The Daily News. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 9, 1920. QUEENSLAND'S COMEDY.

Taranaki Daily News, 9 June 1920, Page 4

The Daily News. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 9, 1920. QUEENSLAND'S COMEDY.

An extreme Labor Government lias its drawbacks, as probably Queensland will find, especially when it needs borrowed money. Queensland wants money badly, not only for public works, but in'the shape of an adjunct to private enterprise. Doubtless the matter is serious, but it is surrounded by amusing elements of comedy that should go far to make Queensland notorious. The.Premier (Mr. E. G. Theodore) has such advanced socialistic views that he created a sensation at Honolulu by being the only male to refrain from doffing his hat when the National Anthem was played. Nona the less he was proceeding to Loudon with a suite which included a detective and a valet,' so that where his personal comfort and safety are concerned he might be an autocratic monarch. The peculiarity of his mission ib that while he is responsible for legislation which has undermined the security of pastoral leases and rents, and is an avowed anti-capitalist, he has gona to London to obtain —if he can—tlu capital the State needs. His Govern ment has earned an unenviable notoriety owing to the methods employed in "stuffing" the Legislative Council to secure the passing of the Bill affecting the pastoral rents. One effect of this confiscatory legislation was to impel the Leader of the Opposition, Sir Robert Philp, to proceed to London to protest against the Act mentioned above, as well as against the appointment of Mr. Lei-

non (another Labor Extremist) a 9 Deputy-Governor. Of course the Home Government cannot interfere in these matters, but Sir Robert Philp'a mission cannot fail to have the efi'ect of rendering Mr. Theodore's quest for capital extremely difficult, if not impossible. The situation certainly savors f the burlesque, and its humor will doubtless bo appreciated in Britain—an anti-capitalist seeking capital; the head of a Government ready to pledge securities, and yet having a record of breaking faith with its own lessees. • It would seem, that Mr. Theodore possesses courage, but we think few will envy him in his task of presenting any security his Government can offer as an inducement to financiers to supply Queensland's needs.