WHAT OTHER WRITERS ARE SAYING.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17230, 22 December 1923, Page 8

WHAT OTHER WRITERS ARE SAYING.

THE BRITISH IMPASSE. It cannot be said that in England there is yet anything analogous to the state of things which produced Mussolini for the Italians. But if the chaotic ineptitude continues of parties whose shibboleths have survived their working strength, and whose work is an undignified scramble in a forest of “ ifs,” to appear industrious, the disruption of the Parliamentary system will be only a question of time.—Wellington “ Times.” DISEASE AMONG CATTLE. The outbreak of rinderpest in Western Australia and the reports of the continued occurrence of foot-and-mouth disease in Britain illustrate the vital importance of a highly skilled and vigilant veterinary service in a country that is so absolutely dependent upon the health of its flocks and herds as this Dominion. New Zealand enjoys a remarkably high degree of immunity from serious stock diseases, but this security, in which its isolation has been an important factor, has been established and maintained by unremitting supervision. Some of the restrictions that have been imposed to control minor diseases may seem irksome, hut they are a light burden in comparison with the rigorous measures that are dictated by such an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease as occurred in Britain at the end of January last year.— “New Zealand Hciald,” Auckland. WELCOME RAIN A crisis has not arisen. New Zealand as a whole has a wonderful climate, beipg spared particularly the long periods of drought that make farming in some countries often a hazardous enterprise. Warm xains usually mingle with bright sunshine in. the period of the year when growth may be expected, and the Dominion’s lands in general are abundantly fertile. Amid its widely diverse varieties of soil there are few that cannot withstand a brief period of dry weather, and long intervals of drought are unknown. Once again the happy physical conditions with which New Zealand is blessed have been demonstrated, and its people everywhere may well take heart.of grace. Judging by present indications, a bright holiday season, -with enjoyment enhanced by a previous rainfall suffiicently widespread and thorough to assure a maintenance of the country’s productivity, may be confidently anticipated.—Auckland “ Herald.” EXAMINATIONS AND PRIZES. Because examination tests have often been made a fetish, and because the prize-system has sometimes been overdone, it does not necessarily follow that neither has any legitimate function. What that function should be was stated by Lord Jellicoe-—to stimulate competition, or in other words to provide a tangible objective. The modem theorist often maintains that learning for its own sake should provide a sufficient incentive, without extraneous aids. Perhaps it should, but the schools are filled with very human boys and girls who do not always see far, nor reason sc detachedly, as earnest seniors forgetful of their own youth. A compromise should be possible in which the abuse of these two institutions is made impossible, and the good features discovered in them by the Governor-General preserved.— Auckland “ Herald.” CATTLE DISEASE AND PROTECTION. Let it he conceded for a moment that the theory of disease germs in im ported fddder is reasonable. Then, with the taxpayers finding hundreds of thousands of pounds to compensate stockholders for compulsory slaughter of their cattle, as a means towards trying to stamp out the pest, while at the same time fodder which by the hypothesis is unsafe continues to be imported. the British voter may well ask himself what is to become of British agriculture under the present system. This is highly important quite apart from whether the theory referred to is founded upon fact, which is doubtful. To support it, even in part, it would have to be shown that Holland and Germany, the countries from which so much cattle fodder is imported into Britain, are also suffering from foot and mouth disease. In any Case we may expect to be provided with fuller information under this head, for we can reasonably assume that the investigation now in progress will be followed by a report.—Napier “ Telegraph.” THE WHEAT POSITION. For the grain to be harvested early next year, it is proposed that the grower should receive os 2d. os 4d and os 6d per bushel, figures well over one shilling more than Australian quotations in the opinion of the chairman of the Wheat Board. That is to say, the public will pay roughly 25 per cent more than the prices indicated if the market were open and free of restriction. This will he the situation so long as the supply holds and the embargo is sustainable. When the deficiency has to be mad© good, when millers must import to carry tho country over to tho next harvest, what will bo the position? If wheat con still be had in Australia out of the 80,000,000 bushels surplus, at rates one shilling lower than those paid to the. farmers of Canterbury and Otago, who will receive the benefit? Is the public to pay a fanes’- price for the first necessity of life so" long as there is New Zealand grown wheat available, and then, when overseas supplies come in. enjoy a reduction in rates? If so. the grotesqueness of the situation could not be outdone.—Auckland “ Herald.” COUNTED OUT. There is no need to regret the fate of the Baldwin Government, any more than there is to regret that Mr Massey's credit is the greatest where he is least known Both Prime Ministers have failed, and Mr Massey could only retain power through the sentimental argument that he should be permitted a chance to establish a record in Prime Ministerial longevity. No such claim can be put forward on Mr Baldwin’s account, and. in default of an agreement with a section of the Liberals, his Government must go the wav of all Governments that have lost the. confidence of the people. Mr Asquith rightly declared that Britain had been reduced to a cypher m the counsels of the world. This is proved by the distress oi the French/newspapers ever the defeat of the. Conservatives, for M. Poincare had dictated terms since Mr Lloyd George relinquished office. Mr Baldwin naturally earns the sympathy of Mr Massey. Their positions_are in some measure identical, the dirrerence being that the head of the Imperial Government cannot tame any Liberals to play his game for him. When the control passes to the reconstituted democratic party—a oartv that would receive the whole-hearted advocacy of thr. Welfare Lea programme in conjunction with a rlesrcut foreign policy.—Southland " Kews ”