ECHOES OF THE WEEK

Dominion, Volume 18, Issue 103, 26 January 1924, Page 13

ECHOES OF THE WEEK

PRESS OPINIONS ON :: NEW ZEALAND TOPICS

Revenue obtained at the Customs does not necessarily affect the worker. He can. make his choice between imported lines and those of local production, covering all his needs. There are obvious limits to taxes on land and income, and a revenue-producing tariff probably affords the most equitable form of taxation on other lines. —“Manawatu Standard.”

We doubt whether the miner’s, recompense for his labours represents a sufficiently large proportion of the price charged for coal to .the ultimate consumer. Possibly an adjustment, by which the miner should receive more and the middleman less, might go a long way to ensure the smooth Tuning of the mines. The miner should be well paid, and an arrangement should be reached by which tnere should be no cessation of work, such as has occurred recently on the West Coast. —“Timaru Post/’ >

There has lately grown up in this country; a demand for the provision of more systematic attention to music in the education syllabus, and there can be no doubt that the gramophone has been largely responsible for the new respect which the great mass of the people have acquired for the most beautiful and most /universally understood- of all the arts. Music knows no frontiers —it is the world’s medium of emotional expression. But as yet the Education Department declines to pay out subsidies on funds raised by local authorities for the purchase of gramophones and records for their schools. — “Wairarapa Age.”

■ To a Dominion like New Zealand the Exhibition offers such opportunitits as cannot often arise of directing attention to its staple exports, attracting tourists and permanent settlers, of interesting investors, and of inducing British exporters to make such a study of local market requirements as will work out to the advantage of both parties. In making the most of these opportunities the Dominion at the same [time will be helping in its part and degree to forward such a development of the Empire as will enable it to lead the world in reconstruction and in peaceful progress. —“Northern Advocate.” '

It is strange indeed that thle Government should extend the embargo against importation of wheat and flour, the object being ostensibly to protect the grower. d'lie decision has been explained as an application of the Government’s policy of encouraging production. But what about the consumer Is it fair that the multitudes of consumers should be penalised for the benefit of a few—that the Government should, in face of innumerable promises in a quite opposite direction, take a step that must raise the cost of living? We have every sympathy with the wheat grower; we know his trials and tribulations owing to weather vagaries, but we doubt whether a policy that will penalise the many for the benefit of the few is one that should be endorsed. —Timaru “Post.”

It would, perhaps, be more desirable if the subsidiary organisations were to be abandoned, and the whole of the farmers were to unite under the Farmers’ Union, with extended articles of association, which would provide for sub-committees representing the varied. interests of the farmer. Failing the accomplishment of some such scheme as this, a federal body composed of representatives of each institution in proportion .to their numerical strength, is an imperative necessity. The division of interests that is at present in evidence is inimical to the welfare of the primary producer, and does not give him that political status in the community that his economic importance deserves.— “North Otago Times.”

New Zealand got a great advertisement during the war. We are hopeful tliat the Empire Exhibition will further enhance the fame of this fair land, but something more is rtequired, and, in our opinion, it is a real live publicity campaign run by experts—men who have had to prove themselves business-getters or fade out of the game. It is not necessary here to set out the attractions New Zealand possesses for the wealthy, but what a field they offer for the publicity agent qualified to handle a world campaign! We are among those who consider that what has so far been done in the way of publicity is not only playing with the matter compared with wliat might and should be done, and we are looking at tho matter from the good business point of view alone.— Hawera “Star.”

"Wliile the Cabinet and representatives of the people are anxious to do everything in their power to encourage legitimate forms of sport, they have been faced in the past with the serious objection that daylight saving —the putting back of the hands of the clock—would be attended with loss and inconvenience to those engaged hi the primary industries of the Domlnlqn. If it can he demonstrated that this objection is not based upon the evidence of fact or that it could bo overcome, the Government would, no doubt, be pleased to modify or reverse its decision. The first duty of bowlers, and _of other sporting bodies, if they wish to influence Parliament in the matter, is to endeavour to remove the opposition that exists in the rural districts. If they could induce the Farmers’ Union, and the A. and P. associations to pass resolutions affirming' the desirability of daylight saving, they would have no difficulty in securing the reform they desire.—“ North Otago Times.”

The motor has passed the stage when luxury enters into its use. There are luxurious cars in use, but the motor is part and parcel of our daily life, it is increasingly the common means of transportation, and nothing short of a duty of, say, twenty per cent, would have much effect on the

consumption. ... The tire tax is open to serious objection, and certainly it will encourage repair work, which may very easily cut down the revenue derived from this source for the Highways Board. Petrol cannot be used over again, and it provides n means of taxing motorists according to the extent to which they use the roads.—“Southland Times.”

