Rangitikei Advocate. SATURDAY, JUNE 12, 1909. EDITORIAL NOTES

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIV, Issue 9470, 12 June 1909, Page 4

Rangitikei Advocate. SATURDAY, JUNE 12, 1909. EDITORIAL NOTES

THE welcome now being given to the delegates of the Press Conference in England is the greatest tribute that has ever been paid to the influence cf newspapers on the future of ri;a Empire. In speaking of this weicome we do not refer to the entertainments given to the delegates by people of great wealth and high station bnfc to the fact that statesmen of every shade of opinion have not hesitated to sacrifice their time on which there are so many claims, in order to meet the visiting pressmen, and exchange opinions with them on matters of the highest import to the nation. To meet in the flesh men like Mr Asquith, Sir Edward Grey, Mr Balfour, Lords Cromer and Morley and a host of others whose names are household words, is a great honour and privilege. These the men who are making history and are daily dealing with'questions affecting the welfare of millions of our fellow citizens. The pressmen will return home with”truer opinions as to the great movements in progress, and of those who are occupied in solving the problems of Empire. The advantages of the meeting now taking place are, however, by no means all on one side. It is a very great opportunity for the leaders of the political parties in Britain to meet those who can tell them at first hand what are the thoughts and desires of the people of the oversea Dominions. This is especially the case because the pressmen are not personally involved in those party conflicts which must tinge the opinions expressed by the Premiers and other Colonial politicians who have visited Britain. Fortunately the vexed question of tariff reform has nets been discussed at any of the gatherings and no attempt has been made as was done at the last Conference of Premiers to use the visitors as missionaries to preach the views held by a section of one political party. The members of the present Conference will also find much to interest them as they are brought into daily association with representatives from the other Dominions. Australians and ifew Zealanders are singularly ignorant of the conditions prevailing in the sifeter Dominion of Oanda, and the journey through that country and intercourse with its journalists should do much to remove the lack of knowledge. The same argument holds in the ease of South Africa and India, though the advantage of visits to those countries cannot he enjoyed. Taken altogether we feel assured that the Press Conference will be one 'of the most effective agents in uniting the whole Empire in bonds of the sympathy which can only.oome from full understanding of the feelings of the people in its different and widely separated parts, and we think chat the Conference will do much to bring about that confederation of sister lands which is the ideal slowly to become realised in the future.

DURING the discussion which took place at the informal meeting of Parliament, Mr McLaren, the one representative [of Labour who was returned at the last election, said “There is one point upon which the Labour parties in England and Australia and New'Zealand are united. It is this: That before they will take it upon themselves to defend the lands in which they live they must first capture the lands for the people.” The reply to this statement is that it is absolutely untrue. The leaders of the Labour Party in Australia have approved of schemes for universal training and made them a plank in the Labour platform, and Mr Blatohford, of the Clarion in England, whose views are those held by a large number of workers, is a keen supporter of Lord Roberts’ proposals. Mr McLaren’s attitude reminds us of that of a child who when?it|oannot have its own way in a game refuses to play any longer Mr McLaren and his friends have put their view's before [ the electors of New Zealand, and with one exception have been rejected at the polls, but this is no reason why they should refuse to .do their duty as citizens. Every man who lives in New Zealand ia liable to be called on to defend it in case of need, and he who attempts to avoid this responsibility is not loyal to his country. The sooner the Labour leaders learn this fact the better for them, and for the men they profess to lead. The spectacle of the one representative of Labour in the House expressing similar views to those held by anarchists will do little to farther the reasonable aims of the Labour Party.

THE Ministerial organs, no doubt acting Odder instructions, have set to work to abuse all members of the Opposition who are asking for public works constructed or for “the spending of votes already authorised by Parliament. It is apparently forgotten that these members are but asking that, out of the large sum taken from the pockets of the taxpayers, some small expenditure shall be made on useful and necessary pubplio works. The Ministerial idea appears to be that the taxes paid by the people should be used only for promoting the interests of the party, for rewarding supporters, and for expenditure in the larger towns where the more clamorous of their

supporters reside. Whan members ask for moaey for work which will open np the country and promote settlement, the city Ministerial organa become virtuously indignant.

IT will be observed that although Mr Deakin took foremost place at the last Imperial Conference he is not following the example of |Sir Joseph Ward on the present occasion. Mr Deskin has evidently a higher conception of his duty to the people os' his country, and he is not keenly anxious to shine in the limelight or to obtain a title. We observe that among the “benefits” which Sir Joseph’s trip to the Homeland is expected to confer, according to the Ministerial organs, is that ho will be able when in London “to readjust our finances and assist New Zealand in turning the corner.” As Sir Jospeh himself declares that the finances are sound it is amusing to find one of his mouthpieces rashly admitting that he is going home to plead with the pawnbroker for extension of time.