THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 25, 1906.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXVIX, Issue 8125, 25 April 1906, Page 4

THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 25, 1906.

In the current 1 number of the Natioual Review a speoial article, occupying seven full pages, is devoted to a review of the late general election in New Zealand and its results. "New Zealand," says the writer, "among other adrantages, can boast of a very aotive and alert newspaper press and political meetings are always well attended. The number of newspapers whioh flourish, and the quality of the journalism, are among the things whioh

strike the average visitor with surprise. Those who oouple democracy with freedom may, perhaps, bo surprised to learn that in New Zealand a democratic Government seeks to conflno freedom of discussion within limits, rather than to give increased range. The same antiquated libel law is in force here as prevailed in HJugland prior to 1888, and reports of public meetings are not privileged. The Seddon Government, while steadily resisting any movement for reform in .this direction, has increased the stringency of the law relating to criminal libel, and last session carried new ■tatutory provisions which undoubtedly have the effect of crippling public oriticism of public men." It is earnestly explained that it must not be thought from the "Draconian enactments," which are set forth in detail, that New Zoalandera are specially given to libelling and slandering their neighbours, especially at election time. On the contrary, the writer thinks that the New Zealand journals are oonduoted with a decorum and restraint than those in older lands would do well to emulate. But he complains that "the speeches have one serious fault—namely, their lack of humour, in which they are deficient to a very remarkable degree." Mr Massey is described as "an honest, hardworking representative, hard hitting in debate, and greatly respeoted in the House." As for MrSeddon, "there is no doubt that he 19 a commanding personality. He is also a perfect wonder in the matter of managing his party and carrying an election, Y T ery fluent and very clever at humbugging the public." His speeches, the writer i goes on to say, are not such as would appeal to an educated audi* ence. But be knows bow to get to the heart of the working classes. With a little homely sentiment, especially for the benefit of their wives and daughters, a touch of rather rough and obvious humour, and a strong appeal to class interests and class prejudices, Jbe always manages to get hold of the proletariat. He has a apleudid memory for faces and people, is very thoughtful, and fall of taot, and spares neither .himself nor his secretaries In the matter of taking trouble. If a monarch dies, or there is a orisis in the Empire Mr Seddon is first in the field with a cable message, which is sure not to be framed on conventional lines, but to contain some personal note. On tne other band, should one of the humblest constituents meet with a domestic bereavement, he is certain to receive a telegram from the Prime Minister almost before his own neighbours have heard of his loss. The article concludes with an expression of opinion "that Mr Seddon will oontinue to be Prime Minister as long as his health holds out, and so long as the oolony remains free from anything like financial depression."

It is well to apprentice boys and girls, but as a teaching system apprenticeship alone cannot ke relied on (says the Saturday Review). In teaohiug lawyers or doctors it is not deemed sufficient; and the articling to a solicitor, or the reading in chambers of a Bar student, or the apprenticeship of a medical student to a practitioner, has hod to be supplemented by wider and more organ-' iaed systems. So it will have to be with the training of youths in all grades of manual labour if they are to become accomplished craftsmen. Actual work in the shop is s neces« sary, but the work must he first of all preceded by a suitable elementary education; and thereafter there must be schools whose teaching is an accompaniment and ground work of the work in the shops; the youth passing to and fro between both in the years of his apprenticeship. If the publio are convinced that it is worth while to have better trained workers, it will agree with the London County Council that its elementary and secondary technical sohools should be olosely connected with the workshops. The Council's education programme has too often seemed unsuitable for its.pupils; and the publio will sympathise more heartily with its views on improving the apprenticeship system than with some others of its experiments. Sympathy must mean approving rates, not for premiums indeed, but for suitable sohools and teaching, which will enable boys and girls to learn what cannot be taught them in the workshops while at the same time making a more intelligent use of the workshop than they are able to do in present circumstances. The co-operation of employers, too, will be required, and will probably not be refused wnen they see how the apprentice system, modified according to modern requirements, may still give the best results. No less important will it be to secure as well the sympathy and assistance of workmen themselves in the training of their successors; and the spirit of the old guilds must be preserved bo that apprentices shall not be used to depress the wages of workmen. '