TOO MUCH GOVERNMENT.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21538, 9 January 1932, Page 8

TOO MUCH GOVERNMENT.

It is a common way with Governments to endeavour to pi'actise, under the spur of stern necessity, an economy which at. other times figures all too little in their calculations. The cost of government is permitted to mount up and up till suddenly the discovery is made that it is as burdensome on the shoulders of the taxpayers as the Old Man of the Sea on the back of Sindbad, and then, as the national revenue declines, there is trouble and anxiety for everybody. Why Governments must needs be so prodigal . when times are good and go on creating all sorts of administrative machinery which is expensive to run, and no doubt much of it superfluous, is one of the mysteries. The tunes are bad at present, and the Government is setting up an Economy Commission, upon the recommendations of which it will presumably be prepared to take action. This commission will inquire, the Prime Minister has stated, into public service expenditure only, and will not be concerned with local body finances. That it will find work enough to its hand need not be doubted. Almost every observant citizen has his own idea of directions in which public money is expended to no good purpose whatever. In respect of local body finance there is, however, a field of inquiry from the economy standpoint that ought not to be neglected. In his Budget in July last Mr Forbes observed that rates constituted one of the most onerous items in the overhead costs of fanning, and mentioned that the Government was even then selecting the members of a Royal Commission to explore the possibilities of giving relief to rural ratepayers by a general overhaul and reorganisation of the system of local government, the inquiry covering the whole incidence of local bodies’ taxation, and the expenditure of all local authorities. It was stated, by him that, apart from Power Boards and Harbour Boards, there were no fewer than 299 rural local authorities collecting rates approximating £2,240,000 annually and that the administration in respect of these bodies cost about £330,000 a year, which represented 11 per cent, of their total revenue from all sources, and nearly 15 per cent, of the receipts from rates. Such figures, formidable as they

appear, do less than justice to the extraordinary ramifications of our system of local government. The Local Authorities Handbook, a notable compendium rich in information if, for reasons of economy, somewhat less portly in its latest issue than it previously was, shows that at the end of 1930 the number of local bodies actively functioning in the Dominion was 689. This number included 125 county councils, 120 borough councils, 68 town boards, 19 road boards, 44 river boards, 64 land drainage boards, 54 fire boards, 45 harbour boards, 44 electric power boards, 46 hospital boards, and 47 rabbit boards, while there was an interesting residuum of urban drainage, water supply, tramway, transport, gas lighting, local railway and other authorities. It would be invidious to omit mention altogether of numerous district councils of the Main Highways Board which, though they are not local bodies in the strict sense, are nevertheless intimately connected with certain aspects of local government. The conclusion is unavoidable not only that local government thrives wonderfully in New Zealand, but also that it has long since reached the condition of a tree that needs judicious pruning. This multiplication of local bodies cannot but be productive of a considerable amount of overlapping, with consequent administrative waste. Good communications and the revolutionary development of road transport in recent years, observed Mr Forbes in his Budget speech, had rendered it quite unnecessary to have so many local authorities, and it was evident that, if the number could be reduced, not only would there be large savings in the cost of administration, but larger districts would enable roadmaking machinery to be kept fully employed, which would mean cheaper maintenance and construction of roads. The local government system in the Dominion, viewed as a whole, has indeed grown top-heavy. A commission that would have the effect of reducing it to less bloated proportions would perform useful service. The United Government was in office when Mr Forbes foreshadowed such a commission in July last, and it may be presumed that pressure of other business interfered with the consummation of the proposals. It is satisfactory to note, however, that the Coalition Government has not lost sight of the matter, but intends to have the position investigated. i--.

