ECHOES OF THE WEEK

Dominion, Volume 16, Issue 154, 17 March 1923, Page 11

ECHOES OF THE WEEK

PRESS OPINIONS ON :: NEW ZEALAND TOPICS

That if primary producers wish to catch up and keep pace with scientific knowledge, their first and most important step should be the getting of a thorough grounding in the basic principles of science, which, with other general education, tend towards elasticity of mind. If the obtaining of this knowledge is not possible because of the ages of . the present generation of farmers, it is. and for a long time has been, possible for the next generation to acquire such knowledge in its youth.—“'Ashburton Guardian.”

The South Island has good capital resources, and it must be prepared to use them to serve its own interests. Compared with Wellington and Auckland, the ports of Dunedin and Lyttelton are not well equipped. If they got all the trade which now goes to the North they could not handle it. If they want to be terminal ports they must not depend upon Governments. They must do something for themselves. And Manchester has shown the line that must be taken by the littlg port which wishes to grow big. — ‘‘Lyttelton Times,”

The warmth of the last day or two has encouraged farmers to hope that there may yet be a spell of warm weather characteristic of this part of the year - . The ground has been exceptionally cold for the past two months, and there are all the indications of an early winter. At present there isf ample feed, but it has far too much moisture in it. A few weeks of sunny weather will make all the difference in tlie confidence with which stockowners can enter upon the winter. With a season such as we have had the feed has a knack of disappearing rather suddenly when the really cold weather arrives.—-“Wairarapa Age.”

Reports from various parts of the Dominion would seem to indicate that the number of rabbits is increasing at a rate that should give the farmer considerable concern. What is the cause of the increase? During the slump period the fanner was not pressed to spend money on keeping the rabbit pest under. Now that the slump period has passed the Department responsible , should be putting extra energy into a campaign against the rabbit .menace. The rabbit is again obtaining the upper hand in many parts of New Zealand, including the Wairarapa, and so there is urgent need for strenuous efforts on the part of the Agricultural Department and pastoralists to combat this grave danger. ■■ f -. -'

The business of the City Council is to administer the affairs of the municipality in the interests of the whole body of the residents. It is a highly important business, especially in the respect that it includes the control of great public undertakings, and in the election of the councillors who must act as their trustees in the management of these concerns the district electors should be guided by their judgment as to the personal fitness, by reason of training, experience, and ability, of the candidates for their suffrages. If there are any among the Labour Party’s candidates whose personal qualifications entitle them to the confidence of the electors, well and good; but there is no room in municipal politics for the intrusion of the mischief of party government.—“Otago Daly Times-”

The system of compiling exports was changed at the instance of Wellington interests at the beginning of 1922. Previously each port was credited with the value of its exports. This was not satisfactory to Wellington, mainly because that port was thereby made to occupy a subservient position to Auckland. It was then arranged that tfio exports were to be credited to the port of final departure, which meant that Wellington received credit for all the produce transhipped thither from Taranaki and other coastal ports. The present figures are entirely misleading. It is difficult, if not altogether impossible, under present conditions to show with any degree of accuracy the value of Taranaki's exports whereas in the past it was quite a simple matter. further protects should be made until the system is altered in the direction indicated.—“Taranaki Evening News.”

In discussing the question of free grants of land for immigrants the Prime Minister says the Crown land remaining available is second-class and third-class land, and requires cultivation and fertilising to bring it into productive bearing. This is doubtless true. What is secondclass and thirdelass land? The Government’s reply to this is that first-class land is land which will graze one cow per acre, that good land will graze one cow to two acres, and that below this there is “fair land,” "poor land” and “very poor land.” Suppose we assume the two latter classes, “poor” and “very epectively. Then still on the Government’s own estimate, poor land will graze two sheep to the aero and very poor land one sheep to the acre, the estimated value being £l6 and £8 per core i espectively. Now let it be assumed that one-sheep land remains for the purpose of making freo grants to immigrants. Then would it not have been better for that land to have been free-granted to soldiers? —Napier "Daily Telegraph.”

Mr. Wilford has rushed in to congratulate Sir Joseph Ward on his decision to be an aspirant for the Tauranga seat. But how could he adopt any other attitude without further loss of political dignity. He certainly could put up a straight-out “Lib-Lab” candidate in such circumstances. Mr. Massey remains silent. It would seem that Sir Joseph Ward made no bargain with him prior to announcing his candidature. If there had been successful negotiations between them, Mr. Massey would have said before now, just as was said in the case of Mr. Isitt’s seat, that, in connection with the Tauranga by-electio-n, the Reform party would not now have an official aspirant. But Sir Joseph Ward lias been careful to delay the making of a declaration as to what would be his attitude towards the present Government. In the meantime the door is ■till open for negotiations. The most surprised and pained actor in the current political drama may, after all, prove to be Mr. Wilford.—Gisborne “Times.”

