NEWSPAPER NOTIONS

Free Lance, Volume II, Issue 65, 28 September 1901, Page 6

NEWSPAPER NOTIONS

THE present Treasurer is laying up a terrible heritage for his successor.—lnvercargill "Times." * * » New Zealand, which has the most advanced licensing legislation, made tied houses illegal some time ago.—Sydney "Sunday Times." * * * The chief duty of society is that which it owes to every one of its members— the duty of protection—and no puerile sentiment should interfere with the discharge of that paramount responsibility, even if it involves the shedding of blood.—Auckland "Star." « » » The newspaper—be it humble or great —is a recognised social, political, and moral power, and in ninety-nine cases out of one hundred where it gives offence by criticism or report to either an individual or a body, he or they may rest assured that they have some faults which require amending. — Waimate "Witness." * » » New Zealand quarrelled over the site of its capital, and would have gone on bickering had not the happy thought struck it of appointing a commission of Australian outsiders to determine the matter. The commission picked Wellington—and Wellington it is. Cannot Australia return the compliment, and let a New Zealand commission speak as to the site of the Federal capital ? — Melboßrne "Punch." # » # Every sensible man knows that the ultimate result of the Seddonian statesmanship will be reduced wages to the workers, but every sensible man is not a M.H.R., and is powerless to do more than simply point out that the Labour Unions must eventually evacuate the fool's paradise which they now occupy, and which has been built for them by the present Administration.—Masterton "Times."

New Zealand may abandon all idea that it can ever attain the fulfilment of its boast that it is going to lead the world.—Tauranga "Times " * * * Not only are offices and salaries mci easing, but the pension list of heavily paid officials is something staggering. It is to be hoped that the House will insist on a policy of reduction instead of increase. —Greymouth "Evening Star." * * * As a matter of fact scenes occasionally occur on the floor of the House that could not bear critical examination by a rigid code regarding public amenities, and were best curtly dismissed and forgotten, as society tacitly agrees to do with a good many other lapses that weak human nature is liable to. —Greymouth "Argus." * * * Supposing a gallant volunteer is responsible for milking a dozen cows, how could he leave them in the lurch for a week? But almost every man, if ho be given a rifle and plenty of ammunition, can, at odd times, practise shooting, and become a marksman , and really this is all upon which the colony wants money spent. — Masterton "Times." * * * The total casualties sustained by railway servants last year were 621 killed, and 13,698 injured. This is in a single industry' While the loss of a few score killed and wounded is placarded throughout the public press in big headlines as "heavy casualties," we take the severer sacrifices enacted by the industrial Juggernaut as all in one day's work. —Pahiatua "Herald." * * * Therefore, with the other Auckland people, we stand aghast at the impudence and audacity of these two common soldiers who did not prostrate themselves when the mighty man approached (Mr. Napier, M.H.R. for Auckland City), and we add our piping voice to the oopular demand that they should be crucified. Away with them' —-Auckland "Observer." * » . It is the living voice—the oiganisation of the masses—the Divine inspiration which comes from lips touched with the living fire of patriotism and human love—these and these alone can by education and political power exercised properly, remove the dark shadows of American life—the darkest of which are the millionaire on the one side and the anarchist on the other.—Christchurch "Spectator."

There is a feeling of surprise in the lehgious world that the names of "pillars of the Church" should be found on brewery shareholders' lists. — Sydney "Sunday Times." * * * If the Liberal Government cannot stand independent criticism without stifling the critic, we fail to see how much more Libeial the administration really is than that of Russia.—Wairarapa "Times." * * * A bull dog that shows fight and is only kept quiet by feeding would, we think, be a moie serviceable sort of animal to send to Wellington than a sheep that mildly goes into any pen or lobby that he is driven to.—Wairoa "Bell." * * * State-owned industries open the door to the grossest abuses. Appointments for political supporters would be expected, for while human nature is what it is the scramble for the loaves and fishes will continue.—Whangarei "Advocate." * * * Genuine item from a New Plymouth solicitor's bill "To meeting you in the street, and receiving instructions that my services were no longer required, 10s 6d." Anyone who knows anything better than this will please forward.— l.ltham "Argus." » * # To again go into details, it is only necessary to mention Taranaki-street, Haming-street, and Frederick-street, to call the blush of shame to the cheek of every New Zealander familiar with Wellington. The localities referred to are notoriously infamous for the orgies held within their precincts.—Sydney "Truth." * * * Manager Kitchener, of tho Theatre of War, South Africa, states that they are doing such a tremendous stroke of business, that for the present all complimentary admissions are refused, and even the public press is suspended. An exception, however, is made in the case of Mr. De Wet, who is invited to occupy one of the management's boxes.—Sydney "Newsletter." * » * If all trusts are to be abolished, let us be logical and wipe out the labour trusts as well, for the masters can with equal—nay with more—justice point out the hardships inflicted by the unions, hardships which are not confined to flour only, but which are inflicted upon every branch of industry.—Whangarei "Advocate."

Give a woman the choice of marrying the god-like Apollo or the brawny, brutish Hercules, and in nine cases out of ten she will choose the giant—the man of brawn before the man of brains. And the tenth woman would want to marry both.—Sydney "Freeman's Journal." * * * We want statesmen of business ability to guide the destinies of this country, and,not politicians of vainglorious proclivities—men whose sole ambition is to place themselves on exhibition for the sake of being seen and heard. We are not at all satisfied with the work of the session, and, to our mind, so far it has been a case of all cry and no wool. —Palmerston "Standard." * « • In the political field it was Scobie's lot to have to cross swords constantly with the late Sir John McKenzie, and there were always partisans on either side eager to hound the Red and the Black Mackenzie on to each other. The two famous Mackenzies have almost simultaneously laid down the arms of their earthly warfare, and the colony is all the poorer for their loss. —Wanganui "Chronicle." * * * To be serious over such a travesty of common-sense, as Mr. Russell's Eight Hours Bill, would be almost as ludicrous as its contents! While there is life there is hope, and it is pleasing to notice that the powers that be are now waking up to the dismal fact, that more labour legislation at present spells ruin, and that instead of New Zealand leading the world in social legislation it is simply mis-leading it—into a fool's paradise.—Bruce "Herald."