The Star. TUESDAY, MAY 2, 1916. EDITORIAL NOTES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 11687, 2 May 1916, Page 4

The Star. TUESDAY, MAY 2, 1916. EDITORIAL NOTES.

RECRUITING MATTERS. Tho decision of tho Recruiting Board to recommend the extension of ihe separation .allowance to families of live shows the willingness of the board to render assistance to married men. And, with the example set by tho Home Government before them, it is to be hoped that the Xew Zealand authorities will not hesitate to afford these men, and indeed, all recruits, protection against pecuniary loss. The decision of the Recruiting Board to further assist married men makes it difficult to understand its apparent unwillingness to help single men with dependents. Although many hundreds of them carry responsibilities quite as heavy as the majority of married men, it cannot be denied that of the IG,oOO who expressed their willingness to servo abroad, nearly all should go before tho head of a family of five is asked to join the colours. These single men with dependents are jA a difficult position, and nearly every day we hear of cases where young fellows, in honour bouna to maintain dependents, are being held up to ridicule by unthinking persons because of their failure to enlist.

If the Recruiting Board will extend to the dependents of single men the provisions made for tlio dependents of married men, it will set free for military service thousands of tlio Dominion's sons who are well fitted' for tlie soldier's life. The recruiting scheme, Mr Massey states, is working well, and everything that will remove obstacles from the paths of the willing men should certainly bs' done. Separation allowances for the dependents of single men,-provision for interest and insurance premiums, in short, assistance along the lines adopted in Great Britain, will speedily remove any doubt regarding the ability of the Dominion to keep up its supply of reinforcements. Such measures should conl.o first, and, if in time they too should fail to yield the men required, then, but not till then, some measure of compulsion may be considered. The Mayor of Auckland, a very outspoken man at all times, has stated plainly that if the voluntary system fails it) ■will bo the fault of the Government. Be that as it may, it is certain that if tho system is abandoned before the adoption of measures —such as thoso indicated —calculated to ensure its success, Ml responsibility must rest upon the Cabinet.

AN EXPLANATION NEEDED. The Government's decision to assume control of AVestporfc Harbour is a step that obviously cannot b\) permitted to pass- "without a demand tor an explanation of tho reasons which have influenced Cabinet in interfering so seri- , ously "with the system of local government. Our Wellington correspondent takes it that the change is being made entirely on Imperial grounds, but, it is difficult to find sufficient excuse even on that consideration for so sweeping a fchango in the administration of ouo of our most important harbours. There have been 110 difficulties connected with coal shipments from Westport since the -war began —with the exception, of course, of the difficulties inseparable from the -working ol' a bar—and supplies havo been available promptly and regularly, and the transports have suffered no delay through any local shortcoming. The introduction of local ■politics into tho constitution of a "board is no doubt the real reason influencing Cabinet's decision, but very much the same tiling is apt to occur jfa tho election of local bodies throughout the Dominion, an* it is scarcely • a suflicctn'l (justification for such a revolutionary chango involved in the centralisation of all governing power in "Wellington. The Minister of Marine states the proposal of tho Government is not part of a scheme tc inationalise the harbours of the Do'minion. Ttat is a suggestion he cau'tiously refuses to discuss in his minis-

[tonal capacity. vVo are told to-day, Ihow'ever, thafc there is a strong feeling jin Wellington in favour of the Govjernment taking over the control of all ttho harbours in New Zealand. That lis a typical Wellington point of view; i Nothing •would pleaso the largo official [ffopnlutioii in the hotter than a

chaugo -vvhic-h would increase its authority and strengthen its hold over the administration of Dominion affairs. Wo have not. yet Wen tnld definitely what branch ol' the Government Service is to be charged with tho control of Westport's harbour, but) it. is hinted that the, Railway Department, may he cm-rusted with the task. Exactly -why this Department should bo considered qxiatiiied to manage an important and difficult harbour such its that of Westport is not easy to discover. Its heads aro utterly inexperienced in harbour management, and in any case would bo compelled to rely largely upon the, local knowledge of those who have helped to administer AVcstport in the past; and the advantages of the substitution of a cumbrous and leisurely system by government from Wellington for administration by men upon the spot aro certainly not very apparent. On general l grounds tho growing tendency to centralise all government in Wellington is a movement which should be strongly resisted. The duties and responsibilities of local bodies such as harbour boards and borough councils and county councils aro clearly defined and there should bo no difficulty in the large district of Wcstporfc in obtaining a body of men perfectly competent to govern the harbour affairs. If tho Government's decision to run Westport from tho Railway Office in Wellington is intended as a permanent change, it is to bo condemned as a retrogressivo step arid a dangerous abrogation of the rights of communities to manage their own affairs; ifi it is intended merely as a war-time measure, Cabinet should say 5,0. In any event, the Government owes tho Dominion an explanation of the move.

NEW SOUTH WALES POLITICS. Mr Holman and his Ministry in New South "\Vales are in a curiously awkward predicament. Every year the Labour Premier and his colleagues have to run the gauntlet of tho Labour Conference delegates, who cannot or will not understand the practical difficulties which confront Cabinet in its endeavour to give effect, to Labour's aspirations. The men on tho inside, the members of the Labour Ministry, lenow only too well the obstacles which prevent the full realisation of the Labour programme, but those on its outer circle, the union leaders and delegates, cannot be made to comprehend tho considerations which intervene to baullc their progress. So we find the Labour Conference in Sydney by a rote of practically two to one reaffirming its motion of censure of the Government for its inaction relating to the first plank of Labour's fighting platform, tho abolition of the Legislative Council and the introduction of tho initiative and referendum. Mr Holman apparently is convinced that the country generally would not support tho cry to sweep away the Upper House at this juncture in tho national affairs, but he cannot persuade the Labour leaders to bide their time; they want their platform pushed forward regardless of all ■ hindrances. The position is an interesting development of the caucus system of government.

Three courses apparently are open to Sir Holman when he makes announcement of. his policy to the Labour Conference to-morrow. Ho may decide to obey tho dictates of the conference, or in the alternative resign. He may, however, assert himself and give the country a taste of his metal by defying the conference and announcing his intention to carry on to the best of his endeavours, relying upon the support of a sufficient number of members in the House to enable him to carry on. In any ca&e, a clear definition of his policy may now be expected in response to tho Labour delegates' ultimatum.

ARMLETS. It is reported in Wellington that tho Recruiting Board proposes to make certain alterations in tho system of issuing armlets, and if the alterations should provo to ho along the Hin.es indicated by our Wellington correspondent they will he welcome. If some system is necessary to differentiate between the willing and unwilling—and we take it that that! is the idea behind the scheme —the many classes at first decided upon wero unnecessary. Ail that was needed was a badge or armlet to distinguish those who had served the Dominion abroad and some mark to distinguish those who had volunteered for service. Incidentally, the armlet system adds to tho difficulties experienced by the single men who have dependents to support. They ore not free to volunteer but must appear to the average citiaen in tho street? as being among the men of military •n?;owho are willing to answer the call. However, the proposed change will do away with the necessity for any man to carrv on lii' arm a sign of his physical deficiencies, and that is a step in the right direction.