WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE SOUTHERN MERCURY. (TUESDAY, AUGUST 2, 1927.) THE WEEK.

Otago Witness, Issue 3829, 2 August 1927, Page 47

WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE SOUTHERN MERCURY. (TUESDAY, AUGUST 2, 1927.) THE WEEK.

The Farmers and Political Action,

“Nunquam allud nitura, allud sapientia dixit.* •-Juvenal. "Good nature and good sense must ever join.”— The adoption by the Farmers’ Union Conference of th ■ p.’nciple

of political action, and this with only a few dissentient voices, is a de-

termination open to serious criticism. It raises tlie important questioi of class politics as distinguished from purely party polities. The differences of party signify differences involving fundamental political opinions such as separate, for instance, the Labour Party in the Dominion from the Government, whereas the formation of a Country Party means the utilisation of political influence for the nurpose of securing advantages for the farming community rather than for the community as a whole. This separation into sections, each contending for its own particular privileges, is antagonistic to that unity of purpose and ideal which should aracterise all good government, and if pursued it is certain to lead to reprisals and disaster. Certainly the decision of the Farmers' Union Conference was qualified, and indicates a desire to make baste slowly. The unanimous finding of the committee apjwinted to report on the matter declared that the present political situation is extremely unsatisfactory «o the primary pioducer, and that in order to improve the position it i necessary that some form of political action should be taken. Exactly wherein the primary producer is suffering hardship unde- the Reform Government does not ’.ppcar; the truth is that the disabilities under which the primary producer has recently laboured have been due to causes world wide in their influence and quite beyond the powers of any Dominion Government to alter or control. Addressing the farmers in conference, the Prime Minister

pointed out that in the whole of the British Empire there was not a Government that had the representation from the farming community that the present Government of New Zealand had, and he emphasised the fact that the improved outlook in the economic positlor made the future brighter as regards the primary industries of the Dominion. In 1 cidlng to embark upon a political campaign, the conference evidently felt that it was treading upon thin ice, since the recommendation of the committee which —as adopted by the conference contained the following qualification :—“The committee does not think it is wise to decide immediately what the form of political action will be, ■ and proposes that it should be guided by circumstances. For this reason it iceoin- ’ mends that it should be given power to r watch events and report its recon-.menda- ., tions to the next conference, which should be called together whenever the opinion of the committee circumstances /arrant, in s order to allow for sufficient time for action to be taken before the election.”

A New Zealand Country Party.

The initiative in this departure cvi.'.-Jtly comes from the Auck-

land branch of the Farmers’ IJnioi which is circulating w hat is

called the, “ Political Platform of the New I Zealand Country Party.’’ This would seem to indicate the intention of this branch to play a lone hand in the event of their not being able to carry with them the whole body of the farmers. There is nothing particularly new or striking : • the proposals put forward, but they e-eal the difference of opinion which exists between those interested in the primary and secondary industries, a difference' 1 of opinion not easy to reconcile. The farmers’ political platform includes the following clause: —“That all customs duties of a protective nature be gradually reduced so as to cease altoge.aer ’a 10 years, any assistance to industries to be in the form of subsidies.” The gre.»t gulf

which exists between the primary and secondary industries is further ilh st .tel, in a second clause in the farmers' political platform, viz., “That the principle shall be recognised that industries which provide a national cred’t are more essential than those which result it national debit, and that no legislation shall be imposed which hampers profitable national industry for more than temporary benefits to iHdustries living on tariffs.” Without stay ing to discuss the vexed question of Protection versus subsidies, the point to io stressed is that the formation of i Country Party* in the Dominion would tend rather to accentuate than to relieve the situation. One immediate result would be the organisation of another political party representative of a large class which already inclines to the opinion ’.hat the country is run too much in the interests of the farmers. It is difficult to imagine that any government could be formed which would give greater consideration to farmers’ interests than does the Reform Government. The formation of further political parties would only result in a multiplicity of candidates at the next election. and a consequent splitting of votes, all in favour of those subversive elements in the community eagerly waiting a chance to increase their power and influence. If the farmers are wise they will be well content with what they have, always remembering that a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.

The Samoan Controversy.

The passing by a large majority in the Bower House of the

Samoan Bill, and the subsequent setting up o£

a committee of both Houses to investigate the complaints made by a section of Samoan residents against the Administrator, has not setded the difficulties which the situation presents. The Bill confers upon the Administrator wide powers, in that it authorises him to deport both European residents and Samoan natives to aivy specified place in the mandated territory if he has reason to'' believe that they are hindering or preventing the due performance by the Government of the Dominion of New Zealand of its functions and duties under the terms of the mandate.” The scope of the power; thus conferred upon the Administrator are wide enough to cover almost any situation that may* arise and to provide for almost every emergency. What th. tblic is not satisfied about, however, is the nature of the offences which have stimulated the Government to arm the Administrator with such extensive powers. The position which has developed is undoubtedly an unhappy* one, leaving as it docs the impression, rightly or wrongly, that something is contemplated which is hardly in accord with a sense of British justice and fairplay*. The Minister of External Affairs may be in the possession of facts which have not been made public, and which may fully justify the Government in the drastic action they* have taken, and the decision that the committee set up to investigate will conduct the inquiries in private does not encourage the hope that there will he any further disclosures. The feeling, however, is gaining ground that sufficient care has not been taken to fully grasp the peculiar standpoint of the natives themselves, hence all the trouble which lias arisen. In all probability the matter will not be fully cleared up until such time as the New Zealand Government reports in full to the League of Nations and gives an account of its stewardship under the mandate.

A Mimic Air Raid.

A considerable sensation has been causefl amongst those respon-

r sible for the aerial defences of the Homeland by the discovery during

the progress of a mimic bombing f London that the city is likely to be wiped out and a million inhabitants • lassacred within a few hours of the declaration of war. Already it is predict- that one result of the manoeuvres undertaken will be a campaign to greatly increase Great Britain's air force. Comment! g o- the incident, Dean Inge made some pertinent observations: “I am amazed,” he writes, “at the civilised world's ready acquiescence in the appalling belief that thj next war will see the promiscuous massacre of non-combatant men, women and children.” The truth has to be faced, however, that should another war eventuate there will actually be in .ion-com-batants; every man, woman, and child will engage in the contest, which even* illy should prove the greatest saf< nard against another war. In a recent book on the of the Air” the remark is made that unhappily early in .heir career aircraft were called upon tt demonstrate their powers in warfare: they have yet to prove fully their true value In times of peace. The same authority adds: “ How far any mechanical c atri.ancc can contribute to the ultimate happiness of mankind is a question one hesitates to answer: so much depends upon the uses to which it is put. Nevertheless it is i safe to say that the aeroplane and the airship are new and powerful instruments of civilisation; they wide ti e scope of human activities and reduce the everpresent handicap imposed by ''no ami space.” The remembrance that this week marks the outbreak thirteen year; ago of the Great War, and also that the eme gencics of that war did so much to speed up the development of aviation, should encourage the hope that war may cea- and all the improvements in aviation be consecrated to the sacred cause of peace. Otherwise Dean Inge’s judgment stands true : “There is something radically wrong i with a civilisation which thus deliberately , returns to the worst traditions of savagery.”