ECHOES of the WEEK

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 60, 4 December 1926, Page 17

ECHOES of the WEEK

PRESS OPINIONS ON :: NEW ZEALAND TOPICS

One thing clearly emerges from the findings of the conference —the Empire’s unity is not to be left as a shadowy fact either in the eyes of foreigners or in the thought of its own politicians. It is to become increasingly real and efficient in international affairs, and in that assurance every British heart will rejoice.—“ New Zealand Herald."

As we have repeatedly contended the purely agricultural portion of Britain’s population is insufficient to supply the Dominion’s needs—to say nothing of Britain’s—so if the Dominions are to obtain the population they require they must take men and women from the towns. To give such immigrants a reasonable chance they should be trained. The gist of the report is a call for more ideas and energy, and since this country is showing a disappointing lack of both, we trust tjiat the recommendations and opinions embodied will be carefully considered in Wellington. —Auckland “Star.”

The King is non King of Ireland, and King of South Yfrica, as he is King of New Zealand ’nd of England. It Is a curious and moving fact that a result of the questioning and unrest in our modern Empire should be the elevation of the Monarchy to a pinnacle higher than it ever occupied before.—Christchurch “Press.”

The Arbitration Court exists for the protection of workers against harsh . exploitation, and the measure of such ' protection is fair and reasonable. Now that the sectional strike has been I proved a hopeless failure, the workers concerned in other freezing works should make the most of their opportunity to secure their employment, while the chance to do so. remains. And short shrift should be given ruthlessly to the Alliance of Labour and its mischief-mongers. — Christchurch "Sun.”

While still in the day of comparatively small things, New Zealand has before it the inspiring vision of a future of great development. That spirit of hopefulness sees the need for a larger population, but if in the immediate future we wish to absorb British immi- ' grants to build up our man-power, increase our production and reduce the per capita debt, we must devote our energies to placing the secondary in- • dustries on a sound footing, for they provide the maximum of employment at all times.—“Lyttelton Times."

The Empire is the outcome of an evolution which is still going on, and a great deal in the course of its growth and development is due to understandings and agreements that have never been documented. And so it may be not unreasonable to infer that the report of the Imperial Conference upon the question of inter-imperial relationships does not include everything concerning which an understanding has been reached. After all, it is a signal accomplishment that unanimity seems to have been obtained upon a subject of so intricate a character.—“Otago Daily Times.”

The freezing industry cannot, under present market conditions afford to pay increased wages. Many of the men recognise this, and an prepared to abide by their agreements, but some of the leaders, to whom it does not matter much whether the men are employed or not, are doing their best to hold the industry up. They do not want industrial peace.—"Taranaki Herald.”

The Dominion will never tolerate being held up to ransom by irresponsible extremists, but will take prompt steps to afford ample protection for the employment of volunteers. The points in dispute should be carefully examined and an acceptable mediator appointed to make an effort to effect a settlement of what is rapidly developing into a damaging attack on the pastoralists of the country.—Timaru “Herald."

It is early yet to assess the possible', trouble there may be in the tion of immigrants from many sources. It is interesting to note that America has faced such problems and has at times been scared by them. In the earliest days there were doubts whether the contents of the melting pot would really melt. Eighty years ago American publicists were throwing upon newcomers from overseas the blame for the wholesale corruption of citv government. To-day the same phenomenon is to be observed in Australia.—Dunedin "Evening Star.”

The question of suitable training of intending immigrants forms the subject of the committee’s views, but it. is an open question whether time spent in that direction in Britain would not be far mors, profitably employed in gaining actual experience in the Dominion selected by the emigrants as their future home. New Zealand offers free passages for approved boys and girls under nineteen years of age, and the most promising results are already being obtained from immigrants of that kind. This field can * most profitably be further exploited.— “'Taranaki Daily News.”

The cost of primary production, particularly in second and third grade lands, has become alarming to many farmers, while the market price for products has decreased. Naturally, the farmer wants to know why it is that, although be receives only about eight shillings for the raw wool required to make a suit, he has to pay a tailor ten guineas for the finished garment; also why it is the farmer only gets a penny a lb. for his apples, yet he has to buy them back again at sixpence a lb. And so on. Why, indeed? Perhaps Mr. McLeod should ask the Minister of Industries and Commerce. “He knows, he knows,” and knowing all about it, does nothing.—Christchurch “Sun.”

If the Government remains unwilling to take the responsibility for some such scheme of reform as is advocated by the Licensing Reform Association, it must at least defend the right of those who dislike prohibition and the existing system to express their dislike. It can without any misgiving accept any challenge by the prohibitionists on this point.—Christchurch “Press.”

