ECHOES OF THE WEEK

Dominion, Volume 18, Issue 57, 1 December 1923, Page 13

ECHOES OF THE WEEK

PRESS OPINIONS ON :: NEW ZEALAND TOPICS

The matter of bringing out lads from the Old Country was mooted some years ago, but was held up by tho war. It will be recalled that a number of boys desirous of taking up farming pursuits were brought to the Dominion by a Church of England clergyman, and the reports issued _ from time to time concerning their welfare, and progress were of a very satisfactory nature. The experiment was most successful, and now the Dominion executive of the N.Z. Farmers’ Union is taking the matter in hand. The results will be watched with interest.—“Wanganui Herald.”

Crown lands in the backblocks are not opened up for want of roads. We are told that there is no good land left, but old settlers will recollect that the same statement was made as far back as their memory extends. If communication be provided there is still plenty of land available for settlement. We have brought a good many immigrants into the country, and Britain would like us to take many more, but it is of no use to do so unless we can open up more land.— “Waikato Daily Times.”

There is no evading the fact that in these days nothing is cheap, least of all education, wherefor the highest efficiency is required both in the system and the teachers. Nothing would lie _ more fatal to the future of the British Empire than to cut down the cost of the teaching staff in the State schools, for it is on their ability in moulding the mental, moral and physical qualities of the rising generations that the progress and security of the Empirb must largely depend.— “Taranaki Daily News.”

It is absurd cn the face of it to say that this young country, still only partly developed, and with a. great future ahead of it, has reached the limit of its capacity to absorb British immigrants of the right type. No industrious man or industrious family need bo afraid of failing to do well in New Zealand, and since it is evident that the visit of the delegation headed by Sir William Windham was too short to enable them to realise what a good field for immigration the Dominion really is, we are glad that Mr. Massey is at piteient in a position to see that the case is fairly presented to the British people.—“ Press.”

The recent legislation and plebiscite in connection with the dairying industry have naturally created considerable interest among the dealers in dairy produce in England, and Mr. Massey lias had the opportunity of giving firsthand information on the whole subject to a deputation representing the New Zealand Dairy Produce Importers’ Association which interviewed him in London. The establishment of the Dairy Industry Control Board, about to be set up in New Zealand, will be a good step in tho desired direction, for it is generally recognised that better control of the industry will improve and extend the Home market by assuring greater regularity in supplies, ami more intelligent regulation of market prices.—“Wairarapa Daily News.”

.Tho morality of offering large sums as “blood-money” in the detection of crime. is open to serious question. What the country desires to know is whether the defective force is thoroughly efficient. A complaint was recently made that the detectives are inadcouatelv naid. If this be so. can we expect to have an efficient body of men? This is a question which should be seriously considered by those in authority. The fact that the detective force has been unable to trace the perpetrators of three dastardly murders, will cause people to think.—“ North Otflga .Times.” |

No peoplb can be kept safe or moral, nor can the world be made an easier nlace for them to live in, by keeping them in blinkers. If everything which makes our society less than a paradisaical, one was prevented from being published in the newspapers, those who would be largely ignorant then of its defect, and dangers would have small chance of making it better than it is.—Dunedin. “Evening Star.”

A profective tariff on foreign meat would be beneficial both to the British farmers and those of the Dominions, and this is the strong point which should be stressed for all it is worth in the present electoral campaign in Britain, for if tire meat trusts drive the Dominions’ producers out of business, it will be a sorry day for the British farmer. —“Taranaki Daily News.”

One reads of no country which' is more happily situated, than New Zealand at the present time, and if our people continue to- work steadily, increasing production and living economically, there is every reason to view the future with confidence. A greater population will further strengthen the Dominion, and if the proposals adopted at the Imperial Economic Conference are put into practice. New Zealand should enjoy still greater benefits. In every way" people have reason to feel proud of the condition of the country and to be encouraged to work in its interests.—Hawera “Star.”

The impending visit /if the British Navy should have other and more important influences still than purely educative ones; the inuuence which breeds patriotism and loyalty and high endeavour ; that which is born of the meeting of blood-brothers; that which is both the cause and the copct of a mutual respect between the several ; members of a family, legitimately proud. That it may act. moreover, as a very practical object-lesson to tho world is a possibility that quite conceivably entered into the minds of those who are responsible for it. —“Norhent Advocate.”

The erection of war memorials is no mere quid pro quo, calculated on a basis of payment. The real reason lies deeper. Those whose 1 awes are held in honour have given to all an example of heroic endeavour ami endurance. To keep alive the meniyry of their linroism, not to make a payment for value received, is the desire of every serious-minded citizen, Tho spiritual life c.f the- whole mit’oii has been enriched in a way no material test can even roughly estimate, and giatitude for that enrichment and its future influence may well express itself in a permanent public, acknowledgment.—“ New Zealand Herald.”

In spite of the cynics and the pessil mists, probably four out cf five racegoers still believe that the best horse will win and that all horses are “triers” every time. The cynics and knowing ones lose no opportunity -of insisting that this is not so. but we believe that racing in New Zealand is still on a high enough plane for it to be generally accepted as the truth. It is inconceivable that evidence could ever be found in New Zealand similar to that which is bxing produced day bv dav in Australia. Hie public of the Dominion, both race-going and non-race-going, has no reason to complain of the standard which is maintained on the New Zealand turf. —“Wairarapa Age.”

There is this truth at least in the dismal report sent (and taken) home bv the recent Overseas Settlement Delegation, that when yen talk about the emoty spaces for settlers in New Zealand you do not seem to see them. The room is there, however, and tho proof that it is there l.cs in the fact mmitiono-l bv Air. Massey tho other dav, and stressed by ourselves, tliat when the right man comes to the Dominion you do not again hear of him. He settles down, “digs in,” and becomes a prosperous resident who ’eaves the country again only when he g<es for a pleasure trip. And when he returns he probably brings a relative with him to repeat his own story.— Christchurch “Press.”

As compared with Australia, the absence of the bloated town and the corresnonding empty spaces well behind it has been favourably commented on again and again br visitors to. New Zealand. Happily the. configuration of our country tends against this concentration and congestion. For another thing. New Zealand’s advanced land legislation is a wholesome corrective. And, again, recurrent symptoms of land-hunger in our population, have repeatedly indicated a desire, fairly widespread, for enlistment among the ranks of the primary producers whenever there is a gap to be filled among them. If there has been any set-back to this desire to lead a rural rather than an urban life. Hie people themselves are not responsible. It ought to be realised that our Legislature cannot stand still and watch such a process go on unaided. Land settlement once begun will not continue automatically. If not wound up every now and again it tends to run down.. —Dunedin “Evening Star.”

Miss Potts, tho woman delegate, of the Overseas Settlement Delegation, enters a strong protest against girls being sent to the Dominions for the sake of finding husbands. She says that the girls wanted are those ready to work, and that such migrants will find plenty of opportunities of marriage as there are not. as in Britain, many more women than men. .Miss Potts’s view is justified bv experience. The search for a husband is like the quest of happiness; in both cases the object is likely only to be obtained bv those who do not directly seek it. The best way to find happiness. is steady work, and not the feverish pursuit of pleasure, similarly girls who are willing to work may. incidentally find husbands if they wish to do so, especially in countries where women not tea plsntfui.—“Taranaki