what the Papers Say

Observer, Volume XXIII, Issue 32, 25 April 1903, Page 3

what the Papers Say

NOW that the police and the railway 'employees have been provided with superannuation schemes, which are working satisfactorily, it is only right that the needs of the Civil Service as a whole in this respect should be attended to. — Dunedin Star.

The Hare system of yoking, with its elaborate scheme of first, second and third preferences, and its weary counting and re-counting of the vote, has been definitely dropped in Tasmania. The same men got in after 18 counts as would have got in after one. — Sydney Bulletin.

There is little hope of any increase being made in the scale of old age pensions. On the other hand, it would be a pity to see the pension confined to unfledged angels, as some persons in official positions, apparently, would like to have it. — Napier Herald.

Although unionism has done much for the working man in the aggregate, and has accomplished more in his interests in a legislative way, yet it is doubtful if it has improved the individual as a worker. All workmen are, in fact, brought down to the same level of pay, notwithstanding that their abilities are so diversified. — Wellington Mail.

The whole country would be Hooded with State notes, and the necessaryconsequence would be a veiy heavy fall in their value as compared with gold. There would be no gold locally in circulation — nothing but these notes. Mr Seddon is far Loo shrewd to commit himself to such a lunatic scheme of finance. — Dunedin Star on the State bank proposal.

It is the weak point in the old age pensions system as it stands that it has no assured financial basis. Were it not for borrowing we would have to curtail either our public works expenditure or our old age pension fund. — Reef ton Times.

The large sum of money lost by the Flourmil'er.s' Association during the first year of its existence was the outcome of the unsuccessful attempt to force the hands of the Auckland Hourmillers ; and one experience of this kind ought to sulrice. — Wanganui Herald.

The only reasonable course is for the colony, which is prosperous in everything but its general finances, to follow the example of Victoria and New South Wales, and reduce our expenditure till we car conduct the affairs of the colony without an annual appeal to London wherewith to make a surplus and bamboozle the people. — Oamaru Times.

The Licensing Act requires amendment, tor it is manifestly not just or fair that the will of the majority of the electors in a district should he set aside liy the blundering of the officers appointed to conduct the elections. — Thames Star.

The facts about the million and a•quarter loan, which was recently obtained at Home from the underwriters, owing to the coolness of the public, to oblige the colony, are enough to make prudent people stand aghast. . . . A matter of £125,000 cash given to those who are obliging enough to let the colony have money, as well as 3 per cent, interest on that sum for forty years, in addition to the interest on the money the lenders actually provide. And yet people complain about criticisms on our methods of finance by experts at Home. — Palmemton Standard.

It seems clear that by far the moat desirable course would be to grasp the nettle, insist on the speedy sale of the Assets Board estates, abolish the Board, and, if there be a deficiency, let the country vote the amount. But as a matter of fact there need be, no loss at all.— Reefton Times.

The trip to the Islands will be a gorgeous time for the M.H.R's who take part in it, and when Parliament meets they will be nice and sweet, good little boys who, having had their sweets, cannot be expected to be so rude as to "barrack" the kind old gentleman who provided the feast — Cromwell Argus.

While for the sake of argument it is admitted that trades unionists should have preference of employment, it may not be conceded that simply because they are unionists others must be dismissed from employment to provide them work. Fair-minded men would not contemplate the imposition of such a hardship.— Wellington Mail

There is a saving grace wanted to make the Arbitration and Conciliation Act work with fair success. That is the saving grace of common sense, the spirit of compromise that has come to the assistance of crude legislation among the English-speaking people often and again. — Warkworth 1 ivies.

The Premier strangely misreads the signs of the time, and makes a dangerous political error, if he imagines that the majority of the people will not resent a refusal on the part of Government or Parliament to amend the present unsatisfactory state ot the licensing law.— Dunedin Star

The position of our railways is worse now than it was under the Commissioners, for business and politics are so inextricably mixed together in the development and management of our railways that it is almost impossible for the average citizen to distinguish between what is done for business reasons and what is done in deference to the political exigencies of the Ministry.—Wellington Post.

The Government desires to avail itself of the deposits in the bank of New Zealand for public purposes, and this can be done if the Government takes up shares to the value of its guarantee, and so secures a preponderating influence on the councils of the bank.— Napier Herald.

The Bank no longer needs assistance from the State. Its credit is so thoroughly restored that it can stand alone, and if it chooses next year, on the expiration of the guarantee, to " cut the painter," there is nothing to prevent it doing so. If, on the other hand, it wishes to retain the enormous advantage it enjoys as a "State" institution, it must be prepared to admit the State to something like ri\ equitable partnership. — Lyttelton Times.

Forty thousand pounds is a cheap price to pay for the effectual protection from foreign naval attack of fifteen million pounds worth of exports. — Whangarei Advocate, on the proposed increase ot naval subsidy.

If the State wants to help the woman, let it compel every man to insure his life, and keep up his premiums. There would be more excuse for that sort of dictation than many otlip-r kinds which the law has sane-' tioned within recent years. — Waihi Telegraph,, on the widows' portion scheme.

The weakness of the Land for Settlements Act is that it places in th« hands of the Government an enormous power for punishment or reward by being able to take on the one side, for actual value, an estate which the owner desires to keep, or, on the other, by paying more than value to an owner who must sell. This blot upon the law would disappear did Parliament decide what estate** should be taken in the public interest, and a Court of Award, with a Judge of the Supreme Court at its head, deter mine values.— Wellington Post.