Rangitikei Advocate. MONDAY, MARCH 8, 1909. EDITORIAL NOTES.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIV, Issue 9389, 8 March 1909, Page 4

Rangitikei Advocate. MONDAY, MARCH 8,1909. EDITORIAL NOTES.

IT seems strange that Mr Roosevelt is no longer President of the United States, and that after holding for five years an office which practically put him on a level with the great crowned heads, he is now only a simple citizen of the United States. It is a very pretty idea that the head of the State should be called from his ordinary occupations, like Oinoinnatus from the plough, to take control of public affairs and then return to private life. But men who are fitted for the post of President of the United States are limited in number, and it seems a great waste'‘that after their powers have been matured by experience they should be of no further use to the country in any high official capacity. Mr Roosevelt is still a comparatively young man; lie has lately given plenty of evidence that physically he is in excellent condi> tion, and should have years of good work before bira. It is said by'sorae that Mr Roosevelt will for the office ot President at the end of Mr Taft’s term of office, but even if this is the case it will only relegate Mr Taft to the position now occupied b y Mr Roosevelt. The difficulty of how to utilise ex-

Presidents has not 'been overlooked in the United’ States, bnt unless pnblio opinion is expressed in some overwhelming manner, nothing will be done by politicians who are glad to see one more competitor for high office removed from the field. Mr Taft, the new President, is, we believe, a man ol remarkable ability. He has, of oonrse, been overshadowed by the powerful personality of Mr Roosevelt, but judging by his success, first as a judge, and second as administrator of the Philippines, be has that power of deciding on a course of action and seeing that it is carried out, which is the real test of whether a man Is a born ruler. We do not think Mr Taft will be found listening for the voice of the people before he makes up .his mind what 'to do. He will rather take action and the people will follow, as they always do, when the right man is at the head of aifairs.

ATTENTION is drawn by the Dominion to the enormous"prioes fixed for land in the Pitt Settlement at Lower Hntt. This land is 13% miles from Wellington, is 1% miles from a railway j and has a bank to prevent it being flooded by the Hutt River. It is cut up into small sections, and offered bn the renewable 33 years’ lease. The prices asked for leasehold sections are at the rate of from £3OO to over £IOOO per acre. It is interesting to compare the prices demanded by Government ior this land, and those prevailing for the freehold of London factory sites. According to the Financial Times (■London) land on the banks of the Thames can be acquired at present for between £6OO and £IOOO per acre, and land with railway access, that is on a siding, at from £SOO to £9OO per acre. Suburban land near any of the big cities in England can be purchased at rates far lower than those asked near towns in New Zealand which would be regarded as little more than villages at Home. There can he no doubt that the valuation in this country has done much to produce this enormous inflation. No opportunity has been missed for pushing, up valuations for taxation purposes, while vast areas have deliberately been left unsettled, although there are hundreds of good men quite willing to take up land if it can be obtained on a tenure which will ensure them receiving the profits of their labours.