PRESS COMMENTS.

Hokitika Guardian, 13 July 1928, Page 4

PRESS COMMENTS.

Our rate of maternal mortality is nothing to lie proud of. Our deathrate from tuberculosis is the lowest in tlie world, and tends to fall, but in a country like this it should be much lower, and can it be seriously contended that we are doing as much as wc might for tubercular cases? Have we succeeded in our treatment of goitre and in discovering its cause? These are specific aspects. Looking at the amount of general sickness, and the size and cost of hospitals, New Zealanders have no reason to take Dr Hutchinson's praise as a justification for slackening effort. Possibly there are social workers who will smile wanly at the thought of our social welfare work being a model for the world. Me are entitled to bo grateful for our heritage and the result of our efforts, but that greatet - effort is needed in the war against poverty and disease is as patent as the,Auckland Hospital on the Auckland landscape.—Auckland “ Star.”

There will be no legislative enactment this year to. end unemployment because there cannot be. It should dimiiisb to the point of disappearance when active development of the country’s resources, retarded from a variety of causes not all capable of adjustment within New Zealand, is resumed. The settlement legislation already mentioned would help materially to bring a gradual cure. So would ail easing of the burden of taxation now resting on industry, a measure of relief tlie country will expect this session. It follows from these considerations that there is work for Parliament to do, work which, to be done worthily, demands the combined effort of all sections in it. The session, though it will probably be short, need not be barrcii, —“ New Zealand Herald.”

After a trial during last summei of putting the clock forward members on both sides will be armed with arguments pro and con derived from the short experience. They will have pabulum for a long debate, and a long debate, not free from bitterness, they will make of it, notwithstanding that all that there is to say might be sai ’ calmly by a few speakers on either side. * There will be a general desire by members to seek the smiles of approval and votes of appreciation as marked on the ballot-papers. Many other subjects, including finance, taxation and administration will afford reasons for adding to the flood of talk. Thus tli© session is likely to extend over three months without pioducing much legislation of real advantage to the country.—Oamaru “Hail.”

The Auckland people have been discussing hospital levies, and come to the conclusion that the Government should pay the whole cost instead of half.; Hospitals would cost more if this were done and red tape would increase amazingly. There has been no indication of any capacity on the part of civil servants to govern and eontiol everything and certainly Ministers would not claim any such qualifications. If politicians could he found who would look to the interests of tlie public and not the interests of small cliques, they would obtain much support. Tlie public are not organised, hut they are a. great majority, and it requires only a lead to make them return men who will put an end to this trading with money of the State on unfair conditions and to the injury of private enterprise and the general public.— ( ‘ Waikato Times,”