The Watchtower

Northern Advocate, 17 November 1941, Page 7

The Watchtower

(By the “Sentinel”)

Those motorists who have been hoping tor a more generous petrol ration for the summer holidays seem doomed to disappointment, as the Minister for Supply (Mr. D. G. Sullivan) has lately stated that the petrol position in New Zealand is "worse than it has been at any time since the outbreak of war.” This can only be taken as an intimation that the ration is unlikely to be increased. Mr. Sullivan appeals, too, to the patriotism of motorists as a means of conserving spirit. This appeal, however, would have a much better prospect of success if Mr. Sul'ivan’s Government had not given motorists reason to feel that they have been victimised. When the relicensing- of motor cars took place last May, the ration stood higher than it is today, and no intimation whatever was given that a reduction was imminent. Within a couple of months, however, the meagre ration allowed the private motorist had been reduced to a quantity which makes the owning and running of a car scarcely worth while. The remedy for this state of affairs is to reduce the license fee in approximate proportion to the reduction in mileage imposed on the motoring community. Gn top of the bitterness which motorists justly feel on this score, there is a further sense of strong resentment against the ease with which influential people are able to get liberal allowances and carry on their motoring for both business and pleasure as if times were completely normal. Until Mr. Sullivan can put this right, and give the motoring public a fair deal all round, his appeals will carry little weight.

Eyes on Bay of Plenty The future of the Bay of Plenty seat, rendered vacant through the death of Lieutenant A. G. Hultquist, will be of much political interest. In the case of the Waitemata seat, the Opposition did not put up a candidate after the death of Capain Lyon in Crete, but some distinction may perhaps be drawn between the fact that Lieutenant Hultquist has died of influenza while Captain Lyon perished on the battlefield. In any case, the feelings of people in the electorate, who may have a strong desire for a change in representation, cannot be altogether disregarded. Lieutenant Hultquist’s majority has never been a large one, and in 1938 was only 169. Just 10 years ago, Mr. K. S. Williams was returned unopposed in this electorate, so that its allegiance to Labour is very recent. In Waitemata. the by-election took place seven weeks f after Captain Lyon's death, so that if there is a by-election in Bay of Plenty it may be held before Christmas. In the meantime, there will be general regret at the loss of a young and promising member of Parliament.

Vicious Spiral? Why are vegetables dear? If market gardeners are to be believed, a bad season and high labour costs are the principal factors. The Price Tribunal, however, is now to sit in judgment on the matter. This is a good thing. It is to the public interest to have the matter investigated, for this inexorable rising tendency in the price of essenial foods is a serious matter. Year by year the lop price of fruit and vegetables in the periods of scarcity gets a little bit higher. Quite apart from bad seasons (and not every season can be a bad one) these, along with many other commodities, have become involved in that “vicious spiral” of which we have heard so much. And only the harassed housewife, trying to eke out her siender budget, knows just how vicious it is. AVintry AVaiouru Mr. Parry, it is reported, was non-com-mittal recently when asked his views about the suitability of AVaiouru Camp for year-round training purposes. He might well be. It is omv about two years since one of his Cabinet colleagues enthusiastically assured 1 lie public that there was no intention to use Waiouru all the year round. In the winter, he said, it would be completely vacated. Some of those who have spent the past winter there will no doubt find this amusing. The Übiquitous Boolcie In defending two Palmerston North men charged with bookmaking, their counecmplained that the town was being given a bad name by the number of prosecutions of this sort that were taking place there. Although perhaps not realised bv his clients, who were fined £2OO each (bringing their total score in fines up to £5451, this was a subtle slur on their profession. Far from bringing discredit on a town, it may bo argued on behalf cf bookmakers that they provide a necessary public amenity, almost as important as a good water supply. Can there be any town in New Zealand which lacks the refining influence of a “bookie?” If so it muts be backward indeed.