PUBLIC OPINION.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 9307, 6 August 1908, Page 1

PUBLIC OPINION.

■ ♦ FROM YESTERDAY'S NEWSPAPERS. (By Telegraph.) THE DOMINION'S' FINANCE. The industrial activities of New Zea-* land are so widely distributed that the property pf the country is not vitally affected by a decline, though it may be a heavy decline, in the value of any one of its staple article of produce. The dominion no longer has its eggs in one basket, as once was the case, and we believe its general finance is so strong > that it may await the future with a great deal of confidence. — " Otago , Daily Times." MUNICIPAL RUPERANNUA- . TION. On the self-supporting basis, each employee would receive an annual pension of sixtieths of the total rej numeration paid to him during the period of his contributions to the funds until attaining the age of sixty-five years. No doubt some more generous provision, including contributions both from the consolidated fund and from the various Councils, may be expected j in the Government scheme when it sees the light, but who can say when that will be? We should have been j thankful to see the Municipal Associa- i j tion making an actual Start with a ten-, tative and partial scheme in the meantime.—i" Evening Post." EARTH HUNGER. It should be the policy of the Government to make it competent for every man of limited means, town and country worker alike, to acquire a moderate holding as a provision for his immediate requirements, the upbringing of a family and his old age. The perennial "unemployed" trouble mi' ht even be considerably minimised if all opportunities were embraced of I affording the widest facilities for set- i tlement to families that are now gen- • erally desirous of building up homes ' for themselves. — " New Zealand Times."