DOMINION TOPICS

Dominion, Volume 27, Issue 17, 14 October 1933, Page 20

DOMINION TOPICS

Japan’s Position.

A crowded homeland, getting rapidly more strait every year; no chance of doing without enormous quantities of imported food and raw materials for essential industry; a limited outlet in neighbouring Asia, where unfriendly China and competing Russia grudge every inch of coveted room; far lands locking their doors against emigrant Japanese, the United States ruthlessly denying a welcome once ardently given when cheap labour was wanted; and yet unoccupied spaces held selfishly by others in latitudes suited to Japanese migration. Yes, there is a case for Japan, a case not to 'be silenced by anything but fraternal and statesmanly courtesy. No bark of guns can really answer it, although this sort of voice may be found by Japan to present it. Provocative decrying of the Japanese claims is worse than useless. Ostracism and embargoes are poor substitutes for reason.—“ New Zealand Herald." The Slum and the Tap.

The almost entire absence of slum conditions in New Zealand is due partly to the circumstances of this young country, and partly to the fact that each generation in the Dominion expects to be more comfortable than the former generation.. The slogan, ‘‘What was good enough for my father is good enough for me.” applied to housing, creates the mentality of the slum dweller, and therefore every public or private effort to introduce the amenities of-modern life into the home is a saving in national health and money. Hot running water is the incentive to personal cleanliness and pride in the home, and, indeed, one might even say that the hot. water tap is the best antislum agent in the modern city.— Christchurch “Star.” Mr. Baxter’s Talks. In the course of his talks to New Zealanders, Mr. Baxter bus mentioned the prospect of regulated marketing, and has hinted broadly that as soon as the opportunity offers the British Government will clamp on the quotas for the protection of the British dairy farmer. This move, we are assured, is to meet the temporary condition of a glutted market, but if that is so a quota system, having every appearance of permanence, will not be necessary. The New Zealand farmer is not likely to accept any restrictive measures if it means that the national income is to be reduced, and it seems that if there is a diminution in the quantities of dairy produce only a very marked rise in prices can restore the monetary position for this country. —“Southland Times.” Back to the Land.

To-day the difficulty that has to be faced is the definitely unbalanced social and economic conditions of the population. It is not a question of increasing production so much as one of bringing a greater proportion of the population into direct contact with the land from which we must all of us draw our sustenance. The trouble is not peculiar to New Zealand, and is, in fact, far more pronounced in a highly Industrialised country like England. In the United States, again, only 22} per cent, of the people are directly engaged in agriculture, compared with more than 90 per cent, of a century ago. The depression has forced this change on the attention of all Governments, but

there are few countries in which the radical reform could be so easily accomplished as in New Zealand. — “Christchurch Times.” Tramway Troubles.

In his annual statement Mr. G. T. Booth, chairman of the Christchurch Tramway Board, expressed pleasure at the fact that the board, by use of revenue reserves, had been able to avoid the imposition of a general rate to cover its losses. Mr. Booth mentioned in his statement that if a rate had to be levied the valuations are such that 77 per cent, would be paid by Christchurch city, and 23 per cent, bj' the suburbs. In other words people within the city boundaries would be heavily penalised for the solitary purpose of maintaining services to the outer areas. These long services are costly to run, and since it is so obviously inequitable that non-users should be asked to carry them on, the question of imposing a rate is one which cannot be considered seriously. Users of the trams have terms exceedingly favourable when compared with those of other cities. Cash fares are the highest of the four centres, but on the other hand the maximum encouragement is given to regular users of the trams who travel at a much lower rate than elsewhere—Christchurch “Sun.” Subsidised Shipping.

The so-called mail subsidies form a small part only of the contribution which the United States Government has made to the effort to achieve the supremacy of American shipping in the Pacific Ocean. Enormous sums have been expended in subsidising the construction and operation of steamers that have been designed to wrest the cargo and passenged trade from British vessels. The matter is one of such tremendous difficulty, and one also of such considerable delicacy, that the possibility of Australia and New Zealand between them affording more than partial relief to the British services that are operating in these waters may be doubted. Yet it is satisfactory to learn that they are in agreement, with reference to the need of counteracting, as far as they are able, a form of competition under which British shipping is unfairly and severely handicapped. —“Otago Daily Times.” “Conversion” of Motor-ears.

The reply of the president of the North Island Motor Union (Mr. AV. A. O’Callaghan) to the strictures of a Dunedin magistrate was dignified and effective. Mr. O'Callaghan had little difficulty in showing that the purport of tlie circular had been misunderstood by Mr. Bundle, and that no attempt to influence the courts in the administration of the law was intended. Such attempts in New Zealand would defeat themselves, for the Dominion is jealous 1 of the high reputation its courts of jus- J tice have attained. But to endeavour to improve defective legislation is the { 1 right of any citizen. To bring it about I needs the force of public opinion be- ■' hind the reformers. It was for that • purpose that Mr. O’Callaghau's circular , ' was issued, and motor owners through- j 1 put New Zealand hope. It will have the 1 6 desired effect.^—"Taranaki Daily News.” J s

Art and Art Unions.

