TOPICS OF THE DAY

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 129, 4 June 1927, Page 8

TOPICS OF THE DAY

Strenuous efforts are being made to reconcile the opposing factions of the Labour Party in New South Wales. Failing such a reconciliation or the decided triumph of one faction, it seems probable that Labour must be ejected from office. The desire to retain office is a powerful incentive; : but in... this instance it seems doubtful whether it will be sufficiently powerful to overcome personal' animosity and political difference. Even if it should succeed for a time the reconciliation is unlikely to bo permanently effectivo unloss it is bused upon something more enduring than political opportunism. Politicians, however, are slow to recognise this. Unity in opposition may bo attained by parties having little more in common than n desire to oust the Government, but unity in offico must have a foundation in positive constructive policy. The length and bitterness of the fight in tho New South Wales Labour camp is nn indication that this positive agreement is not possible. Tho left and right wings differ so widoly in their views of aims and mothods that they ennnot work together for long. For a time the power of tho machine may prevent their quarrels from causing a breach, but ultimately there must be a separation.

In modern political history there are ninny similar -examples of the failure of unity based upon opportunism. A party cannot run with the haro and hunt with the hounds. Mr. Eamsay Mac Donald attempted to do so in Britain, and his surrender to the Beds of his own party was ultimately his undoing. In Victoria Nationalists and the Country Party formed a Government which was not a unity and could offer nothing better than an attempt to keep Labour from office. Wo do not suggest that all coalitions and party fusions are wrong. The formation of any party must involve compromise upon less important issues to attain unity on major principles. But such agreement must.', be honest; not an attempt to delude the public. In Victoria it would bo possible of attainment if' Country and Nationalist parties would recognise that the divergent interests which they claim to represent are not really divergent, but that town and country have like interests. The union of these parties failed because each party entered it determined to influence policy according to its own. lights. Wherever essential differences are glossed over in this way there must ultimately be trouble when the test of office comes. The Labour Party in New Zealand must sooner or later face this fact. By compromise in words it has maintained its unity hitherto, ignoring divergent views upon land policy, pacifism, defence, and Imperial affairs. But if faced with the responsibility of office, who would dictate its policy? Would it be the section which has as its motto, "My country, always wrong"? Labour may bo satisfied to leave such troublesome issues in abeyance, but the people will never accord the perty strong support until they know who is to decide its course.

It was mentioned in our news columns this week that Ghristchurch had decided to provide two motor-cycles for traffic officers who would be detailed to supervise suburban traffic. Many months ago we drew attention to the need for such supervision in Wellington. There are many tempting straight runs in the suburbs upon which motorists exceed the speed limit. If these runs wore Jike. the Hutt goad, jrft^ pm§^

streets, the danger would not be great; but as it is there is the gravest risk of collisions at numerous street corners. On one corner alone, at the foot of a long slope, there have been several accidents; but cars continue to "take off" on that slope as.if it were a switchback railway. One traffic officer with a motor-cycle has made the Hutt Road a model of good order in motoring. A little similar attention would be welcome in the suburbs. Supervision need not be continuous; but it is essential that speed-fiends should realise there is an even chance of their being caught. As it is, they do as they please, for -they know that even if a traffic officer should visit the district at night, when offences are most common, he cannot identify them as they flash by. Nor has he the means of giving chase.

Gorsecutting on the Wellington hills is providing work for some of the unemployed. These are not the first workless to be helpecTby this means; an.-l many citizens must be asking themselves this question: Why allow the gorse to grow year after year? It is not that there is no means of keeping it permanently in check. It has been proved that when trees are planted and given a fair start the gorse must be beaten. Why should the Council not go a little further now and plant where it has grubbed? There is little possibility of keeping the gorse in check by grazing. Nor is there any positive objection to tree-planting. On the contrary, *many hill slopes which are drab in summer and little more attrae; tive in winter could be made beautiful with trees. T^e initial cfost of planting and caring for the plantations would have to be met, but there would be a permanent improvement in appearance, a saving in cost (as the gorse was brought Tinder control), and ultimately a return to the city from the timber grown.