ECHOES of the WEEK

Dominion, Volume 23, Issue 80, 28 December 1929, Page 17

ECHOES of the WEEK

PRESS OPINIONS ON :: NEW ZEALAND TOPICS

The idea that the farmer should be trained iu agriculture, and little or nothing else, is part of the stupidity of the purely vocational conception of education. It might just as ■well be contended that the plumber should learn nothing but plumbing and the bootmaker nothing but bootmaking. Farmers need a full training of mind and character for their battle, and the relative isolation of their lives makes it especially important that'they-should have been taught to employ their leisure wisely. The headmaster of Christ’s College makes a similar plea for an all-round foundational education for the farmer. More benefit would be derived from learning one basic scientific subject like chemistry really well than by cramming any amount of information, undigested and half-understood, on the subjects of soils. But, while it is possible to do more to interest the boy in the land, it is in the main true that, as Mr. Crosse says, the chief obstacle to boys going on the land is economic. For most boys the prospects seem unpromising, and no amount of educational “bias” will overcome such reluctance. —“Auckland Star/’

The latest Economic Bulletin issued by the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce predicts that the present trade revival will not last long; and in doing so it makes interesting references to some of the causes that have created it and to those which are expected to counteract it. Possibly temperament plays a much greater-part than most business men would care to admit in determining their outlook and therefore their decisions; and this, no doubt, is why the authors of the Bulletin include a warning within a warning, and, referring to the cumulative increases of confidence and activity during a revival, add that “revivals in business are apt to over-reach themselves and lead to unpleasant consequences.” But the facts here and the broad deductions from them are so plain that they cannot be noticed at all without their haying some effect. It is well pointed out, in the last paragraph, that prosperity has been stimulated by “expedients essentially temporary immature.” It will be impossible to go on distributing State advances on a liberal scale when borrowing is difficult and more expensive; and the “measures adopted to meet the unemployment problem ’’are subject to the same contraction —they can be continued and they can stimulate purchasing power “only so long as the money lasts.” —Christchurch “Press.”

As the years roll on increased appreciation may be expected of the valuable records of New Zealand’s pioneer days that are contained in the Dunedin Free Public Library, the Hocken collection, and the Early Settlers’ Museum. Much, unfortunately, has been lost, which was inevitable in the circumstances, but, thanks to the enthusiasm of a few energetic men and associations, a large amount of valuable material has been preserved. What has been accomplished has been due largely to individual effort, but now we see throughout the Empire and the United States co-ordinated action in matters pertaining to history, archeology, and research generally. We are developing our historical sense, and each year eager students are to be observed studying the material in the collections available to the public. It is by a happy chance that so much has been preserved, and it would repay our local Historical Association to direct some of its discussions to the question of co-ordinated effort in preserving historical records. —Dunedin “Star.”

A very pretty Christmas message has been sent out to the.people of New Zealand by the Murchison community, who suffered so heavily during the earthquake period. Their Christmas greeting and thanks for the splendid manner in which New Zealand subscribed to the relief funds touches feelingly on the fact that the silver lining that began to show in their clouds gave them heart to face their difficulties with renewed hope. “We realise,” they say, “that with so many of you standing by us we could" approach the difficult task of reconstruction with courage and confidence.” There is indeed something encouraging in the knowledge that help is standing by, but even more admirable than the response of New Zealand in. this emergency was the courage and fortitude of the people in the earthquake region, and the Dominion will always be very proud of their example. —Christchurch “Star;.”

Mr. Holland has in the past year been content to be an unofficial ally of the Government, supporting it on every critical occasion for no other object than to keep the Reform Party out, and in the light of the result at Hutt it is doubtful" if these lurve been good tactics. It may tend to confuse the public; to cloud the line of cleavage, whatever it is,' between the present elements of Liberal and Labour. Mr. Nash, at any rate, polled 1000 fewer votes than he did twelve months ago. ‘There is no doubt that Parliament has gained a very able and conscientious member. Labour’s strength in the House is now raised to 20, and the Governments nominal following is reduced to 25. To this number, however, it is safe to add those .remarkable independents, Messrs. Atmore and Hogan — one of them a Minister of the Crown. Even so, Reform is still the strongest of the three parties.—Auckland “Sun.”

Not one London newspaper, not even “The Times” with its wonderful world service, supplies its readers with a more comprehensive daily summary than that received through the Press Association in the Dominion. The internal news service too, has always been far better than would have been possible under any other arrangement, because every one of the newspapers in the association is itself an agent and a correspondent for the association, and a similar service organised by individual newspapers would have been virtually impossible and immensely expensive. It is interesting to record that for the last forty-three years the whole organisation has been directly managed and supervised by one man, and a Canterbury man at that, because in 1886 Mr. W. 11. Atack, who had been sub-editor of the “Lyttelton Times.” was appointed manager, and he is still in control of the business.—“ Christchurch Times.”

