ECHOES OF THE WEEK

Dominion, Volume 18, Issue 193, 10 May 1924, Page 13

ECHOES OF THE WEEK

PRESS OPINIONS ON :: NEW ZEALAND TOPICS

The plain statement by Mr. Massey that the year’s surplus will be found to be “well under £2,000,000” docs not satisfy the four Christchurch Labour members. By a process of speculation, they reached the conclusion that it was “abundantly plain” that the surplus would be in the region of, even well over, £3,000,000. What was abundantly plain on Tuesday was somewhat obscured later, for now it is only “alleged” that, the higher figure is correct. Why should such sinister things as allegations be imported into the discussion of the amount of the surplus, which is determined, by the strict accounting of public moneys by officers secure in their statutory powers? The use of such terms betrays the real purpose of this labour group, not to discover facts, but to manufacture a case against the Government.—“ New Zealand Herald.”

The party in Britain had nothing to say about Proportional Representation in its manifesto issued before the last election, and its refusal of Government support to the measure has been the death of the Liberals’ Bill. Even the Liberals seemr. to have had their own doubts about the system, because it was no more than a half-trial of it, following closely the lines of Mr. Massey's proposals, which they desired to make. We believe tho apparent merits of the nostrum to be an entire delusion, for reasons which' we have previously explained. A Parliament which would be an exact microcosm of all the conflicting opinions in a country, including all the new parties which would naturally be encouraged) by the prospect of a scientific representation being afforded to them, might be something very perfect in theory: as a working Parliament it would be likely to leave much wanting.—Dunedin “Star.”

The public finds itself little in sympathy with these demands. Civil servants have many advantages over workers in other employments. Their time is unbroken, there is regular promotion for men who show any inclination to work, and there is a superannuation fund (to which, of course, they contribute) which enables retired civil servants to driuv a comfortable pension at the end of their working days. In granting wage increases. tho Government would be placing a double burden upon the public—rich and poor alike—which would be called upon to find . the money by increased taxation (direct or indirect) and, at the same time, have to face the rise in the cost of living which inevitably would accompany such increases.—Christchurch “Sun.”

Amongs the letters which we print to-day concerning the Male Voice Choir is one from Dr. Bradshaw, in tho course of which he complains of critics who do their criticising over a pen-name. To refuse all letters sighed with n pen-name would be to restrict very seriously and very harmfully the freedom of public discussion, and there is no honest journalist in the world who would not fight tooth and nail against such a restriction. It hardly needs to be pointed out that pseudonymous criticism has in general this special advantage: that it assists to keep discussion free from tho heat-clouds of “personalities?’ But important above everything . is the value to the public of a place , in which they may express their opinions .on matters of public interest with just that freedom and safety which is given to them by the ballot box. — Christchurch “Press.”

There has not been very much argument in the chorus of condemnation of the land tax. but even a procession of gentlemen who asked to be relieved from the tax because they dislike paying it is calculated to have some effect on a commission in the absence of any indication of the existence in the community of a different view of the subject. The sittings of the commission are now drawing near their close, and it behoves those who think that Ballance and McKenzie acted wisely in imposing a graduated land tax 34 years ago and those who supported the movement for reform of the company tax a few months ago to get their side of the case before the commission. It seems likely also that something could be said regarding the incidence of indirect taxation —the burden of Customs duties has been nearly doubled since 1914. — “Lyttelton Times.”

The public have been glad of the opportunity to tell these units of the Navy that the Dominion appreciated the wonderful service they were ablo to render in perilous years, admired their unceasing vigilance , and took personal pride in their daring achievements. The visit of the cruisers has done much to renew interest in the senior service and has given occasion for thought as to the part of the Dominion in the task of maintaining this first line of defence. Tire personal touch always counts for a great deal and, until they are permanently placed out of commission, the Delhi, the Dragon, and the Danae will hold the interest of the people in this part of the Empire.—Lyttelton “Times.”

A New Zealander who has just returned from Australia draws attention to an aspect of New Zealand-Austra-lian communications that has probably been noticed by some of our renders. Thirty years ago. l,« says, he crossed tho Tasman in the Monowai —a ship never noted for speed, and now out of the sorrier—in 3$ days. When this time he returned by the Maheno, a much more modern ship and more powerfully engined, the trip took 41 days. Incidentally, he mentions that the return fare 30 years ago was less than half the present single faro. It is common knowledge that frequently the times taken by the ordinary intercolonial steamers between here and Sydney compare unfavourably with times made years ago by the same ships or older ones. We doubt whether tho Union Company, would have slowed down their shins in this way if they hnd remained a, separate independent concern., While, the mail services between New Zealand and America and Canada have been speeded up, the' ordinary intercolonial services arc in some respects less satisfactory than they were years ago, when the populations were smaller.—Auckland ’"Star.”