The prosperity of the Dominion depends largely upon its rural industries, and the need of trained men of science capable of dealing with .the many problems incident to the various branches of agricultural activity and of giving expert advice and guidance is recognised as essential to their welfare. There is no room for discussion as to the needs, and the methods of achieving them demands a national outlook. Fortunately the decision of the conference cuts the ground from under those who have been alleging southern hostility to the establishment of a college in the north, and the proposals now place them in the difficult position of having to make a choice between local desires and national needs.—“Lyttelton Times.”

Enlightened opinion among the farmers of the Dominion appreciates the importance and justice of wiselymeasured protection for developing local manufactures, but it tightly claims relief from excessive Customs taxation that merely handicaps its struggle with economic adversity. It will welcome the present evidence of practical sympathy with its difficulties by the most widely representative body of commercial opinion in the country.— “New Zealand Herald.”

This much is known, that time after time, when habitual and other criminals have been released by the Prisons Board, they have started to prey on the community immediately, until the police have been positively discouraged in the performance of their duty as a result of this mistaken leniency. This is the direction in which an inquiry is wanted, and any ether order of reference will not be of much practical value.—" Christchurch Star.”

Although we in New Zealand have not felt that the problems of status and of foreign policy have concerned us very deeply, we ’ can rejoice that these problems have been handled in a nianner satisfactory to the uneasy nationalist spirit of some of the older Dominions. And we can tejoice the more that those complicated and perilous schemes for a patent Empire which political theorists have devised have been rejected. — “Christchurch Press."

The change in status affecting gov-ernors-general is not a news item calculated to shake the country of its foundations, but it is an interesting indication of the recognition of the new position of the Dominions in the Empire family council. The German newspaper “Vossische Zeitung” succinctly sums up the position in a neat phrase: “It virtually secures the con: tinned existence of the Empire. Gov-ernors-general will cease to be mere mail-carriers to the Colonial Office.”— Christchurch "Sun.”

The Government is making a strenuous attempt to induce motorists to observe "reat care at railway crossings, and *’’< obvious response by motorists to this should be cordial and energetic cooperation. For the rest, and in regard to motor traffic generally, local bodies should be given greater powers to regulate it, as suggested above.—Napier “Daily Telegraph.”

The suggested solution of the problem of representation of the various parts of the Empire at international conferences, practically follows the same lines as those on which the signing of treaties are based, but the details of the development of a system of personal contact between London and the capitals of the Dominions, supplementing, and not replacing, the present system of inter-communica-tion, were wisely left for a joint or several settlement. It is most satisfactory to learn that, not only was the Locarno Treaty approved, but the Home Government congratulated on the success achieved.—“Taranaki Daily News.”

No movement in these days fills a better purpose than one which exists to enlarge the intellectual interests—in the best sense to enrich the lives—of workers in town and country, and which, by bringing all classes together, helps them to understand one another. The association should be helped, and not discouraged, by all who have this country’s welfare at heart.—Dunedin “Evening Star.”

While it is peculiarly in the interest of the Empire that migration from the Old Country to Canada should be encouraged, there is none of the over•seas Dominions, with the exception of Newfoundland, which does not offer opportunities to migrants that are superior to those that would be within their reach if they remained at Home. For it is for the benefit of the migrant himself, as well as for the benefit of the Empire, that, he should be induced to transport himself and his family to the greater Britain. Any objections that are raised against the policy of the redistribution of the white population of the Empire are founded only in selfishness and blind prejudice.—“Otago Daily Times.”

Only when New Zealand is exporting mineral wealth, together with the produce of her pastoral and agricultural industries, will she be proof against the fluctuations of her foreign markets. Her politicians, her financi ers, her commercial magnates, her Press, her retailers, her farmers, and her townsfolk should all combine in a united effort to develop her mineral resources, since bv so doing they will be contributing to the prosperity of themselves and of their descendants —Nelson "Evening Mail.”

In an effort to meet the heightened demands of education in these days there has been a tendency to crowd and overload the primary syllabus Change was essential, but it has proceeded too frequently on the principle of simple addition It will be for the committee to find wavs of making the svllabus less like an arithmetical sum and more akin to a vital process —"New Zealand Herald.”

Burdened as it is with war and development debts, this country is badlv placed to endure the effects of an industrial upheaval on a serious scale These effects undoubtedly would include conditions of trade and industrial depression which would be felt heavily by all sections of the population,— “Wairarapa Aage.”