Every part of New Zealand is paying toll to the policy of neglect in rhe matter of noxious weeds. The amount of good land that is now in the grip of gorse on this coa-st inns into thousands of acres, while blackberry, goat s iuo, ragwort, and the rest are being allowed to thrive almost unchecked. With land at its present price, and with only a limited area available tor more intensive settlement, it is nothing short of criminal to allow thousands of acres to produce nothing but weeds. —“Manawatu Times.

The Government has done well in cutting down expenditure and so reducing its demands upon the tax payers, but it has . not yet done enough. Industry is still being ie■d,rained by the slow growth of capital and further reductions in taxation must effected before there will be bu "? c l cate.” -

With the demand setting in for in suto treatment, both in New Zealand nnd Australia, it becomes palpably evi dent that the* time has already arrived when both countries must, m their own supplies instead of r y = unon importations. Fortunately the are no insuperable difficulties m the wav. Broadly speaking, there are three requisites—experts to manufacture it, a properly equipped _ la^ ora ‘ i«“i ZSoine the stage of suggestion, bub have to be faced ' cry soon, rJ I<^ nr + hope to see the Public Health department take it up m earnest.— Wanga nui “Herald.”

In some respects, notably in meteorology, Samoa is wonderfully well lo catS for the purposes fi a clearinghou£ Of geophysical observations in the Pacific and many future investigations will be greatly advantaged by its collation of facts. Gradually, bu surely, by dint of the work so accomplished, this great expanse of islandstudded ocean will become fully known and employed for the gain of all men. To do everything possible to' ensure that service is the clear duty or the Dominion’s Government. For tins, no less than for the good of the native inhabitants, it holds the-Western portion of the group as an international trust.—“New Zealand Herald.”

Airships cannot be made fool-proof; and, even were the human equation eliminated, there remains the old truth that “accidents will happen.” It would be absurd to despair of the future of the airship because of frequent accidents: what remains to be done is a problem for tho technical expert to cope with. The cry of science is “Excelsior.” —“Wanganui Herald.”

Wheat will most certainly have to be imported, and imported in large quantities, seeing that the current harvest will not sufficb to fill half the requirements of the Dominion. The Government will necessarily (if the prohibition continues) have to aroangp for the purchase of tho four million bushels required. Is it likely to secure better terms or buy more cheaply than the men who are engaged in the milling industry and who, as business men, always watch for a favourable opportunity in making their purchases? Its former ventures in the purchase of Australian wheat hardly justify the conclusion that it is likely to do so. For this year, at least, the embargo on wheat should be lifted. The New Zealand wheat growers’ position could be made secure by he Government arranging with millers that the latter tako over his wheat at tho agreed upon price on the understanding that when they had disposed of it theywould be at liberty to make their own arrangements for buying from the Australian grower. If that were done the freer market would tend to bring down the price of wheat, flour, and bread.—“ Manawatu Standard.”

The changes in the Civil Service will occur chiefly in the traffic and locomotive departments, and the “moving up” process will involve nearlv all ranks in these two branches. With such an infusion of younger blood in the departmental veins, signs of arterio-sclerosis in the service soon should disappear altogether. The changes in personnel, white they mean the retirement of many valued servants .whose, work is still highly efficient, will revivify the departments concerned, and this influence, let us hope, will be reflected in all branches of a service that has become sadly anaemic.—Christchurch “Sun.”

The whole traffic management calls for overhaul. To say this is not to charge all railway officials with incompetence: according to their light and the limits imposed by the system of their employment they have done all that could be expected, and many of them merit deep respect. But advance depends upon a younger executive and operating staff, and thtere can be no promotion of youth witliout the retirement of age. Sympathy will be drawn to some who will be shunted on to a dead end, but the nefeds of the times demand their making wav for others, equipped with more driving power and speed.—“ New Zealand Herald.”

Obviously there is something to be said for a tax on petrol; it would be an easy way in which to get at the motorist. Unfortunately, other people than motorists use petrol, and this is a tax to be levied exclusively for road purposes. We do not see how Mr. Coates could exempt the launchowner and the farmer, save at considerable cost and trouble. Both Britain and America tax the car. and with the help of this tax 'America—where only a few States tax. fuel —is building the best motor roads in the world. We need not go beyond their experience.— Auckland “Star.”