PUBLIC OPINION.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2467, 3 April 1909, Page 2

PUBLIC OPINION.

MORE UTOPIA

Unanimously the Wellington Trades ind Labor Council carried the motion: —“That in all cases where mines of any description, and especially coal mines, are closed down at the present time, the Government shall take them over and work them in the interests of the public.” This resolution harks back to the old cure-all schemes adopted with monotonous persistency year after year by trades conferences. Prior to the last general assembly the Wellington delegates, sensibly realising that it was futile to devote much time and energy fco nebulous discussions about the unattainable “in our time," urged that the debaters should concern themselves with practical rather than fantastic ideas; but the Wellington men have lapsed into the mood which they found themselves desirable to correct in some of their brethren. Why is a mine closed down? Do the private owners abandon the workings for fun? Are they eager to lose the capital invested in machinery and other directions unless they can see their way to clear an exorbitant profit ? If private owners, working as economically as possible, fail to make a mine produce a reasonable profit, how can the State hope to succeed with the enterprise which others have discarded? Apparently the Wellington Trades Council believes that the profit which private capitalists consider too small or too visionary to be worth further effort, is large enough to help to solve tlie unemployed problem. The Government has enough worry at present in trying to make out a respectable balance-sheet for the two State mines, and it is firmly believed by some expert critics that this business' is run at a loss, notwithstanding assertions to the contrary. And those “mines of any description!” The poor State seems to he expected to bell even the “wild cat/’ and make it mew soothingly for tho public. But it is too much to expect the paternal Government to work miracles and conjure up untold wealth from any old shaft. The Government has enough to clo in straightening out its present business undertakings, without committing itself (with public money) to fresh risks, of a very doubtful order.—Wellington “Post.”

ItUA’S SCHEMES. Little has been heard of the Maori prophet, Rua, during the past few months. He has settled down to reign over his faithful subjects .jin the heart of the TJrcwera Country, and for the preesnt at any rate, is refraining from hasty , utterances and reckless prophecies that threatened at one time to undermine his “mana.” In the course of bp interview with a newspaper correspondent a little time back Rua expounded his schemes for the settlement of Native lands. He stated that lie proposed to induce his followers to unite in selling to the Government 100,000 acres of their land, in order to secure funds' for the development of the remaining areas. He would be prep area to share with the Government the cost of constructing a road to open up this area, which would consist of land.: at present lying entirely idle. Having secured a financial basis upon which to build. Rua would proceed to mdiv-_ idulise the titles to the land held by his followers, presumably with the assistence of the Courts. Then each Maori would be placed on bis own plot,, and would be expected to earn liis living by the - sweat of his brow. Rua s character is something of a mystery. Sometimes he figures as a religious tanatic, and on other occasions he talks sanely and thou drily of the future of his race. His influence over the natives with whom he comes into contact is undoubtedly strong, and should he attempt to put into practical operation liis ideas 011 the subject or land for settlement he might effect an enormous amount of ‘good for both I'aces. It has become a habit to say that the Maoris are “children” in the practical affairs of life, but the statement is not altogether justified by the tacts. Tlie natives are ready enough to make progress' along European lines when they are sure that their prejudices and beliefs are going to be respected, and it is possible that Rua might be able to succeed where the Legislature and the statesmen of New Zealand have so fer failed— “Lyttelton Times. SIGN OF RETENCHMENT. There are indications of retrenchment in the Defence Department, not very important, but showing a significant tendency to cut down expenditure this can he done without prejudicing efficiency in the field. Quarter reactors in the four centres have long received s£o per annum for carrying out their duties, which are mainly these of looking after equipment and stores m campr More important work than -this is done gratuitously by other volunteers and it is understood that these partially-paid appointments are now to cease. Horse allowances to the lermanent Staff have, in the past, been fixed at £SO- per annum, It is quite possible for some of the members of tlie staff to carry out their duties for a year without riding a dozen times, so if they were to hire a horse in future instead of always keeping one on hand, it will mean a substantial saving .o the country. —-“New Zealand Times.’ THE GOVERNOR’S TOUR. The Governor’s trip to the East Coast lias brought him into contact with the native peoples of New Zealand in the districts where they have been least affected by the European immigration, and ho will probably lose nothing by the obandonment of his intention to visit the interior of the Urewera Country. The Maori, is picturesque and stately, and the old Maori life, in spite of. its savagery and brutality, had much in it that was poetic and noble. Such survivals of these poetic features as can be shown to distinguished visitors, whom the tribes delight to honor, are unqualifiedly interesting and entertaining. But it is questionable_ whether our relations with the Maori are to be justified by interesting survivals of ancient customs. The natives themselves appear to prefer land surveys, clear titles, aud opportunity to live a civilised rather than a savage life, and it says little for our Native Administration that after a long generation'of unbroken peace,' and of the unchallenged running of the King’s writ, they should have to ask the Governor for these sim-t pie and essential rights. Not until the Native Lands are titled aiid individualised, and the Maori enabled to be a man and a brother in the true and not in the fanciful meaning of the phrase, can anybody say that lie lias had the chance to enter into and enjoy the blessings of civilisation. —“New Zealand Herald.