Savings Bank reaords are always of interest as an index to the measure of the prosperity of the. times, and of the practice of the ancient virtue of thrift among the people. The growth of such an institution as the Dunedin Savings Bank is necessarily dependent upon more factors than one, but largely. of course, upon its relations with depositors. The steady increase in the business of the bank marks it out as an institution which is widely appreciated as a public utility and which enjoys public confidence. • . Evidence of extravagance throughout the community is apt to flaunt itself abroad. Evidence of thrift has generally to be sought for, and it is satisfactory to known that it exists in no negligible degree. The usefulness of the Dunedin Savings Bank to the community is not limited, be it added, to the provision of a repository for the savings of its patrons. The application of its surplus profits to the community has been of. great assistance to deserving institutions and causes. —“Otago Daily Times.”

It now seems likely that the Government seeking for shoulders on which to place the blame for the very unsatisfactory state of railway administration in New Zealand to-day, will go to the expense of a Royal Commission to ascertain the very obvious facts that have been reiterated ad nauseam by tho leading newspapers of New Zealand, and by railway transport committees and chambers of commerce. Bv the time the commission has investigated and reported, there may bo a change of Government, and that usually furnishes a fresh excuse for muddling along in the old rut. We put It to Mr. Coates that a lot of time and money will be saved by scrapping the present management, and idopting a decentralisation policy, and if he does this, he need look no further than his own department for men capable of effecting a vast improvement in tlie railways without materially reducing wagss.—Christchurch “Sun.”

A very sound position is disclosed by the bank statements for the March quarter. The heavy demand for accommodation during the December quarter, which caused advances to amount to a figure higher by £3,400,000 than private deposits, has been relieved from the proceeds of the season’s production, and the quarter shows a favourable balance of £2,629.768. There is striking evidence of a bountiful season of production in the fact that private deposits show an upward movement from the December to the March quarter, of no less than £4,203,000, -while advances are lower by £1,825,000. Not since the period of enormous accumulations in 1919 and 1920 has so great an improvement occurred between two quarters. The result is that deposits stand at the highest figure for three years—with fixed deposits at a record.level — while the excess of deposits is relatively substantially greater than might be expected in normal circumstances. — “New Zealand Heiald.”

It is sincerely to be hoped that the A.S.R.S. executive lias learned how easy it is to do harm instead of good to the interests of those who have paced them in its hands, and that negotiations will now be resumed on a reasonable instead of an impossible basis. Relief at the termination of the strike could not tempt the public to consider the railwaymen’s dispute as ended. An unpleasant and acute phase of it has ended, but that phase has possibly merely added to the multitude of points that require settlement. It has also served to bring to the forefront a good many questions which seem to require a searching investigation into the Railway Department’s working as a whole, possibly by an independent board or commission. before any such settlement as is now being sought can be of real permanent valuo. —Dunedin “Star.”

Education in agriculture is never a luxury ; it is a prime necessity in, a country such as New Zealand. Expenditure on it is an investment, and an investment with sure returns. Beyond the considerable market for foodstuffs and raw materials which, the Dominion itself provides, there is an assured demand for them overseas. For many a day New Zealand must depend 'mainly on its rural industries; and to do th© best with them involves the most intelligent application of science. This in turn necessitates the utmost activity in producing the brains capable of directing that application. This view of the matter will commend itself to the community and evoke without fail a practical resporse.—“New Zealand Herald.”

Trotting is becoming more and more popular every year, as figures, testify. That progress will nob be maintained unless the authorities receive from owners, trainers, and drivers their whole-hearted co-operation in checking malpractice. Those on the inside must see and hear things with which stewards, no matter how vigilant, can scarcely hope to make contact. ,If the interests of light harness racing aro the first consideration, there must bo, to begin with, that co-operation to which we have referred. If the prestige of trotting is noticeably impaired by fraudulent practices on the part of a few. all participants will be involved in the consequences. The outcome of the Kingsdale case should help io dissipate the cloud that recently descended on the light harness world.—Christchurch “Sun.”

We wish to make an earnest appeal to the commission, to the Commissioner of Taxes, and to the Government. It is an appeal for a far simpler form of return than tho fearfully and wonderfully concocted maze of bewildering mathematical intricacies now placed before tho unfortunate denizen of the back-blocks. as tho Department’s requirement in tho way of information, on his business. Wo must hope that it will not be deemed in. the least degree offensive —such an interpretation would bo far, indeed, from any meaning of ours —if wo suggest that the salaried officers of the Taxation Department (whoso own personal returns are probably only a matter of twenty minutes’ preparation) cannot have tho remotest idea of the utter bewilderment and dismay with which tho meticulously compiled official sheet dealing with ‘‘income from farming business” is regarded by the average man on th® land.—“Otago Daily, Times.”