DOMINION TOPICS

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 176, 20 April 1940, Page 15

DOMINION TOPICS

Labour Dissension. The expulsion of Mr. J. A. Lee from the Labour Party and the resignation of Mr. W. E. Barnard must mean either that these two members will lose their seats at the 1941 election, or that, if there is a sufficiently strong element to return them to Parliament, an irrevocable split will be disclosed in the party. The situation would be doubly interesting if it had occurred within a few months of an election, but it must still remain a large political question mark if it is not patched up, for if these two Members could secure re-election independently the plight of the Labour Party would be parlous indeed. —Christchurch “Star-Sun.” Air Force Enlistments.

In any review of provincial responses by young men anxious to serve their country in wartime, it is often overlooked that during the past six months large numbers of men have signed up for service in the Royal Air Force. And where there is a high degree of airmindedness among a certain district, such as North Taranaki, the Air Force enlistments reach impressive figures. This effort should always bo borne in mind when comparisons are being made. Unfortunately an anomaly exists in that while the names of recruits for the Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force are published immediately, there is no corresponding release by Air Force headquarters of the names of men who have chosen the air arm for their wartime service. Only after many weeks’ delay and the eventual posting of applicants to Air Force stations are the names released, and then only in small groups at one time. So far as the local districts are concerned. there is no opportunity of finding out the number enlisted and their names.—“Taranaki Herald.”

Why Forty? The Dominion total of enlistments up to the end of last week was 32,792, of which number between 20,000 and 21,000 are overseas, or in camps in .the Dominion, or available and waiting. But the number of men in New Zealand in one age group alone—the group between 20 and 24 years—exceeds 60,000. If all of these had enlisted, and if there had been deducted from their number the temporarily unfit, the permanently unfit and those in “reserved occupations” —say. one-third of the total — there would now be in Egypt, in camp or available for sending to camp,'4o,ooo men. Moreover, the number of men in the age group 25-29 years exceeds 60,000. and in the age group 30-34 it. approaches 60.000. Tlie total between the ages of 20 and 35 years probably exceeds 190.000. In the light of these figures, is there any real justification for advancing the maximum enlistment age to 40 years?—Auckland “Star.”

Increasing Production. The Government’s reluctance to .make the decisions which would transfer a great reserve of strength from its programme of peace tasks to those of war is deeply disturbing. It must, of course, lie granted Hint tlie Minister for Public Works and the Minister for Labour and for Manpower have stressed. more than once, the measures they have taken and are taking to draft men from other public works to their schemes of land clearance, drainage, swamp reclamation, and so on. They have put the total of mon already transferred at some thousands; they have suggested that it will reach 10,000. But a few days ago the Director of Primary Production, Mr. R. B. Tenrent. said in Auckland that this need could best be met by action to stimulate production from areas now in use ; little or nothing was to be gained by bringing in fresh areas. The Ministers, according to Mr. Webb, have taken “the only course” which, they think, will keep men in employment. It is alarming to understand, on the Minister’s own word, that the Government of a nation at war is helpless to direct its manpower and material resources more efficiently—Christchurch “Press.”

Reds in Our Midst. After the assault on Finland the Communist, in striving to make proselytes, works against greater difficulties and disadvantages than he has ever done, and in war-time—of necessity, since the public safety is the first consideration —he must work with less freedom of speech than he has enjoyed. His strongest claim is always made fo, freedom of speech, on which be battens when it is given to him, only to deny it “in toto,” as a first principle, whereever Communism controls. The Left Book Club and other organizations are onlv Communist to the extent that apathetic general membership and dilettante flirters with exciting doctrines allow a minority of extremists to make them so. On every ground there should be a Right Book Club in Dunedin. There should have been one long ago. For the rest, the War Emergency Regulations provide ample powers for controlling Communists whenever they threaten to hamper the national effort.—Duendin “Star.”

Erosion in New Zealand. Flood disasters in the Dominion within the past 12 months have told a serious tale of woe. In some cases they have demonstrated the inadequacy of river protection works owing to the enormous load of silt carried by the sudden floods of the present day. New Zealand has provided, it is to be feared, a shocking example of lack of foresight in the destruction or damage of the natural vegetation, and this has produced deterioration of the fertile topsoil and its exposure to soil-destroying erosion. Ruthless forest destruction has been allowed again which afforestation measures must seem almost a feeble counter-effort. The mere checking of river erosion by protective works will not overcome the forces that have been sot too freely in action.— “Otago Daily Times.” “Worst in the World.”

New Zealand ports are, for the expeditious handling of cargo, rated about the worst in the world. Now the Minister of Labour repeats, tamely enough, that the existing state of affairs cannot be permitted to continue, especially in view of the war situation, and has announced the appointment of a M atersidc Control Commission. The value of the system of waterfront control by three commissioners, one of whom is Mr. James Roberts, not only president of the New Zealand Labour Barty but also secretary of the New Zealand Waterside Workers’ Union, will be tesled through its operation. It. can only be hoped that the introduction of it will not spell more futility, but will really bring about the imperatively needed result of putting tin end to delays in the handling of cargo for overseas, with all the attendant hindrance to the Empire's war effort and the danger of disorganization of the. convoy system.—“Otago Daily Times.”

