THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. MONDAY, DECEMBER 9, 1918. EDITORIAL NOTES.

Wairarapa Age, 9 December 1918, Page 4

THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. MONDAY, DECEMBER 9, 1918. EDITORIAL NOTES.

The finding of Mr J. G. L. Hewitt, S.M., on the charges of cruel treatment of the inmates of the Wanganui detention barracks, will come as a shock to the community. No patriotic citizen has any particular regard for the individual who endeavours to save his skin by the adoption of the plea of '' conscientious objector.'' But tho application of cruel methods to those who refuse to submit to military authority is repugnant to the feelings of Britishers. The Magistrate has found that the charges of cruelty levelled against the officers of the detention barracks have been proved. The Minister states that the officers have been removed. This statement will not satisfy the public. If the officere have bcrti guilty of conduct which is not. justified either by the circumstances or by the military regulations, they must be brought to justice. The case cannot, in fairness to all concerned, be allowed to remain where it is.

The House of Representatives has displayed neither chivalry nor appreciation of democratic principles in permitting the clause in the Legislative Council Bill, conceding the right to women to ait in Parliament, to be deleted. The Prime Ministor and Sir Joseph Ward both pretended sympathy with the proposal to remove the political disabilities of women. Why, then, did they sanction the deletion of a clause giving effect to the proposal? The plea of Mr Massey that the clause was inserted in an unconstitutional manner will not hold good, seeing that the Speaker had held to the contrary. The leaders of tho Coalition Government, may not have relished the idea of the clause being inserted on the motion of a Labour member. But, when they sanction the stultification of the people's representatives by allowing their expressed wish on an important political issuo to be over-ridden by a nominee body, they cast a very severe blow at our system of democratic government.

Although tho influenza epidemic has abated in the Masterton .district, and comparatively few fresh cases are being reported, it is the duty of the Executive which was set up to light the disease to maintain its organisation to some extent, so that any further outbreak in tho immediate future may be promptly, and effectively dealt, with. Although the crisis is past,' and the necessity for temporary, hospitals may soon no longer exist, we cannot afford to take the risk of disbanding tho voluntary committees. The Hospital and Charitable Aid Board officials may be able to deal with normal conditions, but it is unreasonable to expect them to cope with the extraordinary situation that at present exists, and that is likely to exist for some weeks to come. It may be hard on business men to give up their valuable time at the present season of tho year, but, with organisation, the responsibility can be undertaken without, great hardships being involved.

Now that the influenza epidemic iy well in hand, we may be permitted to again express, on behalf of the community as a whole, the great admiration that is felt for those voluntary workers who have made such magnificent, sacrifices in fighting the fell disease. Some of these workers have, become victims of ■ the epidemic, and one or two have made the supreme sacrifice. Their names will ever be honoured and revered, nnd a halo of glory will surround their memories, for they havo performed the highest and noblest of public services, and have laid down their lives for the sake of others. Every man_ and woman, every Boy Scout, who has rendered service in combatting a common enemy, will have the everlasting satisfaction of knowing that tney have done their duty as citizens. Their reward will be the lasting gratitude of the poople. Tho comparative few who have deliberately shirked their responsibility may safely be left to the judgment of posterity and their pwii coi»' sconces.

The session of tho New Zealand Parliament just concluding has been one of the shortest but most momentous in the history of the Dominion. Measures have been placed upon the Statute Book which may involve enormous financial responsibilities, and legislation has been passed of a far-reaching character, almost without discussion. The most important legislation deals with repatriation, bonuses to soldiers, hydro-electricity, and the liquor question. It is to bp hoped that this will prove for the ultimated benefit of great body of people. Parliament may have been welladvised in not committing itself to a large quantity of legislation. It cannot claim to represent tho aspirations pf' the people, seeing thas it has not made an appeal to the electorate for four years,

.Mi' Clement Wragge }ias added ta Jiis already wide reputation an ft prophet. 110 predicted some time back that, as a result of certain sun spots, New Zealand would bo visited by a plague, and that this would be folloM'ctJ by violent storms. The iufiu? eji?,a epidemic has been near enough to a plague to satisfy all our requirements. If the experience of tho Wairarapa is general throughout New Zealand, the storm part of the prophecy is also being realised. The weather on Sunday was just about as rough ua ono could desire. We hopo that Mr Wraggo will let ua off witty

these, and endeavour to control his sun spots for the future. Violent earthquakes have been experienced iu America, but this Dominion may be spared a similar visitation.

The announcement that the 'l-.V.uonr lion Act Amendment Bill is not. to be proceeded with this session will cause widespread disappointment throughout the Dominion. The Minister of Education had given conrldorable thought to the preparation of theBill, but Cabinet has decided that the measure cannot be deals with. However, the teachers will derive a grain of comfort from the intimation that, increases in their salaries are to be provided for in the supplementary estimates. Education reform is of pressing urgency at the present time, but, owing to the departure of Ministers for the Peace Conference, it has to be postponed for Another year. Cabinet has not done justice to itself or to the Dominion by doMdhg to defer this important question.

It had been hoped that, after the flood experience a few month* bach, the local authorities of Masterlon would have taken adequate precautions to prevent the town being again invaded by the Waipoua river. Tho experience) appears to have been lost on the Borough Council, for the river again overflowed its banks last night and portions of tho borough were submerged. It cannot be too strongly urged upon the controlling authorities that protective works are essential V order to preserve property from devastation by Hood. The Borough Council will be guilty of culpable neglect of duty if it does not take immediate steps in the matter.

It is to bo regretted that Parliament has not found an opportunity during tho present session to deal with the burning question of the cost of living. The Prime Minister intimated at tho commencement of the session that legislation would be introduced to afford relief to the masses of the-people. Evidently, however, neither he nor his collagues have been able to evolve a scheme to clip the wings of the exploiter. The Government, has not strengthened its position in the country by failing to redeem its promise in the matter.