PUBLIC OPINION.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2545, 5 July 1909, Page 7

PUBLIC OPINION.

the arrival op the airship. The trial !trip of the Cody dirigible aeroplane at Aldershot seems to mark a decided advance in the science and art and to have deeply impressed the public, and it is already proposed to present one to the natiori\by public subscriptions. France, where aeronautics had its birth, is building for herself and other nations, and Germany has a formidable engine in preparation, which may or may Hot answer expectations. The coming of the airship, notwithstanding discouraging mishaps, like those recorded lately from St. Petersburg. seems now very near at hand. “Evening Post.’ ’ THE SAME STORY. Canadian imports of British goods have decreased from 56 to 231 per cent, or by more than half. Canadian imports of goods from the United States have increased from 34 per cent to 60 per cent. There is an explanation, of course. It i.? that United _ States manufacturers keep themselves in close touch with the Canadian market, and are more willing tq adapt themselves to Canadian, requirements than the British manufacturers. This is an old story. A long period of commercial prosperity spoiled British manufacturers. They came at last to take on the view that they knew better than their prospective customers what these wanted, and they manufactured accordingly. If the prospective customer did not buy the fact proved that he did not know what was good for _ him. That settled it. For a while Britain felt no ill effects. Now the conditions are altered. Britain is no longer the controller of the world s markets. Her competitors are keen, enterprising, inventive, energetic, 'accommodating. Th« result is a marked falling-off in British exports.—“ Daily Telegraph." THE WHITE MAE’S BURDEN. The Hon. J. Carroll’s temporary accupancy of the position of Prime Minister may have one useful result at any rate. It may turn the public attention to the greatest of the country’s grievances, namely, the locking up of the vast areas of Native land which the needs of the nation yearly more urgently reciuire to be developed and made Much has to be said and written in vain upon this s re subject; the Native land legislation itself is a trackless jungle.—“Domi.non.” SOUTHERN INFLUENCE. The North Island now returns fortyone European members of the Honte oi Representatives, as against tir.rty-hvs returned by the South Island ; yet, despite the obviously greater importance of North Island interests, '•li»t does an analysis of the present personnel of the Ministry disclose? it slows that whilst the South lslaad has lire Cabinet Ministers occupy! ig sofs in the House, including the Prime Minister and the of nv st t ti e other important portfolios, the North Island has- to be content with two Ministers only in the representative Chamber other than the Native Minister. —“New Zealand Herald.” EDUCATION~OF THE YOUNG. The obsession from which _ the primary education system is beginning to shake itself free was that cultivation of the memory was the be-all and endall of rational effort, and that this wa6 to be achieved by proceeding upon the assumption that the beautiful mind was inanimate. It was a grotesque theory, and had grotesque results. The now ideal goes to the opposite extreme, and, taking its stand on experience and reason, points to the better way; and if in making the change some of the “usual studies” are /f orgotten, the loss will not be regretted by people who realise that the true object of primary education is to train the faculties to observation and reason. —“New Zealand Times.” GROUNDS FOR MOUNTED INFANTRY. Military people and others interested are advocating _ the establishment of permanent training grounds for mounted infantry. Taihape is suggested for one place in the North Island. Major Brandon, at a volunteer smoke concert last night, made a strong appeal for separation of military control of the defence forces from political influence.