TOPICS OF THE DAY

Evening Post, Volume CVIII, Issue 2, 2 July 1929, Page 8

TOPICS OF THE DAY

Almost £12,000 has been subscribed in Wellington already for the Earthquake Relief Fund. This is a splendid response, and a wonderful proof of the sympathy felt for sufferers in the disaster. It may be said that the funds could have been otherwise provided by a grant from the Government, recouped from taxes; but this would not have been so gratifying as the contribution which is made "not grudgingly or of necessity." It is in such humane measures for the relief of suffering that all sections of the community can unite, drawn together by a common humanity and sympathy. For example, tonight in the Town Hal^ Mr. H. E. Holland, Leader of the Labour Party, will give a lecture on his experiences and observations in the earthquake area, and he will be supported on the platform by the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition. On many other questions these three may differ, but they are in hearty agreement in helping those who have suffered in the earthquake disaster. The people, we are sure, will applaud and support such unity.

An Empire fiscal union such as Lord Beaverbrook advocates in the "Sunday Express" is no new idea. It is the old idea of Imperial Preference somewhat extended,. Within the union which Lord Beaverbrook desires "trade would flow free and unrestrained among all nations under the British flag." If the Empire were organised as it should be, the United States (he says) would be seeking our countenance and friendship, instead of Britain seeking the support of America. One cannot doubt that an. accession of strength would follow an improvement in organisation. That was ' the gospel preached by Mr. Amery on his last Empire tour. It is the idea which is now attracting, some attention in Canada when that Dominion sees the brick wall round the United States rising higher and higher. But the difficulty lies in convincing the various parts of the Empire that the general plan can be made acceptable in its details. While one part of Canada is looking for an extension of Empire trade as an answer to America, the Canadian Opposition Leader is stumping the Dominion to denounce one practical application of the policy. Fiscal Union is a splendid theory, but when it comes near home we perceive the difficulties it raises—free admission of Australian wheat and flour to New Zealand and free admission of New Zealand butter to the Commonwealth. Theories cannot sweep away all these internal barriers; but it may be that meditation on the Empire union dream may in time put the component parts of^ the Empire in better mood to negotiate away some of the tariffs they have set up against each other.

Point Halswell road is almost wholly a pleasure drive. Very few vehicles use it for any business purpose. In the circumstances no great hardship is imposed by the one-way traffic rule. The Automobile Club, however, considers that the one-way rule is no longer necessary, and that two-way traffic could be permitted. Against this the chairman of the club suggested that a little further widening on some of the bends would make the road sufer. If there is any doubt of the safety, one-way traffic should be continued. On a pleasure drive pleasure may be much diminished if the element of danger is introduced, and danger should therefore be avoided, especially when the absence of business traffic makes it unnecessary to consider time or distance. But whatever the rule may be, it should be enforced. At present, it is stated, the majority of drivers are respecting the one-way rule, but a few are causing a nuisance by defying it.

Answering a jibe at the Country Party's Free Trade policy, Mr. Rushworth, Country Party member of the House of Representatives, said that Protection was already flyblown and moth-eaten. Safeguarding and Protection were synonymous for exploitation. Mr. Rushworth further declared that he was prepared to offer consistent and persistent opposition to any suggestion of continuing a system that had brought so much evil in times past and was working evil to-day. We do not doubt that Mr. Rushworth will offer persistent opposition to Protection, but we shall be interested in watching whether it is also consistent. If he does make it consistent —the repeal of all duties having a protective element—he will have cause for gratitude in the inconsistency of his fellow-members which will prevent him from attaining his aim. Having gone so far in Protection, New Zealand cannot change direction at once and get back to a Free Trade position. The revenue of the protective tariff alone constitutes a great obstacle. A sudden reversion of policy would place the Government under the necessity of finding some millions of revenue to replace that lost through the abolition of protective revenue duties. There would be loss also from the income taxes collected from protected industries. Free Trade farmers who are ready to "go the whole hog" should explain how they will meet these difficulties.

When Segrave broke the motorspeed record he freely acknowledged his debt to the designer of the machine. The record was won by mechanical genius in partnership

with the driver's skill and daring. This partnership has been necessary ever since man sought to achieve greater speed than he could attain on foot When he rode bicycles it was still a great test of physical endurance, combined with a lesser degree of designer's genius. Later the designer became more important as the speed was attained by mechanical power. Now the biggest part of the work in attacking a record is the design of the vehicle. Kaye Don has just approved drawings for a car which is to cost £25,000. It will be designed to travel at nearly 300 miles an hour. ■ But as the mechanical factor in the record-breaking rises to these heights the personal factor rises also. A car which can pass the 200-mile mark may be a veritable Frankenstein. Only the driver of exceptional skill and iron nerve can control it Science has not yet made these great speeds attainable without the partnership of great physical fitness.