost of living, bring the producer and the consumer into closer relations, and discourage profiteering. The attitude of the delegates of this large and • important section of the population was, as might reasonably have beon expected, one of pronounced opposition to the influence of monopolies over commodities, and of readiness to co-operate with the general public to oppose the encroachments of capitalism, on the one hand, and of the radical elements of Labour, on the other. In short, there' was every indication that the farmers would remain a steadying factor in the Nation.—Boston "Monitor."

Probably no one is better fitted than the late commander of the New Zealand Division to stimulate and direct the forces that make in this country for social regeneration. Whatever its prospects for the immediate future may be, the Dominion certainly needs the services in Parliament of men of action who are at the same time thinkers and inspired by high ideals, and General Russell has shown himself possessed of these qualifications not alone in his war service, but in his infrequent but arresting utterances, since his return, on the social and political problems of tthe day.—Wellington "Dominion." • • » As the League of Nations is a pure experiment, and a doubtful experiment at that, and as there are still dark clouds on the national horizon, it is absolutely essential that we should maintain our manhood in the highest state of physical and military efficiency. It is disappointing to

find a representative of the people declaring against compulsory training and expressing the opinion that the new Parliament will abolish it entirely. The people mnst see to it that designs in this direction are promptly and effectively frustrated. —Masterton "Age."

The war having ended, and peace having been won, the continuance of Sir Joseph Ward and his Liberal colleagues in a Ministry so uncompromisingly opposed to the popular interests would have been impossible and unthinkable. They are out for progress, as opposed to the policy of stagnation that suits the designs of the monopolists, and they have placed before (the country a programme, that speaks eloquently in their favour. If the squatters' organ is sincere in its desire for a free expression of the popular will, it should find itself in hearty sympathy with Sir Joseph Ward, becanse thereis nothing that he is more strongly determined at the present moment to bring about. — Wellington "Times."

The fast express is one Departmental success, and we hope that the new time-table which is to come into operation next month will be another Suburban as well as distance traffic has to be considered, for everyone now sees that the housing problem in cities, and the general cost of living, are largely dependent upon making the best use of the co-ordinated services of railways and roads. In the matter of relieving city congestion, duplication of rails and electrification of suburban services are goals not far distant. But in the meanwhile the new time-table should represent the fullest use of such facilities as are now available. —Wellngton "Post." * *• * But the celebration of the armistice, though a very proper occasion for national rejoicing, would have failed in its ablest purpose had it not been the means of bringing home to every heart and home the thought of the dead who' won for us the victory. Proudly they gathered, rank on rank to war, As who had heard God's message from afar; All they had hoped for, all they had they gave To save Mankind — themselves they scorned to save. —Wanganui "Chronicle." ■ • • Now, as railway communications are inter-related with the question of Defence, Australian railways should be federalised. But then State patronage would disappear, and that is not good enough for the politicians or would-be politicians of each State. But sooner or later the railway systems of Australia will have to pass under one central control.—Melbourne "Punch." ■** • * Sonic people assume that before an immigration policy can be successfully inaugurated in New Zealand, better facilities must be provided for housing the people. This assumption is. based . upon - erroneous premises. If population were required only for the secondary industries, it would be suicidal to import labour before houses were available for their accommodation. But the question of accommodation is not of vital concern to lurvvies, farm labourers, and domestic servants. These are at present in urgent demand, and immediate steps should be taken to bring them to the country. If we are going to increase the primary production of the country, we must-have farm labourers and navvies. The housing question should not stand between the Government and the performance of its obvious duty in respect to this class of labour.—Masterton "Age."