The Southland Times. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. Luceo Non Uro. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1932. POLITICAL CONTROL

Southland Times, Issue 21832, 8 October 1932, Page 4

The Southland Times. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. Luceo Non Uro. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1932. POLITICAL CONTROL

When Mr Savage, castigating the Government in orthodox manner, declared that it was destroying the source of its revenue he said enough to provide the answer to those critics who insist on pointing to the advantages of inflation and of various ameliorative measures which will impose heavier burdens of taxation on industry. The enlargement of political control, meaning the extension of political interference, is proposed over and over again as the remedy for troubles which have been brought about largely by political action, and certainly have been accentuated by it. These proposals emanate from people who believe that a ballotbox majority can fit a man to manage a currency or a railway system. Political control is costly because it has to yield to the voice of the democracy or the particular part of the democracy which, if clamorous, has to be placated. It is costly because the democracy is carried away from sound judgment by the music of sympathetic sentences, because the democracy has appetite and will think nationally, to the subordination of individual, only when it is compelled. Political control is a phrase intended to convey the impression that control by party politicians means the exclusion of every suggestion of selfishness, every risk of blunder. Fortunately the public is still aware that the history of government in this country contains'much evidence to show that political control has landed this Dominion into commitments which are to-day too heavy for the community to bear. Those who are in Opposition can always plead that they would not make such blunders, but until the opportunity to test their capacity arrives, people can only judge them by their proposals and their criticism, the main effect of which is to show that they believe the best remedy for excessive expenditure is more expenditure and heavier taxation, and that when the cost of production is too high the best cure is to raise wages. Mr Savage declares that high prices cannot be established on low wages, but it is a well-known fact that the movement in wages lags on that of prices, that when prices rise, wages follow, and when prices fall, wages fall later. This order ih the procession has been accepted, it has been made the burden of argument for raising wages, and it means that Mr Savage’s economic prescription cannot be endorsed unless one is ready to reverse that order. When arguments which flout the known facts are advanced with a show of assurance, it is impossible to avoid the strengthening of one’s doubts about the wisdom of extending the quantum of political control already in operation. These doubts are stiffened, too, when it becomes clear that in party politics the conscience can accept two standards, making it possible to view as sacred a contract to pay sums into the superannuation funds while it is a virtue to break contracts made with individual public servants who have risen to high positions. We agree that the undertaking to keep the superannuatiqn funds solvent is a sacred contract, and the conditions governing the pensions unde’those schemes cannot be varied to the disadvantage of the contributors without full compensation to them, but at the same time every public servant who was given a pension as part of the conditions of his engagement, can justly plead that the size of that pension cannot make the contract made with him any less sacred It is when the courses taken by party politics are noted that the doubts about political control increase.

The Dominion Meteorologist last night issued the following information: The barometer is still fairly high over the greater part of the Dominion, but low pressure waves continue to pass in the south and an intense one is now crossing Tasmania. Winds northerly to westerly, moderate to strong and squally at times. Seas in New Zealand waters rough south of Cape Egmont and about Cook and Foveaux Straits, elsewhere moderate. In the eastern Tasman Sea moderate to strong north to west winds and rather rough seas. Weather fair to cloudy in eastern districts but changeable with scattered rain in districts with a westerly aspect. Mild temperatures.

A donation of £llO/- to the Mayor’s Earthquake Fund has been forwarded to the Southland Times by W. J. Yarrall, Riverton.

The Gore Garden Club is holding its annual spring flow.er display in the Gaiety Hall, Gore, to-day. The conditions prevailing so far this season have been unusually good, and in all probability this will prove to be one of the club’s best displays for many years.

The Dominican Convent jubilee committees are actively engaged in decorating and furnishing the Zealandia Hall in readiness for the Communion breakfast on Sunday morning, the jubilee banquet on Tuesday evening and the jubilee ball on Wednesday. An orchestra of 12 instrumentalists under the leadership of Mr P. Poole, L.T.C.L., L.A.8., will provide music for the ball.

A busy time has been experienced through the week by members of the Bluff Cricket Club in getting the ground ready for the opening of the season, which takes place to-day (Saturday). Bluff is fortunate in having some great workers in the club and they will soon have the playing area in good shape. A good muster of playing members and supporters is expected for to-day’s function.

