NOTES OF THE DAY

Dominion, Volume 23, Issue 220, 13 June 1930, Page 8

NOTES OF THE DAY

Better than a dozen exhortations to buy New Zealand-made goods is the example set by the Governor-General in wearing clothes manufactured in the Dominion, “even to boots and tie. Her Excellency is also wearing a woollen frock made in New Zealand from New Zealand materials. Their Excellencies have a practical purpose m giving such a lead. If their example is generally followed, the public will- do a great deal to provide more work in our industries and so reduce the incidence of unemployment. They will also help themselves, not only by buying a good article made of the best materials, but also by contributing to the general prosperity of the Dominion. Lord Bledisloe has not stopped at giving lip service to the motto to “buy New Zealand-made” and it is for the rest of us to go now and do likewise.

Great interest will be taken in the unfolding of the plans of the ' Minister of Lands to settle idle acres. The opinion is widespread that New Zealand can expect mtich from the development of these unproductive areas. Mr. Ransom reckons them at ‘ millions of acres and he believes that ultimately these Crown lands can be made available for selection in small areas. Certainly that is a good beginning Faith is the moving force in getting things done, and if Mr. Ransom can animate his department with his own enthusiasm, there is hope that his faith will be translated into farms. The. difficulty all along has been to secure the active and vigorous administration that the task demands. The Minister may be able to supply that and he possesses already all the legislative machinery he requires., as well as the goodwill of the country in what he will try, to do. His scheme for applying the method of group settlement- is promising. If the Maoris have made a success of it,, the pakeha should be able to do ,as well. Above all, the country will approve the emphasis laid on the settlement of idle lands rather than State purchase of improved properties.

For centuries the ingenuity of man has been applied to the problem of making rain fall when it is sorely needed for the replenishment of the parched earth. Gun-fire has been the favourite method,, but' droughts have successfully defied the artillery salvoes.. To-day it is recorded that a squad of aeroplanes by dropping crushed ice on a cloudbank, have caused rain to fall. The method chimes with the princip.e ‘■'of physics that rain follows on lowering of the temperature. If the experiment of dropping crushed ice can be applied practically anti economically, it may be that one of the worst problems in the national economy of such drought-afflicted regions as Australia will in future be effectively dealt with. Then it may occur to some inventive genius to turn His thoughts to the problem of making the rain stop when the people have had enough, or too much of it.

Mr. Julian B. Foster, the American Trade Commissioner, propounded in an address to the Wellington Advertising Club on Wednesday a maxim of citizenship worth reflecting upon. “The value of intelligent advertising,” he said, “is recognised in industry, and to some extent a city must be regarded as an industry in which citizens are shareholders deeply interested in its prosperity.’’ Wellington people are apt to hide their light under a bushel. Theirs is a beautiful city, and so richly endowed by the configuration of its landscape, its magnificent harbour, and bracing climate, that its attractions can be mu« tipiied by taking thought and concerted action. Further, it has supreme commercial advantages. Its motto, “Suprema a situ,” is no idle boast. Much already has been done by the art of man to enhance its beauties, buwt the habitual modesty of the citizens has kept other people uninformed of the scenic attractions and other pleasures the city can offer for the delectation of visitors. What is really wanted- is a lead in breaking down this habit of civic reserve. The Wellington Advertising Club, declares the President (Mr. Appleton), now proposes to initiate a movement to make the city’s advantages better known. As Mr. Appleton quite rightly says, it is a sound business proposition, and it is encouraging to note that the commercial community has already made a responsive gesture to the lead given by the Club.