DOMINION TOPICS

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 133, 29 February 1936, Page 17

DOMINION TOPICS

The Secondary, Industries. No one could doubt the sincerity of the Labour leaders in the House of Representatives. Their desire is to see everyone capable of working provided with a good job at reasonable rates of pay. In an effort to do this the idea of less Government in business is to be discarded in favour of more Government in business, increased regulation of industry has obvious difficulties and even perils. Mr. Sullivan declares that there are two choices open in the conduct of industry—open competition or regulation. There is no doubt about the - course which the Government favours. The Minister’s statement is moderate and conciliatory, and he invites the. co-operation of those engaged in tiie conduct of the secondary industries. Developments will be watched with interest and even anxiety. Whether for good or ill, they will have a vital bearing on the prosperity of the country. One of ,the Government’s aims is to get the unemployed into profitable occupation, aud its hopes are high that by systematic planning of the secondary industries this can be done. It is a bold experiment, for it proposes to change tiie bed of the economic stream. —Dunedin “Star.”

Amateurs and Professionals. In Australia/ Crawford, Quist, McGrath and many other players in the top flight are all connected with sports firms —firms selling balls, rackets, and tennis equipment generally. Why should any distinction be made between these men and men like Tilden, Vines, Stoeffeu, aud Mr. Cochet himself, who earn' a living plainly and openly by their skill at the game? To call the one class amateur and the other professional, is surely ridiculous. Smith, who teaches tenuis and plays matches for a share of the “gate,” is a professional; but Jones, who is the paid advertiser of certain tennis rackets and insists (for a consideration) on playing witli certain balls and has all his expenses paid at tournaments —he, of course, is an amateur. The consequence of making the. distinction is that when a world-famous player comes to New Zealand none off our own “amateurs” get the benefit from his visit that they would by playing against him. Mr. Cochet has called this attitude “conservative.” Actually it is just silly.—“ Southland Times.”

A Share-Our-Tlioughts Scheme. Thought may come hurrying to the tongue for utterance, but there are many times when diffidence or discretion will ordain either a silence or a sudden divergence from the straight line of true thinking. Mr. Semple would have it so. He has, in fact, in a post-prandial utterance at Wellington, committed the Government to another experiment, which might almost be called a Share-Our-Thoughts Scheme. It Is based on the thesis that “the thoughts that men and women have and develop as the result of their work ajid their experience” are Divine gifts, and as such should be shared. Civil servants are urged to make a beginning by sharing their thoughts with the Minister. “I prithee)” it is demanded, in a passion of candour, “speak to me as to thy thinkings, as thou dost ruminate.” But because this is no Othello addressing an lago, but a Minister, softly, to a public Servant, it is wisely not added, “and give the worst of thought the worst of word ” What a rod might be made for the Ministerial back if this last were taken as the essence of the contract I—“Otago Daily Times.” Troubles in Store.

Senator Boydell, a South African member of the legislature, predicts that the troubles of the Labour Administration will now start in New Zealand because there is no more prolific source of dissension than power. Undoubtedly Mr. Savage realises that many of those who voted for his party in December will be prepared to tear him asunder in twelve months’ time. That seems to be inevitable, for the difference between theory and practical politics is such that many pledges have to be abandoned. The Labour Government cannot live up to the its members gained as candid critics of the Coalition. Much has been assumed in its name that cannot be realised. In the words of Mr. Boydell, there is a vast difference between an ethically sound principle and its practical expression, and some of Labour’s most vociferous supporters will lie found the most uncompromising when the expected fails to materialise. —“Southland Daily News.” Guaranteed Prices. Surprise has been expressed in some quarters at the statement of the Prime Minister that the operation of the guaranteed price scheme is “going ultimately to land the Government with the ownership of the produce." That was apparent from the beginning. It entailed State purchase of the exportable surplus and now that the details have to be arranged provision for handling the produce and marketing it to the best advantage must be carefully considered. Probably nothing more will ever be heard of the statement made by the Minister of Public JYorks, during the election, that the plan was simply a repayable advance —repayable by our overseas customers. The Government is to pay the price determined and the proceeds from the sale will be at its command overseas. That was explained with great care by Mr. hjash and others.” —“Waikato Times.”

Local Government. The Minister of Internal Affairs may well complain that he is “hemmed in with a network of local bodies.” Every Government promises a comprehensive local government reform measure, but the only Misister who ever tackled this huge question iu earnest was the Hon. G. AV. Russell, aud he was not given the opportunity totearry his proposals into effect. The truth of the matter, of course, is that, the local authorities that have been brought into existence do carry out tlae work for •vvlxicti tlaey were created, and so long as the local administration proceeds, however haltingly, Governments are content to push the matter of reorganisation into the background. The present conditions are admitted to be cumbersome and expensive, and it is to be hoped that the Labour Government, in its- zeal for reforms, will have the courage to tackle the big work of rationalisation. If it does so it will certainly deserve the gratitude of the public.—Christchurch “Star-Sun.”

