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Hokitika Guardian, 11 April 1923, Page 2

Tiik “New York Globe" discusses the rather wide question whether former Ministers should cr should not write articles and books. In a leader headed ‘'Statesmen in Journalism.” it remarks; “Certainly there is no good reason in a democratic nation to enjoin silence upon those leaders most capable of illuminating issues upon which public opinion must make choice. If Britain wore governed by a lew thousand member: of the nobiliiy and gentry it would he proper enough to restrict information upon national i—sues to these who had a share in the decision. But manhood and womanhood suffrage is the law ot the land, and practically the entire nation -r.■.-1 be arbiters of national policy. It N vital. therefore. Hint the people be informed 1 . Retired Cabinet, members should be partieiiluily useful in this held. Peiueare attained bis pre-cut

office as a consequence of a campaign conducted in the Press. The former President ot France experienced no emburassment in composing newspap. r nrtich s. and bis countrymen, whose

sense of pnnelillio is as delicate as any, felt- no sen"o of shame. Orlando and Nitti were hath journalists both before and after they held offiio, and the Italians are a sensitive people, til this country, as a former President, Theodore' Roosevelt wrote a, weekly editorial for the ‘Outlook,’ and dering the interim between the presidency and the Chief Justiceship of the Supremo Court, William 1 Toward Taft was a frequent contributor to the magazines. The precedents are sound

and numerous. Government has become public business, and it must he publicly determined. Assuredly the masses of the epople who will profit h.v such discussion are net likely to frown upon honest men v.ho retire from office financially poof, hut rich in experience. For even a former Prime Minister may enjoy the common right of free speech and of work for “elf-support.”

Jr.iT.n about three weeks -pent in investigating dairy coiulit ions in New Zealand, and a visit- to Australia tor a similar purpose, Mr .1. A. Ritddiek. dairy and cold storage commissioner to Die Department of Agriculture of Canada, is :i through passenger for

Vancouver h.v the steamer Makurn, which railed at .Auckland eu route (stales the “Herald"). Mr Ruddiek. about 2d years ago. held the position of dairy commissioner to the New Zealand Government. He was so engaged for some considerable time, finally leaving the Dominion in 1990. "Looking Link to those old days," said Mr Ruddiek, “it was very interesting to me to come back once more and noie the great improvements and the notable advances that have been made since T lcit. There lias been a great step forward in production. That, of course, is only natural, but it is equally noticeable that in methods, and in equipment things have indeed gone ahead. AN hen I left here in 1900 Taranaki was practicallv a lough country. Now it is a land of clean paddocks, well grassed, has good roads, comfortable homesteads, and generally a good air ol prosperity. New Zealand, J consider is now doing exceedingly well in dairying. Tn my tour through various parts of the Dominion I had ample opportunity of seeing how matters were trending. Ceitainly 1 see no reason why the dairying industry should not continue to expand hero, although perhaps at not quite so rapid a rate as during the past few years. High prices during the war no doubt stimulated production and it is hardly to lie supposed that the same rate of increase will prevail as during that period. Still, there is plenty of room for expansion, as hush lands arc brought into cultivation, and sheep country turned into dairy farms.

An appeal is made in t iiis issue with regard to toe soldiers’ club moumtent. It"should have the practical suppu. t of the citizens. Thai was promised a couple of years ago when the meniori.d to the fallen was in hand, the understanding at the time being that that duty should take precedence. The building scheme now in hand will prove one of practical utility to the town. Besides affording a much needed plate of meeting for the returned men and veterans generally, the building can ho utilised as a general club for citizens who care to become honorary members. The social hall will lie a special adjunct for the benefit of the town, at the same affording the means of securing a good income for the general upkeep of the club rooms. The social hall will lit* useful for all kinds of public gatherings such as socials, dances, parties, halls, bazaars and concerts and will supply something ot a long felt want by the general conveniences which will go with the ball. A large annexe will add to the dancing space, or ground floor, and so render the building useful for social gatherings of considerable dimensions. Altogether from a civic point of view the scheme has much to commend it which is all the more reason why the appeal on behalf of the soldiers should not be in vain.