TOPICS OF THE DAY

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 19, 24 January 1929, Page 10

TOPICS OF THE DAY

For some years the land'settlement policy of the late Government paused before the problem of whether undeveloped laud pays to break in, and Whether dairying land pays to buy, at current prices, for settlement. In contrast with this "dead slow ahead" policy the new Government now sounds a forward note in settlement; and, as by a magic touch from the now political fairy up above, the permanent officials lower down are converted from a modified pessimism to a restrained optimism. In the course of some non-com-mittal statements, the new Minister of Lands, the Hon. G. W. Forbes, confirms the forward movement, but gives little or no clue to methods or ways or means. Is an" advance to bo made mainly along the lines of breaking in undeveloped land, or of buying proved land for higher development? Under the first head, thought flies to pumice, to tho prison labour tests, and to the late "Minister's dread of farming costs. Under the second head, tho five-hun-dred acre block of dairying land comes to mind, and the late Government's reluctance to provide estate-breaking machinery suitable for splitting such five-hundred acre holdings into fiftyacre dairy farms. Another question arising is whether the Government is building mainly on cow and sheep products, the market for which is more or less assured at home and oversea, or whether the small settlement contemplated would rely largely on the products of poultry-yard, bee hive, and orchard, for which the marketing factor is much more uncertain. An exportable surplus is one thing when it consists of butter, but, quite another thing when it consists of eggs guaranteed fruit, etc. Australia's heavy payments for exports of fruits and sugar prove clearly that settlement schemes must be looked at from tho selling as well as the producing end.

The Minister of Education has promised to decide the junior high school question within six weeks.' Such a decision is necessary. At present tho position is uncertain. Mr. Atmore's predecessor in office was not wholly convinced of the wisdom of. tho junior high school policy; but possibly the expense involved was a fact ;that influenced him. In many quarters it is claimed that the junior high schools are a marked success, and the demand for them from various quarters is quoted as supporting that general opinion. Such demands, however, must bo examined with cure. Many people will demand something, to bo provided from the public funds, without being convinced that it is either essential or the best. . There is this further point to be considered: some of the junior high schools as experimental institutions have been established under most favourable conditions with highly competent principals, picked staffs, and good accommodation. Under such conditions a bad failure was scarcely possible; but live success achieved may not be fully maintained with an extension of tho system. Tho point, however, which wo trust will be thoroughly investigated by tho Minister is: Does the junior high school serve as a bridge between tho primary and secondary schools, or does it interpose another gap? Wo supported its trial because it was claimed that it would bridge tho gap between tho primary and secondary schools, and lead to a botter distribution of pupils according to their natural aptitude for technical, comnier-

cial, or professional courses. If there is any doubt regarding this it is better to delay extension than to ostablish more schools on an experimental basis.

In this first month of tho New Year Australia finds herself up against her usual imder-subscription in the London loan market and her usual threats of paralysing strikes, particularly in New South Wales. Though even the militant unions in tho Old Country can s:eo the need of contributing, through reduced wage rates or piece rates, to the general deflation, the Noweastle-Maitland coalminers of New South Wales will not yield a shilling a ton in money and tho timber workers will not give up four hours weekly in time. Their allegation that tho costcutting should bo entirely borne by tho employers or by interests othci 1 than labour remains entirely unsupported by convincing economic evidence. Against tho employers' contention that the wago must bear its share of the writ-ing-down, all that is heard in reply is the stock argument that share capital of companies is watered. But watered stocks cannot maintain their level unMess there is some foundation under them. Tho only real economic evidence cabled is the responsible statement ,of Judgo Lukin that in Sydney nearly two millions sterling of timber industry capital has returned only about 2.2 per cent, over five years. It is returns like this that squeeze out the water. And a watered wago must be amenable to the same kind of judgment-by-re-sults. . . 4 -::• «■ ■::• 111 preparation for tho Australian phase of tho deflation (more politely called "economic'Sreadjustment") that lias been taking place almost everywhere, tho Australian Government in- j duced four practical business men to j como from Britain as an economic mis- I sion, or unofficial board of assessors, to point out what is wrong with Australian industry, and to supply those facts ami arguments by means of which unavoidable truths and inescapable results might bo made clear and logical to all and sundry. And so far as logic and demonstration and persuasion can prevail, the mission has done its work well, and has given particular attention to tho coal and iron problem as existing in New South Wales. But a7i independent and accurato economic diagnosis of the disease is not of much use. to tho" sick man if his affairs arcin the hands of a few masterful scr-, vants who are prejudiced and pledged against tho obvious remedies. In such a . position, it is said, do the miners stand to their union controllers; and the suggestion is made that a secret ballot would have a different result. Meanwhile, the chronic condition of strike-threat in Australia remains chronic, and still people wonder why the loans hang fire.