TOPICS OF THE DAY

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 4, 5 July 1926, Page 8

TOPICS OF THE DAY

While the Mayor does not admit that "The Post" criticism of tho City Council's handling of the AVcstcrn Suburbs access question has been justified, his latest reply supplies the justification. He admits that certain points have probably not been placed sufficiently before the public; and he takes much space in controverting assertions which "The Post" has not made. We have never suggested that tho tramways could be dispensed with; but wo have contended that in defining new tramway routes bus competition must be kept in mind. If an arterial road is constructed which follows an easier and shorter route than tho tramline, then, undoubtedly, the tramway enterprise will bo handicapped. Tho Mayor's defence of Hill street is now made to rest mainly upon tho desirability of that deviation in order to cut out the waste running in Molesworth street and Tinakori road. Considered as a tramway economy proposition the deviation is, on the figures given, one that can be commended. But in tho absence of a rocont and comprehensive report upon all shorter routes to the Western Suburbs we desire to be sure that this is the best route and the one that should bo first constructed. Neithor the Mayor nor the Civic League now contends that there is a recent report upon all routes, and failing the proof which such a report would supply we fear that this deviation will not satisfy tho Western demand for improved access. There may bo satisfaction for a time; but will the. basic problem be solved or only postponed?

It may be many years before an Election Court has again to deal with petitions such as those it investigated last year when the issue depended upon the admission of one or two votes. But Parliament would bo well • advised to make provision now for such petitions —even though their 'presentation may be a remote contingency. There can be no doubt that in such circumstances it is unreasonable to throw the cost of the investigation upon the unsuccessful party. It is in the public interest that there should bo full inquiry. At the same time it is not desirable that frivolous petitions should be encouraged. The best course, it appears to us, would bo for Parliament to give to the Election Court power to recommend the payment of reasonable expenses from tho public funds. This will assure that full inquiry may be secured when there i_ need for it, without encouraging disappointed candidates to fight tho docision to the last ditch at the' public expense.

It is unfortunate that the Wellington Municipal Milk Service should be singled out by members of Parliament as „n instance of unsympathetic treatment of tho primary producers. This is not an instance, of exploitation, with unorganised producers suffering for the benefit of wealthy middle-men. It is an attempt to hold the balance fairly between the producers and those consumers (of whom tho great majority aro people of small means) to whom milk is an essential article of diet. If Mr. J. R. Hamilton had experience of tho private milk-marketing system in operation before tho municipality stepped in he would know that the system produced all forms of trouble—• short measure, uncertain milk, waste in summer, and short supply in winter. The farmer derived no benefit from these evils; indeed tho lack of regulation at the city end was a source of loss to him, and the consumer suffered considerable hardship. Municipal control has removed theso causes of complaint, but the improvement has not been effected at the farmer's expense. Indeed, unprejudiced investigation of tho wholo system, wo bolievc, would show that the municipal control has been an advantage to the farmer as well as to the consumon.