TOPICS OF THE DAY

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 61, 15 March 1929, Page 8

TOPICS OF THE DAY

After long delay, the Fire Board has taken the right course in resolving upon a thorough public investigation of the cireumstanees surrounding the Markets fire. It would havo been bettor if this doeision had been made at ..the outset. The delay which has taken placo will make ascertainment of all the facts. iinore difficult. Even now it would be more desirable to seek the appointment of a special commission at once, as it seems that a coroner 'a inquiry cannot take account of the facts relating to tho suppression and the outbreak, and it is with these that public opinion is chiefly concerned. The reports already made public suggest several directions in which action is desirable: Alteration of building construction methods, installation of efficient alarm systems, improvement of the water supply service by attention to the hydrants and their location. But the public will not be fully reassured until these matters have been further investigated in the open, and inquiry made also as to the equipment and manning scale of the brigade itself. The public mind is easily disturbed by suggestions of inefficiency in services closely affecting the safety of life and property; and uneasiness grows unless prompt action is taken to sort out rumours and unfounded criticism from that which has foundation.

Summer time will end on' Sunday morning. It has given us an opportunity of studying the scheme in modified form. 'This season we have had 22 weeks of half-hour daylight saving, instead of the seventeen weeks of an hour's summer time tried last season. In ilic country districts the modified form has met with less criticism. One lending opponent of summer time has even gone so far as to say that he would not oppose continuation of tho half-hour. The better reception is not entirely due to tho modification, however. Opposition to re-enactment of the hour was, we believe, as much the result of prejudice as of difficulties experienced. Tho half-hour was approached with a better disposition to make the best of it. This led to the speedy disposal of difficulties. If the farmers could be persuaded to try the hour in tho same spirit wo believe that they would not much longer deny its benefits. It is gratifying at least to know that the modified reform has won now adherents, bo that we may be sure of retaining it until it can be exchanged for something better.

"Why do not you buUcr-niukurs and clieese-inakers manufacture ,a better butter and choeso for us to soil?" "And why don't you sellers show us manufacturers a better price-discrimination, indicating' that quality is worth while?" This exchange epitomises some portion of the argument that is .current between New Zealand dairy producers and the people who handle Now Zealand dairy produce in the Old Country. Writing on points of .criticism put forward by Sir Thomas Clement in Hawera, the Director of the Dairy Division, Mr. W. M. Singleton, contends that the best stimulus towards better quality is differential prices for varying qualities; in proof of which ho states that when the Dairy Board was making differential advances during the 1920-27 season,. the percentage of "finest" cheese graded was 54.71, but in the following season, the differential advances being discontinued, the percentage of "finest" fell to 30.55 per cent. Recognising Sir Thomas Clement's authoritativo position and practical influence, Mr. Singleton hopes that his endeavours will be enlisted "towards bo improving the marketing of Now Zealand cheese that the better qualities will be duly recognised in the prices received by the dairy companies concerned." In short, superior dairy produce manufacturers, like superior shipping ports, dislike a flat rate.

No doubt price is a factor in creating quality, but is it not still more true that quality is a factor in creating price? If the seller waits ou quality, and tho producer or manufacturer waits on prico, there is little guarantee of progress. A few days ago a conference of dairy factory managers in Auckland was told by Mr. F. J. Nathan that "the only man who.over stood up in a public gathering and told you the naked truth about the decline in the quality of our produce is Sir Thomas Clement." Mr. Nathan also said that there was all too little knowledge possessed by the Dairy Division of New Zealand of tho exact requirements of overseas markets, and ho suggested that some of the New Zealand graders should go to Britain for a spell, while Mr. Ross, London officer of the Department of Agriculture, should visit New Zealand to deliver addresses on tlio British consumer's palate. But Mr. Singleton, contends;, that London checks on Now Zealand grading have shown it to be "as nearly correct as could be expected from human beings," and he declares that the judgment of tho New Zealand graders is in line with that of Messrs. Wright and Boss in London. ' f What will impress the layman in

connection with this argument'is the evidence adduced by the Department itself that the percentage of "finest" fell in one season (hot, it is true) from 54 to 30. In whatever proportions one divides tho blame between non-dis-criminating buyers and non-progressive manufacturers, tho fact remains that oither "finest" is a, misnomer or else New Zealand cheese took a big step backward. It is hard to' resist the conclusion that the critic wins by admission. :