An Intriguing Promise. One statement which has been issue 1 by the Prime Minister, who, of course, speaks with the full authority of th; Government, relates to finance, which is regarded, of course, as the crux of all tiie biggest problems confrontiue New Zealand to-day. As Mr. Savage very wisely points out, the practicability of tiie main planks of the Government’s policy is all a question • of money! But the Labour Party is fortunate in this respect. "The Minister of Finance,” Mr. Savage tells us in his official pronouncement, “has been going into this matter for some time, aij-J when Parliament meets he will be in a position largely to overcome the money problem.” This is the most intriguing promise that has., bepn given to the people of New Zealand. At long last the Dominion has secured the services of a Minister of Finance who “is in a ’ position largely to overcome the money problem.” If Mr. Nash is as good as the word given by his leader, all the difficulties standing in the way of the initiation of the most comprehensive public works programme fade Into thin air.—“Timaru Herald.” The Key to the Treasury. Public interest is and will continue to be centred upon the Government’s financial proposals, which, according to Mr. Savage, will “largely overcome the monetary difficulties.” Upon these proposals much depends, including the greater part (certainly the most Important part) of the Government’s programme; but naturally no hint of their nature is being given now. However, as the Government appears to be following its election programme fairly closely, attention must be given to the first point of that programme, which provided for “State control of currency and credit.” The Government, probably without difficulty, can take control of the Reserve Bank, but what use will it make of its power? The answer to this question depends upon consideration of a large number of factors, not all of which are within sight of the public. But the public has the right to expect that when the financial proposals are at length revealed they will be passed into law only after most complete examination and discussion.—“ Auckland Star.” Our Forest Treasures. t No time is to be lost if the forests are to be preserved and themseive prove the greatest deterrent to flood and storm damage. In many instancecontrolling authorities have been left with no adequate sources of revenue, and have been dependent upon the will of Parliament for, any subsidy from the national exchequer. Either th? parks are a national asset or they are not, and there are few thinking, people who would urge that the parks are Hot worthy of preservation. If they .ire a national asset they should ne main talned and protected out of public funds and be open for the use and pleasure of any New Zealand citizen 'The Government promised more consistent effort to combat, pests such as deer and goats, and expressed itself in entire agreement with the aims and ideals of the mountain clubs. It is to be hoped that especially so far as the Mt. Egmont National Park is concerned the sympathy of the Ministry will take practical form without delay.—“Taranaki Daily News.” A New East Coast PortThe proposal that Gisborne and Wairoa should join in developing the port of Waikokopu for the benefit of both districts is one which, at first sightmight not generally commend itself. The Wairoa deputation based its plans, first on the assumption that a deepwater port on this part of the coast was essential to the future welfare of the districts concerned, and, secondly, on the contention that Waikokopu offered the best, if not the only, prospects of successful development. The first point can be accepted with only minor qualifications and the merit of the second can well be left in abeyance until consideration has been given to other aspects, of which there are not a few. There is, of course, nothing novel in the idea that Waikokopu should-be made a port capable of accommodating the largest overseas liners visiting the Dominion, and in sonie quarters the view has been previously expressed that ultimately Gisborne will find a solutwi of its shipping problems by turning its attention in this direction. —“Pover.y, Bay Herald.”

Labour ami the King. If any in this country thought, or hoped, that the new Labour Government would be coy regarding loyalty to King and Empire, Mr. Semple’s plain words—and presumably he spoke also for his Ministerial colleagues—should make them think again. Nonsupporters of Labour, politically, will be glad that the Dominion’s attachment to the Throne and the Empire is not to be weakened, although this does not mean that New Zealand will submit tamely to all requests from Whitehall, or elsewhere. .In the Labour ranks there are many ex-soldiers, and there never has been any evidence that the party, as whole, was any less loyal than the Nationalists. Both parties suffer from their extremists. The have those who would “flag-wave” too often, whereas Labour has its Left, who talk “republic” and hint at Communism. —“Greymouth Evening Star.”

The Salary Share-Out. The greatest argument against the salary sharing scheme is that it is based on a false conception of the functions of members of Parliament. Mr. Savage is commendably determined that every Labour member of the House should play a useful part in the government of the country. But he does not seem to realise that, as long as the principle of Ministerial responsibility is retained, Parliament cannot entrust the-control of administrative departments to committees as fl City council does. Committees of private members can only offer a Minister advice on the problems confronting him, and in doing so they will be usurping the functions of departmental officials. The proper function of members of Parliament is not to govern the country or to offer expert advice, it is. in the words of an English political philosopher, “to interpret the Government to the people and the people to the Government.” —“The Press,” Christchurch.