PRESS OPINIONS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXV, Issue 10713, 23 August 1913, Page 4

PRESS OPINIONS.

We in New* Zealand aro not singular in adopting this futile recourse to Parliamentary Committees. The Marconi inquiry in England resulted in reports which convinced no one. Each individual formed and retains his own opinion, quite independent of that expressed by the majority or the of the committee. —Hastings Tribune. ■'v*«V .

We hope and believe that the necessary condition of things will eventuate to enable Sir Joseph Ward to resume hig old position the head of the Liberal party, and when that happens he will have every chance <jf re-establishing a democratic regime that will be stronger than ever. He will have the bulk of the opinion of the country behind him, and he will be still further assisted by the fact that the Massoy Government had its chance and neglected it.—Wanganui Herald.

Fo<r many reasons, it is net desirable that the Massey Government should go out of office before the General Election, if even then, but a strong and united Opposition under the most capable leadership available is necessary for the provision of a wholesome check upon the Administration in power. It is for that reason that we trust the Liberal party will speedily arrive at a unanimous decision that Sir Joseph Ward is the one and only Leader, and that he tmay accept the position and assume the duties attaching to it with the least possible delay.—Marlborough Express.

In 1891-92 the totalisator investments amounted to £506,078. By 1899-1900 they reached £1,065,580, in 1909-10 £2,030,426, and in 1911-12 £2,887,371. Last season they, we well over £3,000,000, and this year they probably will be in the neighbourhood of £4,000,000. No one can honestly believe that feverish speculation of this kind can be good for the country or for its people, and yet the influence behind the racing clubs is so great that no political party can be persuaded to raise a hand to etay its progress. Parliament has tinkered with the problem by reducing the number of licenses and attempting to suppress the bookmaker, but its efforts seem only to have aggravated the evil so far as it affecte the great mass of the community. What ia it going to do next? —Lyttelton Times.