WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 3, 1934. THE MINISTER AND THE POLICE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 234, 3 October 1934, Page 6

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 3, 1934. THE MINISTER AND THE POLICE.

BLOCKING THE ROAD.

The Minister of Justice had an opportunity yesterday of replying to the articles on the police i'orce that have appeared in the "Auckland Star," but he did not take it. His reason for declining to reply was extremely weak. He would not, he said, answer "anonymous articles in newspapers unless some definite charge was made." Mr. Cobbe must know that the articles we published were not anonymous in the ordinary sense of the word. For the criticisms and suggestions in them the newspaper was responsible. As for "some definite charge," the criticisms offered were definite enough, but the articles were by no means wholly critical. They contained a number of proposals for the betterment of conditions and methods. They were written, and published with a full sense of responsibility, and after a careful study of the subject, and their sole object was to improve the efficiency of the force. If the Minister can refute any of the statements made, or put a different complexion on conditions described, he should do so.

To the member for Auckland East, however, tho Minister did vouchsafe some information. The possibility that Mr. Schramm would not have made the suggestions he did had he not read tho "Star's" articles may not have occurred to Mr. Cobbe. The Minister promised to consider one suggestion, and said that another was already being inquired into, but he also said that it had been definitely decided that Xew Zealand detectives shall be exchanged with Scotland Yard men. This is an important decision, upon which the Department is to be congratulated. This second reply, however, is not an answer to the "Star's" criticisms, and tho Minister's attitude generally does not weaken the conviction that tho time is ripe for an overhaul of police organisation and methods in the light of practice overseas and the application of science to detection. The Minister would be better occupied in strengthening the regular force in various directions than in pursuing his foolish proposal to set up an auxiliary body.

PARLIAMENT'S BUSINESS. As was expected, the Dairy Commission has taken some time to investigate and to report. An outline of the legislation Avhieh the Commission . considers necessary has been before Cabinet, and there is some indication of the far-reaching character of the changes proposed in the suggestion that Parliament may be adjourned to give time for special study. This means that it may be another six months before anything can be done for the dairy industry. Such a delay is regrettable, but in the circumstances it seems unavoidable. If drastic changes are to be made they must be thoroughly considered. For several years the industry has been struggling under high costs and low prices, arid the situation shows little sign of immediate improvement. The mean features of the problem are plain. Lack of uniformity in butter is one cause of trouble; variable quality of cheese is another. High land values, the legacy of more prosperous times, is a third. There is the chronic weakness of the British market, which keeps prices low however high the quality, and in the background is the danger of a quota if supplies further expand. The immediate needs of the producer must be weighed with the long-range consequences of changes in policy. It is possible that Parliament may meet in February to deal with the Commission's recommendations. Other reasons, also, have been given for calling a special session. The report of the Native Affairs Commission is still awaited, and time will be needed for deliberation after it is received. Further, there are matters of unusual importance in the proposals to set up a National Mortgage Corporation and to establish the superannuation funds on a sound basis.

If sheep farmers do not at once repudiate the action of the Agricultural Committee of the House, they must not be surprised if verysevere references are made to selfishness and lack of foresight. The Committee has reported against the Bill imposing a levy for wool research, and with an expression of disappointment the Prime Minister has dropped the measure. This is, he says, the business of the industry and not of the Government. This is absurd. Will the Government say that the recommendations of the Dairy Commission are solely the business of the industry, and therefore wash its hands of legislation if opposition is raised in Parliament? " The Prime Minister no doubt feels strongly on the matter, but if he had taken a more determined line from the beginning the prospects of the Bill might have been improved. It is true that it was stated definitely in the debate yesterday that the proposed levy was not the cause of the Committee's report, and one may infer that objections have been raised to the setting up of another Board. This suggests that possibly a way out of the impasse may be found, but it has been made plain during the last few weeks that a number of sheep farmers are opposed to the compulsion to pay a paltry fo.urpence a bale. Both the principal and the chairman of the governing; body of Lincoln College have Strongly condemned this attitude as selfish and short-sighted. Whatever is the cause of. this deplorable blocking of the road to research, the fact is that the obstacle is -there, and it must be removed speedily.