WHAT THE PAPERS SAY

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 171, 21 July 1936, Page 6

WHAT THE PAPERS SAY

POINTS FROM THE PRESS,

A GIFT TO FELLOW CITIZENS.

To Xew Plymouth's many beautiful parks has been added yet another by the generosity of Mr. and Mr*. C. If. Burgess in donating

to the town as a diamond jubilee sift their home and property "Ilapurunui." The acquisition of this property makes Xew Plymouth a place unrivalled in Xew Zealand for its natural parks and playgrounds, each with its own particular charm, and it should further foster the pride of the people in their own community and in the public spiritedness of their fellow citizens. —"Taranaki Daily News." * * * » SOFT YOUNG MEN. Bench and bar were in melancholy agreement at the Auckland Magistrates Court on the point that young men to-day are becoming soft. The matter was discussed during the hearing of a charge against a girl who had stolen to help a.young man. Elders in all generations are far too eager to believe that their children are unworthy of their parentage, and yet it has always been found that when a time of trial came youth has been able to take its share of almost incredible trials of character and endurance. The great danger for the critics is their extraordinary willingness to found obviously unjust generalisations upon an exceptional particular incident. The present case was a perfect example. —Christchurch "Press." MARKETS AND THE SILVER LINING. "There is to-day," said the Minister of Internal Affairs in Auckland the other evening, "a buoyancy of spirit very noticeable among the people that is good to see." Ihe "new outlook" which Mr. Parry discerns has an economic rather than a political source. Political changes .may have helped it, but economic considerations will determine how far the hope of better times is realised. I hese considerations are, of course, beyond the reach of Government in any one country. Mr. Parry foresees "an intensified effort to bring the new conditions into full operation," but let us be wary of imagining that a row of Acts of Parliament can bring the economic millennium. —Wellington "Dominion." PRICES CHASING COSTS. Rises in prices which have already taken place, or are in prospect all over the country, are an inevitable result of the Government's own legislation. Talk as Ministers may, the Government cannot prevent an increase in the cost of living due to the operation of a simple economic law. The best safeguard for the people against "exploitation" in prices, the best assurance that prices will be reasonable in relation to costs of production, is provided by free competition in business. I>et the Government be wise enough not to interfere with such competition and it will be reasonably ensured that nice levels will adjust themselves in the usual way to production costs, and that the consumer will not be "exploited." But the increases arising from higher costs will still fall heavily on the uncompensated section of the community. — "Otago Daily Times.' ! • # » • A CHOICE FOR THE MAORI. There are apparently two schools of thought in regard to the future of the .Maori. There is the school, represented by Sir Apirana iXgata and other leaders, both pakeha and I Maori, which believes that the Maori should grow up side by side with the pakeha, but preserving his own language and all that is best in his ancient customs and culture; what might be called the "Maoritanga" school, of which the aim is to preserve the identity of the Maori race. The other school holds that the only real hope for the Maori is adaptation as quickly as possible to changed conditions. In practice the ideas of the two schools are not irreconcilable and the question merits the fullest discussion at th<* Maori conference it is proposed to hold in Wellington at an early date.—Wellington "Evening Post." • » • • LOOKING TO OUR DEFENCES. Xew Zealand must be prepared to join with the other countries of the Empire in the protection of common Imperial interests, but in the meantime what is to be Xew Zealand's policy? Mr. Savage says it is to be "development in the air," because air transport is essential in time of peace and strength in the air would be a vital factor in time of war. If this has anv real meaning it means that the Government intends to undertake the development of air services which could be converted to military purposes, the training of pilots,-observers and mechanics, the increase of the present very inadequate Air Force and an immediate increase in the number of military machines. It should mean, also, the formation of coastal patrols and the construction of military aerodromes at convenient points.—"Christchurch Star-Sun." • - • a SQUEEZING THE CYCLISTS. Tt has been suggested that cycles should be excluded from certain city streets, on the ground that they impede the traffic, but the truth is that in these streets the traHie is impeded by parked motor cars, which force the cyclists to use the centre of the roadway. Bicycles would not be the nuisance they are from the motorist's point of view if the cyclists ■were allowed to use the sides of the road, which are their natural and accustomed tracks, but when the motorists monopolise the sides as well as the middle of the roadway they are not entitled to complain against the wandering cyclist. This is a phase of the traflic problem to which the automobile associations and the local authorities should give some attention.—"Christchurch Star-Sun." * * * * DRAMA LEAGUE'S PROGRESS. In this age of mechanisation it is important that everything possible should be done to encourage people to take an interest in the original and personal expression of some form of art. In drama the invaluable lesson of team work must be learnt. The rehearsing of a play can mean the bringing together with great enjoyment of a group of people with widely different interests and ideas. With these thoughts in mind the British Drama League was formed. That it is fulfilling a useful purpose is revealed by the remarkable success tlint is being achieved. English-speaking communities almost everywhere have followed the lead, and the Xew Zealand section is vigorously alive.—"Dunedin Star." * * * * THE MATRICULATION FETISH. The university authorities are anxious to stop the universal rush for the matriculation examination and to restrict the examination as far ,as possible to candidates who intend to proceed to a university course. The school leaving certificate provides a greater choice of subjects .for the great majority of pupils who intend to become fanners or business men. Of course, there is a difficulty in that parents who send their children to secondary schools expect them to obtain a matriculation pass, even when they have no intention of taking a university course. An allied problem is presented in the growing habit of taking degree courses as exempted students. This custom has been increasing to an undue extent of late years. It has arisen largely from the high cost of university courses and the small number of university scholarships.—"Taranaki Herald."