PUBLIC OPINION.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 9210, 13 April 1908, Page 1

PUBLIC OPINION.

FROM YESTERDAY'S NEWSPAPERS. (By Telegraph.) STRIKE LAW. It is the duty of a Government tc see that the statutes are competently administered, not to eland on a pretext with a danger signal impotently hoist between the law and the lawbreaker. The strike is no longer of consequence. It will presently collaps? because of its inherent weakness. But the Government will have a difficulty in explaining to Parliament its reason for allowing a statute of recent making to fall into contemptible desuetude. — "New Zealand Times." BOOKMAKERS AT PONY RACES. The responsible patrons of horse-rac-ing seem to be agreed that there are too many race-meetings to be justified in the sporting interest, and we believe that they endorse our view that the race-meeting for betting purposes only is an intolerable thing. It seems tc follow that in any further amendment of turf legislation Parliament will put an end to the licensing of bookmaking at pony races; and, if tho pony racing persists in spite of the disappearance of betting, then we shall be quite convinced that it is a pure sport with a claim to public encouragement. — "Evening Post." THREE PARTY SYSTEM. The strength of the Australian Labour Party really depends upon the readiness of both Mr Deakin *nd Mr Reid to make terms with its leaders rather than with one another. The same destructive and demoralising methods will make their appearance in New Zealand if a third party is allowed to enter Parliament and establish iteelf in our legislative methods. Our citizens ought, therefore, to take advantage of the experience of Australia by watching carefully the tortuous course or Federal politics and the disastrous results of the three party system, so that ' opinion may be awakened in time to prevent its taking root in this dominion. — ■" New Zealand Herald."

ward, who, we believe, holds very precise views about Court etiquette, should have been content with this makeshift arrangement instead of returning to England to receive his Prime Minister in accordance with the precedents and traditions of his office. — " Auckland Star." MINISTERS ON TOUR. The primary object of the tour through Central Otago was to make inquiries and observations in connection with the irrigation projects of the Government. Respecting this matter at least, the Prime Minister "was sufficiently definite and explicit, though he is properly cautious as to the adoption of Bpecific plans. There is pretty general agreement regarding the necessity of the work. Even the "Lyttelton Times" is graciously pleased to approve an expenditure of £50,000 or £100,000 on irrigation in Central Otago. A much larger sum than £100,000 will have tb be spent and without any vexatious delay, for when a scheme, has once been adopted, the T^ork should be carried out with vigour and ' celerity. The water is required alike for mining, agricultural and pastoral purposes and it is not wanted in' dribbles.— Dunedin " Star." THE BLACKBALL SITUATION. The duty lies upon the Government to give effect co the law and to enforce the decisions of the Arbitration Court. The duty may occasionally be a disagreeable one, and it is most likely to be found to be disagreeable when the shadow of a general election has fallen across the land, but a Government which tfesrred- to maintain its self-re-spect and to retain the confidence of the community woydd straightforwardly discharge its duty, even if it should be at the cost of arousing the enmity of a few labour unions. It may be questioned, indeed, whether it is good electioneering on the part of Ministers to show themselves afraid to make the decision, of the Arbitration Court effective against the Miners' Union: Pusillanimity is not usually regarded as a virtue and it may be doubted whether the Government will "win over any waverers by persistence in a policy of weak inactivity .— " Otago Daily Times."