NOTES OF THE DAY

Dominion, Volume 27, Issue 68, 13 December 1933, Page 8

NOTES OF THE DAY

Apart altogether from the rights and wrongs of the position as between the Southland Power Board, which looks U P*?" ‘ tse q . ' trustee for its ratepayers, and the Government, yyhich rig y . a national view on all questions affecting the credit of New Zealand on the London money 'market, it is there shou d be a end to .argument that cannot , now improve the board ,s po may prejudicially affect the country s good name as a borr °'™’ There is not really a dispute between the parties; but while outstanding differences remain uncomposed it is possible that a dispute may eve op. It is therefore, pleasing to see that the board is eager to come to agreement : its latest proposal to that end was read in the House of e P re ' sentatives early yesterday morning by Mr. Hargest. We do not kno _ how the Government or the bank may view that proposal, but both muit be fully as anxious as the people of Southland to see the business adjusted. Any wellwishers whether in Parliament or outside who can assist in the adjustment ought to apply themselves to the task without further delay. • * * *• ’ Yesterday’s discussion in Parliament regarding the over-crowded state of the mental hospitals, and the assurances of the Minister oj Health that steps are being taken to Increase the accommodation is a reminder of a social problem that is becoming increasingly serious. The proportion of mental defectives and congenital mental disease cases to the rest of the population is steadily rising. The remedy does not lie in providing increased accommodation but in attacking tn .problem at its source. Far-reaching proposals in that direction were submitted to Parliament by a Reform Government some years ago. but their reception both inside and outside the House showed tha public opinion was not ready for such advanced legislation. Kecenl regulations by the Nazi Government in Germany, follow practically the same lines, and in other countries the feeling is growing that as a measure of social reform and national economy similar action will have to be taken sooner or later, for the cost of maintaining tne increasing army of the mentally diseased is assuming staggering dimensions. * * « ♦ ♦ ♦

With the passing of the French Budget carrying a clause which had aroused bitter opposition and wrecked two previous Governments the Chautemps Ministry should be in a fair way to outlasting its predecessors in its term of office. That should be all to the good for- Europe, for political instability in France has undeniably embarrassed the settlement of the larger questions at issue in the international circle. This condition, moreover, has been complicated by France’s extreme nationalism and intransigeance in high politics. In a measure it has been a contributory factor in stiffening her attitude in international affairs. The demand for security in the Internationa w ring has been accentuated by the growing sense of political instability within her own frontiers. Had the Budget been again rejected serious domestic, complications might have ensued.