POLITICAL PARAGRAPHS

Hokitika Guardian, 20 November 1925, Page 4

POLITICAL PARAGRAPHS

What lias been the outcomo of Queensland’s surrender to political Labour? The answer can without a deluge of tedious statistics, though these are ghastly from the viewpoint of national accountancy. This is what has happened in radiant Queensland. The railways, which paid handsomely before Labour’s advent to power, have lost over 11 millions pounds sterling in nine years. And the discipline of the staff has gone the same way as the profits. When the Labour Government ignobly capitulated to the railway strikers recently,

the first trains to resume running "'cut out with red Hut's %'"«» whistling detiuiitlv, and deeoratetl with banners appealing: to the workers to unite with Moscow. The latest report of the State Trading Commissioner reveals extraordinary losses. Almost e\ei,\ State mining business has lost a nullum pounds. And so on.— Christchurch Sun.” The ground has not been prepared lor the introduction ot prohibition in New Zealand as it was in the l lilted Mates, and no person who is not invincibly biassed in favour of prohibition can be so rash as to believe that a decision under which, by a small majority of votes on a national plebiscite, prohibition would bo thrust on New Zealand would not he productive of a tremendous wave of resentment and of those, “unwelcome phenomena, ’ regret fully observed by the lieseareh Department of the Federal Conned ol Churches and described by it as "iirsl. a falling away on the part of the religotts and moral forces from the crttsaading enthusiasm which brought about the new regime ; secondly, the rapid development of a counter movement: ol popular opinion, who ii in this ease is made many times more effective by the hart that, what is regulated is not merely a custom but an appetite which men will pay heavily to gratity. No law can be made effective which does not receive the moral support ol an overwhelming weight ol public sentiment.— “ Otago Daily Times.” The Labour Party, which is purely materialistic in its policy and outlook. holds its meetings in most of the centres of population on Sundays, and the stuli' the. public who attend such meetings are treated to is neither helpful nor conducive to the wellare of the people as a whole. Why cannot thev. in common with all other parties. confine their political activities to the six week-days, leaving Sundays alone? The reason is not, of course, far to seek. Throughout the week the picture shows and other forms ol amusement engage the attention ol the majority, and even Labour polities tippear dry when contrasted with theatrical and other attractions.—“ .Munawn tu Standard.” The country has finished its stocktaking. It has very freely given its eonlnleitee to one man. upon an almost undisclosed policy. Its leader has been accepted upon his personal merits and upon his pledge to stand always for New Zealand. This is a Hew thing. Mr .--eddnn inherited a great policy winch la* earned through and ■tamped with in- own genius. Hut the ctiieieeiiee of Mr Coates into great power, he i I -oleiv upon character and l be reputation for gelling things done, and with a fis-e land to do things so far undisclosed. is without example in (-■ill- short, history. New Zealand lias lot roved from the mercantile world, in wliii't personal credit is the best foundation for sound business. “I’overt\ Hay Herald.”