Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 18th., 1937. ARMS AND YOUTHS.

Greymouth Evening Star, 18 February 1937, Page 6

Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 18th., 1937. ARMS AND YOUTHS.

r J’IIE jury of public opinion throughout the Dominion will probably endorse the verdict of the jury at the Supreme Court sitting at Invercargill, yesterday, which acquitted a young bankclerk, on a charge of manslaughter, by shooting. Whatever the strictly legal merits of the evidence presented by the Crown, the circumstances of a somewhat sordid case, created considerable outside sympathy with the accused lad, who must have suffered considerably through his ordeal since the tragedy. It is to be hoped that his employers will arrange that the regrettable happening does not mean the end of his banking career, if he desires to continue it.

Many will think that the system permitting two youths to be in charge of important premises, was also indicted. If so, it is doubtful if the verdict would be unanimous acquittal in this instance. tn theory, it is probable that the bank's regulations arc adequate to safeguard staff, premises, and public interest, during non-busi-ness hours, but it has been proved that in practice, there are serious defects in the system. The human element has not been sufficiently allowed for. especially when mere youths are entrusted with important responsibilities. Counsel for the defence, yesterday, rightly stressed the folly of permitting vouths to have access to revolvers.

Later, the Judge revealed that the grand jury had recommended that no minor should be left as guardian of a building, with access to firearms. This reeommendatibn should be honoured by bank-managers, who may derive a worth-while lesson from the evi-

deuce given, during the Invercargill proceedings.

INFERIOR BREAD ?

pEOPLE know that the policy of the Labour Government has increased the price of bread, but it will be a.surprise to most to learn, from an Auckland baker, that the more expensive article is inferior to the loaf of previous days. This] informant declares that the. inferiority is not confined to Auckland, but is general throughout the Dominion, the bakers being helpless in the matter. . The* explanation given is that, to-day, flour, as standardised by the Government control policy, is ol low-er-grade, wheat that is not goodj

enough to feed poultry, being estimated as good enough for human consumption. A reply to this allegation, from the Minister for Industries and Commerce, will be awaited with‘interest. Much is heard of industrial efficiency, from the Minister, and of the resolve to place national enterprises on the highest footing. Whatever else the Labour. Government’s policy has achieved, greater efficiency is not included, complaints coming from various industries Hi at the higher pay and lesser hours have not increased nor improved production, but rather the contrary. To maintain high standards is essential, if New Zealand is to prosper, and in no branch of industry is this more important than in the production people’s foods