TOPICS OF THE DAY

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 32, 8 February 1927, Page 8

TOPICS OF THE DAY

A correspondent whose letter is published to-day protests against the comparison of New Zealand naval expenditure with that of Great Britain and Australia. He holds that even the 6s 9d a head which we pay is probably a heavier economic tax than the 25s 7d paid in Britain, because our money goes out of the country. There is no means of checking this statement, as the total Defence Estimates do not indicate what part of the money is spent abroad and what part remains in New Zealand. It is probable, however, that a larger proportion than the correspondent supposes remains in the country. Also, we have the power to increase that proportion.. Last year the greatest Bingle item of expenditure was £170,907 for pay. As the New Zealand Division is gradually manned to a greater extent by New Zealaridors, more of that money will be retained here. Local recruiting is now supplying approximately the numbers required, but it will be some years before the men can bo trained to fill all posts, and the training of officers is an even longer business.

As an excuse, however, for our meagre contribution, the argument that the money goes out of the country is so weak that it exposes the whole weakness of our position. We are perfectly free to spend 25s 7d a head in the country if we desire to do so; but we do not. And while we spend only 6s ,9d it is surely advisable that -we should obtain the greatest efficiency possible- for that sum. To do this we must send our ratings Home for training, and we must procure some of our stores and fittings from the same source. The contribution is too small to permit of a mixture of naval protection and protection of local industry. It would. certainly give us. greatr er cause for pride if we undertook the work • necessary for naval defence, instead of paying others to do it?; but until we make a more adequate payment we cannot do this without seriously reducing efficiency. After all, the main purpose of our contribution is naval defence, and that main purpose must be kept constantly before us. • • • . Courtenay place is the busiest tramway junction in the city; but the waiting accommodation and public conveniences in the locality would be a disgrace to a smajl town. S"or years improvements have been promised, but nothing has been done. It is gratifying now to note that the Council has approved a plan which will permit the erection of a commodious rest-room and aaequate conveniences. The plan includes a sub-way to tho traffic island where the waiting-shed now stands. The particulars given so far, however, do not explain what remodelling is to be undertaken at this busy junction, tinder present conditions the lines of traffic are not well arranged. Good traffic management, with quite a measure of good luck, has avoided entanglements hitherto, but each month it be^ comes more and more difficult to handle cars, buses, and motors in this jumbled junction. We trust that the Council plans, when fully explained, will be found to cover the necessary remodelling. . • • • Complaints of the speed of service cars suggest that some drastic action is necessary if serious accident is to be avoided. It is quite probable that the drivers of these cars, being thoroughly familiar with the road and knowing their own cars ■well, do not consider that they are taking unusual risks. They may believe also that their speed is no menace to other roadusers. They do not appreciate the fact that a driver not so steeled as themselves may become flustered -when confronted by a swiftly approaching car upon a narrow road. All drivers have not the habit of instinctively doing the right thing when in an awkward position, and when given no time to think' they may do the wrong thing—with a fifty-foot drop. If the service drivers will not recognise this danger and conform to speed regulations and road rules they must be compelled to do so. A few visits by a motor patrolman would quickly produce a better control.