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Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVIII, Issue 18411, 18 May 1920, Page 4

We are afraid that many of those persons who go home from their work on bicycles have not quite realised that the sun sets rather early these days. Numbers of these folk neglect to carry lights, either fore or aft, and they slip through the street traffic with what looks like a total disregard of their own safety and the safety of other i>eoplo. Persons alighting from tram-cars aro particularly endangered by the swift passing of silent, unlighted bicycles; although the whole of the pedestrian public is threatened individually with injury at any moment. One of these days there will be a very serious accident unless this reckless practice of cycling in the dark i& stopped. In the meantime, this risk would be minimised if the regulations on the subject wore enforced. If prosecutions aro brought—as we hope they will be —the Magistrates should realise the seriousness of the offence and inflict salutary punishment.

The deputation of labour unions which waited on Air Alassoy in reference to tho housing question at Wellington yesterday found the Prime Alinistcr in a pliant, not to say chastened, mood. The inadequacy oi the Government’s original housing scheme was obvious, and in its present curtailed form it cannot pretend to provide any sort of a solution for the housing problem. The proposals of the deputation were practical enough, and their practicability was recognised l;y Air Alassey, who has promised to submit to Cabinet tbe questions of controlling building and admitting Oregonpino duty free. It is to bo hoped that Afinisters will he seized with the importance of this matter which so vitally affects the well-being of the community, and that such assistance as is in the Government’s power to bestow will he givon.

However one may disagree with some of the cardinal doctrines upon which organised Labour bases its policy in Britain and Europe, the philosophy underlying these movements is at least rational and understandable. In Australia, and sometimes in New Zealand, things are different- For instance, the Sydney Labour Council has just issued a manifesto denouncing the establishment- of unionists’ co-operative stores, and urging united action for the immediate and complete overthrow of the whole capitalist system. Such an attitude is understandable only on the nssumntion that the Sydney Labour Council desires to discourage all efforts which may remove any cause of grievance against the existing social system, so that that system may he the mo-e r.fff'r+ivn'lv n H O That. is n rvnrolv destructive philosophy, and its end can only he chaos at the worst, and utter disillusionment at the best. The cooperative societies would at least provide a nucleus for a new social order were the old to collapse, as is evidenced in .the case of Russia. In Britain, where workers’ co-operative societies have attained their greatest strength, their value, present and potential, is fully and gratefully recognisod by the intellectual leaders of the Labour movement. Australian Labour apparently expeots to gain the New Jerusalem without the trouble of building it.

The reply given by the Minister of Public Works to the representative of the Progress League concerning the construction of the Otira tunnel was one in which optimism, caution and doubt struggled together. It is reassuring to be told that under the contract system tho men are working with increased vigour, especially in view of the fact that the staff was reduced o couple of months ago. In regard to tho stops which are being taken lo

complete the electrical installation of the tunnel tho Minister was rather nebulous. It ought to bo possible to inform the public whether tho material and plant have been ordered, and when delivery is expected, with some estimate of tho time the work will occupy, but Mr Coates apparently is not conversant with those details. Howovor, he looks forward to completion of the tunnel within eighteen months, which is tlie most cheering news that has been heard concerning Otira since the work started. It is unfortunate that Mr Coates, a Ministerial novice, should have to shave with his veteran colleague the surplusage of portfolios. His duties as Minister of Public Works would, we feel sure, he better fulfilled if ho could devote more attention to them- With Defence and tho Post and Telegraphs to care for as well, he must be compelled to neglect something.

One of the most effective piec-eo of municipal advertising yet produced in this country is the hook “Wanganui, tho River Town of New Zealand ” by H. Hector Bolitlio, published by tho Wanganui Borough Council. Tho varied attractions of this picturesque and progressive town are displayed to their best advantage in this well-written and splendidly-illustrated brochuro. If its mission is to excite interest, admiraton, and oven a. little envy, it has certainly succeeded, and tho publication ought, to be of much value in assisting Wanganui to a. bigger population and the early development of the various ambitious schemes of municipal advancement which the citizens cherish. Tho example of Wanganui should not be last on other towns, particularly upon some of those in the South Island, whose excellences would not be in tho slightest dimmed if they were given a little long-overdue publicity.