Draining Low-lying Land It would appear that the problem of draining low lying farm lands at a cost which would place this within the realm of practicability has at last been solved by an invention of Mr Joseph Stephens, of Mosgiel, who last evening showed to a Daily Times reporter the plans of a remarkable apparatus which, if it will perform the things which are claimed for it, will go far toward revolutionising present methods of carrying away surplus water on low country. All that is required is a stream in close proximity to the land to be drained. Either by natural gravitation or by raising the level of the stream by damming, a fall of anything from a foot upwards to the lowest point on the area to be drained is obtained. A pipe of any dimension in accordance with the amount of water to be lifted is placed in the stream below the level of the surface, and, with the fall which has been obtained, a current which will vary with, the amount of fall is created. Some dis : tance inside the intake the water is split into two equal sections by a division running down the middle of the pipe in the shape of a wedge. This division lasts for only a short distance, and the two streams within the pipe again unite. At the rear of the wedge; however, there is a space clear of water in which a vacuum is created. Opposite this vacuum is the intake pipe running down to the water to be drained, and the atmospheric pressure, acting against the vacuum, causes the water to be sucked up. It is claimed that the invention has proved itself a complete success in experiments carried out on the Taieri, and a farm of 150 acres on which the problem of the removal of surface water has up till recently never been satisfactorily solved, has, by Mr Stephens’s invention, been kept clear of all surplus water. As there are no working parts to get out of order and no running costs, it will be realised that this method of pumping is particularly adapted to farm land drainage. It is also considered that the value of its use in the mining field will be quickly realised. Competent engineers have tested and reported favourably on the invention, which it is felt will soon have more than Dominion-wide fame. Mr Stephens has taken out a patent covering New Zealand rights, and an international patent is now being sought.

Registration of Firearms It may not be generally known that owners of registered firearms are required, under pain of penalty, to report to the police the loss of such firearms. Charles H. Grant was charged at the City Police Court yesterday with failing to inform the police of the theft of a revolver. The magistrate (Mr H. W. Bundle, S.M.) remarked that he, himself, had not been aware of the regulation in this respect, and since it wad the first case of its kind brought by the police, he considered it was unnecessary to convict. The procedings should have the effect of acquainting the public with the necessity for the immediate reporting of apy loss of registered firearms. The charge was dismissed.

Stolen Motor Car Recovered A fawn coloured Chevrolet motor car, the property of Mr D. A. Tudor, which was stolen from Russell street during the night of Thursday or early yesterday morning, was recovered yesterday by the police. The car was found in Rattray street, near St. Joseph’s Cathedral. It was undamaged. Cargo from Pacific Coast

? Advice has been received that Canadian and American cargo loaded by the Union Company’a motor ship*Hauraki at Pacific Coast ports, will be transhipped at Wellington. The cargo will be forwarded by a coastal steamer, and should reach Dunedin about January 14.

Record Cricket Scores The record score for a Plunket Shield cricket match was made by Auckland against Canterbury in the 1919-20 season, when the home team hit up 043 at Eden Park. Otago is next on the list with 602 for eight wickets against Canterbury at -Dunedin in 1928-29; These are the only two instances in which a provincial team has exceeded the 600 mark'in one innings. Besides holding the record, Auckland has a number of other large scores to its credit, notably 579 against Otago in 190910, 539 against Canterbury in 1907-08, 539 against Otago in 1926-27, and. 537 against Canterbury last season. In the AucklandWellington match in the 1927-28 season Wellington failed by only five runs to top the 600 mark, and the capital province has scored more than 500 against each of the other three major provinces.

Suspicious Action : What appears to have been a contemplated act of burglary was cleverly frustrated this week by a ,woman living at Caversham. Her neighbour had gone away for a holiday, leaving the key of the house in her possession. A welldressed man called one morning, saying he was a representative of the Electric Light Department, that he had come .to make an alteration to the fixings in the closed house, and asked , her if she knew where the key could be found. The woman did not inform her visitor that she had the key in her house, but told him, in a tone that did not encourage him to stay, that any alterations could very well wait until the owner of the house returned. No more was heard of the visitor, and the owner, on calling at the Electric Light Department yesterday, was npt altogether surprised to learn that the man had no authority from the department to call at his house.

Converted Whale Chaser An, interesting arrival at Port Chalmers on Thursday night was the converted whale chaser Turatahi from Bluff. The vessel will have structural alterations made to improve her efficiency as a trawler. The alterations will include the provision of a well to carry live fish up the coast ae far as Wellington from Foveaux Strait. The Taratahi saw considerable service with the Norwegian whaling fleet in the Eoss Sea. She was sold to a southern syndicate some time ago. It is understood that the vessel will be surveyed to-day, and will be handed over to the new', owners. The alterations, which will be on an extensive scale, will be carried out at Port Chalmers during this month. A company has been formed to control the Taratahi.

