Rangitikei Advocate. FRIDAY. NOV. 22, 1907. SECOND EDITION. EDITORIAL NOTES

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXII, Issue 9008, 22 November 1907, Page 2

Rangitikei Advocate. FRIDAY. NOV. 22, 1907. SECOND EDITION. EDITORIAL NOTES

WE observe that some of the branches of the Farmers’ Union on this const are discussing the question cf whether the. Union should become a political organisation. Some members argue that the Union should not tube part in politics, but these evidently confound politics and parties. They forgot tin* the Union has a political platform, in which its politics are clearly defined, and (hat it is the duty of every member i() aid in giving these principles legislative effect. Tin's, of course, can only bo accomplished by .the farmers obtaining control of the Legislature, and tin's control can - bo gained only by organisation, and by active political effort. They also apparently forgot that at present the socialists and Labour Unions have complete control of tlio governing party, and that continuous attacks are being made on the users of land, and on all engaged in the primary producing industries. If proof of tliis is wanted it is afforded by the land legislation, by tlio steadily increasing bunions on the i farmers, by the organised attempts i to prevent them from obtaining cheap supplies: and by the e»- 1 couragement given to unionists to ' make special attacks on tlio produe- 4 Ing industries. Tlio policy followed t

is to bribe the farmers with roads aud bridges,- paid for out of tbeir own money 7 securing the election of members of the party, who have then three years clear in which to legislate against the interests of the producers. If the farmers require more provocation to compel them to combine and insist on legislation on the lines of their own policy they must indeed he hard to rouse, and the socialists may he excused for assuming that their victims will stand anything. If the Union does not take an active part in politics aud make its influence felt at the next election, if it does not entirely disregard the fortunes of any set of men who choose to call themselves a party, and f if it does not compel a majority of those returned to pledge themselves to give its policy legislative effect, then its leaders may as well cease from their labours, and there will really bo no reason to continue to collect subscriptions from members.

TO some minds there appears a certain incongruity in the spectacle of the Kaiser being feted in England aud professing his overwhelming devotion to peace at the very; moment when the German Parliament is providing for largely increased expenditure on the navy, which can hardly ho required except to attack Britain. The Kaiser would doubtless say that he is merely obeying the old adage “If youwisli for peace prepare for war,” hut to Britain it appears that the first half of the saying is whispered very low in Germany, while the latter portion is loudly emphasised, aud that when in England the Kaiser remembers the former clause to the exclusion of the latter. The present intention of Germany is to build three Dreadnoughts per annum, as well as a mammoth cruiser aud twelve destroyers. The more ardent advocates of naval expansion reconimend that foui'iDroadnoughts should i)o built yearly, hut it is probable that financial considerations wilt prevent this extension of the prognimmc. Wc need not feel over anxious about this development, as Britain has a good load in large battleships at present. Until the projected German vessels arc actually afloat they otter no menace to British naval supremacy, aud so long jig the British fleet is kept up to the two-p°\yer standard that supremacy will be unassailable.

THE problem of dealing with native hinds is admittedly a very difficult one, which should bo disposed as soon as possible, and yet not without the most careful deliberation. The Premier explained in the House that the question was so complicated that the Native Laud Bill could not ho drawn up and printed qutil a few clays ago. Under the circumstances it might have been expected that the Bill would - have been merely circulated now in order to give members time to study it during the recess, and dealt with at the beginning of next session. Ministers, however, seem to consider that the more difficult the questions involved in a Bill the more rapidly it should be passed through the House, and therefore the Native Laud Bill has been rushed through in the crowd of Bills which have been put on the Statute Book without any adequate consideration.