DOMINION TOPICS

Dominion, Volume 25, Issue 172, 16 April 1932, Page 18

DOMINION TOPICS

The “Self-Sacrificing” Politician. There are two things wc do not find politicians prepared to do. They are not ready to inflict more hardships on themselves than they must bear in common with the rest of the community; and they are not anxious to pay with their political lives for stern courses they prescribe as physicians. As regards the first limitation, their position is the same as that of school masters, who contend that members of their calling who, as servants of the State, arc required to share equally with all public servants the general salary deductions, ought not to be subject to any additional special reductions as teachers. In pursuance of that principle, we do not find that in the Bill any. attention has been given to those proposals of the National Expenditure Commission which provided for reduction in members’ particular privileges, such as free railway travelling, free stationery, and reduced rate telegrams. The “possibility of effecting economy by a reduction in the number of members” has not yet found favour in their eyes.— Dunedin “Star.”

Teachers’ Protests, . Although the manifesto submitted to the Primo Minister and the Minister of Education by the Secondary Schools Association may be accepted as a scholarly defence of education, it can hardly be said to give the Government any lead in its enforced quest for substantial savings in the cost of education. The Prime Minister hit the nail on the head the other day in saying that deputations were of little use if they meant simply that people came along and made set speeches in order that they might be reported and form propaganda; indeed, the manifesto issued by the representatives of the secondary schools .merits a reply something on the lines of the Prime Minister’s rejoinder to the vigorous protests of the representatives of the organised Labour and certain sections of the Civil Service. As a matter of fact, the representations made by Labour had this superior merit at least, that alternative proposals were submitted for the consideration of the Government and the people.—“Tima.ru Herald.

Agreeing to Differ. . The decision of Mr. Dowme Stewan, to differ openly from the rest of Cabinet on certain aspects of financial policy has, by the precedent set last January been made easier for hipi by the British Cabinet. Mr. Downie Stewart’s position is, however, very different from that of the British Ministers who have dissociated themselves from the fiscal policy of the Ministry to which they belong. His position is easier in that the questions on which he differs from his colleagues, once decided, are disposed of until the time comes for framing the next Budget. Nor are these questions of such a fundamental nature that a quarrel over them must necessarily lead to a quarrel on all major political issues. Ibe British Ministers have dissented on an issue which must constantly arise aud which is, in addition, entangled with almost every issue on which Cabinet has to make decisions. But Mr. Downie Stewart’s position is more difficult in that he has been overruled on a question which particularly concerns his own department. — Christchurch “Press.” The School Committees.

Public interest in education can be manifested in many ways, but there is no better proof of interest than that of service on school committees, w inch form a valuable link between the people and the actual administration of education. A single committee is not of much importance except to the one school in which it has interest, but the combined committees are able to do much; for that reason it is essential that each committee should be the best obtainable in the district. Quality has always been essential, but more than ever is it needed now. This is the one chance that the people have of taking direct part in the control of education, and it is one which must not be ignored. Economy iu some forms is inevitable, but school committees if wisely selected will be able to take an important part iu discussions concerning these education economies, for which reason only the best nominations available should be sent forward.—Christchurch “Star.” The Opposition and the Crisis.

Before the National Expenditure Adjustment Bill was circulated Opposition members intimated that the pioposals would be opposed as strenuously as the forms of the House will permit. The early pronouncement would seem to indicate that the aim of the Opposition is to embarrass rather than assist, those at the helm to navigate the ship. Apparently they do not realise the perilous position of the Dominion; if they do they exhibit, callousness almost beyond credence. The Coalition Government has faced its thankless task of reducing expenditure and increasing taxation with commendable determination, and in its efforts to meet a desperate situation it should at least be accorded the sympathetic co-operation of all. It is bearing a heavy responsibility and has been given a mandate by the people to take what measures it deems necessary to carry it through. W'itb a full knowledge of the position Ministers declare that if tlie credit ot the Dominion is to be preserved it cun only be by tbe people as a whole consenting for tbe time being to bear a burden which may seem well nigh intolerable.—"Waikato Times.” Deflation or Inflation?

The Government’s method of adjusting the national accounts is to reduce expenditure as far as possible and to levy additional taxation up to what it believes to be the capacity of the pub 11c to pav. The Labour Party's method, as far as it has been revealed, would be to enter upon a campaign ot currency inflation. In effect, both methods have the obvious disadvantage of depressing the purchasing power of all incomes, for while one method directly reduces Hie amount of Ute income. the other inevitably raises the. prices of commodities. It. is true that the method of inflation disguises the actual process, and since there would be a “lag" between tbe raising of prices and tbe inflation of the currency there would be a period, always brief, during which incomes would be above their present purchasing power. The real effect, would be to postpone for a time tbe meeting of obligations, but. sooner or later the process of deflation would have to be faced.—" Christchurch Times-",, j

