Rangitikei Advocate. TWO EDITIONS DAILY SATURDAY, JULY 13, 1912. EDITORIAL-NOTES.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXVI, Issue 10400, 13 July 1912, Page 4

Rangitikei Advocate. TWO EDITIONS DAILY SATURDAY, JULY 13, 1912. EDITORIAL-NOTES.

THE views of Edison, the famous inventor,'in regard to the cause of the increased co?t of living ara of some interest now that a Commission is roaming over the laud and carefully selecting evidence. Mr Edison says that—“in no country of the world are the primary producers mailing unreasonable profits, and that the manufacturers ara exploiting the public only in cases where Trusts are in operation. Even

in those instances the effect is not usually serious, since the combines seldom manage to control absolutely the production of real necessaries of life. The source of the consumers’ troubles, adds Mr Edison, is to be fennd *mong the merchants and retailers, who increase prices ‘to an extent out of all proportion to the service that they are able to render to tbe community.’ He quotes as an illustration tbe case of coal, which is usually trebled or quadruped in price between tbe pit head and the city home, in spite of modern facilities for transportation. ‘Everything passes through too many hands, ’ writes Mr Edison. ‘There are too many useless middlemen, all paying rent, wages and taxation, and passing the charges ou to the consumers. Eliminate half of them and you reduce the cost of distribution and at the same time add to tbe number of actual producers. ’ The desire for system and conservation of energy is a passion with Mr Edison, and he grows impatient when be sees society clinging blindly to an organisation that is Inefficient and wasteful. But, as a contemporary remarks, the anomalous feature of tbe situation Ip that the principle he advocates—the elimination of unnecessary competition—is the parent of the modern Trust, which is the archenemy of the consumers. Perhaps the real need of a suffering public is a device for ensuring that there shall be competition in trade but not too much of it.” In our own country it is recognised by studeuts of political economy that the chief causes are high taxation, and the accompanying Inflation of land values for taxation purposes, the vicious system of restriction of the import of cheap supplies and the labour legislation with its accompanying limitation of output.

IN the South Island the question of the scarcity of certificated teachers is being discussed, and it is suggested that some should be imported from the Old Country, The chief reason why there is a scarcity is, of coarse, that the profession does not attract anyone who can find more profitable occupation, Though doing most important work—work that must have its influence on this and succeeding generations—the teacher is bat poorly paid. Ha also has too many “bosses’’, and there is not any great recompense even If he reaches the best positions. Compared with him even a prating politician Is a Croesus, and there can be no question as to which is tbe more useful to the community. Unfortunately, owing to our wasteful system, which indiscriminately spends money and wastes time on many to whom the instruction given Is and always will be absolutely useless, the cost of education is already more than the S-sata can bear, and it would he Impossible to increase the pay of teachers to such an amount as would attract to the profession tbe best and brightest. This, however, is a reason why febo system should be reformed by making all progress of the scholar, after passing say tbe fourth standard, entirely dependent on hia ability. It would then be easier to centralise school work, and be possible to increase the pay of the fewer teachers who would then be required.

THE revelations as to short-weight and adulteration of the products of some of tbe factories should Induce New Zealand consumers to insist on being pupplied with full-weight and pare articlss, or obtain these from outside. It la obvious that when weight and quality are taken into consideration as they should be, the British article is been shown that the British are fnll weight and in the case of candles overweight, while the superior lasting quality of British boots and shoes is well known, The “protective” system under which moat New Zealand “Imiuslries” ate worked causes all supplies to cost at least twice as much as'fehoy would otherwise, and it has also been made clear that consumers are defrauded by deficient weights. One of the first duties of the new Ministry should be to pass or enforce laws relating to adulteration and fraud, and transform the tariff into a revenue producing one. On previous occasions ,we have shown from statistics relating to our “industries” that It would pay the country to give each employee in these Industries a pension of £3OO a year, though there would be no necessity to pay It, because if every “protected” factory was closed employment in genuine industries at batter rates could be fonnd. The Ministry by taking the necessary action could solve the problems of . reduction of the cost of living and domestic assistance, and if the consumers are not blind to their own interests they will insist upon this being done.