NOTES OF THE DAY

Dominion, Volume 23, Issue 33, 2 November 1929, Page 10

NOTES OF THE DAY

Meteorological reports for the farming community, broadcast by radio from Wellington, ought to be fully appreciated by the men on the land. Meteorological data, compiled from the most isolated sources, is rapidly becoming an exact science. The efficiency of the work of the observers on this arduous work has already been placed on a high mark. Meteorology is essentially a study for the man of observant habits of mind, whether he may be himself a meteorologist, or a simple private citizen. It is peculiarly a cosmopolitan—an international kind—service, yet the London Daily Mail thinks it can be done. One may hope that it may be done. * * * * Many conflicts of opinion no doubt will occur between the rriotorists and the rest of the community before general recognition is given to the fact that ancient laws, rights, and privileges may be too tight-fitting for new forms of transport. . Similar controversies await the airmen. According to the solicitor to the Municipal Association (Mr. J. O’Shea), “motorists ’seem to think that they have a right to park their cars in the streets of the City, and particularly in streets not much used for traffic. In my opinion there is no such right.” Official authority will not solve what is. becoming a very pressing problem by laying it down that the motorist has no rights. Changing circumstances have a way of putting new faces on old questions. Under the conditions of modern transport certain ancient rights could not possibly survive, while the admittance of new ones should not, in justice, be denied. What is required is a reorientation of the public mind in this matter of traffic control. At the rate at which motorists are increasing in this country that should not be very long in developing. ♦ ♦ ♦ * After all the heroics on election platforms about the high price of bread in New Zealand, the report of the Wheat and Flour Committee is a very tame document. Nor, apart from words, was the performance of the House any more impressive. It would be interesting to have a return of members —particularly United and Independent members —who at election time promised to do all sorts of things about the wheat and flour duties and who yesterday accomplished nothing at all. The much-abused and fiercely-attacked sliding scale of duties on wheat and flour, introduced by Mr. Downie Stewart in 1927, has been reaffirmed. The only alleviation proposed is that bran and pollard should be admitted free. Very properly this will benefit the farmer and the struggling poultry-keeper, but the general public gains not at all. As a matter of fact, very little was or could be expected from the Committee as constituted At the same time there will be disappointment at its findings among those people who believe, and with cause, that New Zealand pays too much for its wheat, flour, and bread. Moreover, it does not seem fair that the Committee, after letting off the wheat-grower and miller, should pick on the baker. Admittedly the price of bread in New Zealand is too high, but the wheat-farmer andr'-Jller are as much responsible as. the baker, or more so.