PUBLIC OPINION.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17220, 11 December 1923, Page 6

PUBLIC OPINION.

JVHAT OTHER WRITERS ■ ARE SAYING. DECENT HOUSES. Tt is in the public interest that people should be housed decently and comfortably, preferably in their own homes. The policy of the Government in respect to the operations of the State Advances Department, though not commercially prqdent, promises to contribute .very usefully towards an easing of the housing situation. In that sense the liberalising legislation seems likely to qujte fulfil expectations. No keen observation is required for the detection of present activity in the erection of private dwellings, cither locally or in other centres of population. The official statistics respecting building operations show that during the year 1921-22 private dwellings to the number of 4330 were erected in the Dominion, while for the year 1922*23 the number was 5025. These arc somewhat impressive figures and it is encouraging to believe that this measure of. activity is being maintained.— “ Otago Daily Times.” THE LAW AND THE MINERS. The Government’s attitude over the W’est Coast mining dispute is not impressive. In the first place, the action which it now proposes to take—the institution of legal proceedings—is so belated as to suggest reluctance. It is now almost three months since the mines concerned were closed down, and why so long a time has been allowed to elapse before the discovery has been made that the law has been broken and that its majesty requires vindication can only be explained by the fact that the alleged offence has to do with industrial matters, and that the administrators of the law habitually show symptoms of diffidence as to the validity or efficacy of such legislation. There is no getting away from the great underlying fact that all who work for wages cling to the right to strike as their inalienable prerogative. They may sign it away by submitting themselves to the jurisdiction of the Arbitration Court; but it is evident that they do so with a mental reservation.—“ Star,” Dunedin.

CONTINUE THE STRUGGLE. As a practical step towards fostering and building up this internal trade, the Baldwin Government proposed to protect the British home market. This policy, however, has to all appearance been rejected decisively by the electors, and the alternative to which Sthe Liberals and the Labour Party stand committed is a policy of inaction and drift. The indicated result of the election means that Britain must continue to struggle through bad times with its resources ill organised. If British markets are to fomain open to the foreigner, the progress of economic in Europe, and particularly the expansion of German export trade, are more likely to bring new troubles to British industry than to bring it relief. If there is a redeeming feature it is that the position reached is so utterly unsatisfactory that a comparatively early reconsideration of the verdict now rendered by the British electors appears to be almost inevitable. SETTLE THE LAND. There are very large tracts in the South, and in parts of the North Island, too, that can only be held in big areas. When these tables are studied, however, it does not appear that the Government is doing all it should do to break up big estates. The number of estates in the four highest classes has remained much the same for some years, and the process of subdivision is not likely to be accelerated by the exemption of farmers from income tax. We repeat that largo areas of New Zealand land must always, be worked in large holdings, but these returns re-emphasise the greater importance of the small holding, especially when we consider how much tlie return from the average .email farm could be increased bj* more efficient methods. To realise this it is only necessary to compare the average return of butterfat per cow with what can be obtained from tested herds. The Show will not be of much use to the farmer if it does not drive home this lesson.—“ Star.” Auckland.

NORTH TO SOUTH. Despite the attractiveness of the north in many ways, it is probable that the_ drift will be southwards for the next five years, for the recovery will not be a 3 sudden as Mr Massey predicts. The economic factor has to be taken into consideration .and no amount of argument will alter the inexorable laws governing such questions. The effect of the movement of population if continued will be to return to the South Island in next Parliament two of the members lost gradually as each succeeding census announced a further decrease in our population. It may he that the lesson has been learned and that those who are seeking homes will realise that for solidity there has never been any comparison between tlie islands. The south is the working man’s paradise, and the thousands of young men who have crossed Cook Strait in search of new sensations have chiefly been attracted by external evidences of a prosperity that does not exist in anything like the degree the impressionable individual believes. — “ News,” Invercargill. SPEAKING FOR ENGLAND. Many people of different, political opinions will deplore the unstable situation that lias been produced. No party will have a clear majority. Another appeal to the country before long will not be popular, and. in any case, there would bo no guarantee that it would produce something more satisfactory. Some form of a coalition is therefore indicated, yet most Liberals and all the Labour Party—to say nothing of Conservative opinion—are opposed to coalitions on principle and by experience. Tt .Terrains to be seen what the reactions will be in foreign affairs. The results will come as a shock to French opinion, which had not realised that the Rothermere Press did not speak for England. But at this time, when the fate of Europe seems to hang in the balance, it is very desirable that there should be a stable Government in Britain, one that can speak firmly and with the knowledge that- it will be supported by Parliament. The prospect- of such a Government being set up is not bright.—“ Star,” Auckland.