Butter v. Margarine. Tlie communique issued by the'Dominions Office in reply to New Zealand complaints concerning the treatment of butter by the British Ministry of Food does not begin to answer the anxious questions raised here. Tlie Ministry states that it is “not endeavouring to encourage the sale of margarine at the expense of butter.” It should, therefore, explain why it sells margarine freely and rations butter: why it keeps margarine cheap, and has raised the price of butter beyond the reach of mass demand; why margarine has been permitted to sell by brans, to advertise freely, and- to receive official recommendations of its food value, while butter brands and even countries of origin have been suppressed, goodwill purchased by costly advertisingdestroyed, and identity lost in a national pool of all qualities from every country retailed at a uniform and high price.—“ New Zealand Herald,” Auckland. Control of Ports. It is certain that when Parliament gave the Government the very necessary power to make regulations for the efficient prosecution of the war it did not contemplate tlie possibility of farreaching and permanent changes being made in the control of ports. Parliament 'ought to be in session to give the Government the opportunity of explaining the reasons for its exercise of emergency powers, and the Opposition ought, to be at hand to check the unnecessary or unwarranted exercise of what is, after all, only a temporary authority But there are still stronger reasons why Parliament should be in session it ought to be giving a lead to the whole community in enthusiasm and in concentration of energies on winning the war.—“Star-Sun,” Christchurch. Exchange Control. The ban newly 1 placed on dealing in sterling and foreign exchange is the logical development of the. control system instituted nearly 18 months ago. and since given added force as a war measure. The purpose is easily understood, linking naturally with the declaration by the Minister of Finance—- “ Every dollar, every pound, is needed.” The same things cannot be said of the prohibition of sales within New Zealand of overseas stocks and other securities already held here. This part of the. new regulations has perturbed the stock exchanges, as may well be understood. The result is disruption of . business which, so far as anyone can see. could be carried on without affecting overseas funds one iota.—“ New eZaland Herald,” Auckland. Freedom of Speech. The privilege of reply over the air to propaganda in the interests of the Government has been rigidly withheld. In this respect a “direct attack on tlie freedom of speech” has been deliberately maintained. It may be optimistic to suppose that a reversal of the policy of the past four years in this particular respect is now in contemplation. A scandalous condition of affairs would be terminated, however, if tlie Government, were to admit that its possession of power does not entitle it to the use of the radio service for the furtherance of its political aims to the exclusion of all criticism and if it were to act accordingly—“Otagp Daily Times.” Mr. Barnard and Defence. Mr. Barnard may not have seen eye to eye with Mr. Fraser in assessing the Dominion’s war commitments, but at least it can be said for him that he was one of the first Labour members to advocate strong defence measure, long before the war broke out. and that in the recruiting campaign he was able to speak with the authority of one who had himself answered the call. Unless the internal conditions under which the Council of Defence was set up have changed, or unless experience after a fair trial has proved that it has no value, it shoul not be discarded because of party strife. —Auckland “Star.” Recruiting.

The Prime Minister’s satisfaction with the results of the recruiting so far is understandable. The figures look well on paper. Yet when a comparison is made with the rate of recruiting during the last war the fact must be taken into consideration that at the outset of that period of conflict New Zealand did not attempt to organize a whole division. Actually the recruiting for the Main Body and earlier reinforcements was so brisk. that long waiting lists for Trentham had to Iks established. When two different systems are being followed the wise course is to avoid comparison of any sort and get on with the job immediately in hand. There must be long planning for the future, with every effort concentrated on the maintenance of reinforcements for the division that has been promised. Early recruiting makes for efficient organization, and affords young men a better opportunity to find the niche in which they think they can give best, service.— Dunedin “Star.” Parliamentary Inaction.

The war has raised serious problems affecting not only the livelihood but also the very life of New Zealand's citizens, problems which affect the defence of the country and of the Empire and of the contribution that Now Zealanders, individually and collectively, are to make towards it. The longer consideration of these problems by the House and by the country is delayed the more difficult will their final solution be, and the less effective the Dominion’s war effort. A Government committed to defence of the democratic principle cannot longer postpone its operation without creating suspicion that it is being abandoned. The war has in England, as Lord Strabolgi says, "given Parliament a now lease of life”. —Christchurch “Press.” Product ion—And Waste.

Production is essential, on the farm and in the factory, and all the services with a bearing on production, both primary and secondary, must be so organized as to facilitate a forward drive. A point of very real significance arises from the German occupation of Denmark.' At one stroke Great Britain has been denied access to a rich source of dairy ami bacon .supplies and it behoves New Zealand producers to see that no resultant shortage is suffered on the home market. Now is the time to ensure that every available unit of labour is harnessed to a national productive effort. Tunnelling through rock for the construction of a tourist highway in the hinterland of the South Island is sheer waste. Men must be employed in the production of goods or in essential services.— “New Zealand Herald,” Auckland.