DOMINION TOPICS

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 220, 13 June 1936, Page 26

DOMINION TOPICS

Defence of New Zealand.

When returned soldiers’ associations and similar organisations express concern about home defence it may be assumed the concern is genuine, and should receive the attention of Hie authorities. There is everything in favour therefore of the Government receiving at first hand, and from one who knows the present views and ideals of the Ministry, full information and advice in regard to the international position. The scientist and the engineer have removed much of the security once afforded by isolation, and on account of self-defence —to say nothing of higher motives—it is essential that the Dominion shows preparedness to support the system of which the League of Nations is the only practical exponent. And the support may have to be more tangible than words. —"Taranaki Daily News.” Broadcasting in New Zealand.

There is one certain way in which broadcasting in New Zealand can be made worse than it is; that is by Government interference. Mr. Savage and his colleagues have enough to do with financial, social and economic questions without assuming other responsibilities. New Zealand was wise in following the British example of keeping broadcasting out of the realm of politics, and it will be an aimless retrogression to alter the basis of the country’s broadcasting system now. . The Government, too, will be finding itself in a quandary if it attempts to usurp the functions of the Broadcasting Board, and at the same time encourages growth of rivalry to the existing national system by allowing the development of B stations. That would be uneconomic at least. If it makes changes to the present system of control, the Government will begin a profitless chase down bewildering byways, and the inevitable result must be that the listeners will have a poorer return for their money—Christchurch “Press.”

A Job for Mr. O'Brien? The report that Mr. J. O'Brien was a possibility for the office of Samoa’s Administrator was denied, but it may yet prove to have had some foundation. As a first step, Mr. O’Brien is to accompany the Minister of Lands. Mr. Langstone, ou a goodwill mission to Samoa, commencing the Labour Govenrment’s touring season. All will hope that the two missionaries will have a pleasant trip, and be able to bring back recommendations enabling the Samoans to be a contented people, without the task of the Administrator being made difficult. The Government has been in no hurry to appoint an Administrator, and its decision on this matter is awaited with interest. It would be a pity to encourage a revival of Mau lawless ambitions, or to resurrect earlier disputes. Labour has in the past criticised the Dominion’s administration of the mandate entrusted to it by the League, but Geneva’s investigations proved such censures were unjustified. -- "Greymoutb Evening Star.”

Forward Buying. Forward buying is essential in business. In this country public institutions, such as hospitals and boarding schools, call for tenders for the supply of butter, meat and so forth for a year. The grocer who tenders for butter obtains information at what price he can obtain butter for a whole year and adds a little for the cost of handling it. He does not gamble by buying from week to week, as that would be too great, a risk. Similarly flourmiljers in Britain and elsewhere protect 1 themselves by selling futures. The miller may not be able to sell flour from his wheat for three months and by then the price of wheat may be lower and flour cheaper. But by selling futures he makes a profit if wheat falls which covers his loss owing to flour being cheaper, and if wheat rises there is a loss on the future which is covered by the rise in the price of flour. The same is true of iron founders and others. Modern business cannot be carried ou without a futures market, and this gives an opportunity for speculators who are simply gamblers. Legitimate dealing in futures reduces business risks and is beneficial.— “Taranaki Herald"

The Samoan Expedition. The Samoan people may be apt to construe this visit of its representatives as implying a lack of confidence on the part of the Government in the work of past Administrators, and as offering some encouragement to the Mau organisation, which lias always been a disgruntled and obstructive element in the territory under the mandate, more especially since the Government has seen fit to make such a gesture as the remission of the sentence of banishment upon Mr. O, F. Nelson, enabling him to return to the islands at an early, date. Members of the Mau have already, iu anticipation, celebrated the chans, - in the atmosphere of which they ait hopeful. Such, at least, was the u terpretation placed by the Prune Minuter himself upon their demonstration at the beginning of May. 111 al probability the Governments method of procedure has been to lead the in to form expectations in regard to tl fulfilment of which it may have to disappoint them. If so, it may hav to cope with reactionary effects of its own promotion.— "Otago Daily lime.. A Licensing Anomaly.

(In his way to the Fox Glacier the tourist passes through half a dozen villages like Ross and Kuniara, each of which retains six or eight licenses as a heritage from the mining days, even though its population has shrunk from thousands to hundreds, or even a few score. I icn be pets to Weheka he finds a modern t irist hotel with every need for a license; but no, be can't got a drink there, the number of licenses for the district is fixed and they all rest jn unimportant and declining villages. This is by no means an isolated ease. The Milford hostel, one of the moist important tourist centres in the Dominion, is deprived of a license while insignificant settlements not far away have more licenses than they can possibly need. Continuance versus national prohibition has ceased to bo an issue in New Zealand. For too long it has disguised the real issue—(he revision of an intolerably stupid set of licensing laws to fit not the conditions of half a century ago, but the conditions of to-day.—“ Southland Times.”

