ECHOES of the WEEK

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 100, 22 January 1927, Page 17

ECHOES of the WEEK

PRESS OPINIONS ON :: NEW ZEALAND TOPICS

Thq points to which those who are Concerned in the fruit industry must direct their attention are to improve the export trade and to stimulate consumptiou in New Zealand. If we are to get a firm hold on the English market apples of the highest class of a limited number of varieties must be sent, and the closest attention given to grading, packing, storing, refrigeration, and carriage, so that the fruit shall arrive at the other end in the best condition. Strong American competition will have to be faced, and this Dominion can only cope successfully with the situation by the exercise of care ill the details mentioned In the local markets any plan which would have the effect of reducing the margin between the producer and the consumer would have its reaction in a greatly expanded trade. —Dunedin •■Star'.”

It seems almost too good to be true that Christchurch by the cud of IJ-7 will be bare of telephone poles consetiueiit on the change over to the underground mains with the automatic system. Certainly this would be a donsummation devoutly to be wished, telegraph, telephone, and electric light poles do more to disfigure Christchurch than all the other unbeautifying agencies put together. They are greatly beloved of what Mr. St. John Ervine has just described as ‘‘the energetic tasteless man,” who is forever planning some new utilitarian eyesore—it may be a telephone box, a band rotunda, a public lavatory, or a line of poles in a beautiful street.—Christchurch "Sun.”

There must be a tapering off of borrowing, production must be increased on farm and in factory and shop, otherwise -wages must come down. The “goslow”’policy must be abandoned, and every man must give of his best and np to full capacity. There will be noneed for reduction in wages if production is increased. Without an output of plentv, plenty cannot be enjoyed. The total ’ production apparently changed last year, and as the award wages are above the economic rate fewer people could remain in employment to get it.—Wanganui “Herald.”

The country has been over-importing, end the. prices of exports has affected the local How of wealth. Imports have already begun to shrink, and we may expect a further. shrinkage as the banks curtail advances. Fortunately there is an upward tendency in export prices, and altogether the outlook may not be so serious as it appears from these returns. The figures, however, are a warning against extravagance in every form and a call to economy and prudence.—Auckland “Star.”

It is worth considering whether those Who can speak for the farming-com-munity should not ask the Government to fix an export bounty on all primary products. This would not help the farmers in respect of their wheat—which could be dealt with separately by means of a bonus on production, such as Mr. George Gould originally suggested—but most wheat-growers produce lamb and mutton and wool and butter-fat. Such a bountv would provide for the primary producers a protection similar in effect to the high tariff that . protects our secondary- industries. —Christchurch “Press.”

Tlie average citizen feeling aggrieved over a personal experience of the manners of. voting men in a Government office ■ might well hesitate to involve himself in the interminable and unsatisfactory business of a .formal complaint. But when the rebuke to those against whom it is directed comes from such a source ns the Public Service Journal itself, the circumstances may be accepted as an encouraging sign. “Alanners makyth man” may yet become the motto of the Public Service of the Ifom inion.—"Otago Daily Times.”

There is no doubt that the best form of advertising is satisfaction, and the more people who come here and return Home giving glowing accounts, as thev do, of the advantages and beauty of the Dominion, the better it will be for the Dominion in the long run. The other essential is a thorough exploitation of the tourist traffic. The suggestion of the New Zealand Tourist League for the appointment of a trained staff to look after publicity matters is one worthy of more than serious consideration.—Christchurch "Star.”

'Obviously Australia, or any other Dominion, is not likely to allow itself to be made the dumping ground for the least employable of Britain’s citizens, even if the latter were willing to become the subjects of such an experiment, which is exceedingly < improbable. To leave cx-slum innabitants in a new country "to their own resources” would simply result in their drifting into the .towns to create similar problems to those thev left behind. While there are no short cuts of this nature possible in evolving a successful emigration policy in Great Britain, there is no doubt that, wisely directed, a bold policy is feasible, and that it would be of inestimable benefit to the Dominions as well as to the Motherland.—“Taranaki Daily News.’

The wider aspect of making the country independent of outside supplies for the provision of essential foodstuffs is overlooked. It may be a difficult task which the Government has set the farmers in this. made,, but a year ago the commercial interests were aware of the danger of dumping tactics, and passed the recommendation recorded above. An effort should be made to secure tneir co-operation again If it did nothing else, it might convince the Government that the weight of opinion behind the demand for action was such that continued inaction would be politically inexpedient. — Lyttelton "Tinies.”

It has been strongly emphasised of late that in the Crown the far-flung peonies of the Empire find the tie that binds them all together as members of a great family of natters. Ihe visitors, members of the P.oval Household. wid come as person symbols of the tj’own New Zealanders will greet them with nil the lovaltv that is the Dominion s finest tradition.—Wanganui “Chronicle.

