NOTES OF THE DAY

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 131, 27 February 1929, Page 10

NOTES OF THE DAY

Possibly the fact that the Labour-Socialist Party did not meet with the expected measure of success at the recent general elections here may account dor the reported dissatisfaction with Mr. Holland’s leadership. It can safely be assumed, however, that Mr. Holland has the confidence of the majority of his. followers and is likely to continue to hold it. While this is the case a large body of labour opinion certainly is opposed to the stupid extremes of talk indulged in by the militarist section of the party’s mouthpieces. That this moderate element would welcome a more sane and practical policy and programme goes without saying. It is interesting to note that the three members whose names have been associated with the proposed movement towards moderation all represent country interests. No doubt this -assisted to the story gaining credence for the country constituencies are the least susceptible to the extravagant appeals of . the class-conscious preachers of the social revolution. *** ■ ♦ !A point worth noting is the remarks of the Minister of Public Works on the question of a land settlement policy was his reference to the demand for the bursting-tip of large estates. It has been a popular catch-cry at times, and has been used indiscriminately and with little regard for practical results. . Mr. Ransom, with a firsthand knowledge of farming conditions, intimated that the imposition of the graduated land tax to burst up large estates did not appeal to hiip as a sound policy, .and he gave his reasons. To those familiar with the position, the Minister’s remarks will occasion little surprise. A very large proportion of the land held in large holdings is unsuitable for subdivision into small farms, and can be more economically worked in larger areas. It is rather startling, however, to learn • that in some cases, where such subdivisions have taken place, it has cost the Government as much as f 12,000 to put one settler on the land. For the same money ten or twelve settlers, it is estimated, could be placed on the land available in the Rotorua-Taupo country now under consideration. * ' sk * *

With unexpected abruptness, Byrd’s ship, the City of New York, has had to escape from the rapidly-encroaching ice, significant of the end of the long Antarctic day, and seek safety in the open sea. The expedition is now ashore, destined to remain there until December next, with no link but the radio between them and the outer world. They had hoped for at. least another week of open water for the arrival and final discharge of the supply ship Eleanor Bolling, but the temperature has dropped much earlier than is usual in these latitudes. The first phase of what may be the greatest Polar achievement in history is ended. During the second. Byrd must consolidate his position, organise his resources, and perfect his plans for the dawn of the next Antarctic Day. The old-style “dash for the Pole” has gone. It is no'longer a one-man job, but an attack by organised forces working on a general staff scheme.

It is not improbable that the remarkable evacuation of Kabul has put the aeroplane to tests more severe and just as dangerous as any preceding long-distance flight, not excluding the recent‘transocean flights themselves. Given the money almost anybody can have a single aeroplane tuned-up to concert-pitch anywhere at any time. . It is, however, a very different matter, requiring marvellous organisation, to keep a whole aerial transport system in the air at short notice for weeks on end. Particularly under conditions which would have been • considered not so very long ago as suicidal. Undoubtedly to-day the aeroplane has come into its own as the economical rescuer of diplomatists and civilians on the fringes of Empire.. The mere fact that nearly 600 persons have been transported in mid-winter over mountain ranges 10,000 feet high is a tribute not only to. the Air Force itself, but to the foresight of the men who made it possible to have the aeroplanes ready in the right place at the right moment.

An important point in connection with Imperial migration appears to have been missed by the London Daily Express in an editorial complaint that this difficult question has been bungled by the British and Dominion Governments. The Express states that the Dominions are coming to suspect migration from Britain as an attempt to shift the burden of unemployment on their* shoulders. So far as this country is concerned, our readiness to admit assisted immigrants is limited entirely by our capacity to absorb new population. There has never been any suggestion on the part of the Imperial Government that we should overstep that limit. In view of our own unemployment problems we have found it necessary to restrict the flow of assisted immigrants. The restriction will no doubt be removed as soon as the economic situation permits. Imperial migration is . a practical question, not a sentimental one. People who argue that the wide open spaces of Australia or Canada ought to be settled by. the British unemployed evidently do not appreciate the fact that these vast spaces must be organised for settlement, a slow process, otherwise the last state of the 'uneniDlojfed may be worse, than the jflrsL "