Economy, hard work, and the cooperation of all classes —these are the surest foundations on which to build

the new structure of national life. The narrowness of the Socialists and the self-seeking tendencies of the party which ranks as the official Opposition, are hindrances, hut there is hope yet that the Lib.-Labs, will in time have their eyes opened to a clear conception of their duty than is vouchsafed them to-day. If Sir Joseph Ward is able and willing to assist in that direction, he will render the cause of good government a valuable service.—Christchurch “Sjui.”

Th© Liberal Party has been sadly wanting in any constructive policy, and its leader has had too much the air of a man speaking from a brief. We have not always agreed with the actions of Sir Joseph Ward in power, and have objected strongly to some of the proposals which he put forward when seeking power. Nevertheless, we recognise with every one in. New Zealand the great experience which Sir Joseph Ward has liad in the country’s business; his grasp of departmental matters, his financial conscience, and the fertile and ingenious mind which he brings to the tion of business. As a candidate he will no doubt evoke an extra amount of support, but at tlie same time he must anticipate an extra amount of opposition. —‘‘Waikato Times.”

One of the first acts of the Fascist!, PA~Bttaining power, was to repeal the Rent Restriction Act, which had been in force in Italy , as it also had been in other European countries. If we wish to see a general reduction in rents and house property, the necessity of the reform or abolition of the Rent Restriction Act has long been apparent to many, and if this is also accompanied by the suspension of the moratorium, an immediate impulse will be civen to house buildinc:. With an ncreased supply of houses, rents wll fal, and the general condition of the worker will be improved. Under normal conditions <» vast improvement in housing would be noticeable in a very few months. —Auckland ‘‘Star.”

As the law has stood for many years, any primary school may be appointed a polling place, to be surrendered to the returning officer from 4 p.m. on the day before the poll until 10 p.m. on the day of the poll. In the list of polling places gazetted there no fewer than 144 schools in the Auckland Education District, with rolls comprising 9476 children and staffs comprising 329 teachers. The obvious objection is that this economy is effected at the serious cost of a day’s loss of tuition for thousands of children and the waste of a days services of hundreds of teachers. When no other provision is possible, it may bo necessary to turn children out of of electors, but it is manifestly imschool for the convenience of a score proper to do so when no such necessity exists. —‘‘New Zealand Herald.”

The »nan who deliberately tortures an animal or causes its death by slow and fiendish means, is despicable, and unfit to rank with the murderpr who, in tne heat of passion, has taken the life of a fellow. Injury to an animal is often the result of thoughtlessness or inadvertence ; that may be condoned- But no mercy shoud be shown to tiie people who vent their rage on unoffending dumb creatures. ... In New Zealand cruelty to animals is fortunately not a common offence, but there is nevertheless every reason for the existence of th Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Membership of that society is an honourable estate, and no stigma of “informer” can attach to a man or woman who sets the law in motion against brutes in human shape. —“Wanganui Chronicle.”

The personal element in politics cannot possibly carry its true weight, unless mon of calibre will enter the field as parliamentary candidates. It is an acknowledged fact today that more often than not the true brains of the country never find their way into the halls of legislation. And that being the case it is a natural corollary that leaders of commerce and industry tire better fitted to take charge of their affairs than the psuedo-economists who too often expound their insupportable doctrines oh the floor of the House. As the Welfare League has it, politics has its place, but politics at all times and in everything, is an evil which prevents the natural growth of a strong, virile, self-reliant citizenship, on -which after all the future of our country depends.—“Mataura Ensign.”

While stupendous possibilities are open to this country, we have a political stalemate which prevents definite action on a scale commensurate with the requirements. The Liberal Labour Party under Mr. Wilford has not regarded the formation of stable Government as of first ■consideration. Will there be improvement in this direction if Sir Joseph Ward is returned? It is necessary for Mr. Massey to retain this seat if he is to carry on, but even with it his position will be nono too safe. If Sir Joseph Ward’s return is to mean a fusion, which the Government has invited, not only will the country be in possession of his services, but the greater issue of stable Government; on which so much depends, will be satisfactorily decided.— “Nelson Evening Mail.”

Sir Joseph Ward will be helped bv his Dominion prestige, but he will be hindered by the fact that no electorate cares much for an absentee representative. which he would presumably be if he were elected. Sentiment for the late Sir William Herries may make a strong incentive in the minds of his supporters not to lot the consttuencv go over to the other party. The main strength of Reform has been in the country, and, notwithstanding the views of Mr. Wilford on that aspect, the farmers of Tauranga may prefer a dairy farmer to represent them rather than Sir Joseph Ward. It is unforunate that Sir Joseph’s return, if that should be the outcome of the election, could only have the effect of increasing one immediate difficulty. Mr. Massey’s majority of three would be reduced to one, and would be lost altogether if Mr. Witty, who supported him on the last motion of no confidence, should prefer to give his allegiance to his former leader- A new General Election might then be inevitable.—Dunedin “Star.”