TOPICS OF THE DAY

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 122, 19 November 1926, Page 8

TOPICS OF THE DAY

Working together, the Railways Department aud the Main Highways Board are gradually reducing the number of dangerous levol crossings. But this work will take time, and even then there will remain other crossings which, while presenting no danger to the careful motorist, will not be foolproof. The way to prevent accidents, therefore, is to make every motorist careful. An increase in accidents would do this, by having a sobering' effect on the rash drivers; but it is hoped that the same end may be attained without the accidents. Lately the Railway Department has embarked upon a safety eain- | paign, and has sought by means of widespread publicity to drive home the lesson of caution. If drivers will' j only give heed to the warnings, and 'do their share in avoiding accidents there should be less cause for alarm. The Railway Department is striving to do its part, and the motorists individually and collectively should do theirs. • • • An accusation of extravagance and over-borrowing, made against Australia by London, stockbrokers, has resulted in a plea of "not guilty," or alternatively of "guilty" under mitigating j circumstances —to wit, the war . debt. No one will reproach any Dominion because of its war-incurred liabilities, but the question is' whether, having regard to those liabilities, the .new borrowing is being conducted with sufficient caution. Underlying the comments of the London .. "Daily Telegraph" and "Morning Post" seems to be a desire not to . probe too deeply, but to be content with an exoneration that amounts to a warning. As Commonwealth Prime Minister, Mr. Bruce seems to be a favourite in London. On the other hand, the Labour Government of New South AVales, which has twice this year applied for British loans, and has loaded up the underwriters, provides a convenient scapegoat, hence tho "Telegraph's" anxiety'that the Federal Loan Council shall control State borrowings. It is well known that the Council's authority is weaker in Sydney, than in any of the other State capitals.

Many people will wonder who originated the latest report that Sir Hugh Denison, the new Australian Trade Commissioner to U.S.A., is to. be raised to the status of Minister. The emphasis of Dr. Earle Page's repudiation at the Melbourne end, which appears to have preceded Mr. Bruce's mild disclaimer at the London end, is eloquent. It will be remembered that Sir Hugh, while in New Zealand en route to the United States, forecasted Australian borrowing in New York instead of in London, the latter money-centre being regarded by him as over-taxed with applications. No doubt there are those in Australia who would liko to have two strings to the borrowing bow, but some of the best judges there maintain that Australia has no hope of obtaining American money oh better terms than British, and that in the matter of repayment New York will be keener than London. "American lenders would insist upon a sinking fund sufficiently

liberal to repurchase the loan at maturity, as well as clauses in the contract providing for the maintenance of the price of the issue at a certain level by purchasers of the bonds in the open market.'' • * •

That the City Council's plans for the alteration of Kent terrace reserve are not thoso which will be ultimately adopted was suggested in an interview published in "The Post" yesterday. The interview drew attention to the practice in some other cities of laying tram tracks in the middle of wide thoroughfares and constructing motor-roadways fringed with trees or grass plots on either Bide. This practice is by no moans now. Attention was drawn to it by the late Mr. W. H. Morton on his return from his trip to Europe and America, though he did not then state whether he considered it suitable for Kent terrace. It is impossible to say off-hand whether it is suitable. The terrace is not a long, broad highway; hut it is intersected at many points. The only consideration that can be emphasised at present is that, if there is a possibility of such a scheme being ultimately adopted, it would be extremely foolish to spend £10,000 or anything approaching that sum in work which would have to be done over again. Our attitude throughout has been that the tidying-up of the reservo has been confused with replannig. Tidying could be done quickly and inexpensively, but replanting should not be rushed.