PUBLIC OPINION.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17349, 14 May 1924, Page 6

PUBLIC OPINION.

WHAT OTHER WRITERS ARE SAYING. THE SAME OLD TRUTH. It is reassuring to notice that close settlement is one of the most conspicuous planks of the Farmers’ Union : platform. If we remember correctly, j that organisation was formed origin- ! ally as a eheek to settlement and was j composed of men who possessed broad acres and were determined to resent j by every means possible any Attempt ! to subdivide them. Gradually realisation came that jt would be impossible to stand in the path of such a movement, for settlement had proved a success over a number of years and was regarded as the source of prosperity. Then the union adopted the proposal in a general wfty and members approved if it did not become of too personal application. For five years Ministers have been declaring that our chief hope is in the subdivision of land, in intensive cultivation, and increased production. In spite of tliis the nearest thing we have had ’to real settlement is the wretched policy that brought trouble to so filanv returned soldiers.— £ ‘Southland News ” POINCARE’S DEFEAT. Expectations of a setback to M. Poincare in the French elections have been justified. There was a chance that th£ Nationalist success in Germany might have been turned to account by tjie French Premier, but evidently the campaign waged outside of Paris by M. Oaillaux lias been too much for M. Poincare. The return of M. Malvy, one of the expelled Ministers. will be taken as a hint to the Radicals to attempt to secure the reinstatement of AT. Caillaux, whose brilliance in finance is unquestioned. There can be little doubt that tho Labour Party’s accession, in Britain has influenced the French voting. Mr Ramsay MacDonald has bfeen making excellent progress-—although recent events in the Conservative camp suggest the possibility of troublesome times—and the French people have probably looked on their own Radicals with a more kindly eye as a result.— “ Southland Times.” ROAD VERSUS RAILWAY. The statement issued by the Minister for Railways to the effect that the railway revenue had v so increased that the percentage of profit slightlyexceeded the 3J per cent rate of interest the Government expected is, in the abstract, an encouraging state of things. But the serious manner in which motor and other vehicular traffic is entering into competition with the railways, both in respect of the carriage of goods and passengers, is a factor that must obtrude itself into any controversy concerning the future financial success of the State system of transport. Railway revenue is subject to fluctuation, and the fact that there has been an increase in the railway returns this year is no guarantee that such progress will continue without a set-back.—“Timaru Post.” LONDON’S FAITH IN NEW ZEALAND. Although New Zealand has secured five millions of loan money at cheaper rates than South Australia. New South Wales, Queensland, and South Africa obtained on their last borrowing expeditions, it is deeply significant that Mr Wilford, as leader of the party in tho middle of the road, has seemingly not noticed this flattering evidence of British investors’ trust- in the stability of New' Zealand. Mr Wilford realises, we are sure, that although Mr Massey’s abounding optimism in the capacity of New Zealand to overcome all difficulties, has deeply impressed the leaders in influential financial circles in London, the fact remain.', that the high place New Zealand holds is due not only to the safe policy pursued by Mr Massey, tut to realisations!' the resilency of this healthy young country as indicated by the recovery from the lamentable slump of a. few years ago.— “ Timaru Herald."” R AILWAY* PROFITS The striking feature of the Railway Department’s accounts for the year Is the familiar disproportion between the earnings in the North Island and in the South Inland. Its familiarity does not obscure its gravity. On the one hand, the North Island lias produced a record worhLe? profit, while the return from the South Island is not much more than half its earnings in the record year of the system. There have been extensions of mileage in the interval, but not great enough to explain the disparity. In 1916-1/. the northern profits were at the rate of £941 per mile of line ; last year, they were £926. In the South Island, the return has declined from £409 to £2lO per mile, in spite of the improvement in the last two years. The deterioration has been both prolonged and progressive, so that it cannot be ignored. New Zealand Herald,” Auckland. LICENSING POLLS. The annual meeting of the New Zealand Alliance always involves the reception of a deputation of its members by the Prime Minister of the day. Yesterday they waited on Air Massey some hundred strong, and appear to lave parted from hint on very pleasantterms. Air Alassev. in fact, thanked his visitors for having let him off so lightly. The liquor question in Now Zealand is not made a party issue in jK>litic6. and Air Afassey was neutral in his attitude on the issues placed before him. as well as non-committal it* regard to promising anything definite. ‘‘ It will be dealt with when the Licensing Bill comes before Cabinet; I must consult my colleagues.” These were typical of his replies to requests for specific alterations in the existing law. For the agitation for fresh legislation for the regulation of the trade in alcoholic drinks, so long as that trade exists, and for changes in the method of determining whether it shall continue to exist in this country at all. is never ending. This is not peculiar to New Zealand.—Dunedin Star.” SCOTTISH HOME RULE. The talking out of a Scottish Rule Bill in the House of Commons before it could reach a division on its second reading was a matter for less regret than the discreditable uproar which made the final phase or it. The snuffing out of this private member's Bill, buried beneath an excess of oratory probably intended by its opponents to smother it. was in strict accordance with precedent. But the House of Commons used to be an assembly famous for setting an example to all others by its propriety of behaviour. That, high character, naturally to be expected from the importance of its functions and the distinction which it boasts of being the mother of Parliaments. has too often been placed in jeopardy during recent years, and especially by a proportion of those Labour members who have become an increasing power in its discussions. Air MacDonald’s followers do only harm to Labour when. disregarding his example and unsusceptible to his restraint. they treat the House as if it was a bear garden.—“ Dunedin Star.”