Evening Post. MONDAY, MARCH 25, 1935. COMMENTS ON THE NEWS

Evening Post, Volume CXIX, Issue 71, 25 March 1935, Page 4

Evening Post. MONDAY, MARCH 25, 1935.

COMMENTS ON THE NEWS

In so far as the Municipal Association conference advocated investigation with * view to improving the conditions of the unemployed, its aim will have general public endorsement. "A -scheme or schemes for-providing work at -.standard Tates of pay" would be welcomed if it could be so framed as to meet the views of all parties concerned; but, xecollecting the criticism poured upon the building subsidy plan (brought into operation for this very purpose—providing standard work) we doubt if the Municipal Association -will be much successful than .the .Unemployment Board in landing a wholly acceptable solution. Nevertheless it can ieccongratulated aipon cits tto make 'the attempt. 'If aits 'investigation is thoroughly conducted it -should result in a better of the mag.nitude,of:the;BoardVtask, and, consequently, tin xloser co-operation of the central -amLlocal authorities. But some doubt 'of 'the spirit in which the task willibe approached.is raised .by'the-Association's -resolution favouring an immediate increase of 10s a week for all unemployed, and by the statements that ibis would cost £300,000 a year, and that ihe JBoard -should produce a statement showing -exactly how its great .income was aiaed. "Ihe .Acting-Minister 'of Employment .lias stated 'that a 10s inxrease would -.cost .very imuch more Stan ;JE3OO^MK), and Jthe .Board Jias .graen <jfetails -of its lexpenditure in its annual -reports. 'Has the 'Association -.studied these reports and 'the 'Minister's statements, <and Jras it considered whether 10s a -week all Tound would 'be an -equitable -method of granting further relief?

-One :should not .gibe at the disciplinary circular issued by -Dominion headquarters of the Farmers' Union. .All unions .and organisations have similar 'troubles at times when their efforts to;present a united front are spoilt by "branches or Tnemlers who insist on 'expressing their -oim opinions. When the order is given to fix bayonets the -soWier who ■keeps on -presenting .aims is an lembarrassment to ihe company. SBut thereis a serious side to'this circular. ;If .-all of fanner opinion through 'the "Union are to be .passed j through uertain channels 'Sor trans- j .mission to the "Minister x;oncerne3 if jn keeping-with Ac "Union's policy," jthe Minister concerned will be 'justified in suspecting that mechanisation Aas extended from the farm to farming politics, "Moreover, if the Dominion president of die Union is die Tspmentative of the .farmers in Parliament, tfrom -Whom do other members -of Parliament for farming constituencies flerive their

Only -minor amendments tD the Mortgage Corporation Bill were made at recommended by the .Legislative '.Council. For all practical purposes the Sill lias now been accepted lay the Legislature. A measure at levo'lntionary character "has rarely teen .accepted so easily, and Parliament in passing it has ignoied -the most grave and serious warnings of the financial and commercial leaders of the country. An organisation lias leen created under political control iit is idle to pretend that this cannot le) -with power to issue bonds and take over the great mortgage de"bt of the country. It may not exercise this power to the full. "We hope it will not; and that prudent administration may lessen the dangers arising from such llljudged leghbtlai,