The Otago Witness WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE SOUTHERN MERCURY. (TUESDAY, JUNE 1 1926.) THE WEEK.

Otago Witness, Issue 3768, 1 June 1926, Page 47

The Otago Witness WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE SOUTHERN MERCURY. (TUESDAY, JUNE 1 1926.) THE WEEK.

“Nunqunm allud nature atlud eapleatla —JDVKKAII "Good nature and good sense must «v«r Join.”— Po ml The report made to the Government by Sir Fraiifc Heath on the A Question of question of scientific* and Centralisation, industrial research, together with the Prime Minister's virtual endorsement of the recommendations made therein, is provoking considerable discussion, centring around the principle of centralisation. The axiom that the future progress and prosperity of the Dominion hinges upon the application of scientific research to both primary products and secondary industries needs no proof. It is self evident that New Zealand, botli in her export trade and in regard to her manufactures, is in competition with nations whose governments encourage by every means in their power the researches of science for commercial and industrial purposes. The Dominion is in the position, therefore, of being compelled to keep up with the alternative of inevitably falling behind. In view of this fact the New Zealand Government has acted wisely in inviting the careful' examination and considered opinion of Sir Frank Heath, who occupies the position of Director of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research in Great Britain. This position has obviously dictated the colour of Sir Frank Heath’s report. He has a dream of every Dominion within the Empire being equipped with all the machinery of a similar department of research, the various departments exchanging ideas and comparing data and keeping in touch with the research work of other nations in all parts of the world. The scheme is an ambitious one, but it may be questioned whether in New Zealand circumstnances are quite ripe foi the share which, m Sir Frank Heath's report, is allotted to New Zealand. Nor, reading between the lineSTof Mr Coates’s comments, is it quite certain that it is not a case of much cry and little wool. The proposals embrace the creation of an entirely new department of Scientific and Industrial Research under the personal supervision of the Prime Minister, and which is to take over from the Agricultural a good deal of its present responsibilities. Indeed, one criticism which may fairly be advanced is the difficulty of deciding the exact point at which the operations of the Research Department will end and those of the Agricultural Department begin. Among the activities specially recommended by Sir Frank Heath are the establishment of a new Agricultural College, the collection and distribution of scientific records, the formation of a representative scientific library, and the provision of national research scholarships. Mr Coates points out that such a programme will call for the active co-opera-tion of the New Zealand Universities; and here again the question of _divided responsibility is likely to recur. Indeed the nature of the report evokes the debatable question of centralisation versus decentralisation. It docs not appear that the Prime Minister’s general approval of the scheme will mean the immediate expenditure of any large sums of mouey.

With the coming of winter the cry of tin

unemployed is being heard The Prime Minister in the land, and as usual

and the it is being used for Unemployed. political purposes. With

the actual cases of distress among the genuine unemployed nothing but sympathy can be felt; and it is clearly the duty of the Government, acting in conjunction with the local authorities, to undertake such measures of alleviation as are possible under the circumstances. At the same time with every period of unemployment, there comes prominently to the front that residue of the population which, while ostensibly clamouring for work, at the same time arc fervently praying that they will not get it. It is a good thing, therefore, that at an early stage of the trouble Mr Coates should have taken the bull by the horns, laying down the lines upon which relief will be given. Replying to a deputation which waited upon him in Auckland representing the unemployed in that city, the deputation having made the request that work be found for the unemployed and at trade union rates, he said, “The un-. employed are not going to dictate to the Government of this country—l tell you that quite plainly. You will get work at what rate of wages we decide on, not at what you decide. Work will be provided for necessitous cases, and you can take it or leave it, just as you like.” Mr Coates went on to declare that there would be no molly-coddling in the matter of relief given, but that necessitous women and children would be cared for, and in some cases it might prove advantageous to move tho men and their families from their present poor quarters in the cities out into tho country near where wor K -""'Id he found fort the men. Mr Coates was emphatic in explaining that the provision for the unemployed was not to be allowed to interfere with the settled public works policy; nevertheless the extra work undertaken would be more or less of a national character. The incident lias a political interest; the substantial majority which Mr Coates commands places him in a position which renders him independent

of adverse criticism; he can ignore the vupourings of the unemployed agitators. !»ul the'position has its dangers as well as its undoubted benefits.

