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Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9077, 29 April 1908, Page 4

The land question is the subject of a good deal of discussion "up North" just now. It appears that lately there lias been an exodus of settlers from New Zealand to Queensland, where the Government is offering inducements for settlement such as, it is maintained, are unobtainable in this country. The "Auckland Herald" bitterly complain 3 of the gance of the Government to satisfy the land hunger of the people, and attributes to this the exodus of settlers from the dominion. Millions of acres of Crown and Native lands are lying idle, says the "Herald," simply because of the "inept and dilatory policy of the Government in relation to this impoutant question of opening up the land." The Auckland provincial secretary of the New Zealand Farmers' Union states that the exodus is due to the slowness of the Government in throwing open lando, coupled with the extraordinary tenure under the present law. The thirty-three years' leaser he- declares, is not wanted by any farmer. Dr. Findlay has been answering these statements and complaints. He doesn't think there is much of an exodus going on, but he does think or, rather, he declares —that with the assistance the Government affords, New Zealand is infinitely better for the small settler than Queensland. He contends that when the legislation of last session has come fairly into play there will bo an increasing amount of land available for closer settlement. Unfortunately the Minister is silent as to

when that happy period will arrive. A more definite statement is necessary to encourage hope in the heart of the seekers after farm sections.

We are assured by the Leader of the Opposition that "it is quite certain that the net result of the general election will be a material' accession to the ranks of his party." This should be a matter for general congratulation, because nothing is more urgently needed in our Parliament than a strong Opposition to act as a check upon the Government and its party. So far the followers of Mr Massey in the House have comprised ar. insignificant handful—numerically—and consequently the other side has had itt> own way to a greater extent than in the public interest is desirable. 'l'he Ministry ought not to object to some accession to the strength of its opponents, because it is the one way to consolidate its party and keep it together. Just now that party is so large and unwieldly as to be a source of great trouble to the Government and also a source of danger to its stability. The Government, however, would, if it could, have no Opposition, and is doing its best to limit its numbers during the coming election. Apart from the questionable tactics it is adopting to this end, the action of the Government is calculated in the long run to defeat its own object. Assuming, however, that it may be beneficial to the leaders of the party in power to add to its present abnormal bulk, it is certainly not a good thing for the people of the dominion. For this reason the electors will, doubtless, welcome a considerable accession of I strength to Mr Massay's following.

A determined effort was made by the Bible-in-schools party during ttje School Committee elections in Wellington on Monday to return candidates favourable to their views, but they were signally defeated throughout. At the Clyde Quay school the chairman stated that although as far back as 1905 a resolution was passed inviting )nterested persons to corduct optional lessons in Bible reading, so long as there was no interference with the present system of education, this offer had never been accepted, not even at the instance of the Salvation Army, which had been Moving in the matter. The headmaster of the school, Mr Grundy, opposed the proposed innovation,. and said! that as a citizen he would resist any attempt to interfere with'the free secular system of education in; New Zealand. Mr Grundy mentioned that he had at one time been headmaster of a dianorninational school i'ri England, and he was quite prepared, to vouglx that the moral character of the school's iim New Zealand would compare favourably with that of the denominational school of thirty years ago,, and! from what he had seen when; he was recently at Home our children would not suffer now by such comparison. The opposition in all the city, school!districts to the introduction of Biblle reading in their schools appeared to be very determined, both the outgoing and incoming committees protesting vigorously against it.

Every year N-evv Zealand comes out on top in field sports and games in international contests* The latest success recorded i 3 in the domain of bowling.. A team of. New Zealand bowlers went over to Australia to match themselves,against the. players of the .Commonwealth,, and,, as our cable messages have &how.n%. had a remarkably successful tour. The splendid play in Sydney on Saturday, when they, defeated. Australia, attracted special attention,, and has drawn forth eulogistic references from, all the Sydney papers. It is very gratifying to know that so small a dominion as, ours can find men, capable of successfully competing in all sports, and' pastimes with, the'experts of the Mother Country, and the sister States.