ECHOES of the WEEK

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 210, 1 June 1929, Page 19

ECHOES of the WEEK

PRESS OPINIONS ON :: NEW ZEALAND TOPICS

There has lately been evidence of a new movement, arising within the Maori people, to expedite the process of development with a view to helping the members of the race to beccome more in harmony with modern life and methods. The Young Maori Party is busying itself in that direction. Sir Apirana Ngata has long been an eloquent advocate of the movement. Tjje new bishop is using the weight of his influence in its favour. This lingering reluctance to accept the health services open to the Maori as to the European is one of the retrogressive forces that should be singled out for early attack. It can be conquered only by education. The instruction must come from Maoris themselves to be fully effective. . The organisation already created to aid the Maori in every possible'way could do no more useful work at the outset than that of preaching a gospel of health and of inducing the Maori to make the way easier, instead of more difficult, to those who would help him in sickness. —Auckland “Herald.”

Mr. Atmore's educational i scheme provides for an experimental period between the ages of eleven and fifteen years, after which secondary education proper will begin. Whatever the merits of this plan may be, the immediate practlcaly consideration is its cost. If Mr. Atmore knows where the money is coining from, he has some justification for toying with, these luxurious proposals. But if the recent speeches of the Prime Minister really indicate that expenditure is going to be 'cut down, then it is Mr. Atmore’s duty to find out what improvements can be made with the vote he already has. Mr. Wright saw as clearly as Mr. Atmore does that there is much overcrowding in primary schools, but for want of money he could do nothing to remedy the situation. If Mr. Atmore is in a position to set matters right everyone will be glad to hear it —Christchurch “Press.”

It is not easy to point to anything of greater importance to New Zealand at present than the development of its manufacturing industries; and they can be developed as fast and as far as they should be only if the principle of “New Zealand first” is conscientiously observed whenever it can be. There are few occasions when it cannot be. It is particularly important that the Government and public bodies recognise this, because, of course, their actions are taken in the public eye and cannot fall to be influential. Consciously or unconsciously, the public cannot help feeling that it is no very imperative duty which calls on them to support the industries of their own country, when their leaders and representatives treat it so lightly. ' And they treat it lightly themselves. Let the State, let public bodies, let the individual make no mistake, New Zealand must lean more and more heavily on its manufacturing industries in future, and it is everybody’s business to see that the staff is strengthened.-—-“ The Sun,” Christchurch.

Without stating details of their policy, the combined millers have announced that all the mills their interests represent will be kept working. Whether this means at full strength or with only skeleton crews is a different matter. The King Country milling towns have suffered enough through the slump in timber to justify the fervent hope that no further curtailments will be necessary. On the other hand, the combined strength of the millers should now enable them to embark on a vigorous export policy, as well as a local campaign to popularise New Zealand timber. Experience in big organisations overseas has shown that from all points of view the sinister atmosphere often associated with trusts and cartels isunwarranted. The effective and economical methods thus achieved have paved the way for some of America’s greatest industrial successes. In a smaller way, this hew move may do the same "for New Zealand timber.—Auckland “Sun.”

There is in the visits of . farmers to different parts of the country opportunity for better understanding of the particular problems that confront the various sections of farmers, geographically far removed from one another, whether pastoralists, dairy farmers, or agriculturists. Misunderstandings and biased conceptions unfortunately do exist, and these can be more effectively removed by friendly meeting than by any other means. It is personal contact that counts for most in matters of this kind and that gives clearer insight into the difficulties that others are struggling against. In addition, a personal exchange of views should enable those engaged in one branch of farming to assess more accurately the part played by others in the general welfare of a national industry. Then, again, the social aspect of these visits plays an important part in promoting good feeling between the districts..and the proverbial hospitality of the farming community will be extended so generously to the southern visitors while on their tour through the North Island that it, also, will do much towards promoting good-will 'and co-operation among those engaged in the Dominion’s most important industry.—“Lyttelton Times.”

Mr. Atmore wishes to use the education system as a remedy for the unemployment. and his aim is to send more boys on the land, but they will not remain there unless the conditions and the prospects are better than they have leen in the past. He might, however, >ase the position if he took steps to enmre that the number of boys and girls eaving school and seeking employment sach year was curtailed. We are lurrying the children through school 100 rapidly, and by this process we are tdding a big quota to the unemploytbles each year. At the same time we are putting these juveniles to a severe strain, because when they fail to obtain jobs they are subjected to» those temptations which come to idle hands, and the country loses more than it would do if it kept them longer at their studies,—“Southland Times.”