Populating the South.

The only way to bring population to the South Island is to increase the transport facilities. Bluff is the natural gateway from the sea and a dependable service inward and outward would bring thousands to this island who under existing circumstances cannot find the time. Economy, comfort and convenience would be served by carrying tourists by the shortest route, and many to whom Southland, Otago and Canterbury are but vague terms, would pioneer a travel vogue which might become the most profitable activity the Dominion possesses. The prevision of a reasonable timetable between Melbourne and Bluff is not a great deal to ask; considering the advantages to be gained the cost of a subsidy during the initiatory period would be insignificant and would be returned a hundred times over in a single tourist season when the traffic was operating at something like capacity.— “Southland Daily News.” Are Rents High or Low?

Arc rents to-day high or low? By comparison with what many tenants can afford or are willing to pay they may be considered high, but in relation to the obligations of landlords they are. in many cases, low. Most houses now let were built in the post-war period when costs were high. These costs, subject to some adjustments, determine the minimum rent the landlord can afford to take. Wage levels determine what the majority of people can pay. At what point do these meet? In other words, what is a fair rent? That is a question which the magistrates will have to answer. It will be their duty to hear disputes and to decide between tenant and landlord whether the rent should be raised or lowered or remain where it is. In making their decisions they will be required to take into account various factors which are likely to make their task exceedingly difficult and complicated.—Auckland “Star.” Our Share in Imperial Defence. The Government has declared its intention to develop the Dominion’s air arm. The sooner this is done on an adequate scale the better. But it is probable that some attention should also be devoted to training a large mobile land force and to increasing the naval strength for coastal defence, with all the associative measures it offers for dealing with the kind of emergency that may arise. The training of man-power is important, not only for the purpose of instilling military discipline and the expert knowledge that should minimise casualties, but also for the sake of experience in rapid mobilisation and the attainment of decisive spantaneity in organising. As a country New Zealand h..s never shirked her duty to Great Britain. But the day has come when she must hasten a little to keep pace with the ever-grow-ing problems besetting the Empire.— Dunedin “Evening Star.”

An Uncontrollable Factor. The issues that hang on the fixing of the margin between butter and cheese offer a telling example of the power to regulate production given to the Government by its pricefixing machine. So far only the margin has been fixed, but it will affect the output of all the different classes of dairy produce. No doubt factory accountants are carefully figuring out the balance of advantage as between butter and cheese, plus their various by-products. When, not a margin, but prices are announced two months hence, it will be the farmers’ turn. They will lie asking themselves whether it will pay them better to accept the guarantee or whether the prospects are better for beef, for fat lambs and wool, and so on. Let the balance be ever so little in favour of one commodity and the whole present basis of farming in New Zealand may be changed, and marketing problems at the same time.—“New Zealand Herald."

Facilities Create Traffic. One of the strangest things about transport is that facilities create traffic. Passengers arrive seemingly out of nowhere. When motor-coaches were put on the arterial roads running out of London it was thought by some that they would merely displace suburban railway traffic, but this proved false. Au unexpected traffic grew up along the roadside as long as it could be taken where it wanted in the lieart of London. Then regulations were introduced prohibiting coaches from stopping in the centre of the metropolis and over a quarter of the traffic disappeared as mysteriously as it came. So far Christchurch is concerned chiefly with traffic congestion, but as motoring becomes cheaper and as the city expands. the authorities may have to face some of the problems at present being studied by the London Passenger Transport Board. —Christchurch "Star Sun." Unemployment Statist tvs

The figures.relating to unemployment, given by the Minister of Labour, will afford a useful basis of comparison as the policy of the Government develops. It must be admitted that the results achieved in about seven months are not altogether satisfactory, even 1* allowance is made for the inelusion of men previously receiving doles from hospital boards. The reduction since November, Mr. Armstrong stated, was 3184, or an average of about 450 per mouth, and in view of the statements made bv the Minister of Public Works regarding the increased number of employees under his direction, the P O -" 1 ’ tion should be carefully examined by the Government. Speaking in lar lament recently Mr. Semple said that when he assumed control of the department there were 13,000 men on public works, but to-day there weie 17.000 That increase of 4000 does not seem to be reflected, as might have been expected, in the unemployment figures and calls for some explanation. -Waikato Times.” Costless Credit.

Something of a mild political sensation gripped the House of Representatives during the discussion on the State Advances Corporation Amendment Bin. tvlien the Independent member for Nelson -an out-and-out Douglas Credit supporter —submitted an amendment -o provide for the issue of "costless credit." -Mr- Atmore and bis "costless credit’’ advocates have been rebuffed by the ruling of Mr. Speaker that the amendment conflicts with tlie Government’s monetary policy!—"Timaru Herald.”