PUBLIC OPINION.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 9211, 14 April 1908, Page 1

PUBLIC OPINION.

FROM YESTERDAY'S NEWSPAPERS. (By Telegraph.) WELCOMING THE FLEET. The suggestion of the London " (Lrlobe " tnat a large Britisli squadron might be despatched to Australasia to taKe part in tii« welcome of the American heet is worthy the attention of the colonial and. naval authorities. Not only would it be a graceful response to the courtesy which is being exhibited by the American Government, but it would, be the proper thing to do from a political point of view. It would be not only unwise and impolitic, but an unnecessary parade of indifference for the Imperial Government not to have a respectable squadron in these waters to meet aiid greet the Americans. With all the good-will in the world, the Americans ought to be shown that our welcome to. them is not due to the inability of the British Navy to take adequate measures for the holding of these waters or to our expectations of finding a protection from them which we cannot obtain from our own Imperial Government. — /"New Zealand Herald." INDIA AND PREFERENCE. Of the many subjects with which Lord Curzon's public career has made him conversant he is probably most familiar with Indian affairs, and even his enemies are inclined to listen with respect when he approaches this topic. In the present instance he has merely referred to India as illustrating the benefit that can be secured by a revenue tariff adjusted in accordance with his suggestions. India already possesses a small general tariff which could easily be applied to protective purposes and is already sufficient for the requirements of preference with the Empire. Lord Curzon's remarks on the fiscal policy may remind us that the ranks of the tariff reformers had been strengthened by a valuable ally Avho is peculiarly well qualified to advocate and defend the commercial interests of i our Indian Empire. — "Auckland Star." LABOUR DEMANDS, z We can freely acquit the labour leadi ers of New Zealand of anything in the nature of intriguing with the capitalists and bartering the interests of their fellows, in the manner so astutely implied by Professor Sviatlowsky when he refers to the "business" of the American leaders, but it would be impossible to acquit them of sacrificing the interests of their fellows in a manner even more vital by placing the continuous demand for more wages before the cardinal necessity of improving the status of the '_ workers by education, reading and technical training. The organisation of labour in New Zealand has become simply a machine for demanding money from the employers of labour, ignoring every activity that might tend to improve th.c lot of the worker by improv- ' ing the man. — Wellington "Post."

COMMONWEALTH POLITICS. Sir William' Lyne will yield to major force without a qualm as long as he is kept in office as the agent of force. [The Labour party, according to the present forecast, sets a high price on its support of a new Government. It demands a Cabinet majority. Sir William Lyne will agree to anything, but whether .the remnant of the. Ministerial party will agree is not easily to be settled. Apparently Sir William Lyne asks for time to manipulate opponents and waverers. — " New Zealand Times." THE BLACKBALL STRIKE. The Prime Minister's advice in his speech at Kaitangata was certainly to tne point, but the spirit of " sweet reasonableness " that pervaded his remarks in regard to the " strike" is, wo fear, somewhat too delicate and refined for the present situation, for which stronger measures are required. Tne Government have a clear duty to perform, alike to the Court, to Parliament, and to the community, viz., to see that the law is properly administered and rightly enforced. That is such an elementary truth that we need not elaborate the matter furtlier at present, for we cannot but believe that th© Government recognise their duty in the matter and will carry it out. — " Dunedin Star." SIR JOSEPH WARD AT KAITANGATA.

It is well that the advocates of Socialism should be plainly told by a responsible Minister of the Crown that the scheme to which they are anxious to give a trial is really beyond the possibility of attainment, and it was a fortunate choice by Sir Joseph Ward, when he selected Kaitangata, a centre of industrial activity, as the place where he should demonstrate the. futility of the cry for nationalisation. Of greater interest, however, wa6 the reference the Prime Minister made to the Blackball trouble and to the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act. It is not possible to compliment Sir Joseph Ward upon having treated this question with the same boldness as marked his exposure of the impracticability of the socialistic idea. The fact is that he approached and handled the subject in such a distinctly gingerly fashion as can only confirm and strengthen they impression that the Government would be delighted to snatch at any excuse for shirking its plain duty. — " Otago Daily Times."