OF NEW ZEALAND INTEREST

Otago Witness, Issue 3581, 31 October 1922, Page 27

OF NEW ZEALAND INTEREST

THE DOMINION’S IMPERIAL ‘INSTINCT. (Fbom Ocb Own Correspondent.) LONDON, September 5. The British Export Gazette thinks New Zealand importers are to be congratulated upon the commendable caution tiiey have displayed during a difficult period, and this in itself will go far towards realising the real revival in trade which is confidently expected in the spring. Few traces of 1920 over-stocking are now to be met with, and there was, perhaps, never a» time in the history- of tne market when more careful control was kept both by wholesale importers and retailers upon stocks. This has meant a considerable reduction in the volume of trade, but the healthier tone and hopeful anticipations alluded to ai'e the direct result. "There is not a market in the Empire that has the Imperial instinct stronger than New Zealand, and the utmost is done to purchase from the United Kingdom whenever possible. At tiie same time, the dominion’s ambition to figure as a manufacturing country in tire Southern Seas cannot be ignored.” Upon these home productions the paper comments: "Most of these goods are characterised by good workmanship, and there can be no doubt that they exercise an influence on certain departments cf the import trade. All the same, British goods of quality are in persistent demand —a fact accentuated by the high prices usually charged for local manufactures. . . . The coming revival of trade is likely to see a marked increase in the demand for all classes cf manufactured goods of British origin. Even should the embargo on German goods be lifted, the strong Imperial sentiment in the dominion should in itself b 1 almost sufficient, to prevent any but a small proportion of German manufactures from entering the market. For the present, however, there seems to be no hurry displayed in the removal of the embargo: and even should that be decided upon, the currency depreciation duty would probably be raised to meet the situation.” DOMINION FLEETS. On the subject of Dominion Fleets, the Naval and Military Record has some comment to offer, based on the cabled gist of the Admiralty memorandum which was sent to New Zealand authorities: “So far as can be judged from the necessarily brief summary of the memorandum, it does much to meet the complaint often made by dominion writers that they cannot induce the Home authorities to submit, a definite scheme of Imperial defence which bears some reasonable relation to the financial conditions now prevailing. In view of the importance attached by the Admiralty to ocean-going submarines, it is particularly regrettable that the six fine boats now in Australian service should have been placet! in reserve. Incidentally, the mention iff submarines as a type of vessel which is well adapted to dominion naval requirements shows that the speeches made at the Washington Conference condemning these craft as useless for any purpose save that, of commerce destruction did not by any means reflect the views of the Naval Staff.” LIFE IN NEW ZEALAND. A Colonist writes from Auckland to The Yorkshire Telegraph criticising a contribution that had appeared in the form of a letter from New Zealand maintaining that it gave a very wrong impression of the state of things in the dominion. Colonist says the real reason for unemployment is that a lot of immigrants come out from Home and expect to make a fortune in a few days. ‘‘There is plenty of work out here for a man who is willing to start at anythin® and look for his chance. Living is cheap and wages are good. The best board can be obtained for 30s a week, and a skilled work man can earn between £5 and £7 a week. . . . Like all other countries. New Zealand has been going through a hard time, but New Zealanders have never anything to complain of. No food rationing, etc., and trade has never been a quarter as bad as at Home. If a man comes out here prepared to work he will soon get on His one object should i>e to get a reference from a New Zealand man. English references are no good. The housing question is all right. . . . At present there is ample room for all classes of skilled workmen, especially carpenters and mechanics. And there is ample room, for anyone, provided they are willing to start anywhere for a beginning.” THE SEQUEL? Remarking that prohibitionists in London are very hopeful of New Zealand going "dry,” the Belfast Evening Telegraph ventures the opinion: "No doubt ihe boot-

legging fraternity are preparing to reap a rich harvest if New Zealand does go dry.” SPIRITUALISM OVERSEAS. Extracts from a letter written by Mr Horace Leaf are given in Light. One runs: "Spiritualism is not so advanced in Australia and New Zealand as in the Old Country, as they call Great Britain. Nor are the people so numerous. A good deal of harm has been done to the cause by inefficient- workers, especially in regard to public speaking. I already realise that mv visit is a mere ‘flash in the pan,’ as it' were, although I have done my best to show something of the possibilities of the movement from a spiritual, scientific, and philosophic point of view. Mere indications, of course: but a couple of weeks in a town permits of no more.” BIBLE IN SCHOOLS. The Sunday School Chronicle has received from New Zealand a graphic leaflet designed to help on the campaign for securing the daily reading of the Bible in the day schools of the dominion. In the opinion of some the omission lias a marked effect on the moral life. The paper referred to gives the opinions of some leaders of thought in London, and remarks: "If children are not taught the Ten Commandments they are left without, the nucleus of moral character. The experience of workers in this country has been sought. Dr Meyer says: 'The Bible is replete with eloquent sacred literature; and the style of our greatest speakers, like John Bright, has been .saturated with its idioms, imageiy. and language. Not to be familiar with the Bible is to forgo the access to the spring of undented English.’ And the Rev. ,T. 11. Shakespeare affirms that.: 'ln my judgment the plan of Bitffe reading and instruction in the council schools in' this country works admirably and smoothly, and is of very great, advantage to the children of the nation. Personally, I should have thought it. intolerable that children should be allowed to grow up knowing about Nero and Henry VIII, but nothing about David. St. Paul, or about Jesus Christ —actually receiving an education in which the only book useful for moral training and creating a sense of responsibility to God is excluded.’ The agitation in those lands where the Bible is excluded from the day schools should strengthen our resolve to keep it central in education; and it must be remembered by those who wish to frame schemes of lessons for world use.”