Our Otara correspondent writes: An egg containing three yolks is reported from Otara. The egg, which was laid by a White Leghorn owned by Mr Alexander Black, measured Bjin in circumference. The yolks were very little smaller than the .ordinary size. So far as is known only one threeyolked egg has been previously reported, namely, one in the Thames district last week. The shell of the Otara egg has been preserved.

On Wednesday afternoon Waikiwi School presented a gala appearance when an excellent attendance of parents witnessed a pleasing exhibition of the physical education of the pupils through folk dancing,, rhythmic exercises and games. A special feature of the afternoon was the choral work of the school. The display of handwork arranged by the pupils in their classrooms received much favourable comment, as did the attractive appearance of the grounds.

“I smoke it as a pipe tobacco in preference to any other,” said the Gover-nor-General, Lord Bledisloe, when referring to New Zealand tobacco in the course of the Cawthron lecture at Nelson. His Excellency said the steady and profitable development of tobacco growing in New Zealand and the immense improvement in the quality and flavour of the local leaf during the past three years rendered interesting and informative the experiments now in progress in India on the breeding of new varieties of tobacco. He then briefly outlined the Indian experiments.

The fortnightly social evening in aid of the Caledonian Pipe Band Uniform Fund was held in the Church Hall, King street, on Monday, September 26. A number of the guests were entertained by progressive euchre, the prize-winners being: Ladies, Miss Baird 1, Mrs Hunt 2; men, Mr A. Young 1, Mr Dempster 2. The remainder of the guests enjoyed the evening dancing. A waltzing competition was won by Miss Brass and Mr McLeod, Miss Harper and Mr Fanning being second. An excellent supper was provided. The music was supplied by the Star Orchestra.

Only a spirit of absolute purity, and undoubted quality could create the great demand for DEWAR’S WHISKY. —Advt.

Many farmers have proved that it is little use attempting to grow crops without the use of fertilizers, but it will be readily seen that it is necessary to restore those properties which are taken from the soil by continual cropping and grazing of stock. By using “Crossed Keys” Fertilizers which contain the correct ingredients to supply the essential plant foods, the farmer is also assured of getting full value for his money. The Southland Frozen Meat Co. have large stocks of Blood and Bone, and mixed fertilizers, and will be pleased to answer enquiries. They also stock boneflour for Stock Licks, Liver Meal for calves and Meat Meal for poultry.—Advt.

When your grocer calls around, His orders to collect; Of Hitchon’s Bacon get a pound, Be sure you don’t forget.

Look—Radium Cloth 32 inches wide, all fast colours, only 1/2; Dainty Laces from 3d a yard to match. Wicks’ Hose and Vest Shop, Ltd., Dee street.—Advt.

Good quality toffees and candies and a great variety of all confectionery at Ayson’s two shops, Dee street. —Advt.

We have Bought a sample range of dainty Frocks, fit children one to three years from 7/6 to 13/6 at Miss Noble’s, The Baby Shop, Dee Street—Advt.

Why pay high prices? Special purchase of dairymen’s bib overalls and coats, usual price 9/6. Special purchase price 6/9. Also big purchase of newest suits at huge discounts at Carter’s Mark Down Sale.—Advt.

Throwovers in Skunk, Russian Squirrel, Genuine Ermine, Sable Marten, Sable Fitch, Sable Squirrel, Stone Marten, Pine Marten, Genuine Alaskan white Fox, Platinum Fox, Stonemarten Fox, these are the fashionable up-to-date goods for Spring and Summer wear, and we have them at prices that are unbeatable. THE MUTUAL FUR COY., Manufacturing Furriers, Tay St.—Advt.

New books just received: Denis MacKail’s “lan and Felicity” (6/-); Parkman’s Adventure Story “Account-Clos-ed” (6/-); “The Three Gentlemen” A. E. W. Mason’s latest; Gerald Fairlie’s new thriller "The Rope Which Hangs” 3/6; Oppenheim’s latest “Crooks in the Sunshine” 3/6; Taffrail writes a sea mystery “The Lonely Bungalow” 2/6; Annie Swan writes “The Forerunners” and “Young Blood” both 2/6 each.— Hyndman’s Booksellers, Dee street.— Advt.