TOPICS OF THE DAY

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 6, 9 January 1928, Page 8

TOPICS OF THE DAY

Looking forward to 1940 the Prime Minister anticipates that the Government will then have £6,000,000 to £S,----000.000 in cash from its hydro-electric power schemes. This sum will be available either for the- Consolidated Fund or to reduce the cost of power. No particulars are given which would euable one to judge whether this forecast is based upon more or less exact calculation or upon optimism untrammelled by I figures. Twelve years is certainly a long time: to look ahead, and if we look back twelve years we can obtain little evidence for or against Mr. Coates's prediction. The Coleridge scheme commenced operation twelve years ago, and its return lias improved steadily uniil last year it stood at over 9 per cent, on operating capital after paying all operating charges, llorahora, which was acquired as a scheme in operation, has improved its return from four and a quarter per cent, iv 1921 to over ten and a half per cent. But Mangahao, selling all its available power, has not risen above four per cent. In 1940 Arapuni and (presumably) the major development of Waikarcmoana will be in operation. Much,depends upon the capital cost of these schemes. If they prove as sound financially* as Coleridge and Horahora the Prime Minister's estimate of profits may bo well below the mark; but one cannot predict such a result. The newer schemes, undertaken in a more expensive period, may be more upon the level of Mangahao, which, though it will probably give an increased Teturn, is unlikely to show a net profit equalling that from Coleridge. It will be gratifying, however, if the widespread provision of power, with, all its advantages to town and country, can be made with only a small profit to the State. -:t ■::• # Wellington is not a sunless city; yet little provision is made in the town itself or at the most frequented beaches for tree shelter. This lack presented itself forcibly to Mr. Gray Young upon his return from a tour abroad. Ho remarked upon the fact that cities larger than Wellington and more congested could yet make provision for tree-shel-tered spaces. Possibly Wellington would not bo so bare if early planters had been moro fortunate In their choice of trees. But they cannot bo blame'il for the tree-cutting which has become a Wellington habit. On tlie outskirts of the city, particularly in the last year or two, good planting work has been done; but the town itself is bare- of sheltering vegetation. Prom Thorndon to Newtown mothers and children can find no natural shade (except for the Courtenay place pohutukawas); The attractiveness of the beaches, too, would bo greatly enhanced if odd corners could be found for trees. Day's Bay is so popular because it combines tho pleasures afforded by beach and bush. Not every holiday-maker desires to sit in the sun all day. * » * ■ Egyptian doctors have condemned the tarbush, on the ground that it is unhygienic and unsuitable for a hot climate. Possibly many of these doctors were themselves trained in Edinburgh; and their condemnation of the fez is j attributable as much to the student I idea of dress as to medical knowledge. It is ' significant, however, that their pronouncement follows tardily the decision of Mustapha. Kemal, who long ago launched an attack upon the headgear of Islam. Kemsii was probably more concerned with tho symbolic significance of tho fez. He preferred the bowler hat because it meant nothing, not because it was more comfortable or hygienic. Now King Anianulla, of Afghanistan, declares that tho fez also means nothing, and is in nowise a symbol of Islam. Fortunately, tho Western world has not becu troubled with such questions —at least sinco Puritan times. High hats may have somo indefinite customary association with High Cjiurch; but it is not possible to gauge tho breadth of religious views by the narrowness of a hat-brim. Westerners are free to choose their headgear according to thuir ideas of,

I hygiene, ilinngli one in;iy ol'lcn conclude Iliac hygiene enters as little as religion info ihe choice. Increased mobility is one of the main essentials for a permanent reduction in unemployment. Recognition of this fact is indicated in (he decision of the British Ministry of Labour to upI point an Industrial Transference Board to facilitate the transfer of workers, particularly miners, for whom opportunities of employment in their own district or occupation arc no longer available. The Board will deal with transfers at Home and overseas, and will, in certain cases, provide financial assistance. It is suggested, for example, that the seasonal demand for labour in Canada could lie met by British workers if sm-h workers could be helped withl return passages when the employment ended. The principal aim, it would appear, is to substitute certainly for chance. For this organisation is necessary. The worker in Northumberland, if offered a. mere prospect of employment in Manitoba, will probably refuse to move; but if he is guaranteed six months' work and a return passage, he will accept Ihc offer. Until there is an organisation which can assure employment there will always be difiictilty in filling tho gaps in the labour market. Left to itself, labour will eventually find its own level, as capital docs; but the process will bo slow because the transfer is costly. In the meantime industry is loaded with the expense entailed by inequalities in the distribution of labour. One area must bear tho cost of a percentage of idle labour, while another area has to carry the burden of a labour shortage. To link tho two areas, so that labour may flow more easily from one to the other, is one of the great problems of industry to-day. If it can be solved wholly or in part the benefit to tho workers and industry at largo must bo immense.