The new* regulations for the control of the motor-bus traffic illusBus. Tram, trates one of the difliculand Road. ties which the evolution und development of modern motor traffic presents to the community. In particular that matter has reached its height in the competition which in the cities the motor bus has brought into being with the corporation tram ears, and which, especially in Wellington and Auckland, has reached a critical stage. The effect of the regulations, if enforced in their present form, will be practically, to wipe out the privately-owned motor bus and leave tho public at the mercy of the municipality. It bus to be remembered that hail tho several municipalities been awake to their opportunities the existing conditions need not have occurred; the motor bus service, privately-owned, came into being only to supply the manifest deficiencies of tin* corporation services. It does savour of injustice, therefore, that regulations should now he framed which make it unremunerativc for the private bus to ply for hire. At the same time there is a side of the question which cannot be overlooked, and that is the interests of the ratepayers on whose shoulders devolves the Cost of tho upkeep of the roads. This consideration renders it necessary that some regulations should be framed. The only question on which there is difference of opinion is whether in respect of fares and insurances the regulations arc drastic to the point of injustice. In which respect a degree of modification may reasonably be urged.

Loans, like the unemployed, are necessary

evils for which, in tbe A Necessary long run, the people have Uaa to pay, and the six million loan which the ‘ New Zealand Government is placing upon j the London market is an illustration of > die adage. In the ordinary course of events New Zealand is able* to offer such good security that English investors would respond readily to the appeal, but the present condition of affairs in the Homeland are such as to induce an extreme caution on the part of those who control the money market. The Prime Minister, however, having embarked upon a progressive policy of public works and railway construction, has not hesitated to go forward with his loan proposals, which, offer a return of £5 2s Gd to the investor. Simultaneously the results of the last financial year have been published, show- j ing a considerable balance of income over expenditure, and this, together with the good financial reputation of the Dominion, should be sufficient to secure the success of the flotation. Another side of the question, however, must be kept in view, seeing that one-half of the loan money is to be devoted to railway construction, additions, ( and improvements. No two opinions can bo entertained as to the need of bringing the railway system up to date, but when 1 this has to be done with money borrowed / at a high rate of interest, the question j may well be asked how the interest is to be met. It is to be hoped that Mr Coates will use the fact that the develop- , ment of the railways and other public j works is being done with dear money, in i order to emphasise the need for economy \ on the part alike of the Government and j of the individual. The times are so much | out of joint that a financial policy should be framed with exceeding care and caution.

According to the latest intelligence thero f is no improvement in the The British strike situation in Great i Coal Strike. Britain, the struggle be- ‘ tween the coal miners and the coal owners having entered upoon its . fifth week. The statement that ono i million miners are on strike, and that \ during the past four weeks not one . hundred-weight of coal has been raised j from the coal fields of Great Britain, will convey some idea of the area and moaning of the struggle. The accumulated stocks of coal are quickly disappearing, and while the men are sternly determined to hold out, “the stranglehold of the industry is becoming more effective hourly.” One of the immediate outcomes is a severe rationing of coal over the entire kingdom, but this is only a palliative, and sooner or later an acute crisis will be reached. Railways cannot be operated without coal, and the train services are being skeletoned almost to the point reached at the time of the general strike. Meanwhile the Government is severely criticised both for its action and inaction. One of the most outspoken critics is Mr J. L. Garvin, who in the Sunday Observer describes Mr Baldwin’s policy as one of procrastination ; followed by hurry. Mr Garvin asserts that while Mr Baldwin has scathingly rebuked the coal owners, he has only attempted real pressure against tho miners; and he concluded: “If the Government can think of nothing better than , the narrowest interpretation of its formula, there will be a war of exhaustion, spreading to every trade, and costing many times £3,000,000, and producing unparalleled social bitterness.” From whatever point of view regarded tho situation is deploring, thousands of pounds are daily being wasted, misery and want are widespread, class is arrayed against class, and no settlement is in sight. It is lamentable to conclude that before there can be any improvement matters must become much worse. The only optimist is the Prince of Wales, who, when forwarding a donation to the miners’ wives and children's fund, expressed his confidence that with goodwill on either side there will be a happy issue out of the present , difficulties.