PUBLIC OPINION.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17346, 29 September 1924, Page 6

PUBLIC OPINION.

WHAT OTHER WRITERS ARE SAYING. SOLDIER SETTLEMENTThe report of the revaluations to date of soldiers’ holdings gave the House of Representatives on Tuesday something of a shock. About that two things can be said *. the shock was not due to surprise, and the degree of failure reported, so far. is considerably less than was generally expected. The details revealed so far are much worse than the aggregate loss. It is startling to read that valuations have been found excessive, even to oO per cent., and perhaps in some cases over that awful proportion, but it is comforting that the loss of the State after revaluation of 61 properties is not more than £1.087.000. The latter fact is in emphatic contradiction to the fears of many member; of the House, which in one case found expression of four millions. The outburst caused by the revelation of the over-valuations was only to be expected.—“ New Zealand Times,” Wellington. APPROVED BY THE SENATE. The Minister of Education being personally in favour of a Forestry School for Auckland, and his opinion of the suitability of the province being supported by the Auckland Sawmillers' Association. Auckland is to have its school. But though the Minister has doubts about the advisability of attempting to run two schools. Cabinet has decided to give Canterbury “ an equal start ” with another school. Mr Parr’s naive announcement of the decision gave reasons for the establishment at Auckland (his own opinion and that of the sawmillers). hut there was no explanation of why Canterbury obtained a similar grant. Perhaps that would be giving too much away. V hen taxed in the House of Representatives with waste m making grants ■for two schools, the Government was unable to offer an explanation or defence ; but it was able to shift the blame by stating that the arrangement had been made with the University authorities.-—“ Evening Post.” M E DIC A L* SCIE NCE. Recent cases which have been ventilated in the law courts ci the Dominion have served to demonstrate that suffering people, anxious for relief, are prone to give a credulous ear to those who profess to cure all the ills that flesh is heir, to, irrespective of consideration as to whether the claims put forth are sane or reasonable. The disposition so to do can be well understood, for human nature is eager to grasp at an}- shadowy prospect of relief from the burdens of ill-health it has to bear. The quack and the charlatan, knowing this proclivity, puts forth the most preposterous claims and the syffering pour their gold into his coffers in the despairing hope that some easement will be obtained. The question arises as to whether it is not the duty of the health authorities of every country to endeavour to save unfortunate sick folk from Such imposition, and to induce them to adhere to those legitimate avenues which patient research and experience have demonstrated afford at least a reasonable prospect of relief.— “■ Waikato Times.” FACING THE LOSS. Tt is certain that the Dominion must face a considerable loss on soldiers’ settlement expenditure. It is well, therefore, that the loss should be determined as soon as possible, and the concession given, so that the morale of the settlers may he restored. To the honest settler there can he nothing more discouraging than the knowledge that he is each year falling deeper in debt. Revaluation will give him hope for the future. At the same time it is possible to overdo tlia concession-granting’ and to allow the public purse to bei aided. The men charged with the duty of revaluation have the difficult task of holding the balance evenly, and being fair to the State while affording the settler every chance. We believe that the Minister of Lands, with a natural sympathy for the settler and a high sense of his own public duty, will see that justice is done. He cannot give satisfaction to ali applicants, and his difficulties are multiplied in some instances by the interests of third parties.—“ Evening Post.”

SPELLING REFORM. The valiant apostles of simplified spelling, a few month ago, were sending bales of literature advocating their reform to the dominions have since taken another step with their campaign. A few weeks ago a deputation of them waited on Mr Trevelyan. President of the British Board of Education. with a memorial on the subject. The deputation was not an unimpressive one, such ripe scholars as Mr William Archer, Dr W. Emery Barnes (Hulsean professor of divinity in the University of "Cambridge), and Sir Mark Hunter being included in it. Tt is not apparent that the would-be reformers made any very large claims of support received from the dominions as a reason why their requests should he acceded to. Stress was laid by speakers ou the importance of spelling reform for the sake of the more logical training of children’s minds, and to assist the development of English as an Imperial and an international language. Tt does not appear that the memorial was read to the Minister. If that had been written in the new spelling t would probably hare taken much too long to read.— “ Star,” Dunedin. COMMERCIAL METHODS. The new financial method proposed by the Minister of Railways will certainly be of advantage if, as the General Manager stipulates, it is the expression of the result of activities conducted on the same principle. We nave previously pointed out that the insisent demand by some classes of the community for commercial methods is weakened by their equally insistent demand for privileges, concessions and reductions which cannot be justified if the railways are regarded as a commercial undertaking It is difficult at times to draw the line dividing that which is* commercial from that which is political (meaning the concession which should be given at the expense of the body politic). For example, in times of drought or distress in particular districts. the New Zealand Government Railways are called upon to carry stock free or at a considerable concession But a private railway would also do its best to meet its clients under similar circumstances, realising that a bad setback to the producers would reduce its own freight-earnings. No private railway, however, would continue to carry lipie and manures cheaply for farmers who sent their wool and other produce to the market by motor.— “ Evening Post.”