PRESS COMMENTS.

Hokitika Guardian, 1 September 1926, Page 3

PRESS COMMENTS.

For those who wish to see religious exercises conducted m the schools there exist, means at the present time whereby. not legally in school hours certainly. but at least in school buildings, their children may receive such oxdcises under the guiilanee ol persons who should he more competent than ihe average teacher for the task. No aignmonts have been advanced of sufficient weight to shako tho view that the education system can with most advantage to the community bo kept strictly secular, tint. U is not the business of the State to teach religioneven to the extent of introducing religious exercises in the schools—and that if it deviates from that course it will only bo affording this deuomiuaton or that an excuse for attacking .the character of the instruction in the public schools.—“Otago Daily Times.”

It is not eoneeii'ible that a loan board such as the Government contemplates would he influenced h.v the pressure which in some cases would he brought to hear upon it. hut there is nevertheless reason why the hoard’s power of veto should lie restricted to a certain extent. So far as the raising of a loan is concerned, the ratepayers of course, would have the last, word', because they would he at liberty to reject a proposal even if* it were approved by tlie Local Government Loans Board. If the hoard’s scope were limitless to recommending the adoption or rejection of a. loan proposal, it would ‘be tantamount to power ol veto, as it may be assumed that ratepayers would not endorse a, proposal which had been condemned bv an independent hoard. “Northern Advocate.”

Everv generation should endeavour to* pay its own way, as posterity will have its own special burdens to carry. For instance, the previous generations never took into account tlie ultimate fact tint the people of to-day would have a huge war bill to meet, and who can predict what financial burdens above the normal our children and their children will have to overcome? Economy lias been justly defined ns not saving money so much as spending it wisely, imd to attain this ideal, a hoard of experts should he able to render worth-while assistance. — “Greymouth Evening Star.” Though the desire to increase and encourage further settlement is both laudable and desirable, yet it is not altogether reasonable to attempt to dispossess present occupants of land who are unwilling to sell their holdings, while thousand of farms are available for purchase in all parts of New Zealand at deflated prices. There is too much leaning on the State in these mutters, and many of our politicians are too ready to encourage the leaning habit—a little more self-reli-

ane© is required, and less talk of dispossessing land owners by State interference.—“Alanawatu Evening Standard.”

Tiie feminist movement} has never been rabid in New Zealand, although it has begun to obtrude in public and economic affairs. The early granting of the female franchise blunted the fighting instinct of the new woman. All women wanted the vote, and they might, as ill the United Kingdom, Hive been tempted to go to extremes had they been denied it. There is not tho same universal feeling' about women filling public positions. The feeling of’ the great bulk of our women about putting their sex in public positions is demonstrated by the fact, that although New Zealand was the first country in the Empire to grant votes to women, no woman has yet been elected to Parlikiment. AYe do not think the mass of women want to be justices of the peace, nor do they want to go through’ the ordeal of serving on juries. After all. Eve placed oil Adam the responsibility of eating of tile fruit of the tree of knowledge.—“Danncvirke Evening News.”