A Boost for Tourist Traffic. The Dominion requires no proof of the value of a large tourist, traffic. Satisfied that her offering for the traveller in scenic beauty,, thermal wonders and sport is remarkable for so small a country, she has carried on for years a bold’ campaign of publicity overseas, ami these activities, which have been supplemented in generous measure by press publications which are sent abroad iu large numbers, have had good results. The campaign that has been initiated in the United States on a large scale is bound to have profitable results for the Dominion. Every tourist is an asset and if he is pleased with his visit becomes a publicity agent. The annual value of the American “tourist crop” to Canada is measured in millions of pounds, and, in view of the preparations that; are being made to cultivate New Zealand’s great attractions, the harvest is likely to be heavy before many years have passed. All tbe signs are encouraging, and even though New Zealand may not be the sole objective of Pacific voyagers, the nature of the publicity will cause many to break their journey—“N.Z. Herald." The Racing Chibs. Racing in New Zealand is an established industry, in which a great amount of money is invested, besides being a national sport indulged in by a large proportion of the population. Further, it is a source of large -revenue to the Government, and it employs, directly and indirectly, permanently or temporarily, a groat number of people. It is never suggested, except possibly by a few kill-joys and spoil-sports, that racing should be abolished, though very many people believe that there is too much racing. Hard times, however, are rectifying that in some degree. But by its excessive demands on the racing ciubs the Government is pursuing a policy which, if unchecked, may bring ruin upon racing, both as a sport and as au industry, entail a very large loss of revenue to the State, and throw a whole lot of- people out of employment who are unfitted for any other occupation. —“Taranaki Herald.” Tlie Quest for Tax Revenue. Another means by which the Government could raise more money is tbe taxation - of such common articles of food as sugar. It refuses to do so because it wishes to preserve its ideal of the free breakfast table, but at the same time it protects the wheatgrower and thereby keeps up the price of bread, without, however, getting any substantial revenue from this protection. Everybody has to pay his or her share of the deficit, and to pay through such an article as sugar would be a comparatively easy method. It would put a levy ou all’classes, but the rich would pay more than 1 lie poor, for while sugar in moderation is a necessity, beyond that it is a luxury, and it is admitted that consumption is often excessive.— “Auckland Star.” Tlie Empire Marketing Board. While preference should be a great advantage to Empire producers, it cannot replace entirely the need for sound systematic methods of marketing, and as the “Manchester Guardian” has pointed out, there are thorny problems in connection with the new order of things that cau be solved only by expert attention. There is no obvious reason why the expenditure of the Marketing Board should be a charge solely on the revenue of the Mother Country, and those parts of the Empire which stand to gain by virtue of the extensive research work authorised should be willing to pay a quota of the cost. This is the day of the specialist, and the application of scientific methods must be steadily aud resolutelv extended. Tlie 'Marketing Board could be the clearing house for information from all parts, and an extension of the scheme for co-ordinating research would be of the greatest value to tlie Empire.—“ Christchurch Times. Foolish Policy. It has been seriously claimed that associations, representing tlie great majority of tlie post and telegraph and railway employees ami over 40 per cent, of all State servants are actively participating in the conference at which the desirability of . "direct action” against Hie Government—in other words, the State,—is being discussed. On the assumption that this claim is well-founded, though tbe assumption seems a very large one, the public service must, contain a larger proportion of foolish individuals than would generally be credited. And it. is certainly not surprising that the i more responsible organisations of public servants should dissociate themselves from activities that reflect so unfavourably upon those engaged in them as the activities of those, employees of tlie State who are participating in this industrial conference must do. —“Otago Daily limes.

An Anomaly. It seems to be anomalous that we private holders of 4 per 6ent. stock should suffer the same "cut” as those who have been receiving interest up to 5J per cent. The anomaly will extend even to local body loans, some or , which are still current at 4 per cent, and under. Such investors did not participate in the benefits of the boom years, but they are now .to toe the line with those who did. Another anomaly is emphasised by the exemption from stamp duty of interest payable to superannuation funds. The exemption is right and thoroughly justified, but many bonds privately held were bought for "no other reason than ..to provide superannuation, if a thrifty man or woman provides for the future by the purchase of bonds is be, or she, any fairer game, even in bard times, than the members of a superannuation fund. These points suggest that: the much talked of equality of sacrifice cannot be accomplished by a mere stroke of the pen.—“ New Zealand Herald.”

Boys on Fanns. The operations of tlie Southland committee set up to place boys in employment in the country show that the response by farmers has not been as effective as was hoped. Comparison with the success achieved in Taranaki puts the province in a bad light and encourages one to think that much more will lie done when more farmers realise that by taking boys they can do much to assist in dealing with a problem that is none Hie less pressing because little public agitation accompanies tbe effort to deal with it. In Taranaki over a hundred boys have been placed on farms in circumstances beneficial to botii employers and boys; but here, out of a total list of fiftyeight names, only sixteen boys have been placed. Southland can do better than that. Experience has shown that small farmers have been most active in meeting the committee, and that they have been well satisfied with the results. “Southland Times.”-