DOMINION TOPICS

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 202, 23 May 1936, Page 18

DOMINION TOPICS

Hie Labour Ministry. The highly socialised method adopted by the Labour Government of distributing salaries more equitably may place the proposed increase in Min isters and under-secretaries on a plane unassailable on the grounds of extrava gance. After all, the people should not be unduly concerned whether tbe national business is attended to by ten or twenty Ministers, as long as the Ex chequer is not further depleted in ordei to pay the greater number, Tbe pres enr Cabinet has thirteen members, the Hon. Mark Fagan having no portfolio When the United Party was in power its taste ran to fourteen Ministers, a fairly big total which is generally reserved for Coalitions. For reasons of economy, however. New Zealand’s last Coalition Government reduced the num bei to ten While it is impossible to repress admiration for the enthusiasm of the Labour Ministers, one is tempted to doubt if they are doing the right thing by their own precepts. If ever a Cabinet Ministers’ Union is formed, a contingency from which tile country dees not seem to be quite immune, there would be material for a political “breeze” over this 40-hour week measure.—Dunedin “Evening Star.”

Farmers and Politics. There is evidently no agreement among the farmers concerning the policies that have been proposed in their special behalf. In the circumstances it may be at least plausibly argued that Mr. Polson’s position as president of the union has been rendered untenable by tbe fact that he has actively and vigorously opposed a plan that has been prepared by the present Government with the avowed purpose of providing one section of the farming community with an assured income. Lf this argument is regarded by any considerable number of farmers as valid, and if the belief is, rightly or wrongly, entertained by them that Mr. Polson has not correctly expressed their judgment upon the important legislation affecting them that has been passed this session, it seems reasonably clear that Mr, Polson will consult the interest of the union itself by relinquishing the office which he has filled with distinction for many years. But the Farmers’ Union deceives itself if it imagines that it will secure as its next president a far mer who will be dissociated from politics.—"Otago Daily Times.”

Strange Bounty. The Government has already declared its intention of assisting the Dominion’s secondary industries, but it is giving them strange bounty for a start in raising overhead costs. Its decision in this timber question, however, shows that it does not intend to be unreasonable. Industries which may now be fighting for their lives are entitled to state a case for themselves. This much has been admitted by the Government. But that is not the end of the problem. If the door is opened there will be few industries in the Dominion that would not be able to claim that they are entitled to raise the cost of their products to the publie. There appear to be two courses open to the Government. It may abide by its original idea of refusing to permit advances in prices. That would probably lead to wholesale unemployment, and bring the country close to industrial chaos. Tim other choice is to allow the industries to state a case for themselves. It is certain that the necessary investigation of each petitioning industry could not be carried out by tbe Arbitration Court, or even by the Government. Indeed, it is difficult to imagine what kind of tribunal could be appointed for the purpose.—Christchurch “Press.”

The Tell of the Road. In his determination to reduce the “toll of the road,” Mr. Semple wi'l have universal and heartfelt support “We are killing our people on the roads.” he said, “at the rate of more than 300 a year: more than that, we are maiming them at the rate of 4000 to 5000 a year." Some of these “accidents” are in truth accidental but the majority are attributable to human frailty, foolishness or carelessness. In the past, many accidents occurred on rough and narrow roads, and were unavoidable. The improvement of the roads and of the efficiency of the motorcar should have been accompanied oy a decrease of the accident rate Instead, it has increased, and the con elusion is inescapable that bad driving (in the widest sense) has become more prevalent. Bad driving can be con trolled, and Mr. Semple’s efforts to control it, in which lie will have the benefit of experience abroad, will be watched with sympathetic interest. —-Auckland “Star.”"

Town Planning. There is a mistaken idea that a town-planning scheme is liable to in fringe the rights of citizens. Actually it preserves their rights. The survey which has to lie made of each borough provides for an occupational plan in which the present use of each section in Hie borough is designated by a colour according to a recognised colour scheme Based on this occupational plan is a zoning plan in which the town is divided into areas reserved for particular purposes. There are, for in stance, districts for heavy industries and for light industries: commercial districts in the principal part of the town and local commercial districts tn the suburbs; and residential districts. The Intention underlying a zoning scheme is not drastically to altei existing conditions and thereby inflict hardship, but to prevent future encroachment upon areas which should he reserved for certain specific classes of building.—“ Southland Times”

Parliament and Radio Listeners. Under the present circumstances the whole of the stations are out of commission so far as music is concerned on the nights when debates are being bioadcast, and in Invercargill at any rate listeners have only one aiterna five to tuning in on the speeches of Ministers or ordinary members, and that is to refrain from tuning in at all. as. no doubt, the greater majority do. IVe realise the educative value of these debates on legislative measures, but no Government and no department has any right to force its will on those who have purchased and licensed radio sets in the manner that is now done. Mr Jones forecasts other changes for the better, notably in regard to B sta tions. Situated as we are in Inver cargill with a very narrow choice in regard to broadcast programmes the prospect of an improvement, however small, will be welcomed with en thusiasm.—“Southland Daily News.”

