NOTES OF THE DAY

Dominion, Volume 26, Issue 43, 14 November 1932, Page 8

NOTES OF THE DAY

Proposals for House of Lords reform are political perennials and public opinion is inclined to regard the question languidly. Yet many thoughtful people in Great Britain regard the ineffectiveness of the present House of Lords as a constitutional weakness and real political danger. In a recent article on the subject Lord Astor remarked that with few and unimportant exceptions all modern parliaments consisted of two chambers. In Britain, however, although in theory there were two Houses, the fact was that the nation lived under a system of: single-chamber government. It is to correct the weakness and potential danger of that fact that has caused a Conservative committee to study the position, a summary of its report and recommendations being published this morning. Perhaps its proposals may give rise to a movement that will lead to reform. Meanwhile New Zealand might well consider the condition into which her second chamber has been allowed to fall and ask whether she can afford to leave it in its present ineffectiveness.

Since the current Budget is not affected by the provisions of the Superannuation Bill, there is something to be said for postponing its enactment. A measure that intimately affects so large a class should not be rushed. The fullest time and opportunity should be allowed for the preparation and presentation of evidence, the suggestion of alternatives, and the examination and consideration of the material placed before the Select Committee of Parliament. The preliminaries cannot be scamped if, as everyone hopes, the permanent foundations of a sound superannuation scheme are to be securely laid. It is unfortunate that the Bill was not brought down earlier in the session since the Government seemed to be in agreement on its provisions long before it appeared. Then there might have been some chance of the Bill receiving the study it deserves and still passing, this session. For, although superannuitants and contributors want to get a good Act, they will be left in an unpleasant state of uncertainty as to present and future incomes respectively until the Bill is finally passed. That is one strong argument against delay although those concerned will probably prefer a finished to a rush job.

New Zealand is vitally interested in the outcome of the renewed negotiations between Great Britain and the United States on the subject of War debts. Our position is that Britain has excused us payments on our Funded War Debt to her while she enjoyed the benefit of the Hoover moratorium. Indeed she has gone further by postponing our payments to her for another year, although she has yet to come to terms with America. Thus New Zealand does not have to make the half-yearly payment of 1825,000 sterling for principal and interest due on December 1, although Britain’s much larger instalment payable to America on December 15 is still the subject of negotiation. Under the Funded Debt agreement New Zealand has to pay Britain £1,650,000 sterling annually. If she were excused this, or most of it, the concession would make a tremendous difference to the Budget and materially lighten the deadweight of unproductive debt charges Certainly it would seem to be Britain’s policy to give the Dominions and foreign creditors the full benefit of any relief granted by the United States. New Zealand has already lost her interest in reparations but she will have made a good bargain if, in giving up these payments, she is relieved of the Funded Debt, The difference in her favour would be well over a million pounds annually.

“Boys’ Week” really represents an effort by several publicspirited organisations to direct general attention to the problem of juvenile unemployment and thus create that practical interest which will assist in its solution. A good deal has been accomplished already. One has only to look hack a few months to note the apparent hopelessness and helplessness with which the question was regarded. A substantial advance has been made since then. More than anything else this has been due to the public discussion of ways and means of dealing with what is no less than a social evil. We consider the Government acted wisely in not attempting reform through the Unemployment Board by a national organisation. It did better to recruit the services of Mr. S. G. Smith and Mr. A. E. Ansell who have been so successful in stimulating district efforts. Whether on their motion or by local initiative many organisations have turned their attention to getting boys into employment. It was generally a business of placing individuals and in doing this several comparatively small and voluntary bodies were likely to have more points of contact and more success than a large semi-official organisation. So it has proved and through “Boys’ Week” these committees are seeking to deepen and widen the impression already made on the community.