PUBLIC OPINION.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 10450, 2 May 1912, Page 3

PUBLIC OPINION.

FROM YESTERDAY'S NEWSPAPERS. (By Telegraph.) ELDEIISLIE LAND BALLOT. Why were there so few applicants for tho Elderslie No. 2 sections P Simply and solely because tho estate was bought by the Government at much too high a price, a price which made it impossible to offer reasonable tempting tprms to wishful applicants. The system of valuation plus 4£ per cent is one which has outlived whatever small usefulness it ever had, and it should go the way of other discredited devices. It is actually said that tho rents asked for sections on this latest settlement average 100 per cent higher than on the adjoining land. This sort of thine is a mero burlesque of Sir John MKonzia's doctrine of close settlement. The truth is that quite apart from the tenure issue many mischievous and even scandalous conditions call for the prompt attention of Government and Parliament.— Dunedin "Star." THE DISSOLVING MINISTRY. When the "Lyttelton Times" expresses itsolf as satisfied that the only alternative to the Mackenzie Government is an early dissolution, it overlooks tho existence of tho largest composite party in Parliament, and forgets that before there can be a dissolution an opportunity must_ be allowed for the formation of a government representative of that party. If there is to be an early dissolution it will be through an appeal to tlie country by a Massey Government, which would be within its rights in* claiming a dissolution in the event of it being defeated. That it would be defeated in the first few months of its existence is, howover, very unlikely, and tho advent of such a govern mont to office within a week or so from tho meeting of Parliament is becoming more and more probable. The indications are that tho Mackenzie Government will dissolve under tho shock of tho first attack upon it in tho House.— " Ota go Daily Times."