PRESS OPINIONS.

Gisborne Times, Volume VIII, Issue 475, 16 July 1902, Page 4

PRESS OPINIONS.

Voting power is the only power which commands respect in Parliament, and the farmers, if they are to command this, must bo careful that tho men they return aro not pledged to follow any political leaders or ally themselves with any political party.—Hamilton Argus. One set of figures in the Year Booh for 1901 proves that great strides have been made in educational matters among Roman Catholics in the colony since 1881. In that year out of every thousand persons married according to tho rites of that Church, 177 men and 138 women signed the registor by mark. In 1900 tho proportion was only nine men and six women per thousand persons married. This must be regarded as splendid progress.—Napier Telegraph. It will be somowhat of a handicap for Mr Seddon if ho has to take a back seat at Home at all tho functions ; but, as he possesses abundance of staying power, we feel certain that he will wear them all out before ho has done with them.—Northern Exchange.

These are the days of competition, and the nation as well 'as the individual that does not make the most of .its advantages to keep constantly in the van, will very quickly fall into tho rear in the march of progress. —Hokitika Leader. A mine manager is nearly always a cheap one. Good managers are not wanted and not paid well enough to induce them to stop if they do take up the work,— Westport Times. Tho war tax on corn will include all cereals s.ich as peas, haricots, lentils, and rice, and probably all manufactured goods such jas macaroni, semolina, starch, tapioca, sago, and arrowroot. Poor Britishers !—Hobart Clipper. If the matter of license or no-license could be settled by referendum for a period of say, ten years, much if not nearly all of the existing unrest and irritation would be removed.—Hamilton Times. Last year a sum of £2OOO on account, out of a contemplated £IO,OOO, appeared upon the Estimates for a Consumptives' Sanatorium. Several sites are, we understand, under offer to the Government, but the Cabinet has done little or nothing. This delay, whether it be due to Department or Cabinet, seems to be most unreasonable, and we trust that it will be fully discussed in Parliament early next session,—Wellington Post. The law may disfranchise Mr Lynch, and thus shut him out of the House of Commons, but to punish him for treason in England, while the same conduct is pardoned in South Africa, would be a very curious thing indeed, —Sydney Freeman’s Journal.

In the heat of political strife, Sir William Russell has never deviated from the path of strict courtesy and knightly conduct. That he should have been chosen for this distinction will be a matter for rejoicing among his fellow-coloDists, whatever their creed.—Wellington Post. The supporters of the Referendum in the House are strong enough to carry the measure, and if the Government really intends to countenance a genuine Referendum bill, the machinery for testing the will of the people should be set up before Parliament dissolves. —Invercargill Times.

Although one or two minor branches of the service may have been overmanned, we believe the civil servants of this colony are paid much lower salaries than those prevailing in the various Australian States or in Canada, and the migration of so many telegraphists to Africa strengthens this opinion.—Blenheim Express,