PRESS OPINIONS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXV, Issue 10713, 20 May 1913, Page 4

PRESS OPINIONS.

We suppose that sooner or later Canada will follow Australia's example, and Mr Allen s plea for joint action in. tho Pacific is uo doubt justified. It is quite certain, however, that all three Dominion will not be able to rival the Japanese sea power for a long time to come. Their chief chief protection must still be the British Navy, But if we must have local natives there seems eery reason why a common aim should, govern the policy of the Dominions.—Haw.lie's Herald:.

No doubt th;* least responsible l of the Opposition journals will still declare that the Government is (doing hardly anything to put people on the land, and that what it is doing is only for "tli© rich man who can afford freehold," but misrepresentations of this kind will not be able to contend much longer with th> facts. A return of the estates which clie present Government has acquired for closer settlement sine© it came into office would show, we. are convinced, an excellent record in this respect, especially when the financial difficulties which it inherited and the tightness of the money market are considered.—Timaru Herald.

While the "Liberals" were in office the question of national defence was treated as being so high and important that party differences should not touch it. The present Opposition have no such scruples, although it is proper to isay that. Mr Arthur Myers remains true to his convictions, and faithful to the example set by the 'Reform party when the "Liberals" were in power.—Christclmrch Press.

We think the country could very well do without a second chamber. At all events, if it is to have such a thing those sitting in it should' not be chosen from- the "threadbares"' of the party, simply because they are down on their uppers. There should be a higher qualification than that.— Oamaru Times.

The cost of a l>readnotight would be. as a mere bagatelle compared with the cost of two large expeditionary armies, and yet if we remember aright Mr Allen and his colleagues had a good deal to say about the impropriety of Sir Josepu Ward pledging tlie .Dominion to the smaller expenditure without first. consulting Parliament. How circumstances do alter cases!—Lyttelton limes.