Costs and Prices. The Government will probably recognise that it cannot adopt a policy which will raise costs and at the same time prevent prices from moving up ward, and any attempt to do so would only tend to hamper the Industrial development upon which the Cabinet is said to place such importance. The problems are far-reaching. If manufacturers can produce evidence of increased costs, making an advance in prices essential then the next step will undoubtedly be a demand for higher tariffs in order to protect them against imported goods. Mr. Savage evidently expects some action to be taken along those lines, but the ultimate result will be to increase the difficulties of primary producers, widening the gap between costs and returns. The Government clearly knows what it wishes to do, but the primary industries must be the first consideration, and the effects of its other plans on that group must be the decisive factor. —“Waikato Times.”

Sunday Workers. It appears from a statement the Minister made during discussion of tbe Factories Amendment Bill, that be intends the rigid application of the clause requiring that work done on Sundays shall be paid for at treble the ordinary rates. So far as most occupations are concerned, where the working week is from Monday to Friday, or noon on Saturday, this can be taken as a device to make any invasion of the accepted day of rest as difficult and expensive as possible. But the new conditions, as drafted, will also apply to very many industries and occupations which must be carried on regardless of the coming of Sunday. He surely cannot have appreciated how many people have to work while others are at leisure in order that essential services may be provided. The Minister cannot conceivably have realised how far-reach-ing his proposals would be Surely he will listen to representations, and make such concessions on the point as are to be found in established practice. If he does not. be may be very certain that State employees obliged to work on Sundays—railwaymen, post and telegraph staffs and the police—will expect equal treatment. There will be no logic in refusing it if these conditions are embodied in the law.—“ New Zealand Herald.” The Orange Trade.

Tbe relaxation of the restrictions on tbe importation of Australian oranges is welcome, as far as it goes, but it does not go far enough. During the winter, when the Island oranges are coming into the market, tbe Dominion could do without the Australian fruit at a pinch. It is later in the year, and especially at Christmas time, that full supplies' of cheap oranges are required. When this market was open tc them the Australian growers set themselves to cater for the summer trade, and it is not an exaggeration tc say that thousands of acres of groves were kept going by the New Zealand demand. The Australian market is overstocked, and there is no doubt that a good many growers are going out of the business. Happily there seems to be a disposition ou the Australian side to meet New Zealand in a more reasonable spirit, and the present evidence of a conciliatory tern per on the part of the Dominion Government ought to assist toward a settle ment of a stupid dispute that has in dieted injury on both parties.—Christchurch “Star-Sun.” The Farmers’ President.

There is need and to spare of vigilant criticism, from the farmers’ point of view, of much of the legislation promised by the Government for rhe Immediate consideration of Parliament For such criticism, however, a parliamentarian holding close executive associations with outside bodies such as the Farmers’ Union might feel himself restricted by his dual position Some members of the Farmers’ Union have claimed with some vehemence that the organisation is non-political. and that it should and does include men and women of all shades of political beliefs, but all actuated by the desire to Improve the lot of the farmer and his family In placing himself outside any such restriction Mr. Polson considers he will find himself in a better position to help the farmer in Parliament. Having reached such a conclusion, he has taken the right course, although the Farmers’ Union will lose a capable and energetic leader by bis resignation from its presidency.— “Taranaki Daily News.”

The Two-Party System. in a modern democracy there is not room for three parties. New Zealand has learned this lesson somewhat belatedly for it could have profited much soonei had it followed developments in such countries as Great Britain and Australia, which long ago recognised that any division of the anti-socialistic forces could only play into the hands of the Socialists. For some years to come at least until history repeats itself and a third party is again form ed by the creation of an extreme wing on the Left—the issue before the electors of this country will be fairly clearly defined as between Socialism and those who believe that the inter ests of the country and the community can best be served by the preservation of that individual liberty and freedom that has always been the cherished possession of British peoples. In recent years the Socialists have been exceedingly well organised and at the last elections reaped the reward of their continued and persistent efforts. —“Poverty Bay Herald ”

Brains and (he Nation. Recapitulation of the story of human lifge on the earth down the long centuries provides a theme for an il laminating and interesting address but that is-not satisfying. Should not the poor stragglers of the human family be able to look with some measure of confidence to the Intellectuals to point the way out of their present plight. Doubtless so much has been said of “brain trusts” that academicians are not a little reluctant to proffer advice. But the plight of the aver age man is hardly to be envied: indeed the other day. a responsible journal depicted the people’s confusion, with some measure or accuracy, by the use of a cartoon. Running round the coiner pursued by one gentleman in neo demic robes and mortar-board, beam ing blandly behind his born-runmed glasses, the citizen encounters a precisely Identical academic gentleman coming in the opposite direction I—“Timaru Hern Id.”