TOPICS OF THE TIMES

Southland Times, Issue 20495, 25 May 1928, Page 6

TOPICS OF THE TIMES

Following the interview with Captain Buckley' in the Southland Tinies, and the expressions of opinion suggesting that an Aero Club in Invercargill would not lack members, the Southland League with commendable promptness has taken this matter up, and its assistance should be valuable in pressing the province’s claims on the Government. There are obstacles in the way, of course, but these are not insurmountable. The scheme of aerial defence for New Zealand really demands an air centre at Invercargill, and in any development of commercial aviation the fact that Invercargill air line distance from Australia is decidedly shorter than that boasted by any other available air port of the Dominion puts it in a unique position. In the interests of its defence system the Government would welcome an aero club in Invercargill and should be ready to encourage its establishment in a practical manner.

Stewart Island’s disappointment will have the sympathy of all who have been there The Government’s decision to modify the first proposals will come as a great blow to the islanders who have waited so long for improved wharfage at Halfmoon Bay. It is astonishing that the Government should seek economies in this way in view of certain increase in the Island’s traffic in the future. The traffic and trade of Stewart Island is growing and surely it is more econo, mical to do the full job at the first effort instead of leaving a portion to be done at a later stage. Stewart Island has waited a long time for this amount of attention and it is to be hoped the Southland Members of Parliament will again press the Government to fill the islanders’ requirements.

Dunedin citizens who have been announced as candidates in the interests of the UNZPPO seem to be rather shy of the honour of carrying the banner of this heavily initialled political newcomer. One gentleman is old-fashioned enough to prefer the name of Liberal. He should know that the party has had many names since it rejoiced in the title of Liberal.

Sometimes the friends of the new political body prove too much. They have been busily declaring that most of the Reformers and the supporters of Reform are genuine Liberals, who deserted the Liberal Party. The implication of the statement, is obvious and by no means complimentary to the UNZPPO, for it means that there was and is a difference between Liberalism and the Liberal Party. If the Reform Party is composed of Liberals it differs from the Liberals only in providing a platform which Liberals prefer to that which was offerea by the party bearing the title. There is a tendency among those who would oppose the Reformers to think in terms of party rather than in a national sense. That is one of the explanations of the diffidence of many people who are asked to take the UNZPPO as seriously as its organizer does.