WHAT THE PAPERS SAY

Observer, Volume XL, Issue 14, 6 December 1919, Page 4

WHAT THE PAPERS SAY

BOTH leaders would be rendering their country a valuable service if they declared', emphatically for the retention of the principle of universal training which a Liberal Government, with the. loyal aid of the' Reform Party, placed on the Statute Book ten years ago. The bickering of some of their followers about incidentals', would then be seen in proper perspective.—Wellington "Post. ,,

The hysterical legislation.of the socalled Labour movement represented in the House by Messrs. Holland and Semple would result in social chaos.—Cambridge "Independent."

As the polling tinio draws near it may be expected that the liquor issue will become once more a burning one, and mere political candidates' will be wise to get in as much work as they can while the calm continues.—Carterton ' 'News."

Is the mosquito extending its spheres of activity? This question is put not because there is, as it is asserted, reason to fear that the special mosquito responsible for the spread of yellow foyer has found a habitat in the Auckland province.— Napier ''Telegraph."

It was, the British Navy that not only saved the Empire and the Allies from defeat, and New Zealand from becoming a German colony, but saved New Zealand also from the financial ruin that would otherwise have been part of the price of even a victorkras Avar. We are all agreed about that and everybody except the small antinational minority which professed its absolute indifference in the choice between King arid Kaiser during the war is also of opinion that New Zealand's contribution to the 'Navy which has been her . salvation has hitherto been grossly inadequate.— Wellington "Post." '

Messrs. Semple and Holland at the present moment are, putting forward a seemingly sound political platform so that Labour candidates might win seats at the approaching elections. The electors should not allow themselves to be gulled "with the political palaver put forth by the party of which the. two gentlemen mentioned abpve are the recognised leaders. The leopard does not change his spots.—Cambridge ' 'Independent.•''

Mr. Fowlds would be rendering good service to the Dominion if, instead of worrying about the land tax, which is easily adjusted, he were to endeavoiir, to devise sonic scheme whereby the merchants and financial institutions could be made to contribute their fair quota to the revenue of the State without transferring their responsibility to others. The are always prepared to shed their brothers' blood.—Masterton "Age."

If "Reform wins back to-power not only will New Zealand have its.fourmonths' camp training -scheme, with a regiment of permanent officers and a highly expensive permanent "Staff" of the best I'brass -hat" typo to make tho militariss the country is asked to endorse at the elections, but there will be no reduction of taxation, as Mr. Mnssey himself puts it.

unless indeed Reform can reduce the graduated land tax.—Napier "Telegraph;"

How can the churches expect to hold the people unless they, attract to their service the best type of men"? It is all very well to talk of the ''call", that comes to men to serve humanity; but is it fair to take advantage of that spirituality by condemning to a life of financial worry and privation those who obey the "call."—W.'ingamii '"Chronicle."

I'eoplo in all. parts of Mew Zealand wall extend good wishes to Air. Clutha Mackenzie in his candidature lor Auckland Jfiasb. It is one of the most admirable features of his campaign that he scouts the idea of peeking sympathy on account of the heavy disability he incurred while serving his country in the field. A really gallant spirit breathes in his expressed desire, "to prove that blind soldiers are capable of other things besides organ-grinding and basketmaking." Thers is plenty of> scope in Parliament for men of that spirit, whether they are blind or of normal vision. Handicapped as he is, Mr. Mackenzie has shown himself a capable platform man, and already has given , proofs of political knowledge and capacity that ought to stand him in good stead in the fairly formidable task he has undertaken of storming a Liberal stronghold.—Wellington "Dominion."'

Something must bo done in the matter of introducing economics in the cost of producing the output, for the conservation of our coal resources, to remove the cause of labour unrest, to inaugurate an efficient system of distribution, and to regulate coal prices in. the interests of consumers. These objects might be largely achieved by the consolidation of the several mines of the Dominion under a single central management.—Waihi "Telegraph."

The; Department of Education, in its anxiety to husband its funds, insists that buildings must continue to be occupied, however, insanitary, overcrowded, and inconvenient they may be, until they will no longer stand up. That at. any rate seems to be the departmental attitude, and the Department is always aiming at centralising administration and control more and more at Wellington. The people.exist for the Department's convenience, not the Department for the convenience of the. people*. Something of the nature of a bombshell is wanted to "shake things, up."—New Plymouth "Herald."

Premier Ryan, of Queensland, is said by his admirers to be just the man to stand up to Billy Hughes; and he is credited with carrying quite as keen a tongue as the Prime Minister's. But Australia has yet to receive proof of this. Certainly, Premier Ryan is an astute man, and acute politician,, and has a knack of touching the spot, but for "sabre cuts., of Saxon speech" he is not in the same street as William Hughes. You might, make a fair-sized book of "the telling phrases of Hughes, most of which are borne in mind at least by those they were thrown at, javelin like; but who remembers anything said by Ryan that calls for an encore?— Melbourne "Punch. , *

In all parts of New Zealand to-day there is a call for sincerity and earnestness in public affairs. People of extreme partisan views may not be greatly concerned with it, but the balance of power is held by men and women who are not tied to party, and who are hoping for something better in our public life than the olt! and bickering over the tweedledum and tweedledee of party artificialities. It is this great section of tho 'electors which is turning steadily to the Reform Party as the party which is facing the changed conditions in the broadest and most enlightened spirit.—Wellington "Dominion."