PRESS OPINIONS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXV, Issue 10713, 14 August 1913, Page 4

PRESS OPINIONS.

In many of our New Zealand schools the conditions from a health point of view are euch as would not be tolerated for a moment by any inspector of factories. It is a strange anomaly that the State should make and enforce laws with regard to all workshops and factories, and yet be so indifferent to the hygienic conditions of the schools in which the future manhood and womanhood of the nation are being trained . for their life's -work. —Auckland Herald.

' As the Hon. Mr Fowlds said at Auckland the other , day, there is no doubt that Sir Joseph Ward and ;liis party were punished at the last election for sins of which they 1 were not guilty, and throughout New Zealand there is a deep realisation of the fact that a mighty mistake has been made, and the country is only waiting next election to return the party of progress and prosperity. That will be accomplished if the ■ party stand together, and unless the Liberals are united Sir! Joseph Ward will not, we imagine, accede to the request to lead. them.—Wanganui Herald.

We should have been glad to have seen some of the Ministers of the Crown taking a prominent part in the welcoming: festivities to -Sir Joseph Wiard. This would have been an act of political generosity that would have been both graceful and welldeserved, and would have redounded only to the credit of the party in Power.—Taranaki News.

The return of Sir Joseph Ward will at least invest the Opposition with a little more dignity than they have possessed in his absence, and this of itself is a condition of affairs that will be welcomed by all shades of politics.—Maraawatu Standard.

There is little doubt in 'the. country that Sir Joseph will go back to the leadership of the party, and, notwithstanding his political shortcomings, he must be accepted without hesitation as the only man for the position.—Hastings Tribune.

A house divided against itself cannot stand, and an Opposition in which most of the members are playing a personal and largely selfish game can never hope to tm*n the rabies on the Government. Sir Joseph Ward, if lie accepts the leadership, should lead with combined vigour and prudence; his followers should support him with unswerving loyalty.—Marlborough Express.