TOPICS OF THE DAY

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 105, 4 May 1926, Page 6

TOPICS OF THE DAY

Commendatory references were made ai meetings of householders last night to the medical and dental work in the schools. The extent of this work was indicated in a report which stated that a million medical examinations had now been made. Of the results it is early to speak with certainty; but authorities do not hesitate to say that the early discovery of minor defects and the spread of hygienic knowledge are improving the health of children. The full benefits of the system can be obtained, however, only ' by the hearty co-operation of the parents. Inspection reveals defects, but the medical officers cannot compel parents to take corrective measures. It was upon the good sense of the fathers and mothers that the effective working of the scheme must finally rest. The State has gone far in providing the existing service, and it is the duty of parents to use it fully and to profit by the advice which it affords them. .» • • Licensing legislation has been long promised, and it is to be hoped that the promises will be fulfilled by the introduction of a reform measure in the first session of the new Parliani"-'. It will be possible, then, to have a full and free discussion. Ample time is essential for this, and also freedom from prejudice, so that the existing abuses and anomalies may be removed as the moderate voter desires. If the legislation is approached with prejudice, however, little good will result. Prohibition has been rejected, and it is" the duty of Parliament to revise the licensing law, so that it may be reasonable and enforceable. As an example of what should not be done, we may refer to some recommendations made by the Temperance Reform Council of Dunedin. This Council recommended the New Zealand Alliance to demand (a) That no alcoholic liquors shall be supplied to hotel guests or otherwise during hours when the sale of liquor is prohibited to the general public; (b) that the sale of alcoholic liquors shall be prohibited in every district on all holidays and half-holi-days'; (c) that no licensed premises shall be permitted to have irore than one bar. In view of the result of the last poll, we know of no warrant for these further restrictions. Rather, there is justification for the removal of some existing restrictions which have little or no effect upon the consumption of liquor, but compel evasions in order that the letter of an unreasonable law may be kept. New Zealanders aro a law-abid-ing people and desire to treat the law with respect, but unreasonable ;.nd unworkable restrictions in the Licensing Act aro having a most harmful effect upon the community by encouraging subterfuges. True temperance reformers, w arc sure, do not dosiro this. They desire instead a reasonable law which can be fußy enforced, both in spirit and letter.

When the Prime Minister announced his first instalment of Cabinet reconstruction he gave considerable satisfaction by his decision to constitute a Prime Minister's Department, which would relieve hi«n of detail and free his hands for more important affairs of State. The testing time of this measure is now at hand. With the Parliamentary session due to commence in six or seven weeks members of Parliament, public bodies, and other organisations aro beginning to besiego the Prime Minister. In a democratic country it is difficult for the head of the Government to refuse audience to those who would claim his attention; but it is necessary that tho demands upon tho Prime Minister should be lightened. The people muct be educated to the fact that Mr. Coates is the head of the Government, but he is not all of the Government. Ho has a team of Ministers and the Ministers have advisers. Only in rare instances should it bo necessary to go beyond these advisers and Ministers to tho Prime Minister himself.