TOPICS OF THE DAY

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 55, 6 March 1914, Page 6

TOPICS OF THE DAY

A system of compulsory sale of land, bearing some relation Compulsory Sale 'to the plan which of Land. has been advocated * so long in The Post, has been formulated by Mr. G. W. Russell. _ The Post's proposal is that tho operating of the power of sale should be in the hands of the Government, which should have an unfettered discretion. Mr. Rusaell would place the power in the hands of a laud board elected on the popular franchise, and would apparently limit the board's jurisdiction to land accessible by road or railway and not producing what it should produce. Thus his weapon could not be employed unless 1 two things were established : access and inadequate use. In proposing to give the Government an unfettered discretion. The Post foresaw that these two vital factors would largely guide any sensible Minister in his administration ; > but when they are embodied in the scheme as criteria without which nothing can be accomplished, then they are in danger of becoming stumbling-blocks. Does , Mr. Russell intend that his board shall be the final judges of access and of inadequate use? If not, then a long Vista df costly litigation opens up. THree years would bo conceded by Mr. lUissell °to the landowner, as the period within which he must make his land productive, after 'receipt of notice from the board. If the owner failed to do so, then the board would take over tho land and sell it to settlers, paying for it in 5 per cent, debentures, the price being 1 10 per cent, or 25 per cent, advance on the Government valuation. This would concede the landowner 1 per cent, too much in interest and at'least 15 per cent, too much in price. . But the scheme has within it the framework of a big improvement on existing conditions. We wish Mr. Russell had said these things when he was in Ministerial office. "Should Earl Grey'iji scheme prove successful, there is nothing An Imperial to bind Now Zealand, Family Plan, so far as I know, to 1 continue as tenants of tho premises (to be built) in the Strand. They could sub-lease, and would be free 1 , if they wished to do po, to participate in Karl Grey's scheme. " So spoke the Hon. .Janiea Allen six months ago. He svns explaining that the Government was obliged to look for new offices for the High Commissioner, and the Minister went as far as his position and the circumstances would permit him to favour a share in the plan ot" Earl Grey. "A very fine scheme indeed." was Mr. Allen's hearty comment on the proposals for the Aldwych site, whole the representatives ol the Overseas Imperial fnmily would be under one loof. Tho statesman's vision is of v great menu*

ment to the league of British peoples. Ho desires such a building as will impress on the most superficial passer-by j something of the breadth of the Em- [ pile ami the mighty British fellowship. J-le recommends a concentration for the inspiring effect of a family grouping, and also for business convenience. The plan includes space for perpetual exhibition* of tho Dominions' produce and room for the meeting of people. The benefits are beyond question. The merits of this admirable idea of helpful Imperialism have been recognised and praised in the press of Britain and tho colonies, and yet the promoter has the prospect of a disappointment in a long delay. Most of the public men in tho various countries seem to be too engrossed in affairs _ closer to their own elections to spare time for something outpido the immediate pale of the poll. It in always -very difficult to induce politicians to devote themselves to a large subject not connected with the industry of counting heads. A few weeks ago, when further effoi'tß were being The Panama made to pevsuade Trade Channel, the British Government to arrange for worthy _ representation at the Panama Exhibition, a member of the Ministry remarked, incidentally, that no pressure had come from the Overseas Dominions. Tho use of such an argument was not fair. Naturally the heads of colonial Governments would bo diffident about butting into Britain's business. It is well known; eveh at the Antipodes, that men of eminent intelligence are at the front of both parties in the House of Commons, and it would be a painful surprise to thoughtful members of the public if politicians, remote from London, presumed to advise the Imperial administrators in such a large affair. Such intervention would give an Undersecretary a nice exercise in tactful court* esy. v The overseas folk would receive a pleasant cable message (perhaps several) followed by a letter of delightful politeness-^- and tho British Cabinet would go its own way, with traditional dignity. Fortunateiy_ the daughter States have given their opinion in another manner. They are preparing to be well represented, because they expect good 'returns from the enterprise. New Zealand and Australia have high 'hopes of increasing profits from the markets of Canada and the United States. The breaches made by the Democrats in the formidable tariff wall of the Republicans are enough to admit primasy produce from Australasia. Thus the zones of competition for the exports are widened, to the joy of the man on the land and to the advantage of the general public. But there is another side— the return cargo— to cause much discussion in the Empire. Americans will pay money, but their country will actually exchange goods (chiefly manufactures) with New Zealand. This must havo a very important effect on the present exchange between these islands and Britain. The captains of commerce and all Imperialists will have some interesting mental exercise. It is true that "trade follows the flag/ and it tis also true that the flag follows trade. Merchandise goes to the market tnat offers the best sale ; it is a case of business first. That is the way of the world at times when there is no threat of war or actual peril or other oxceptional development to put sentiment flrsl and business second. , I