The actual effect of the arrangements announced fry the Prime Minister is that the service previously maintained by the Manuka will be continued by the Maheno, which, with her additional capacity, is expected to "fully provide” for passenger and cargo requirements. The substitution would _ presumably have been made by the Union Company without any prompting by the Government, unless the value of the traffic is so small that the loss of the Manuka would have been an excuse for withdrawing from the route entirely. The Government is not likely to adopt that alternative as a defence for its actions, since it originally argued that the service required two steamers superior to the Manuka running all the year round and finally agreed to the Manuka plus the Maheno for seven months. But what the Prime Minister has not explained is whether the amount of the subsidy is to be adjusted to the new arrangement. If £36,000 was a proper subsidy to pay for the running of the Maheno for seven months, a very small sum would be sufficient recompense tor the minor improvement represented by the substitution of the Manuka by the Maheno.—“New Zealand Herald.”

The praise that has been bestowed on the luckless captain of the battered ship and his men by the passengers will be echoed everywhere throughout British communities. Disaster did not shake courage in the hour of fateful adversity, and the coolness in command and in the practice of traditional discipline sustained the passengers in dire circumstances. And observers everywhere also will note with proud gratitude the quid: kindness and comforting hospitality of the people in the South Clutha district. Au American passenger on the Manuka has paid a great tribute to a kindly folk, and his reference to the ship’s master and crew is complete: "God bless British seamanship.”—Christchurch “Sun.”

The Prime Minister’s statement on the subject of the South Island—Australian Service indicates that the arrangement concluded by the Government in August last' whereby, at “a fairly substantial cost,” a regular service between Melbourne and the principal South Island ports was to be maintained by two steamers during the summer months, at intervals of eight or ten days, and one steamer during the winter, has already been shattered. In its stead a twenty-one days’ servic< is to be inaugurated by one steamer, the Maheno. at the end of next month, and a cargo steamer is to be substituted for the Maheno during such time as that vessel is withdrawn for overhaul. This arrangement is, it seems, to be observed for twelve months. Sir Joseph Ward has expressed the hope that the new time-table will satisfy South Island interests. Whatever he may hope, he can hardly have imagined that it will do anything of the kind. Since South Island interests were really by no means fully satisfied with the arrangement secured by the Government for a two years’ contract for an eight or ten days’ service by two steamers, it. is wholly unreasonable to expect that they should be satisfied with the prospect of a twenty-one day service by one steamer for one year.— "Otago Daily Times.”

Boys may have the makings of sue- 3 cessful farmers, but in the first place they require the opportunity to learn whether they' are suited to the work, and whether the work is likely to make a permanent appeal to them. To this end, it is desirable that the boys should have first-hand experience, and a week or so on a farm, although short, would be to better purpose than any quantity of talk. The Canterbury Rural Vocational League appreciates this, and the camp that has been arranged by the league for Christchurch boys is the first practical step that has been taken. This opportunity will enable a few perhaps to decide whether they have a natural “agricultural bias.”—Christchurch “Sun.”

If the reduction in the value of imports recorded last month can be taken to indicate that importers are watching the position carefully, determined to avoid even the rjsk of a repetition of the depression of two or three years ago—in so far as it was due to overimportation — then the most effective means will have been taken to counter the economic effects that must follow any reduction in the value of our exports. If the national income should be reduced then the adjustments necessary to enable us to live within the restricted limits must be made. The present trend of prices, if continued, would result, Professor Tocker has stated, in an unfavourable balance before another year passes, and experience has shown that the course that ensures stability is to keep our purchases abroad within closer limits, and to make ever greater efforts to increase production locally. These things are within our power, whereas the control of overseas markets is not, and forethought should result in a measure of stability in which steady development is possible.’— “Christchurch “Times.”

It is encouraging to find Canterbury sheepfarmers taking a leading part in the movement to establish a. fund for the advertising of their product, wool, and for the conduct of research; but neither this fact nor the remark in the address referred to, that wool-growers must “strive to effect economies and . increase production by means of fertilisers,” should lead anybody to imagine that sheepffarming has fallen on evil days through want of economy and through inattention to method. Nothing is easier than for the inexpert to urge economy and scientific methods upon those who practice both. There are few Canterbury sheepfarms where farm economy and pastoral science are not closely studied; they have to be. Even so, many men are carrying on at a loss, and many others for the scantiest reward. But according to the fantastic theory of the Budget, they belong to the class which can best stand extra taxation, and ought to stand it.—Christchurch “Press.”