Organ Recital An organ recital will be given by Dr V. E. Galway in the Town Hall to-morrow evening. The recital, which will commence at 8.15 p.m., should prove of particular interest, not only to local residents, but also to visitors to Dunedin. The organ items will include Baynon’s “Triumph Song/' Beethoven's “Overture to Egmont,” and Mendelssohn’s incidental music to “ A Midsummer Night’s Dream." By special request Dr Galway will play, his own arrangement for the organ of the old Scottish Lament, “ The Flowers of the Forest.” Vocal items will be rendered by Miss Bertha Rawlinson and Miss Dora Drake. There will be no charge for admission to the recital.

Art Union Permits .Interviewed at the Christchurch Railway Station on his way to Wellington on Thursday evening, the Minister of Internal Affairs (Mr A. Hamilton) said that the matter of granting further permits for art unions had not yet been considered by Cabinet. Permits had been issued for about three months ahead, and the position would no doubt be reviewed before the end of that period. “It is quite possible there will be some change of policy,” he added, “ but I have not discussed the matter with other members of the Cabinet, The' committee of Cabinet which considers the granting ol permits has not been re-appointed, but that matter will be attended to in the near future. Four Cabinet Ministers attended to permits under the United Government, and the new committee is likely to consist of two members of the Reform Party and two of the United Party.” The Minister was not in a position to indicate when the New Zealand Swimming Association’s application to conduct an art union would be dealt with.

Earthquake Restoration Consent to the raising of a loan of £3OOO by the Hawke’s Bay County Council for the purpose of restoring earthquake damage was gazetted last night (says a Press Association telegram from Wellington). -

Medals for Bowlers For the third time New Zealand has been represented at the meeting of the International Bowling Board in England. The meeting last July was the last occasion on which the board met under that title. The question of admitting the United States to the board was again under consideration and was refused, and as the membership of the board comprised eight countries in the British Empire the title was altered to “ Imperial Bowling Board." It was decided to present representative gold medals to the delegates of the various countries which had been represented at the conferences, and three were awarded to New Zealand, one to Mr Marks, another to Mr J. Pascoe, of Auckland, and the third to the late Mr J. Hardley, whose death occurred while the medals were on their way to New Zealand. The medal is in the form of eight circles —which may be said to represent the eight bowls in a rink —and in the rings are engraved the emblems of the eight countries in the board, three lions for England, lion rampant for Scotland, harp for Ireland, leek for Wales, maple leaf for Canada, springbok for South Africa, kangaroo for Australia, and fern leaf for New Zealand. The jack is the centrepiece in white enamel, surrounded by the green inside the circles.

Friendly Birds The stilts, the long-legged wading birds which have frequented the swamp areas along the Napier-Taradale road since the earthquake, appear to be getting more friendly every day. Prior to February last these birds were to be seen in large numbers on the swamp lands near Petane; but since the muddy waters near -Taradale have become fresh they appear to be shifting camp to those areas. For months past users of the Taradale road have made friends with a lonely bittern, which is no longer disturbed by the noise of passing traffic and spends its time dozing in the sun in the fresh shallow water. This bird is becoming as popular with the habitual users of the Napier-Taradale road as “Pelorus Jack” was with the sailors on the Cook Strait ferry steamers.

Unusually Large Wave An incident which is thought to have been connected with the sharp earthquake experienced in parts of the North Island on Sunday afternoon, was noted on the beach at Karehana Bay, Plimmerton. Between normal high water mark and a protective fence is a stretch of sand on which many people, bathers and others were either lying or sitting, on Sunday afternoon. A heavy sea was running, the breakers being unusually large, but the largest of them left about 18ft of dry sand. However, a few moments before the earth tremor was felt an exceptionally large wave rolled up the beach reducing the dry area to about four feet, and causing an excited scatter among 50 or more people on the sand. Many of them were dressed and received an unwelcome “ ducking.” The fact that only one breaker ran so far up the beach during the afternoon seems to connect it with the earthquake which followed.

