DOMINION TOPICS

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 60, 4 December 1937, Page 1 (Supplement)

DOMINION TOPICS

Housebuilding. Although the Government is partly responsible for the housing shortage, it seems to imagine that because it has inaugurated State housing schemes it is doing all that can reasonably be expected of it. But the State schemes are not supplying, and are not intended to supply, more than a small proportion of the houses needed. The great majority of families must rely on private enterprise to provide them with houses; and. that being so, the first step toward remedying the housing shortage should be to create the conditions in which private enterprise will function effectively. Mr. Nash’s fears for the “mothers and youngsters” who are in danger of being “thrown out of their homes” do him the greatest credit; it may be suggested to him however, that his amendment to the Finance Bill will harm rather than help those who are the objects of his solicitude.' A shortage of houses is. after all, a shortage of houses. —“The Press,” Christchurch. Settlement Roads. “Out of the mud in live years,” is the slogan of the Public Works Department so far as backblocks roads are concerned. There will be no complaint against this expenditure, but why, when this country is committed to an orgy of expenditure, does the Minister fix on a five-year plan? Over-expendi-ture on main highways, especially in the straightening of minor curves and the reduction of grades which are not noticeably steep, might well be curtailed in the interests of the man outback. The Public Works Department deserves the praise bestowed upon it in the House for its efforts to open up the country; the only criticism that anybody will offer is that it is not doing enough, but is instead pushing on works which could well be left alone, if not for ever, at least until the population of the country justifies them. — “Auckland Star.”

State and Transport. The case for the retention of private ownership in the road transport system was well put by the deputation which waited on the Prime Minister and the Minister of Transport. There was a unanimous opinion that private ownership of road transpirt provides a flexibility and mobility that would be lost under single ownership, the experience being that service declines as a monopoly grows. Although assurance were given by the Ministers, the impression remains that the Government is going further than was ever expected in its determination to protect the railways. Co-ordinating is not commandeering. Here is an example of how the Government, having once entered the swift current of nationalisation, is swept along willy-nilly into more troubled waters. . The motivating power of the Dominion’s commerce and economics is competition. But that fact the Government cannot or will not recognise.—“Taranaki Herald.”

Record Expenditure. It is well that the people should realise and appreciate the inability of the State to procure immunity from overseas influences which inevitably govern the economic conditions in this country. It should be emphasised that the drop in wool prices is far from being a catastrophe, but it should also be emphasised that the development is not without its import and its warning to the Government. A reduction of 40 per cent, in the returns from a commodity which represents one-quarter of the total exports of the Dominion cannot be without its effect on the whole national economy—on the national income, on the value and volume of imports and, consequently, on Customs revenue, and on the national finances generally. The policy of the Government, with taxation, borrowing, and expenditure all at record levels, is based almost entirely on the assumption that there will be no retrogressive world price movement, and the very fact that there is already evidence of such a movement should act as an effective warning—“ Poverty Bay Herald.”

Not Sufficient Push. The development of the tourist business is pitifully slow. In the past ten years the Ministerial mind has been more or less attuned to the suggestion that we have some scenery worth commercialising, but it cannot be said that time has developed enthusiasm. A Minister in love with his subject might without belittling his position have urged New Zealanders to see their own country that they might become, efficient publicity agents for the tourist resorts of both islands. We should not be satisfied with . the twopenny halfpenny policy the average member of Parliament regards as adequate. This is a matter for big things done in a hurry, for delay means money wasted. It should be possible to increase the number to 30,000 next year without any serious effort. The attitude that will bring results is one born of the spirit of enterprise. There is far too much false economy in places of influence in these days, all the big figures being left for undertakings not so definitely and directly profitable.— “Southland Daily News.”

Housing Shortage. It would be interesting to know what warrant there is for the assertion that the present housing shortage is due to a drift of population from the country to the towns. In ten years from 1926, the urban population increased by 11.7 per cent., and the rural population by 10.4 per cent. In the previous decade, the rate of increase in the towns was more than 35 per cent. Moreover, the striking feature of the statistics in the last twenty years has been the rapid rise of the larger provincial centres. But in any case private enterprise would normally have had no difficulty in keeping pace with the housing requirements of the people, and the real trouble to-day is that trie Dominion is not overtaking the building arrears of the slump period. Probably legislation, for which the present Government is not altogether responsible, has discouraged speculative building, and the current State housing programme doubtless has a hearing on the question, but there is no doubt about the major influences operating, The return of prosperity created an increasing demand for better accommodation, which there was no means of satisfying. To be quite fair to the Government, it has to be admitted that on the one hand its public works policy has taken thousands of men out of the cities, while on he other its building policy is of unprecedented vigour.—-Christchurch “StarSub.”-

