TOPICS OF THE DAY

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 25, 30 January 1930, Page 8

TOPICS OF THE DAY

The Harbour Board has authorised the preparation of plans for a modern floating dock, and as soon as the specifications are complete tenders will be invited. In the meantime the wharf at which the dock will be moored will be constructed. The steel for this purpose has already been ordered. We think this decision by the Board, which is announced to-day, will meet with wide approval. The dock is a constructive enterprise of the utmost value to Wellington, and it will be of the greatest assistance in keeping this shipping .centre in the forefront. It is constructive work of this kind that is required in the present day. Generally, it is a time for economy, but expenditure which accelerates progress is never wasteful. The provision of a floating dock in Wellington Harbour is a work which cannot by any stretch of imagination be deemed extravagant. The Harbour Board's prudent financial methods have made it certain that we can afford the cost, and the increasing work of the port shows that we cannot afford to be without the dock much longer.

"It is worth remembering," said the Minister of Transport yesterday, "that every shilling taken off the cost of transporting our primary products to the market will be a shilling net profit to the primary producers'." This may appear a truism, but it is one which will bear repetition. Producers, and consumers too, fail to realise that they themselves are paying for extravagance in transport. This is not an issue between the Railway Department, the motor carriers, the tramways, and the local roadmaking authorities. It affects every citizen, for transportation is an important item in production, manufacture, and consumption. It must be approached from this angle—not with the aim of creating or conserving any vested interest, but so'that this essential service may be as cheap and efficient as it can possibly be made in the interests of the whole community. Had the importance of the subject been realised fully by the people, Parliament would not have dared to shelve it last session. The objections of municipalities, jealous ©f their recently acquired licensing powers, would not have carried such weight. It is to be hoped that in the meantime public opinion will be awakened to the need for action, so that when new proposals are submitted to the House next session there will be no further

trifling with the issue. It is far more important than the 1 per cent, additional primage duty which was debated with such heat.

"Learn to speak distinctly" is the advice of Mr. Alexander Watson, who hopes to see good come from the talking pictures, because their horrible distortion is making people realise the. value of a beautiful voice and clear enunciation. We are inclined to think that Mr. Watson has been unfortunate in his hearing of "talkies," or he would not make so general a condemnation. But this is apart from the main question which his statement raises: How far does the stage or, in these days, the speaking screen influence the speech of everyday life? It is an arguable point. At one time drama was an art in which there was not the striving after realism that is now so marked. Stage characters did not speak in the "true to life" manner. This is recalled by the publication by Mr. D. D. Arundell of the seventeenth century controversy between Dryden and Howard as to whether rhyme, blank verse, or prose were more appropriate in drama. Nowadays an occasional play may appear in verse, but prose, in the hardest realism, is usual. How far can this drama which seeks to imitate life so closely elevate the speech standards? If it elevates them by much it loses some of its realism. On the other hand, the old drama, setting an artistic standard, may fail in its effect. The consciousness of the play may be so strong that the audience will consider it merely a play, and be uninfluenced. No one will imitate this stage diction because it is so evidently "stagey." With the "talkies," which keep nearer to life as it is (in manners of speech), there is, however, the possibility of a bad influence, unless the faults are so evident as to carry their own safeguard. If there were everywhere the "horrible distortion"! which Mr. Watson has heard there would be little danger. It is the slight distortion which is to be feared.

Promises have been given by the Government that New Zealand will be represented at this year's Conference of the International Labour Organisation. At present New Zealand shares with San Domingo and Abyssinia the distinction of not having been represented at any of the annual conferences. The failure is not, however, attributable, as Mr. E. J. Riches, a member of the Organisation staff, suggests, to fear of the word "Labour" in the title of the Organisation. Delegations comprise representatives of labour employers and Governments. This makes the expense of representation heavy for a Dominion which is so far distant from Geneva. It is doubtful if the gain is commensurate. The results of the International Labour Organisation's investigations are available in publications which may be studied here. They are seldom made use of, and we doubt if the majority of Members of Parliament give them any attention. New Zealand already possesses ai standard cf living and working conditions superior to that enjoyed by most members of the Organisation. The workers here have at present little to gain directly, therefore, from the efforts of the Organisation. The possibility of benefit lies in such an improvement of the standard in other countries that the demand for our exportable produce will be increased, and unfair competition from low-standard countries lessened. This is an aim to which New Zealand should contribute. The Dominion does contribute by supporting the League of Nations and the International Labour Organisation. It is open to question whether the influence that could be exercised in the same direction by regular representation at the conferences would be worth the heavy cost. We believe that representation from time to time would be worth while in order to arouse New Zealand interest in the work that is being done; but regular attendance by three representatives cannot be deemed essential at this stage.