ECHOES OF THE WEEK

Dominion, Volume 18, Issue 97, 19 January 1924, Page 13

ECHOES OF THE WEEK

PRESS OPINIONS ON :: NEW ZEALAND TOPICS

Shipping companies in the Dominion some years ago decreed, that no gratuities were to be accepted by stewards or seamen for work performed in the course of their duties. “An excellent idea,” said Mr. John Plainman, and walked on to the ferry steamer and bestowing benisions upon the companies. After he had given a shilling to the steward who received his portmanteau at the gangway head,’ and a shilling to the steward who carried it to ..his cabin with the air of a major-domo, he realised that times may change, and men may change, but there is never likely to be any change in (or from) the tipping habit. Certainly, the open hand was not so much m evidence —the companies’ edicts, were respected to that extent —-but in its place were the eye famished, the eye pathetic and the eyebrow reproachful. ■ Man is weak, and the eyebrow reproachful is something he seeks to avoid, and thus he still goes aboard the ferrysteamers with a pocketful of shillings. We can find solace, .in the l, knowledge that tfie evil is less pronounced in New Zealand than in the older countries. —“Christchurch Sun.”

If there is no other way of inducing a community to exercise the precautions laid down by the medical profession for its protection against disease, a panic is perhaps to be regarded as a last desperate resource, but as a general rule such a remedy would be worse than the disease, for it is undoubtedly a fact that some people can be literally scared to death. In other words, they can be terrified into a state of tension which actually predisposes them, to disease; in such a condition of mind they readily succumb if attacked.—“Wairarapa Age.”

Whether taxation, would materially depress betting is, in our. view, to he doubted —tile experience in New 'Zealand does not suggest that it . would —and on the ground of justice we cannot see why people who wager on races should on that account be required to subscribe to the general fund of the community.. But the amount that it is anticipated might be collected through the taxation of betting is trivial compared with the total expenditure on betting as. estimated by the committee; and if the State established the totalisator as a succesful rival to the bookmaker it is likely' that the burden of the betting tax would be more than made up by savings effected through the public having an impeccably fair machine t<s bet on as against trafficking with bookmakers. —“Lyttelton Times.”

Though it is admitted that most of the land has been purchased at too high prices, and that the country will have to suffer a loss of several millions of pounds in the way of reduced rentals, it is encouraging to think that the majority of the settlers are of such a type that, given reasonable opportunity, they will become useful and prosperous. What the country may lose, therefore. in immediate rentals, it will probably more than recover in the way of national efficiency. — “North ,Otago Times.”

We must Ret rid of the fatalistic no- » tion that tuberculosis can be alleviated but not cured or prevented, and of the equally dangerous idea that we can eradicate it by talking about it very confidently and very earnestly. The two needs are more science and more money, and we must be prepared for (whatever demands these make on us. —Christchurch “Press.”

During tho last three years that average excess of deposits has been turned into an excess of advances averag-

ing £4,116,307 per annum, and the extra accommodation the banks have i thus givsn their customers has not only materially helped to keep tho wheels of commerce moving, but has tided many a merchant, trader, and producer over the lean period, when it was difficult to make both ends meet. There may, of course, be cases in wh'ch credit has been unwisely extended, but it must be admitted that, in tho main, the banks have rendered the public great and invaluable service. Trade conditions to-day are being maintained on a greatly .improved basis. The export trade is uarticularly good, especially in regard to wool, and the indicaztions are that, so far as the rural producers are concerned, such ;,f their accounts as may be in debit for advances 'will show an improved position by the end of March, and the close of tho present quarter will witness a complete, change over in the nosition of deposits and advances.—“Manazwatu Standard.”

Evory period of depression teaches a lesson of caution and prudence, and for a time bankers are unusually critical of tho proposals presented by their clients. On the one hand-, they are desirous of fostering the renewed activity; on tho other, they are apprehensive of the risks so recently experienced. It is only when these restraining influences lose their force, and the sign of prosperity develop an illusive sense of endurance that movements begin which lead first to the boom and inevitably to the slump. New Zealand has more than once received the instruction that was so harshly repeated in 1920 and 1921, and though it is perhaps too much to expect that the lesson will not again be necessary, the 1 present generation at least should bo capable of guarding itself against such perils.—“ New Zealand Herald.”

It has been suggested that one of the Dairy Control Board’s first steps should be to appoint a delegation of two or three members to ’ isit Britain, Canada, and Denmark, and obtain at first hand information concerning the dairying industry in these countries. Tho report.? that have been circulated in the Dominion are so • aried and so conflicting that even people closely associated with the industry are in doubt a.s to the direction in which the truth lies. Such a delegation might cost a few thousand ixiunds,. but if its members wore wisely chosen and given facilities for a thorough investigation the expenditure would be repaid a hundredfold.—“Manawatu Times.”

