The Star. THURSDAY, APRIL 22, 1909. "THE RIGHT THING AT THE RIGHT TIME."

Star (Christchurch), Issue 9532, 22 April 1909, Page 2

The Star. THURSDAY, APRIL 22, 1909. "THE RIGHT THING AT THE RIGHT TIME."

The Canterbury executive of the New Zealand Farmere' . Union has spoken its mind with no uncertain voice concerning Sir Joseph Ward's Dreadnought offer. Nobody could ever accuse the Union of being, in general sympathy with the Government, and, indeed; its principal member? are frankly strongly in Opposition. Its testimony, therefore, has all the more value as an indication of what the true' public feeling is upon the matter. Mr Taylor and hie. friends have made a great deal of noise upon the. subject, but their fury has beaten f utilely at the doors of public opinion. Mr Leadley was at his beet yesterday when moving, the I motion expressing approval of the Cabinet's action, and his expression of a hope that the matter would be discussed from a higher level than rit had been placed by some people in the City set a keynote that was consistently maintained. Indeed, the unanimity of the executive was as gratifying a© it was judiciously expressed. Sir Joseph ie, ; of course, not dependent upon the opinions of an insignificant minority for his peace of mind, but he will certainly, strongly appreciate the endorsement of his policy coming from hie sworn 7 political opponents. When Mr Wilfred Hall describes the ' Prime Minister's action as "the best thing Sir Joseph ever didj" Mr. Richard Evans declares it to have been "the right thing at the right time," and Mr Leadley expresses a preference for having his civil liberties interfered with by the Government of the day rather than entrust them to the Germane, Sir Joseph? may rest. asT sured that he will have no difficulty in persuading Parliament of the wisdom of his action. The whole subject has been well threshed put now in the country, and there is no shadow of a doubt- that a tremendous majority of the people are warmly approving of the, Prime .Minister's spirited and stateSjnanlike grasp of a notable, situation, The,discussion by the Farmers' Unio# has stimulated interest once inqre in. the subject, and the reminder that.'; the Empire is dependent for the safety of its commerce upon, kfeepiiig the /ppen sea comes at a happy moment. The Peace-at-any-price Party declines to recognise thk, but the farming community, which is practical in its beliefs and in ite policy, and which, counts Bentimental theorising as a noxious weed, ■ will hasten" to admit its truth. There •have been too many side issues imported into the discussion, and there have been a good many deliberate misrepresentations to add to the difficulty of a proper presentation of the situation, ,but with such 'bodies as the Fanners' Union and the Agricultural and Pastoral Association giving the Government their warm support we may confidently expect these to be dissipated into thin air. There- is more practical value in the expression of opinion pf these organifea- i turns -than in a dozen rowdy protests from cheap agitators who have their! own personal purposes alone to serve/ * Fast-growing^ children are delicate because their vitality is low. Steams' Wine of Cod .Liyer. pxtract produces sonnd flesh, muscleV 'tissue and' pure rich red blood in their veins. Children like to take it. r. , ; . 4 '