WHAT THE PAPERS SAY

Observer, Volume XLI, Issue 13, 27 November 1920, Page 3

WHAT THE PAPERS SAY

have fought with France, '* squabbled with her, and been friends with her by turns ever since Britain was Britain and France was France. But even in its worst moments each race has retained its respect for the sterling qualities of the other. When- we have fought it has been a clean fight, with an enemy active and determined, but gallant and chivalrous. In the happier days of peace we do rub each other the wrong way on occasions, as witness the present grumblings on both sides of the Channel, but if France is impetuous and John Bull obstinate, both have a large enough endowment of commonsenee to find a way round most of the brick walls they encounter. —■ Wellington "Dominion." ■ ■ • Strikes and the destruction of raw material—from whatever cause—lower the working power, and may even hold up tite whole system of produce tion and paralyse finance. It is apparent that a determined effort is being made to force down the price of wool. There is still-practically no business in Bradford tope, on the expectation of lower values. British merchants are full of high-priced goods, and all sections of the trade are merely pursuing a hand to mouth policy, while cancellations of contracts by home and foreign customers have become so serious that steps are being taken to publish a black list.—New Plymouth "News." • * * The existence of the Prices Investigation Tribunal is a soiemn impeachment of our commercial morality.—Carterton "Age." • • • But, while the Legislature is more than justified in giving discretionary power to the Arbitration Court, it has failed in its duty in neglecting to make a discrimination between married and single workers. It has made a provision for a living wage. But what is a living wage for a single man is a starvation wage for a man with a family. The Legislature would also have done itself justice had it •made a serious attempt to reduce the cost of living.—Masterton "Age." '.'■•• " The Government must be fair to Britain as well as to Ireland, which was offered a partnership in the greatest Empire in the world at the height of its power and in the greatest days of its glory. X our en-o-rossmeiit in the smaller affairs ot our daily life we are apt to forget that Britain has just succeeded m repelling the greatest attack on her liberties that has ever been made.— New Plymouth "Herald." • • • But New Zealand has solid advantages, we believe, to. offer suitable immigrants, including domestic servants and because the latter are human and are capable of experiencing disappointment or disillusionment,, it is a pity that the conditions in this country should be represented for their benefit as approaching those only to be expected in an earthly paradise.—T© Awa■mutu "Post." c c There -can- be no doubt whatever that the potential resources of this country are far • greater than we yet realise, and each year sees some advance in developing them. The early expansion of hydro-electric power will give a great impetus in this direction; and accompanied by a contiuuexj vigorous policy of land settlement, and increased production in all directions, will in a few years make a wonderful difference to our balance between liabilities and assets .—Carterton -' f Newe.''