WHAT THE PAPERS SAY.

West Coast Times, 23 March 1910, Page 1

WHAT THE PAPERS SAY.

HOME POLITICS. Asked lus opinion regarding the action of the Asquith Government in taking supply for six weeks only instead of for six months, to cover the session according to usual practice, the Hon C. C. Bowen characterised such action as sharp practice, and the Speaker of the Legislative Council went on to suggest that the Government obviously having no confidence in its normal majority in the House of Commons, ought either to resign or ask for a dissolution instead of marking time, and, wc may add, waiting, like Mr Micawber, for something to turn up. His remarks certainly express the feelings, of a great many people who are not unsympathetic in regard to the main lines of the Liberal policy, but who have regretfully been unable to admire the policy of the Government since the close of the general election.—Dunedin Star.

THE APATHETIC ELECTOR, The apathy of the electors in choosing members of the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board must awaken doubts as to the advisability of referring .such questions to the popular vote. It is with difficulty that our citizens are induced Ho take an active interest in parliamentary elections or the elections of local bodies, and they will evidently not put themselves out to vote upon matters which they are quite prepared to leave to the existing bodies. The record of yesterday’s elections .should be a lesson to those who too readily attempt to reform existing institutions, and who imagine that any political difficulty can bo amended by asking the .sovereign citizen to vote upon it.—New Zealand Herald.

IMMIGRATION. The held for immigration in Australia is practically limitless, the resources of the country are practically immeasurable, and the system of government represents “the largest measure of trust in the people and freedom for the community ” yet attained anywhere in the civilised world. Sir George Reid did well to emphasise Australia’s readiness to welcome suitable emigrants from the Old Country, and the colonies all owe him their thanks for reiterating that, whatever he the value of the colonial offers of preferential trade, we aw> not bargaining with England to secure our own selfish ends at the expense of the workers at Horne.—Auckland Star.

SOM XOLEXT CITIZENS. Two thousand votes or so out of a possible thirty thousand could, without placing great strain on the imagination

be taken as an indication that the citizens wished to ho relieved of such a bore as the management of their business. To speak about an “extension of local government” just now would seem to be taking liberties with the collective sense of humour.-—New Zealand Times. THE TIRED ELECTOR.

From all parts of New Zealand pome reports of popular apathy at yesterday’s elections. For years there has hern a demand for a democratic irnnchise for the appointment of all members of Hospital and Charitable Aid Hoards. Yesterday this sentiment was tested, and the result was lamentable. The people were si'' l ' ll frill power of choice, and in “Wellington, Auckland, Christchurch, Dunedin, Nelson, and other places the proportion of voters was not a twelfth of the numbers on the municipal rolls. The persons who took the trouble to exercise their privilege or right did not amount to 8 per cent of the burgesses here and elsewhere. This tiredness is on a par with other notorious langonr previously noted. The descendants of people who cheerfully risked their lives for the franchise are too indifferent to cut a minute or two out of the lunch hour to do a civic duty. If such listlessnoss persists an awakening will ho forced on somnolent New Zealand communities.—Evening Post.