Perhaps the use of the word “art” in the name given to that form of speculation in which the public hazards half-a-crown in the hope of winning alluvial gold, misled the New Zealand Arts Association into applying for a share in the proceeds of these art unions to establish travelling scholarships abroad for art students. The object aimed at is in principle admirable. It cannot be said that there is at present much encouragement for the pursuit of art in our land. But at a time when many aids to students in other fields have had to be reduced, there does not seem a sufficiently strong case for establishing new scholarships. The art unions liave become a voluntary form of taxation, and the proceeds could be better applied in the relief of victims of the depression. The relief of distress is now. ths main reason for the continuance of a practice that under other circumstances would be merely an appeal to the gambling instincts of the community.—“ Auckland Star.” Two Railway Stations.

The Public Works Department cultivated extravagant ideas and practised extravagant methods, and our lenders in London got to realise this and stopped our credit. One case in point is tlie Auckland railway station. . It cost a prodigious sum. The public makes only ludicrously partial use of it. It was built in the wrong place and at the wrong time. Out of all the learned discussion that has accompanied the world depression one conclusion has been subscribed to very generally, which is that the ideal policy for a Government is to accumulate funds out of buoyant revenue during prosperous times and spend them on public works when bad times come. Thereby it gets better value for its money, pro-, vides much-needed employment, and healthily disturbs the atmosphere of inactive gloom. New Zealand has consistently practised the exact reverse of the ideal policy, and that is why we say the Auckland railway station was built at the wrong time. No such objections attach to the Wellington station. No time for its building could be more opportune. It is badly needed, it is (we understand) well sited, and its cost should not be disproportionate.—Dunedin “Star.” Earthquake Risks.

Session after session the Building Construction Bill has been shelved on one excuse or another; nothing has been done to promote research into earthquake problems; and, what is unpardonable, buildings have been constructed since February, 1931, which do not embody any precautions against earthquakes. It is not pleasant to have to call attention to these facts. The dimensions of the Napier disaster were so much magnified abroad that New Zealanders are wisely reluctant to provoke public discussions about earthquake risks. But it is not possible to be silent when neglect of comparatively inexpensive precautions threatens a serious loss of life and property in the future. It must, therefor be hoped that the Prime Minister will insist on the Building Construction Bill becoming law this session.— “The Press,” Christchurch. The Legislative Council.

Owing to deaths and the failure of the Government to reappoint members whose term has expired, membership of the Legislative Council has fallen to twenty-one. It is clearly impossible for the committees of the Council to carry on with such small numbers. The method of appointment will have to be changed if the Legislative Council is to command the respect of the country, and the sooner the change is made the better. The ■ Bryce Commission which studied the question of second chambers in England in 191 S laid down two principles. The first was that the upper chamber should be sufficiently strong to delay legislation for long enough to enable public opinion to express itself, but not strong enough to thwart the will of the lower chamber. The second was that little is gained by having an elective upper chamber which tends, in the type of member it attracts aud in its party alignments, to become a replica of the second hamber.— “Taranaki Herald.” Control of Education.

The scheme outlined by the Dominion Conference of School Committee Associations proposes the appointment of a national council which would temove the control of education, and place it under the guidance of a competent body, with a view to achieving a continuity of policy, as against the present possibility of change due to the varied viewpoints of those who may be from time to time placed in control. It is urged in support of the proposal that educational progress is being hampered in the Dominion by the all too frequent changes in the Ministerial control of the Department of Education. It is not anticipated, of course, that the Government, facing the certainty of having its hands very full during the current session is likely to ta'ckle such highly contentious questions as the change of control of important departments of State, Nevertheless, the recent decisions of important conferences, representing two vital sections of domestic activities, have no doubt attracted Dominion-wide attention and comment.—“Timaru Herald. Labour Party Leadership.

Mr. Holland was a born leader, and if Mr. McCombs was not he was at. least a compendium of useful information and a sane adviser to the Labour chief. The natural succession falls to Mr. J. Savage as deputy leader, but the member for Auckland West is not of the aggressive type and may prefer to let the position'go to one who will carry the war into the enemy’s camp instead of choosing to work peacefully if earnestly. The choice ,of Mr. W. Nash would be a good one. and it may be that whatever claims he may lack through somewhat brief membership will be amplified by long service as national secretary. It is a question that may take a great deal of settling, for essentially Mr. Holland was the Labour Party—the consolidating element which united a distinctly composite body. With matters as they stand politically the desire will be to act wisely and not to consider the feelings of those who may have aspirations to leadership. In these circumstances the choice my possess a few surprises.—“Southland Daily News.”