PRESS OPINIONS.

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 368, 19 March 1902, Page 4

PRESS OPINIONS.

Ye Gods ! Men who have undergone an arduous twelve months’ campaign, and are willing to again return to Africa and assist in maintaining the prestige of the old flag, must not suggest that they should not be placed under the command of inefficient officers or run unnecessary risks as a consequence.—Wanganui Herald. Are we to be told next that Mr Soddon actually suggested the Japanese treaty.—Wellington Post. As the aim and main object of us all must he the redemption of Fiji, gnd the amelioration of a declining race, which voluntarily ranged itself under the British flag, intercolonial jealousies will surely not be allowed to frustrate the nobler purpose which ought to be kept steadily in view—Wellington Lance.

If there is any thraldom at all, it is the toadyism and servility shown by a certain class of people in the colonies who wish to curry favor with those in high places at Home—Palmerston Standard. Wc may consent, if the people will, to glossing over the worse than hideous mistakes made by the British tro'ops ; but the damning fact remains that thousands of precious lives are being sacrificed on the altar of stupidity and caddish indifference, of class prejudice and military muddle-headed-ness.—Carterton Leader. Take the man who works on the land. The labor legislation has not added to his Wages one farthing per annum, but on the contrary it has had the effect of increasing the cost of living, and as a consequence has reduced the’ value of every sovereign he earns. —Hamilton Argus. For the first Minister of the Grown to receive during his tenure of office large sums in hard cash from men whom he can reward and punish m sundry ways well known is to establish a precedent fraught with serious danger to the Democracy. We do not believe that Mr Seddon’s predecessors in office would have levied such a tribute in any. conceivable circumstances. —Wellington Post. The irony of it all—the grim satire of it —is that the hard cash is to come, not from the working men whom Mr Seddon is supposed to have built up, but from the capitalists whom Mr Seddon is supposed to have pulled down. —Nelson Mail. Mr Seddon must either reject the hard cash testimonial, or accepting it, he must for ever hold his political hand against capital.—Nelson Mail. Certain firms in Wellington have lately been catering for a growing demand in wood toys, and in making these a large number of boys have been employed in this department of trade. Ketailers are now being informed that owing to the Union rule providing that only one boy to three men can be employed, the making of wood toys has been practically discon ■ cinued, and they cannot be supplied by those who previously manufactured them. —Wairarapa Standard. Visiting day at the Asylum is interesting to those who can stand shocks, and most entertaining if one can see patients during lucid intervals. There is one man now at Porirua whose interval comes but week, and ho will then converse sensibly on the causes that led to his aberration. “ l was the best accountant in New Zea land before I camo here,” lie sadly said. “ Figures drove you mad, eh ? ” Well, not in the ordinary way of business, .but when I tried to square up the wife s household accounts my brain tottered, and here T am." Wives take warning ! —Free Lance. It is estimated that of the one thousand men who are ready to'go with the Tenth Contingent, at least 950 are fully qualified for positions as officers. Curious, in the light of the allegations about favoritism being shown to the highly-placed and politically-favored, that the majority of junior officers of our contingents now in Africa are working men. Two officers who were laborers in New Zealand have been promoted to the intelligence staff, another officer who was a saddler has done remarkably smart field work, a miuer officer has been mentioned in despatches for handling his men capably, and there are several working fa, liters who have uivni much satisfaction. One of the officers ooing with the Ninth is a working Thames turner, who was a cook with a former contingent. He will have his rations cooked for him, and bis horse saddled perhaps by a barrister’s or bishop’s son soon, and no complaint will be beard. To ao into the matter of 11 class,” as referring to Contingents, would be most interesting. Above instances are genuine, and go to show the fallacy of the notion that only the highest placed in the social scale have been favored. All the same, some officers have been appointed to previous Contingents who are like the fly in amber —it puzzles one to know how. they get there at all.—Free Lance. If Mr Pirani is well advised he will certainly not retire from politics because his home life has not been all that he couid have desired. He is suing, we understand, for the restitution of his conjugal rights, and if he succeeds in showing ;hat there are grounds for.bis action, then certainly the sympathy of the people will go out to him.'’ We think he has been premature in determining to retire.—Cartevtcn Leader.