THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. WEDNESDAY, MAY 9, 1906.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXVIX, Issue 8135, 9 May 1906, Page 4

THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. WEDNESDAY, MAY 9, 1906.

It is highly probable (remarks the New York Nation) that we are in for socialistic movements in this country of greater range and vitality than any we have as yet known. The ideas are certainly in the air, are infecting the most unlikely persons, and will doubtless fun their oourse. But socialism after all will find that it ha 9 to faoe the same old problems

that ha?o perplexed tho framers and operators of government from the oave-raau down. Those relate chiefly to fundamental fmrcfm qualities—ability and character. How can we best draw out ability? How 3in we keep our publio servants honest? Any man who can surely and satisfactorily answer thase two questions may be said to have solved both the social problem and the governmental problem. But he will have to begin, if be is honest, by admitting that industrialism and the rewards of wealth have been wonderful developers of able men. Has socialism any suoh spur to ability? if it has not, it has no philosophical justification, and will not long be tolerated by men who believe in human progress by individual variation and distinction. And the socialistic regime would be no better than tho preaont, governmentally unless bettor men were produced to administer it. There will be no happy thought regeneration over-night of that hoary old sinner the world. It is a vast complex of life in the coil of which we are all caught; and it is well for none of us to imagine that he has in his keeping tho secret of universal happinoss.

Tho Times of India in p, long editorial discussing Mr Morley's recent dispatch on Indian array reorganisation says:—"The continent of Asia is in a stage of transition the cpahot of which no man can foresee. la every Asiatic country there is much stirring of dry bones and it cannot be expooted that India will fail to feel the influence of changing times. At such a period, it is imperative that the final control in all matters of high policy, which touch military issues at many points, should remain in the hands of the Civil Administration. . . . Questions are going to arise in the near future which may gravely affeot the welfare of India, and the solidity of British rule in India. From tho way they aie discussed sometimes, it would be thought that the decision of these questions rested upon strategical considerations alone. But strategical considerations are only one of many aspeots from which they need be examined. They involve close historical study, much knowledge of peoples and tendencies, infinite political.; sagacity and foresight, wide acquaintance with the larger problems of Asia. It is beoause wo fear that these questions are now in danger of being settled from a limited professional view, that decisions fraught with vast moment may be decided at the instance of soldiers who have sometimes had neither time, nor opportunity, nor perhaps, inclination to study the issues in their larger bearings, that we view the now predominance of military influence in the councils of India with the mos*; serious apprehension. . . . Lord Kiccbener has won, and he must have his chance without being hampered by incessant criticism. Constant, but silent watchfulness is the only duty remaining t>> those—a preponderating number of the British in India—who honestly believe that a great mistake has been made and only urgent necessity should induce that sileroe to be broken. The circumstances of defeat should not blind us to the fact that fairness demands a cessation of strife so that Lord Kitohener may have a clear course unimpeded; and though we do not and shall not abate a single jot of our convictions on this subjeot, we are ready to be the first to declare that the controversy must now be regarded as closed. It is as well to know when not to tight, and that time has arrived. But we would close with the dictum quoted by Mr Morley, that there is no finalty in these things.'"