PRESS OPINIONS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXV, Issue 10713, 26 April 1913, Page 4

PRESS OPINIONS.

.Not only does over-insurance inflict heavy and undeserved loss upon the shareholders of insurance companies, but it tends to promote carelessness, even where it does not actually encourage crime, and in any case it is a positive evil, which the oemmunity has quite as much reason to guard against as the companies themselves. In any case, the material damage and financial loss suffered by this country every year through fire has now assumed positively appalling dimensions and it is high time that more, vigorous steps were taken in the public interest to grapple with this growing evil. Auckland Star.

As the head ot a railway system wherein the conditions are very different from those to which he has been accustomed, Mr Hiley will have a eoc-d deal to learn, and probably not a little to forget, after his arrival in New Zealand ; but he is young enough to be adaptable, and in taking up his duties he should have the active ■o-operation of those who have grown old in the service, the moral support ,of Parliament, and the good wishep cf the community.—Southland Times.

if Mr Hiley manages the railways with anything l:ke the same tact and ability' as-iGeneral- Godley, imported by the Liberal Government, has shown in managing the Defence system, there will be no criticism's of the appointment once lie lias become acquainted, with his duties, and there will be no need to go abroad the next time that a new manager is required. —Timaru Herald.

No one could reasonably find fault with the Government for reinforcing the .Legislative Council, as suggested by the Dunedin Star by the appointment of four- gentlemen of the type of Sir William Russell and Mr 0. A. C. Hardy to-that august Chamber. The Council is numerically strong enough already, 38 members being quite sufficient for the work it has to do; but it is scarcely fair to expect the Hon B\ H. D. Bell to bear the whole burden of leadership without a' single colleague committed to the policy' of his party:—Lyttelton Times. If every business in the land 'had to c 10.'.0 on /the same day, the opposition to Saturday would be a great deal weaker than it is now. Some day, perhaps, we shall have a Parliament that will take the bold step and send us all home at midday on Saturday, to enjoy a restful week-wxl. The good people wlio are aiming at that consummation would do well to concentrate their attention on the promotion of new legislation. Th'- 1 half-holiday question should bo made a national Post.