Import and export may be inextricably interwoven; but . from the psychological standpoint it is well that the country should realise that it is better to create credits and command imports than to import, with the subsequent necessity of sending something abroad in payment. Not long ago New Zealand was temporarily in the latter position, and the experience was not altogether pleasant, though it undoubtedly contributed to an. increase, in production and exports. The position thereby retrieved ought to. be maintained. -> — Dunedin “Evening Star.”

The view is widtely held throughout the country that the public service is over-staffed, the Railway Department, in particular, being criticised in this respect. Too much time and labour arte said to be utilised in unnecessary clerical and other work; perhaps now that younger men are to be given greater-responsibility they will apply the pruning knife and aoohsh duties not really necessary for efficiency.— Greymouth “Star.”

The settlement is, in a sense, a victory for the opponents of the Court, who are the extremists in the New Zealand Labour movement, . and we cannot believe that this is / really pleasing to the average trade unionist. For the rest the men have lost four months’ wages, unionists elsewhere have been called upon to support them, shareholders in the companies have suffered, and Australian mines have benefited. Satisfaction caused by an increase in wages should dimmish when the men consider how long it will take to make up the money lost in these months of idleness. Onco more it has been shown that to push differences to the length of idleness is folly.—Auckland “Star.”

Many instances Anight be quoted of men being retired in order to. make loom for promotion of -their juniors who have, on retirement immediately taken up other positions where they enter into competition with otlnjr men. The A.S.R.S. and similar bodies say in effect: “Remove these men out ol our path,” without troubling whose way they may get into, outside the Government services. Thus in order to provide room for promotion in too Civil Service ranks an injustice may be, and is, done to men outside those ranks. It would bo easy to cite cases where this has, actually occurred. Moreover, a Civil Servant who retires with a substantial superannuation is able to accept positions out side the service at something below a living wage, thus intensifying the injustice to others. —‘‘Taranaki Hei* aid.”

While the anxietv of the 'Minister of Public Works to secure additional re-, venue may be fullv appreciated, we find ourselves unable to accept, his easy dismissal of the difficulty that would" be involved in making exemp tions from taxation in respect of petrol consumed for .non-vehicular purposes The production of a certificate of exemption from the tax would certainly not- of _ itself prevent evasion, and some additional safeguard would be necessary. If the possibility of evasion could be avoided there does not appear to be a very strong case against a petrol tax, especially if the whole proceeds are devoted to road improvement. But we are extremely doubtful about ths posrhihty of the prevention of evasion —and that on a large scale. —“Otago Daily Times.”

For fully five years there has been an insistent demand for reduced taxation. When, the taxation and other revenue derived from the people exceeds half a million sterling per week —and our population is little more than a miTlion and a quarter—this demand, is easily understood. It is surprising that our expenditure was ever permitted to mount to such a colossal sum without the people making serious objection. But even the worm will turn. During the last few sessions the matter was repeatedly under discussion, and although there is not in the Dominion’s politics at present what might be termed en “economy party,” all parties professed to bo sympathetic. This should have been a happy augury; it should have borne fruit. —“Timaru Post.” .

The attitude of Britain might bo altered if the Dominions were to offer to let British goods free. Such an offer might induce Britain to adopt a measure of Protection, with free entry for Dominion goods. Mr Massey, who has often enough declared that free trade within the Empire is the ideal to be pursued, would surely approve of such a proposal as this. What the Protectionists in the Dominions appear to be unable to grasp is that most of Britain’s exports go to countries outside the Empire. Some of these ill-informed and reckless people even say that the Dominions are ‘‘far and away Britain beat customers,’ ’although everyone who has taken the trouble to ascertain the facts —and the trouble is not great, since there are plenty of official arid lion-official publications giving official figures—knows that the self-governing Dominions combined take less than a fifth of Britain’s exports. —“Christchurch Press.’’

It is the school that should show tho young their relationship to life as a whole, and the possibilities as well as the responsibilities of that relationship. In accomplishing . that all important task the principles of courage and unselfishness would take root to bring forth good fruit in the welfare of the country and its people.—“Tarnaki Daily News.”

We are gradually awakened to the necessity for a complete scheme of afforestation. The point we wish to stress just now is that there does not exist sufficient provision for fighting fires in plantations and forests. Municipal fire brigades cannot lie expected to go far beyond the boundaries of their cities or boroughs. Have our .'county councils proper provision for meeting such emergencies and for saving valuable timber? The present dry season is unfortunately favourable to the spread of grass and plantation fires. Certainly the renewing of our timber supplies is an urgent question that calls for much more attention than it has yet received. Tho conservation and protection against fire of our forest and plantation areas, however, are equally important.—• Dunedin “Evening Star.”