WELLINGTON TOPICS.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 31, 7 February 1928, Page 9

WELLINGTON TOPICS.

FARMERS' FINANCE. SIR HAROLD BEAUCHAMP'S GLOOMY VIEW. (Special to "Star.") WELLINGTON, February 6. Leading businessmen in Wellington, closely associated with the rural industries, do not share Sir Harold Beauchamp's gloomy view of the financial position of tlie man on the land. They realise that the process of deflation must continue—that land purchased on the basis of the high prices ruling during the boom years after war must ultimately be valued at their producing value—but they reject the suggestion that it is going to ruin half the present occupiers. If the lending institution for which Sir Harold was speaking last week lent money at substantial rates on boom valuations, then, these authorities say, it was bound to have a considerable number of clients turning to it for relief. That had been the experience of every institution of the kind and of many private (inns. What could be done in the circumstances depended largely upon the character and the capability cf the debtor. If he were a man of the right type it would pay to give him an opportunity to pull through; if ho were not. it would be better to let him out on the best terms possible. That was •the policy generally adopted, and ilie one Sir Harold Beachamp, with his wide experience, probably would approve.

Reciprocity. In the course of an interview with a representative of the "Post" on Saturday, Mr. D. J. McGowan, the president of the Associated Chambers of Commerce, expressed views concerning the approaching negotiations between Australia and New Zealand in regard to their tariff relations, which harmonised with those already set out in these columns. "In view of the good feeling existing between the two countries, and having regard to their proximity," Mr. McGowan said, '"it is probable that misunderstanding exists on both sides, and if so, this should readily be cleared away ill conference. Both Governments have been actuated by a desire to protect the interests of their primary producers, and their respective claims should be mutually recognised and protected, without straining the harmony of commercial relations. Though the balance of trade is in favour of Australia, and New Zealand is in a strong position to negotiate, the Dominion has much to gain from an amicable working agreement." Obviously what was in Mr. McGowan's mind was that New Zealand should not push the advantages it enjoys under the existing tariff to the last.extreme, and that the main purpose of the negotiations should be to reach an agreement that would assure the continuance of amity and goodwill between the two countries.

For the Fanners. During the recess, when the political game has to be kept going without the assistance of a Parliament in session, the Hon. A. D. McLeod is the lighting wing of the Cabinet, and uncommonly well he fills the role. Whether his audiences agree with him or not, they are bound to admit that the Minister of Lands in his public utterances is frank, versatile and very much in earnest. Speaking at Feilding the other day to a gathering composed mainly of farmers, he protested strongly against attempts which, he said, were' being made to hold the Dominion Government responsible for disturbing economic conditions, which were besetting every part of the world. He had no objection, he went on to say. to the farmers undertaking political organisation of their own and turning it to such account as they pleased; but if political organisation was necessary for their welfare, then business organisation, he declared, was ten times more necessary. Just what the farmers were to do with their business organisation when they had it the Minister did not explain, but lie seemed to imply that their shortest way out of the difficulties created by the adverse economic conditions was to lean still more heavily upon the goodwill of the Government.

Trend of Education

The correspondence columns of the lociil new-spapom were opened wide during the school holidays for the discussion of the education question. Doubtless the season was favourable for the unburdening of the teachers' souls. To-day "Exped," in a long letter provided an appropriate conclusion to the discussion. lhat the expectations of better education have not been realised in anything like reasonable proportion to the money outlaid is the fault neither of the teacher nor of the school," "Exped" says. "One does not blame the private soldier of the rank and file for the tragic failures of the late war; one looks to the man higher up, to the leader. So it is in the tragic failure of our education. It is the men who have control of it who must take the responsibility. New Zealand has been singularly unlucky in this respect during the last 25 years. There seems to have been nobody in high office, either as Minister or Director, or in any other capacity influencing the destinies of the nation, who has had vision enough to plan and courage enough to carry into effect a system of education adapted to the true needs of the country." And last year the Dominion's expenditure upon education exceeded four millions!