THE PRISE MINISTER IN AUCKLAND.

Otago Witness, Issue 2814, 19 February 1908, Page 33

THE PRISE MINISTER IN AUCKLAND.

(From Our Own Correspokdent.) AUCKLAND, February ». Referring to the Prime Minister's speech, both papers appreciate several of the points. " The superannuation question, *' says the Herald, "can have no great difficulty in formulation but an effective annuities schema will tax the constructive abilities of both sides of the House. If it is approached in a. cautious and non-partisan manner, however, we may hope it will result in something more than the vague proposal tentatively before the country for some years. In claiming for the land legislation of the pa.st session that it would have the effect of 'pi event ing large areas of land from boing held by Individuals,' the Prime Minister inferred that freeholds are in favour of the aggregation of land into great estates, and that the Government has been fighting the popular battle of the small settler. This is so obviously incorrect that we may safely pass it over for the time being. Every farmer in the country knows well that his permanent prosperity depends upon the soundness of his tenure and upon immunity from confiscatory legislation and arbitrary bureaucratic interference. Upon the text of ' Revolutionary Socialism* Sir Joseph Ward made a strenuous attack upon the agitation which is disrupting hia party and driving together the moderates of the entire Dominion. The general exposition of his attitude towards legislative action in a progressive community will be accepted as satisfactory by the great bulk of the community, and we can only regret that, under the pressure of sectional influence, he so frequently tends to depart from the statesmanlike path he outlines. Every good citizen must wish with hia whole heart to" alleviate conditions which may press hardly upon his fellow-men, and to assist the progressive movement which seeks to raise all and to lower none. It is those rash and ill-advised proposals lightly conceived and recklessly, advocated which threaten to disorganise industry and to disintegrate society, which excite the alarm and compel the antagonism of thoughtful citizens. If Sir Joseph Ward has the courage of hia opinions, and carries into practical politics his outspoken condemnation of foolish and impractical schemes, he may lose the doubtful support of " Revolutionary " advocates, but he will gain the co-operation of all that, is beet in the community. He cannot possibly please everybody. for even his plan for the employment of prison labour in. vegetable growing will not be appreciated by the Chinese market gardeners, but he can, if he chooees, relieve the country t from an ever present fear of raah and confiscatory legislation, and restore politics to the normal and natural state wherein men who equally desire the progress and prosperity of the country differ as to ways .vnd means."