TOPICS OF THE DAY

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 35, 10 February 1926, Page 8

TOPICS OF THE DAY

. ♦- . Some ridiculous things have been said about scrapping tramways an,d replacing them with motor transport. The address with which the Minister of Public Works opened the transport conference yesterday served to correct snch hasty opinions and to place the whole problem upon a reasoned basis. Tramways, as he pointed out, are still essential in a modern city, and they will continue essential where there is no underground or elevated transport. But if the tramways are to continue in operation they must have a fair deal. The owners, in New Zealand the public, cannot be asked to maintain them as a public convenience while all the profit-taking is done by private enterprise. Therefore it is necessary that competition should be regulated by stipulating that motor-bus services shall run to time-table throughout the day, and shall not merely tap the best routes at the best hours. It may be said that the public owners can be left to take care of their own interests. Unfortunately this is not the fact. The Civic League, in referring to another aspect of the question to-day, submits an argument which really supports the de mand for regulation:, "Even amongst the general run of citizens the customis to think and refer to the Corporation as being distinct and apart from themselves." But regulation of competition must not be carried so far as to become merely a .means of bolstering up inefficient transport and safeguarding capital investments at the public expense. Motor-buses must be used in conjunction with the existing services and so as to assure the public at all times the best and cheapest transport —not by cut-throat competition but by fair division. The Minister has submitted a clear statement of principles, and it is for the transport representatives to frame regulations embodying those principles. ' Important comments were made by Professor Gilbert, of the Leland Stanford Junior University of California, and Mr. J. P. Babeoek, Chairman of the International Fisheries Commission, Victoria, British Columbia, in "The Post" on the establishment of quinnat salmon in New Zealand, these high authorities on fishing are well satisfied, they say, with results.so far attained. They agree thai the greatness of the "runs" of this fish will depend npon its food supply and the extent of the feed. But the fish should be allowed to multiply if big runs are to be looked for. Three interests are concerned in the development of this valuable addition to the edible fish of New Zealand: consumer, packer, and sportsman. It is now certain that the fish are here, but it is not certain that they are here in abundance, although the prospects of their being so are most favourable. Considering the great possibilities of this venture in economic pisciculture, it will be for the Government to see that the fish are allowed to increase and multiply to such an extent that the salmon cutlet can appear on any breakfast table in N.ew Zealand and a valuable canning industry be possible without in any way ■ restricting the pleasures of the sportsman. • m m Sir James- Allen gave a pretty broad hint to British manufacturers, in speaking at the dinner to returned delegates of the British Empire Press Union, in London. After suggesting establishment of branch. factories in the Dominion, he uttered a warning against taking undue advantage of preference accorded, to British goods. He did not say if he had anything specific in mind. But so widespread and intricate are the interests of modern manufacturing organisations that it is sometimes difficult to see how the spirit of preference can be insisted npon, however scrupulously its letter be observed. Imperial preference, given by New Zealand over twenty years ago, was also introduced to assist bona fide manufacturers of Great Britain exporting to New Zealand. The need for it was never greater than to-day, considering the state of trade in Great Britain and the sweeping changes in commercial conditions, the seqnel of the Great War. Preference is admittedly still of great value to the British manufacturer having relations with New Zealand. But the goodwill of this Dominion, if it is worth anything, is worth fostering, for the mutual benefit not only of Great Britain and New Zealand but of the Empire as a whole. 'It must, then, be treated fairly. '* •. • ■ The New South Wales Labour Party, after a battle, has affirmed its adherence to a Single Electorate Bill which is intended to abolish proportional representation. As the measure will probably have some support from the Op-' position it may be expected to pass. But this should not be accepted immediately as proof that first-past-the-post is tho best electoral system that can be devised. Proportional representation did not work out at the last election as the politicians hoped it would. The politicians must have some joss to whip, so they are whipping the system. It would be better if ttiey turned the lash on themselves. Their own conduct and their jealousies and bickerings disgusted the voters, and, as a consequence, many disregarded admonitions to vote tot parties sad voted for candidates. Probably it was disgust and a desire to register some protest, and

not lack of intelligence, that led alao to more than two per cent, of voting papers being informed. Anyway, New South Wales Labour has evidently decided that proportional representation is unprofitable, and it proposes the introduction of Binglo electorates, in which, with a three-party fight, it should have the advantage of the Nationalists and Progressives. But electoral reform, carried through in such circumstances, is unlikely to produce the system of greatest public benefit. It is a fact that electoral reform is never pressed for by a party until it has suffered, or thinks it has suffered, through an inequitable system. Mr. Lloyd George's enthusiasm did not become keen until opposition convinced him of the unfairness of the existing system. It will be interesting to see what course Mr. Coates will take. He has the power, and he cannot fail to perceive the need for reform; but will he tamper with a system from which he has had the greatest advantage?