WHAT THE PAPERS SAY

Observer, Volume XL, Issue 25, 21 February 1920, Page 4

WHAT THE PAPERS SAY

UWIFT and radical reform is the watchword of Bolshevism. Unfortunately, it is so swift that there isn't time to consult the people, especially the outlying people in a big country like Russia or Australia, so Bolshevism tends to become more and -ffIWW-Hetf--* city movement, and more 'and -more like the electorate of Rome in the diseased days of the republic. Having no mandate from the people (if it had a mandate it would be a plain ordinary Government with no need to go Bolsheviking), it can't afford to consult the people except those whom it knows will approve of it. Therefore, its reform programme is apt to shift about according to sudden resolutions arrived at by the crowd in the forum or the audience which has grown excited by hearing Mark Antony discourse on the remains of Caesar. It generally begins by objecting to such settled institutions as a President, fixed for four years, as tending to tyranny, and aims, rather, at having a President removable every four minutes, which is the Recall in its most advanced form. If the movement lasts, it tends to get a President who declines to be removed at any price.—Melbourne "Punch."

Nature has not prepared an annual schedule for human achievement. Some men, through various circumstances, achieve the highest honours before they are well past thirty. Alexander and Napoleon are such examples, but others have done an immense amount of good without being known until past three score. No man at forty need be discouraged. Nor at sixty.—Philadelphia "Bulletin."

No housing scheme of any sort can be carried out without a great public credit, and if it is also true that none is possible without a public loss, then the Prime Minister has at least made out a case for putting the loss in a shape that should bring rapid results. Correctly or incorrectly, the Government denies that there is any reflection on the public house-building effort. Nevertheless, the subsidy is an S.O.S. to the builders, and cannot be regarded as other than a score for private enterprise. —Wellington "Post."

At a meeting of the local spiritualists on a recent Sunday, the spirit of Robert Burns was present, it being the anniversary of his birth. The poet recited some fine poetry in the Scottish dialect, and incidentally remarked that he had read, the article on Burns by "John Doe," in the "Herald" of the previous evening, and was grateful for the lenient treatment his faults received.—New Plymouth "Herald."

We know nothing of the rights and wrongs of the present dispute in Fiji, nor does Mr. Holland, but no British citizen with a drop of red blood in his veins can object to proper protection being provided for his fellow-citizens who are threatened with an attack from hordes of Asiatic savages. In all probability the presence of the Dominion soldiers in Fiji will prevent trouble arising, bat it is wise to be en the safe side. The incident draws attention to the necessity of the Dominion having a small naval force available for dealing with such incidents. A man-of-war lying in the harbour has a wonder iv? effect on the Native mind and often prevents the outbreak of trouble.—New Plymouth "Herald."

There is nothing in life worth having that the middle-classes have not given us. The masses or working classes know that, and consequently their steady trend is to transfuse and transform themselves into the middle-class. — London "Daily Sketch."

Nearly all naval experts, from Loud Fisher downwards, are agreed that sea warfare is undergoing rapid changes. We have warships enough, and to spare. Not another ship should be built until the new conditions have been carefully studied. If the Government really mean to cut down expenditure, here is their chance.—London " Sunday Pictorial."

"At Jamaica, John Hudson and John Jones were, on the 30th July, sentenced to be transported, the former for three years, and the latter for seven years, for clandestinely importing and offering for sale 44 African slaves." — Cheltenham "Chronicle," December 6, 1819.

One of the most striking commentaries upon the economic situation in New Zealand is to be found in the declining birth-rate. The average number of births per thousand of population last year was the lowest on record. One need not look far for the cause. It. is to be found in selfishness and lust for pleasure on the one hand, and in the living, and. housing problem on the other. There was never a time in the history of the Dominion when the need for 'population was more pressing than it is at present. And at no time have, people been less willing to accept their national and individual responsibilities. A crusade on behalf of nationhood is sadly needed, and if Dr. Truby King and a few others of his stamp were employed to tour the country and impress upon people their obligations to the State, a great service would be rendered the community. The Government must see to it, • also, that the housing and other social problems are .speedily solved, —Masterton "Age."

The latest returns show 403,003 persons unemployed in the United Kingdom, of whom 300,251 are exsoldiers and sailors. Such a condition of things twelve months after the close of war is a thorough condemnation of the capitalist and governing class. We wonder what the workers would say if a Socialist or Labour Government were in control and produced such a result as this.—London "Call."

Women vdio bear children are the creditors of the State, and.in helping these women the State is only doing its duty and providing for the welfare of the community. It ought to he recognised also that there is no reform upon which the State may more confidently and profitably concentrate its resources. Effective measures to lighten the burdens of wives and mothers would rank with direct -provision made for maternity patients, and the fine work of the Plunket Society, as an invaluable contribution to the welfare of. the whole population. The Government ought to be ready to deal in no timid or niggardly spirit with the problem of providing home help. All that is well spent in this way will be far more than returned. — Wellington "Dominion."

If, however, the combined Governmental resources fail to unravel the mystery, then apparently that representative delegation of farmers will have to be sent to England, with full power to discover what the "Evening Post" advocated about 20 years ago—that New Zealand should have in the Old Country Govern-ment-owned or Government-control-led cold stores. Not only in meat, but in other foodstuffs needing artificial cold, refrigation is becoming more and more the key to the situation. It is of little use to have half-s-key, and that half-key in the wrong hands.—Wellington "Post.'*