Some of the care devoted to the grading and the attractive preparation ■ of fruit to go abroad might well prove profitable if devoted to that part of the output meant for local consumption. If, as is often said, the growers feel they do not receive enough, and. the public pays too much, for the fruit they produce, they might be able to rectify that position. With this and a more extensive propaganda for ,the popularising of fruit as a staple in diet, they might improve their position in their best market. It need not meanabandoning their efforts to foster overseas trade, but the home market could with advantage receive a greater share of their solicitude.—“ New Zealand Herald.”

Economic conditions, although unfavourable, are by no means disquieting. Nevertheless, the utmost care should be exercised in regard to importations in view of the all-too-patent economic fact that easy financial conditions are impossible while an adverse balance of trade hampers economic movements in the Dominion. —Timaru “Herald.”

If we would reserve the South Pacific for the English, and the aboriginals who wrre first in possession, the door of opportunity must be open to the reasonable requirements of other peoples of our own race and blood. The rapid progress of the Dominion seems to depend upoq the abrogation of all superficial jealousies, which would, if indulged, in, prevent healthy inter-penetration. The well springs of national life in New Zealand will be resilient, in proportion to the selfishness of the people and tneir preparedness, and adaptability, to share, in full measure, the burdens of others.—“Poverty Bay Herald.”

" Probably no portion of the Empire, no Empire people, arc more loyal or more truly British, but for that very reason probably none within the Empire feel more intensely .that they ought to share the responsibility for decision as well as the obligation of carrying out Imperial resolutions. Probably, aiso; they feel more strongly than any other colonial people the possible danger that might arise from too rigid .* constitution," too circumscribed or too legal a definition of rights and obligations. Perhaps what other people might regard as a right, New Zealanders have been wont to regard as a privilege, and they naturally value a privilege far more highly than they would a right.—“Lyttelton Times.”

Tourists who could bring more than money are worth attracting. Closer contact with a world holding more than this Dominion can would be a gain more precious than gold. All these things are possible if a proper policy were formed, if statesmanship were bent to the task of painting adequately the charms of New Zealand, and then caring properly for the comfort and happiness of those hired here by such means. Full success can never be gained until there is a real tourist policy.—“ New Zealand Herald.’

With closer settlement, meaning nearer neighbours and better conveniences, country life would present greater attractions to women and young people and so check the deplorable drift to the cities which is sadly hampering the real progress and development of the Dominion.—“Taranaki Herald.”

The trading and industrial fortunes of this country and the Empire are in some respects at least in better shape than they were during a great part of 1926. We are faced in New Zealand ny some perplexing problems in providing for the further development of our primary industries, and in approaching a fair' economic adjustment as between those engaged in these industries and other sections of the community. It is clear that much time and effort must go to the solution of these problems.— "Wairarapa Age.”

Although there is nothing alarming in the present financial state of the Dominion, the time has arrived when there should be a determined effort made to reduce imports and restrict advances as far as can reasonably be done. There is ample room for reforms that will lead to "cutting the coat according to the cloth.” It is probable that the commercial communiy, as well as the primary producers ami others, are well aware of the need for oyercoming the present tendencies. The remedy is largely in the hands of the banks, for thev 'find a great proportion of the money" for financing imports.— "Taranaki News.”

A proposal endorsed by the Australian Teachers’ l-'ederation for an educational conference to be held under the auspices of the League of Nations should find hearty support in New Zealand. Conferences in themselves often leave much to lie desired, but if th.: Dominion representatives were of hign educational standing the long-delayed comparison with other systems could be made, and our own system compelled to stand a searching test of whether it is best serving the needs of the Dominion. To stress the important place education occupies in our national welfare is to emphasise a commonplace, and neither temerity nor parsimony should be allowed to stand in the way of a convincing proof that our system is the best that can be devised.—“Lyttelton Times.”

It would be lamentable if the post of Governor-General became a meie sinecure for needy placemen, or an amusing occupation to satisfy the ennui of aristocratic mediocrity. This shou d not happen. There is still left ample scope, within which the highest faculties of the ablest men, can find the fullest expression, as Governors-Gen-eral of Canada. Australia, New Zcaland.and Africa. The Dominions must rapidlv fill up with the verv best of the British race*. The Govenioi-’General mav be much more than the shadow of the' King. He. can follow his example. Without' obtrusion he can be a tower of strength to the people and a bond of union within the Empire. "Poverty Bav Herald.”

The problem of apprenticeship would solve itself on proper lines if the development of manufacturing industries were speeded up. Farmers, as a want bovs to milk cows and do odd jobs, but onlv a few of them go far out of their wav to make good farmers of the lads.—Christchurch "Sun.”