WHAT OTHER WRITERS ARE SAYING.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17382, 10 November 1924, Page 6

WHAT OTHER WRITERS ARE SAYING.

INCIDENCE OF TAXATION. The debate which immediately preceded the passing of the Land and Income Tax Bill was marked by much heat, and incidentally by much contusion of thought. In the end the Government won through, and the Bill was passed. It may be noted that the discussion was not strictly confined to the Bill, but was devoted to considering the general incidence of taxation. This must not be regarded as waste of time. Far from it. If the debate served to bring clarity into the minds of members on the subject of taxation generally much good will have been done. An instance of the need for clear thinking is provided by the objection , several times raised’ that under Government methods the small man paid all the taxation. This is true only in a. restricted sense. The fitting method would have been to say (with a reservation) that the consumer pays all taxation.- • Napier Telegraph.” ELECTORAL SYSTEMS. The Legislature Amendment Bill N 0.2 .2 (the Legislature Amendment Bill No. 1 having been withdrawn) had an unexpectedly quick passage through the House of Representatives on Tuesday, being practically unopposed. It gave rise, however, to a certain amount of discussion upon electoral systems, which, as iar ns it proceeded, did not indicate any very general desire on the part of lion, members for a change in the existing method of election on what is termed the “ first-past-the-post ” system. The member for Lyttelton endeavoured by a series of ‘amendments covering the whole of his Bill for the introduction of that system, to obtain a. vote on the question. Both the Chairman of Committees and the Speaker ruled the amendments out. Ihe more important amendments of the law which the Legislature Amendment Bill will effect are those making registration compulsory and increasing the length of residence in an electorate entitling an elector to registration, from one. to three months.—"‘ Manavatu Evening Standard.” ” NOT A HAPPY CHOICE.” A brilliant member of the Cabinet is Lord Birkenhead, but Iris speech to the students of a Scottish University, of which he is chancellor, will not be forgotten. Rarely lias a non-political utterance by a politician been greeted by tlie general public with such, a chorus of disapproval. He. too, like the ape in Kipling's story has “ too much ego in his cosmos.” His progress has been exceptionally rapid : it took only four years to transform Air F. E. Smith into Lord Birkenhead, Lord High Chancellor of England. His selection for tne arduous post of Secretary for India does not seem a happy one. He certainly cannot bo described as of an accommodating temperament, and it looks as though the policy of conciliation. which, has been followed in Britain’s dealings with Indian unrest, will give way to firmer and perhaps more disastrous methods. Lord Birkenhead's administration will be watched with interest tinged with anxiety.—“ Manawatu Daily Times.” THE SESSION. When the Prime Minister said that a good deal of work was done during the session of Parliament which closed on Thursday night, he was right. If he had also said that a good deal of talking was done during the same, he would also have been right. Does the record of work done justify the record of its exhaustion? The question is very awkward, for the simple reason that the bulk of the talking had no connection with the good work done. I he difficulty that- this presents is obvimis. Sterility and 1 fertility- are not things comparable. There is no affinity between them. Analysis, the great arbiter of situations, shows that most of the talk of this rigorous, rather violent, session, was sterile, while the undoubtedly good tilings done represent fertility unencumbered by jawing. Moreover, the good work thus unencumbered had to be rushed through the last weeks, running the gauntlet of much danger of inefficiency. The moral is very plain. ft is that this power of inordinate talk must be ended.— A .X. Times,” Wellington. empire air travel. Home files inform us that there is a very rapidly-growing change of opinion as to the merits of the airship for future aerial communication between various parts ol the Empire. Those who pinned their faith, to the heavier-than-air craft have had their hopes dashed by the result of the roundthe world-flights. Ihe British aviator McLaren came to grief with, only about halt the journey covered. The American fliers successfully completed their task, but it took them six months to do it. The recent flight of the Zeppelin across the Atlantic to America in three days furnished the final proof Jiat while the aeroplane is the ideal crart lor short journeys, the airship is the one for long distances. Moreover, the airship can carry the greater load. • Wanganui Herald.” WOOL PR* OSPECTS. A\ col selling in the Dominion markets begins on November 17, when the inaugural sale of the season will be held at Wellington, to be followed by a sale at Wanganui on November 2*5. The sales that have been held in Australia have demonstrated the existence of a. strong demand for wool and the soundness of the statistical position. Merinos are at a high price, and could find a heavy tall if confidence should become impaired by any unforeseen political or financial disturbance. The position oi cross-bred wool is much more secure than merinos by reason or their relative cheapness and solid intrinsic value. This, says one authority, is especially the case with # tlie grades, ranging from 48’s and below, for with merino 64’s tops at 6s 6d some of these cross-breds are now beginning to create their own demand. The economic conditions of the world's markets will call for the best value, whether it be found in worsteds, tweeds or serges, all of which can be attractively produced from some of the cheaper medium sorts, although the Continental and Japanese demand still favours the finest wools- The outlook for cross-bred wool is far brighter than that lor merino sorts.—“ Wanganui