DOMINION OPINION.

Waikato Times, Issue 12184, 20 September 1911, Page 6

DOMINION OPINION.

Mr Fcvwlds seems to he in some danger of allowing his fluent tongue to run away with his sober judgment. He displayed less than his usual discretion when commenting the other day in the House of Representatives upon his retirement from the Ministry and now his is giving Lis confidttiea to every persistent journalist who happens to come Ins way. He took up •quite the right attitude in Auckland when ho told the evitable reporter that he wanted time for "reflection and adjustment to the new conditions" before he began to talk, hut having expressed this pious sentiment he proceeded to talk apparently without either reflection or a Ijustnient.—Lyttelton Times.

The rank and hie of the Opposition seem to be infected with their leader's passion for slaying the slain of ancient battles. With a Budget full of meat before them they feast on the remains of hecatombs sacrificed in former campaigns. Hail there been no Budget the debate could have (been no different. After all, it is really a pity our friends did not contrive to get rid of their stale ammunition on the Address-in-Reply. To hear them ds to wonder at the persistency of fixed ideas that have no basis of fact. In this respect the debate is a study in human futility—New 'Zealand Times.

The High Cornmissionership has been hung up until the end of December next. This should prove a most convenient arrangement for Ministers with shaky seats. Sir William Ball-Jones will continue to fill office until the date mentioned and should the Hon. T. Mackenzie or Sir John Findlay or Mr Millar, cr anyone else, be unfortunate enough to woo the electors in vain the vacant High Cornmissionership will afford the Government an admirable chance of rearraagiino; things comfortably for someone. That is. of course, assuming that the Government come back with a majority. Should they not come back with a majority they will still nave this plum available for the n.ost deserving of their number ; for until Parliament meets they will still exercise all the powers of a Government. It is a very nice aiTangetoent for Ministers—they generally do arrange things to suit themselves—and alter all the public interest is a small thing lreside the interests of the Ward Administration .—Dominion.