PUBLIC OPINION.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2536, 24 June 1909, Page 2

PUBLIC OPINION.

THE MEETING OF PROTEST. Had ho been here on the night, Mr Seddon would have attended the meeting uninvited and would have addressed the. crowd that marched to Parliament. The contrast between Mr Seddon and Sir Joseph on this point is not brought forward as a comparison in courage, hut as a comparison between their attitudes towards popular opinion, and especially popular indignation. Mr Seddon realised that wheiy a whole community burns with indignation it is the duty of those in authority to take .serious notice of it. Sir Joseph Ward is either indifferent to popular indignation or ignorant of its heavy significance. In either case he. must be out of touch with the popular mind, and the future will assuredly prove that this is so. —The “Dominion.” THEATRICAL CRITICISM. The Press can do considerable service by theatrical as well as other criticism, but when liberty develops into license, scandal results. The Christchurch case is interesting, as indicating the. infirmity of even exemplary human institutions. A comedian is reprimanded by the youthful critic of a newspaper for- singing questionable songs. He was in turn reprimanded by the management, and warned that a like offence should entail dismissal. He promised. amendment, and his reformed methods evoked notes of satisfaction from a section of the Press. But the youthful critic could not leave well alone; he must needs write some notes which under tho altered circumstances were in questionable taste. The cornelian became a tragedian, and assaulted the critic, and had to pay £lO and

costs for tho privilege. Tho incident discloses how tho indiscretions of individuals can • prejudice institutions, this was a case .for amicable adjustment by the respective managements. It was dealt with by hot-licaded subordinates, who were both hopelessly wrong. The pity is that the vaudeville company, who obviously wanted to do the right thing, were damaged in reputation, and the newspaper through temporary lack of efficient oversight, was injured in prestige.—Wellington “Times.” AFFORESTATION. It is rumored in some quarters that' an effort will be made by the Timber Commission to induce Parliament to raise the import duos' on Oregon pine. Ve do not for a moment believe that Parliament will lieed such a recommendation if made. Where would be the consistency in pursuing a. scheme of conservation and afforestation, ar.l at tho same time inaugurating a policy for the exclusion of foreign timber? Such a policy could only lead u> the still faster destruction of our forest estate, and to the enhancement of the price of timber, already too high. We fully believo that if an enlarged scheme, of afforestation is proposed it will receive the sanction of Parliament—members must be fully alive to tho necessity. —‘Milton Mirror.’ i ADDINGTON COMMISSION. The Commission have dealt comprehensively with the workshops, and we are a little alarmed, wo confess, to find the general manager adopting a very conservative attitude in regard to their recommendations. It is natural that he should be anxious to defend his department, but we should ba better pleased to see him seizing this opportunity for impressing upon Parliament and tho Government the necessity for bringing the manufacturing branch of the railway business up to date.—Lyttelton “Times.” THE POLICE FORCE. We are not enamored of the idea of holding another Royal Commission of Inquiry into tho management of tho poli'ciT'force. We give the Minister for Justice, Dr Findlay, credit for desiring to improve the condition of tho force, and wo shall wait with interest to seo what steps, he takes, in view of the serious allegations which have been made. Wo aro satisfied that there is room, for considerable improvement in tho administration, and that this is required not only in the interests of the public, but of the really capable and efficient members of the force who constitute tho vast majority, and ought not to suffer from the discredit which is cast upon them as a body through tho misdeeds of a few black sheep.—* Christchurch “Preas.” THE LAND QUESTION. It is about time tho Government stepped out of this land-purchase business. They are doing more than anything else to keep up the price of land and increase the depression and want of employment. It would be far easier and more effective to increase the Land Tax so as to compel the holders or too large estates to put the surplus iu the market for'Side. But all Governments seem to be alike in cJealirm with land legislation m that way. Une Government after another are characteristically tender with tho large' landholders. —“Grey River Argus.”