The drift to the towns began in New Zealand—if statistics are to be trusted —in the year that Sir Joseph Ward first became Prime Minister, and has gone on at an increasing rate ever since. Any attempt to find a political cause for such a population movement is obviously absurd, and it is certain that no immediate political remedy will be found. Yet we have the Prime Minister announcing that “the only way of providing against this congestion in the cities is by land settlement” and then reading a telegram stating that his Government has just purchased eight estates for subdivision into twenty odd farms. /Not eight or eighty, or eight hundred subdivided estates will make any real difference to the urban drift. If farming is to be made more attractive, then working costs must be reduced, the legislation that protects part of the population at the expense of the farmers must be annulled, and a feeling of security must be developed among the primary producers.—“ The Press,” Christchurch.

All clear-eyed definitions of education envisage it as a preparation for life, not merely as a means of getting a livelihood nor merely as a means of t selfish and mendicant enjoyment. As a general rule, the broader the educational basis in early life, the higher and more serviceable the vocational efficiency afterward attained. To shape the ground plan of the structure on lines ensuring the maximum -height consistent with stability, is the educatjpnal problem. Its solving depends, as Mr. Strong’s words suggest, on keeping all education, even primary education, in close touch with actual life—the “cloistered” school entails much unlearning later—and yet on giving so broadly cultural a preparation that the aft of living, which is much more than the earning of a living, can be mastered. To turn out fine human beings, with a capacity for intellectual happiness and good citizenship, is better than to produce soulless artisans or professional workers, however adept. Mr. Strong’s plea for “the cultural side” is well worth heeding.—New Zealand “Herald.” i

Girls, having tasted the freedom of what their mothers used to call economic independence, are not likely to return to what they themselves call domestic drudgery. On the other hand, the young men nowadays are apparently not domestically inclined, and they show an increasing tendency to delay the very Important duty of seeking a wife. We are afraid that Dr. Neale’s solution would not work. The best hope for an early solution of the unemployed problem lies, indeed, with the statisticians and not with the economists, for the men of figures tell us that during the next few years there will be a pronounced shortage of young people coming on to the labour market, and consequently the general position will automatically right itself. —Christchurch “Star.” That the kea does destroy sheep there is little doubt, but the doubt has arisen whether the extent of its depredations of this ,kind has not been exaggerated, with an unfair blackening of its reputation. The question is whether, for 1 the protection of sheep against the habits established against the kea in certain districts, the indiscriminate slaughter of the bird is necessary—whether the kea is a migratory bird, and whether it is, in all circumstances, a menace to the flocks. The evidence against the kea is distinctly weak as a warrant for marking the bird down for destruction wherever it is found, even if there are no flocks within a hundred miles of it. There is a good deal in the suggestion that the position would be met by leaving it to the sheep-owners to deal with the kea where they find it attacking, or suspect it of attacking, their sheep and lambs. The kea is one of our attractive native birds, and it is rather deplorable to think that the Government should be actively encouraging the extermination of ’it even in districts where it can apparently do no possible harm. —“Otago Daily Times.”

The conception of installing the Wellington carillon was a beautiful one, as any one will know who has heard, on some still frosty night, the carillon in some old Belgian city burst into lovely melody. Wellington is to be congratulated upon choosing so tuneful ami happy a way of remembering her gallant dead. —Nelson “Mail.”

If the Railways Department can find it practicable to continue the running of farmers’ trains it will be doing a good service to the Dominion generally. The basic objective, so far as the Department is concerned, is the popularising of the railways, but other good effects follow. The provision of cheap fares and facilities for large parties of relatives and neighbours travelling together is made at a time of the year which suits the farming community. It enables country people to renew acquaintance and establish contact with other parts of the Dominion under conditions which ensure the maximum amount of enjoyment being extracted from the trip. The interchange of ideas between North and .South Island farmers and the first-hand knowledge gained of each other’s working advantages and disadvantages cannot help but result in a spread-of knowledge of value, to both sections and to the country generally.—Hawera “Star.”

The Leader of the Labour Party regards himself as the king-maker—the Leader of the party which can make or un-make the present Administration. Perhaps Mr. Davey fancies he can ignore . Mr. Holland and trust to the Reform Party not to upset the United Party’s apple-cart. But it may be said quite frankly that everything depends on Sir-Joseph Ward, since the House and the country is prepared to give him a fair chance to “get things done,” and the United Party’s tenure of office will be determined not by the strength of its battalions, but on the sagacity of its leadership and the reasonableness of its attitude towards its political opponents.—Timaru ".Herald,”