PUBLIC OPINION.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2476, 15 April 1909, Page 7

PUBLIC OPINION.

“LAND OF HOPE AND GLORY.” With stinging sarcasm the Commission which enquired into the British Poor Laws refers to England as “The Land of Hope and Glorv.” In its official report the Commission says this j:o----pular and patriotic lyric is sung each year with rapture by thousands of. voices, “but to certain classes of the community into whose moral and material condition it has been our dutv to enquire, these words are a raockc; and a falsehood. Our investigations prove the existence in our midst of :t class whose condition and environment are a discredit and sT peril to the whole community,” continues the Commhs'm, "“and no country, however rich, can permanently hold its own in the tace of international competition if hampered by an increasing load of this dead weight, or can successfully perform the role of sovereignty beyond the seas jt a portion of its own folk at home are -sinking below the civilisations and aspirations of its subject races abroad.” The Commission is unanimous in demanding the abolition of the Boards of Guard ans under the Poor Law and the breaking up of their obsolete system of mixed workhouses in which able-bodied -paupers, deserving and undeserving, aged paupers, children, tramps, wastrels and the mentally deficient are 'herded together. It holds that the abolition of the workhouse will enable the .right officials to be appointed to their right duties. The Commission which included some of the most able students of “the problem of poverty” further recommended a discontinuance of the term “Poor. Law” with its unpleasant associations, the provision of special accommodation for the sick, the aged the mentally feeble, and the young, labor colonies tor the workless and places of detention with suitable labor for the “wont works.” The report is of such a comprehensive nature that it has created quite, a stir in England. Alanawatu Standard.”

THE AGRICULTURAL DEPARTMENT.

Everybody knows that the care of noxious and other weeds has been a favorite refuge for- political supporters of —the Government who have been deem•cd deserving of a comfortable billet at the expense of the country. That class of “expert” might well be dispensed with altogether, and the not very arduous duties handed over to the police m the ordinary way. Many other excrescences of a similar kind will doubtless lie discovered by the new" Minister of Agriculture if lie pursues his investigations with candour and thoroughness. In some cases, whole divisions mignt perhaps be dispensed with altogether. Are not viticulture, poultry and even experimental farms of the nature of luxuries which might he retrenched until we Jiavo learned to live within out means? .—“Evening Post.” THE COMPULSORY SYSTEM. Military training would have a good .effect physically -on, young men, many of whom take no part in athletics beyond that of looker-on. If there is a danger, of invasion—-and the best military authorities admit that there is—it can be effectually mot only by a universal training, which will teach young dnen the value of discipline, and give them that practice in the use of arms which will make them defenders of their country. The events of the past few weeks have shown us that in England • the possibility of invasion is admitted, and if that danger exists in it must be even greater in New Zealand, with its inadequate defence system. Compulsory service, though it has an unpleasant sound, i 3 necessary for the security of the nation—Timaru •“Post.” Y THE NAVAL SITUATION. The strengthening of the Imperial Navy, the drilling, mastering, arming, ■of every New Zealander, amount to the same thing, and are demanded by the . same necessity for making Now Zealand secure against invasion, for keeping her autonomy inviolate, for continuing nei -prosperity uninterrupted. This should. not be a party question any more than the splendid gift of a Dreadnought should be a party question. A\e therefore trust that Sir Joseph -ward will •realise that the time has come for universal defensive training, and that he will add to his reputation for patriotic foresight bv leading the nation to the great task' that lies before it,—Auckland “Herald.”

OUR RAILWAYS. The only sure methods of making our railways pay will be by having them built in the right places at the outset, and seeing that the cost of construction is fair and reasonable. To ensure the latter it will be. necessary, we arc convinced, to revert to the straight-out tender system, under which labor-saving implements and up-to-date methods would take the place of the generally condemned co-operative system. '‘l apanui Courier.” IMMIGRATION AND DOMESTIC SERVANTS. A scheme for the introduction of domestic servants as assisted immigrants has certainly far greater prospects of success than one for a resumption even in a modified form of free immigration, and if the end of securing the introduction of the right sort of girls for domestic service in the dominion can be. attained is is probably advisable that the line of least resistance should be followed.—“Otago Daily Times.’ UN I VERS Ah TR AIN I NG. The first official suggestion of an overborne British Navy not only brings New Zealand to its feet with the offer, of a. Dreadnought, but-opens its eyes wieleiy to the local possibilities inevitable involved. Nor is it “panic-stricken to take precautions when the necessity tor them is impressed upon a people, any more than it is “alarmist” to state unpleasant facts and to point out the remedy.' This should be no party ques-t-on,” and need be no party question, toi every loyal citizen wno appreciates the position will support m adeciuate preparations ioi defence, as ho will condemn the. Government it they Ivade their duly and responsibilities. Are anv defence preparations adequate. do not incO, —1 traming?—Auckland “Herald.