PUBLIC OPINION.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17216, 6 December 1923, Page 6

PUBLIC OPINION.

WHAT OTHER WRITERS ARE SAYING. POST OFFICE SAVINGS BANK. In view of the fact that the State benefits very largely from the use of Post Office Savings Bank funds in financing the country’s affairs, and taking into account the desirableness as a blatter of public policy of encouraging thrift, it has been suggested that the taxation of interest on these deposits is an unwise step. Tt would he interesting at any rate to learn what the tax gatherer actually garners from this source- whether the game is really worth the candle.- Wellington “ DoPARTLY BRITISH GOODS It is evident that- the regulation will , permit goods that arc actually of foreign production to enter the Dominion under a thin camouflage of British nationality, and evidence is already accumulating that some traders in England are exploiting the opportunity to make profits bv passing such goods on to New Zealand. . . The onefourth ratio was fixed matiy years ago by regulations, and while it may have been endorsed by a later conference, it is surely a matter in which the , Dominion should be free to act independently. The purpose of the preference policy will, in fact, be largely defeated if this absurd regulation is preserved as a loophole for the admission of cheap foreign goods, that hye acquired a British flavour by passing through the hands of a trader in England.—Auckland •• Herald.” AN UNWRITTEN I, A AY. The “Daily News” has shown a highly commendable restraint if its comments have not gone beyond the single remark quoted in the cable message—viz.. “It is an unwritten law that visiting dominion Premiers shall keep clear of domestic aud policy controversies.” The scope of the unwritten law is much wider than this, and it really began at the end. which is omitted by the “ Daily News.” Tt was not in Great Britain but in the colonies that the resentment of interference by one State in the domestic affairs of another Canada, Australia, and even New Zealand objected to being run from Downing Street, and when they had established their right to manage tlieir own affairs the inevitable corollary followed that Britain had the right to manage her own affairs without interference from them. Wellington “ Post.”

UNDESERVED. Air Massey has had a spuh from the London ** Daily News ” because he. suggested in his speech at Londonderry chat- the British elections should rise above little party squabbles, and the contestants should think of the Empire as a whole. The “News” evidently read Mr Massey’s speech through party spectacles which distorted its vision. The elections are really of vital Empire interest, as the Government Party is fighting for a reform of the tariff not only for the benefit of British trade, but with the object of reciprocating colonial preference and extending Empire trade. The “News” and some party leaders are ignoring the Empire aspect of the contest and limiting their vision, as Mr Massey said, to mere party fighting. A little reminder of the greater issue from a colonial was therefore not out of place, and would hardly he called an interference in a domestic controversy.— “ Wairarapa Daily News.” NAPIER WOOL SALE. The first wool sale of the season at Napier yesterday brings the improved prices that have gladdened the hearts of sheepfarmers in Canterbury. Wellington. Wanganui and Auckland into Hawke’s Bay. We now know what the keen competition in wool is really worth. . . . For many years the stilling into their clients the necessity of cleaner and better skirting, and the Hawke’s Bay sheepfarmer is learning that it pays to exercise cere with his product. The sale yesterday will relieve a number of people whose minds have been burdened with financial worry and generally improve the financial outlook of the province. The prices, however, should be taken as a tonic and not as a boom stimulant that goes to the head. One feature of the sale that savours of a gambling spirit is that, good as the prices were.

buyers’ offers in a number of cases did not reach sellers’ valuations of their clips.—“ Dannevirke News.’’

AUXILIARY I RAXSPORT. The decision of the Auckland City Council to purchase and run * motorbuses w ill be of interest to many municipal bodies in New Zealand. The Auckland proposal is that the motors should serve as feeders to the electric tramway service. Tn towns which are expanding rapidly there appears to ho a wide field for such service. The development of residential areas is often retarded by lack of speedy and certain communication : and to remove this disability bv the earlv construction of electric tramway lines is to risk loss. The heavy expense of track-laying and electrification must- be met before a single car can run or one passenger he carried. Naturally local bodies prefer not to undertake this heavy work until it appears reasonably certain that the traffic will become payable. 'Hie motor-bus involves much lighter initial expense. With its aid a s-rvice can he commenced without delay, and if it should prove unprofitable it. can he transferred to some other district without great loss.-- Wellington Post.” A NEW DEPARTURE. Mr Massey at Belfast spoke up strongly for Protection. So doing, he placed himself in the British electoral arena. He did so as an active champion on the Conservative side. The side he took matters little in comparison with the fact that he took a s.le at all. The fact is astonishing, inasmuch as it U unprecedented and uncalled for. It is. in fact, a breach the unwritten law; that forbids outsiders from interfering in the domestic affairs of Britain. By ibis action Air Alassoy has laid himself open criticism, which is likelv to he manyheaded and unsparing. . .It would, for obvious reasons, he a mistake for anv outsider to take any part, advisory or‘practical. in a British •-'■ner' .Action. Mr Mackenzie’s “No affair of Canada's ” covers the whole matter. For an outsider to have interfered • obedience to a compart there would have beer, some excuse. But for one who 'hutted in on his own" there ran he none. This conclusion is not Th«=- idea, that was gaining ground, that th c British Government had enlisted the oversea- dominions for its electioneering campaign of a great Imperial policy Wellington Times