PUBLIC OPINION.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 9789, 4 March 1910, Page 3

PUBLIC OPINION.

» FROM YESTJSaS&AY'S NEWSPAPERS.

(By TelegjJtaph.)

THE RAND CHINESE. The importation of Chinese to the Rand \v<aa the most striking instance the world lias had ti recent years of what cosmopolitan exploitation of a country means, rt«d its defence by leading Conservative politicians in England was an outrage upon the moral sense of an overwhelming majority of their fellows. Compared with the conditions under the rule of the Boer oligarchy, the lot of the white man in the Transvaal under the unrestrained regime of Mr Schumacher and his friends would have been one of the most abject serfdom.—"New Zealand Times." A PROGRESSIVE POSTAL DEPARTMENT. The continued extension of the very handy telephone lines to the more inaccessible (by mail) places demonstrates further that the New Zealand Post and Telegraph Department is a go-ahead, organisation, worked, as so many Government Departments are not, on shrewd business principles, and finally the installation of stamp vending machines in the chief post offices throughout the dominion provides additional evidence in support of our assertion that our postal authorities are seized of the needs of the people they serve and are making provision accordingly. —" Evening Post." DEFENCE. The smooth working of the new system of defenco already in force by law, though not actually applied, depends almost wholly upon the shrewd judgment and happy tactfulness of the men in charge. What the Government should secure, and we say it with all respect to present officials and without any desire to belittle them, is not only a sufficient body of competent instructors, but a commander of special qualifications. Lord Kitchener must know better than any other man in the world some shrewd, energetic, tactful officer p-ho would make our willing but hottempered New Zealand lads into the loyal and enthusiastic citizen soldiers we wish them to be, who would be able to understand thorn and to handle tliem, who would win their affection as *wi as their respect and set the new system going on the best possible lines. i>ew Zealand Herald." ri L ORD KITCHENER'S VISIT. The magnificent reception everywhere given to Lord Kitchener is in itself a factor of no small moment at the present hour, and of inestimable value in the future making of the Empire. AVo need to bo roused, to be enthused, and to come very near to the men who the Empire over are in the heart of the fray and carrying the larger share of the burden, and when we are. privileged to welcome them it is well that wo should show that we know how to estimate the value of their presence.— Dunedin "Star." THE BivxiiNG NUISANCE. The bookmaker continues to illustrate tho futility of the legislative attempts to confine his operations to the racecourse, where he has official recognition, for this very recognition paves the way for him elsewhere. But the.se results ure only after all on a level with the inconsistencies of our legislation on this question. Obviously, tner«s is a position calling for niensures of reform, and it becomes a question of what direction these should take. The fact may be recalled that -when he was interviewed last session by a deputation from the Anti-Gambling' League Sir Joseph Ward indicated that be was quite prepared to recommend that the voice of the people should be taken wim reference to both the totalistaor and the bookmaker. When the public is given the opportunity, we shall not be surprised to find it according each a alioxt shrift.—" Ota go Daily Tim vs."