TOPICS OF THE DAY

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 28, 2 August 1926, Page 8

TOPICS OF THE DAY

At the beginning of August, Parliamentary business is not usually far advanced. This session rapid progress has been made, and Members are already considering what there is left to be done. There are still, however; several measures of great public importance to be dealt with. These include the Local Bodies' Loans Board Bill the Town-planning Bill, Licensing Amendment, and Family Allowances. The two last-named have not yet been introduced; but their appearance is looked for this week. If they could have been brought down earlier it would have been advantageous; but, seeing that this could not bo done, we trust that an attempt will not be made to hasten progress at the expense of thorough consideration. With the Licensing Amendment Bill there should not be a great difficulty if Members will only remember that they represent the public, and not one section of tho public. The views of organised interests are well-known, and there is no call, therefore, to refer the measure to a committee for evidence. It is for tho Members ,tb decide how far they have a warrant for placing the stamp of legislative approval upon tho proposals submitted by either party. The great mass of public opinion, we believe, stands. in with neither party, but desires sensible and strict control of the liquor traffic, freedom from anomalous and irksome restrictions, and a spell from the triennial polls, which have surely had a sufficient trial. With' the Family Allowances measure there is no wellformed public opinion. Neither the people who will bonefit nor the people who will pay have any inkling of what is proposed. In these circumstances we believe it to be the duty of Parliament to afford facilities for investigation and expression of opinion, even at tho cost, of some delay. Haste may prove very expensive if we are rushed into creating dangerous precedents.

' » • ■ • '.. ■ Recent discussion upon daylight saving has served, the useful purpose of placing this reform in proper perspective. To many people, owing to the enthusiastic support of sports organisa-. tions, it appeared that the reform was designed mainly to encourage games. People who believe that sports has its place in our life, but. must be kept in that place, became suspicious of the measure. Now members of the medical profession and representatives of the manufacturers have shown that, apart altogether from organisod games, the daylight-saving proposal has much to commend it. Sunlight for the workers in shops, offices, and factories, it is declared, will improve tho health of the community. As health,is improved, so is the economic position made easier. Sick- workers are a burden upon industry, and the more daylight we use the less is this burden felt.

* ♦'*~.. Under the spur of competition tho Railways Department is striving to reach a new understanding with the public—an understanding based upon common interests. Motor traffic, has cut into the railway business, and in part the cut is advantageous to the country. Improvement of communications, whether by road or rail, helps settlement and production. If motors are used in their proper sphere the result must even be beneficial to the railway service. It is in the definition of what is economically railway business and what is the motor share that the difficulty arises. We have expressed the opinion frequently that the best economic adjustment cannot be made unless rail and motor are placed on a fair competitive footing. The railway now pays the cost of its permanent way, and tho motors must also be chargeable with a reasonable share (but no nioro) of tho cost of the roads they use. We do not expect that this share can be decided at once. It may prove to be higher or lower than the charge now made. In the meantime the Minister of Railways and his Department are prudently not relying upon this alone fo save the service. Thoy are seeking to win their share of traffic by the adoption of improved business methods. Tho results hitherto have boon encouraging. The best result, however, is to be seen in tho altered attitude of Jhe Department to the

public, and the public appreciation of the change. We believe that tho Minister was not overstating the position when he told a recent conference that he was receiving encomiums instead of complaints. All sections of the Department recognise that the railway business is their business, and they are seeking to push it ahead. *- * »

Britannia, where Petone now stands, was the first site chosen for a city on the shores of Port Nicholson. The early reversal of tho choice for many years caused the advantages of the northern shore to be overlooked. Now, however, the claims of tho Hutt Valley are being recognised. It is seen that the extensive areas of flat land afford space for both industries and residences. Lower Hutt Borough is wisely preparing for tho advance that is bound to bo rapid; and Petono also is realising the need for preparations in keeping with the prospects. On Wednesday tho ratepayers of Petone will be asked to sanction three loan proposals for works which are essential for the development of the borough. The first proposal is for a loan, of £10,000 to complete the bo-ough sewage system and the second ft a loan of £8000 to provide a drainage system to remove tho menace of flood waters from the western hills. These works are necessary—not only for the future but for the present also. The third proposal is for a loan of £10,000 for widening Jackson street, the main thoroughfare of the borough. The amount named will not complete tho widening scheme; but it will enable it to be commenced and carried forward far enough to show the benefits. Already Jackson street is dangerously congested. Widening operations cannot bo much longer deferred, and the Petone people would be prudent to make provision for this work now. If the improvement is postponed until new buildings have replaced the old on the present street lines the cost will be very much heavier. Petone should learn from the costly experience of Wellington that, when street-widening has to be done sooner or later, it is less expen-

sive to do it sooner.