Fate of the Breeze

Rear-admiral Geoffrey Blake, officer commanding the New Zealand Naval Squadron, having accepted the offer of Captain H. Monro, of the Canterbury Steam Shipping Company, the coastal steamer Breeze will end her career on or about February 10, when she will be towed out to sea from Lyttelton and sunk by naval guns in target practice. The dismantling of the Breeze was completed on Wednesday. The engines and boilers are being left in the steamer, as there is no market for them in the Dominion. The Breeze was badly damaged when she stranded near Port Robinson on December 18.

Leap Year Taken Seriously! A young Wanganui man states that he had a curious experience on New Year’s Eve (says the Wanganui Herald). When he cleared the mail he noticed a letter addressed to himself in what lie took to be a female hand. Oh opening the letter he found that he was being addressed in terms of endearment by a woman residing in the country and inviting him to come and: visit her during the holidays. In addition a bank note was enclosed to pay his expenses. Up to the present he is not quite sure whether he has ever met the woman and is in a quandary as to whether it is a case of love at first sight on the part of the writer. In the meantime he is holding the bank note awaiting further developments. Theft of an Overcoat Any chance that Thomas Hector Condon, a young man, had of. convincing the magistrate in the Police Court at Auckland yesterday, that the navy blue overcoat he was accused of stealing was his own property disappeared when, at the detective sergeant’s, suggestion, he tried it on. The magistrate smiled on seeing that the coat was tight across the shoulders, short in the sleeves, and did not reach to within two inches of hio knees. The accused stuck to the story that the coat was his and had shrunk when dyed. He was fined £6.

Distress in the Shetlands Towards the end of November the county council of Zetland had before it letters regarding the plight of the inhabitants of Foula, one of the Shetland Islands. It appeared that the shop formerly open on the island had been given' up some time previously, and as a consequence everyone was running short of meal, tea, sugar, paraffin, and other necessities; one letter went as far as to state that the people were on the point of starvation. One member of the county council suggested that the island should be evacuated, as had been done in the case of St. Kilda. The council decided that it could take no action,' and recommended that the people should endeavour to do something among themselves to ensure supplies of foodstuffs. Later news was that the island’s motor boat had landed three weeks’ supplies; sometimes, however, the island is isolated for six weeks. The people had no thought of deserting the island, as their crops are good, rents are cheap, pasturage is abundant, and the type of sheep superior to that of many others of the Shetland Islands.

The Railways Department advertises in this issue particulars of a special cheap day excursion Dunedin to Timaru, on Sunday, January 17. The intention is to make the excursion as attractive as possible by putting on fast special trains and exceptionally cheap fares, and also reserving seats for both journeys for Is. Messrs Sundstrum and Thompson, dentists, Dunedin, will visit Waipiata and Ranfurly, Monday, January 18; Naseby. Tuesday. January 19.—Advt. The very modern machinery, methods, and direction of the factory ensure that confidence. —“As dependable as an Austin." See the latest models at Austin Motors (Otago) Ltd., 284-286 Princes street, Dunedin. Phone 13-215.—Advt. A. Frank .Anderson, dental surgeon, Princes street, Dunedin, will visit Waipiata Thursday, January 21; Ranfurly and Patearoa. Friday, Jannarv 22.—Advt. Save youx eyes. Be wise, and consult W V. Stunner (optician, 2 Octagon), thus conserving cood vision for old age.— Advt Gifts that please. Quality goods at reasonable prices. Let us help you to select that present for Mother, Father, Sister, or Friend. Splendid assortment of Perfumes, Face Powders, Compacts. Fancy Soaps, etc.—H. L. Sprosen, Ltd., corner Octagon and George street. Dunedin.— Advt, Let us know your electrical problems. We are electricians, and shall solve them for you.—-Barth Electrical Supplies, Ltd., 56 Princes street, Dunedin.—Advt. A. E. J. Blakeley and W. E. Bagley. dentists, Bank of Australasia, corner of Bond and Rattray streets (next (Telegraph Office). Telephone 12-359.—Advt,