PUBLIC OPINION.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 9221, 28 April 1908, Page 1

PUBLIC OPINION.

~~"^K6M YES^ERDIf '^NEWSPAPERS, (By Telegraph.) HUMAN INFALLIBILITY. The Victorian railway accident has its lesson for New Zealand, though we trust that it is a lesson that is not needed. All regular methods of administration tend by simple maintenance to slacken the watchfulness which is required for their sufficiency, so it arises that the very rules which have been established in safeguard, and which work in safeguard become at length causes of disaster. We all know that in 6uch matters vigilance is the price of security, but that only is vigilance which every moment of every day finds us watchful and ready. — "Evening Post." IMPERIAL POLITICS. The effect of ;this anti-Liberal demonstration will be widespread. Its first result will be to paralyse the present Ministry's efforts at reform legislation, not only by heartening the Opposition, but by affecting the discipline of a large section of the Government following. Mr Churchill will, no doubt, be provided for in another constituency, but nothing that will '>- done, or can be done, can save the Liberal administration from the ignomy of extinction. — " I\ew Zealand Times." THE POLITICAL SITUATION. The revolutionary Socialist is not the only person who should be viewed with suspicion. The " step by step " Socialist is not less dangerous, since he proposes to achieve his ends by gradual means, because the objective in each case is the same, and it is certainly an intelligible position which Mr Massey takes, up when he asserts that the Government is so closely allied- with the " step by step " Socialists as to render it a duty on the part of prudent electors to offer opposition to Ministers. There remains, however, the arguable point whether it would not be possible to reclaim the Government, to lead it to realise the danger that it may be corrupted by evil associations, and thus to force those who would entice it into devious courses to become ite adversaries.—" Otago Daily Times." { THE MANCHESTER ELECTION. There cannot be any. question as to the meaning of this remarkable change in the political viewsof a leading Manchester electorate. ' The handful of votes polled by the Socialist candidate did # not affect in the slightest degree the 'result of Saturday's election, which was a straightout fight between candidates whose personality was completely overshadowed by the opposing causes they respectively represented. It is plain that when the Asquith administration ventures upon a general election the 'probabilities are that it will j have to give place to a Government pledged, among other things, to Imperial reciprocity and tariff reform. — " New Zealand Herald." NORTH COUNTRY STRIKE. In industrial disputes of this sort we need hardly say that we are firmly jconvinced of the value of arbitration, and the obstinate refusal of the employers to have recourse to this expedient certainly do*s not prejudice us in their favour. The whole shipbuilding trade of the north-east coast is paralysed, and the indirect effects of the dislocation of this great industry must be speedily felt throughout the length and breadth of the United Kingdom. Reviewing the history of the struggle there seems to be little doubt that the strike might in the first place have been averted, and the alleged necessity for the lockout would not have arisen if the employers had consented to submit the question to arbitration. The incident affords a fresh and convincing proof of ! the dangers involved under such cir- j eumstances in an appeal to force rather than to conciliation and to compromise. — Auckland "Star."