NOTES OF THE DAY

Dominion, Volume 26, Issue 48, 19 November 1932, Page 10

NOTES OF THE DAY

Recent criticisms of Parliament no doubt are responsible *or the but its failure to find general support ? s based largely up onthe pro nnsition that democratic government is government ot the peop fo the people’ Tv the people” (not by people trained for politics). That was acceptable when-the functions of government were confined to preservation of law and order, the administration of justice, tI S the State. But government since Abraham Lincoln’s day has become a highly-complicated usi ” e "®’ therefore should seek representatives of proved 'nSen't principles. As has often been said, people get the kind °t g° ve ” tliey deserve. The remedy against incompetence in Parliament is to raise the standard. * * ,

President Hoover’s refusal to recommend to Congress a suspension of the War debt payments due on December 15 next wiH probablj create an awkward situation. Great Britain and certain European countries have made formal applications for a temporary suspension. Britain-certainly would not have adopted this course unless she were extremely hard pressed, for it is that country s traditional policy to honour her obligations. As Mr. Hoover will not even move fot- a revival of the Debt Funding Commission to study the capacity of the debtor nations to pay. unless the President-elect, Mr. Roosevel favours such a course,- it would appear that something in of a deadlock may ensue. Opinion in the new Congress appears to be strongly against cancellation or even a scaling-down of the i.. Should itcome to the point Britain no doubt will rearrange hei finances that payment will be possible, but this would mean more stringent conditions for her own domestic finances. Moreover, it America “stands pat” on the situation, the Lausanne-settlement will be prejudiced, and European policy, which lately has been based on the hope that a definite settlement might be reached with America at tei the Presidential election was over, will have to be revised. It i, to be hoped, however, that negotiation may pave the way to turtnei discussions. . Wt ♦ * *

There is behind the offer from the Manchester Branch of the English-Speaking Union of a scholarship in the University of Manchester to overseas candidates an excellent idea. The successfu candidate will have an opportunity of studying English life in a great industrial centre, an experience which cannot fail to influence ms previous views. It is as necessary that the English-speaking peop es throughout the world should have a mutual understanding of the conditions of their respective communities as it is that foreign nations should have a similar basis for their relationships. The same idea has been applied successfully in the system of exchange teacherships between various parts of the Empire. New Zealand teachers w o have spent a year in Canada, South Africaner in the United Kingdom have brought back fresh points of view, while English teachers who have exchanged with them have profited in the same way. As the old saying has it, “truth goes by walking.” Should the Manchester scholarship go to a New Zealander, it may be hoped that his own country will have the benefit of his experience. It is too often the case that when one of our brilliant young men leaves us we never see mm again. Some other country reap# the benefit.