Lesson of First Wool Sale. One of the prominent leaders of the Labour movement at Home, Mr. Bevin, stated at the recent conference of the party that it would not be found unprepared if the present development of industry were to slow down. To be prepared is just sound policy. The first wool sale emphasises the point. Many people thought that the leader of the Opposition earlier in the session was unduly fearful when he asked the Government to declare what it would do if world conditions changed and price levels fell. It was not fear, but prudence, and that should always mark the work of governance. Even if there should be no violent fluctuations there is a rhythmic movement and it must be taken into all calculations. In his Budget Mr. Nash gave a table to show that in two years the value of exports had increased by £21,600,000 and other upward trends, but it would not be wise to regard that- as assured indefinitely, and the Government of the day must know what is to be done when a slower tempo necessitates adjustments in the national machinery.—“Waikato Times.” Survey of Dairy Industry.

The initiation in Southland, by the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, of a social and economic survey of a kind that is new .to this country, is part of a general survey being undertaken in the countries bordering the Pacific at the instigation of the Institute of Pacific Relations. Its object, in New Zealand, is simply to gather relevant facts which will make possible a scientific analysis of the conditions and needs of the dairy industry. The present movement is not political. It has no party connections, and is intended to serve a social research which stands beyond the reach of political or departmental interests. No progress can be achieved in any industry until its condition has been made the subject of an exact analysis. By receiving field officers engaged on this task without distrust, and by making available for them the facts it is their business to discover, dairy farmers and their wives will be helping to make possible a survey that is complete and valuable.—“ Southland Times.”

Centennial Exhibition. Taranaki’s interest in the celebration of New Zealand’s centenary is exceptional in that it will be the first province outside Auckland and Wellington to celebrate the centenary of its own foundation. And as this event follows the Dominion celebration closely, by little more than a year, Taranaki must divide its centennial expenditure and enthusiasm between the national and provincial events. ... Here (in the national exhibition) is a unique opportunity to impress exhibition visitors with the tourist attractions and agricultural wealth of Taranaki and there should be no lack of unanimity among local bodies in the desire to take sufficient shares to make the' Taranaki court one of the most outstanding of the exhibition. That determination should not be affected by the proximity of the Taranaki provincial centenary. —“Taranaki Herald.”

Danger to Democracy. The chief danger to democracy in New Zealand may arise from the desire to bring more rapidly “the better day” for the community which Mr. Semple has rightly said was the goal of everyone concerne'd in the welfare of his country. Out of that desire has come the delegation of powers to Ministers which point if they do not lead the way to the very dictatorships the Minister has condemned. To-day the credit of the Dominion is controlled by a Minister, so is the most important section of primary production, and the control of transport services is becoming more autocratic as the months pass. New industries must now obtain Ministerial consent to their establishment although only private capital is used; even the aggrieved taxpayer is to have his complaints decided by a Minister. Can there be any question but that this is a movement towards complete dictatorship by the State? Each seizure of authority by Ministers, even by the apparent consent of the community, constitutes another attack upon the democracy Mr. Semple would see maintained and strengthened.—“Taranaki Daily News.” A Cliange of Blind.

The Government has shown a sensible recognition of the direction of public opinion in deciding to postpone the Anonymous Political Publications Bill. Such a change in the Government’s intentions will be readily welcomed both by the individual who would have been affected by the requirement that all newspaper correspondence on political subjects must be signed, and also by the thinking citizen who saw in the measure a dangerous restriction of freedom. If, as was also reported, it is correct that the “postponement” is a mere form, and that the Government will not revive the measure at all, satisfaction will be the deeper and stronger. It is not surprising that the Government’s change of mind has been influenced largely by the opinion of its own followers. When the measure was first reported there was an immediate expression of disfavour, which was strengthened vigorously when organised Labour threw its weight against the proposals of the Bill. As one member of the House has now put it, “organised Labour has killed it.” —Napier “Daily Telegraph.” Land Development Denied.

A visitor from the United States, Mr. W. H. Hay, speaks of the extent to which land development dominates the economic scene in his country. In New Zealand, on the other hand, land development no longer occupies the foreground, having almost dropped out of the national picture. Surely the fact is significant, bespeaking a lack of faith in the future of the land, the only future in a country such as this. Decadent though this frame of mind may be, it is faithfully reflected in the Public Works Statement providing for the spending this financial year of £18,276.000. Out of that huge sum only £864,600, or less than a twentieth part, is devoted to land development. This apportionment of public works moneys is made by Mr. Semple. Thoughtful people may conclude, however, that it is indicative of the public attitude in this country. It is a defeatist attitude, reflected in the population statistics as well as the public works votes. Whether in the family or in State policy, fecundity Is despised. -s-" New Zealand Herald,* 5 4-“ ' “