WHAT OTHER WRITERS ARE SAYING.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17455, 5 February 1925, Page 6

WHAT OTHER WRITERS ARE SAYING.

NOTHING, BUT GOOD, Nothing but good should result also from the close co-ordination to be effected among the various departments undertaking constructional work. It has been a gain to have Railways and Public Works under the oversight of one Minister, an arrangement that has ensured their working with some possibility of mutual understanding. It has obviated, at least, some of the difficulties that have in other days been attributable to separate Ministerial control. But the maximum of efficiency and economy is obviously more capable of achievement by bringing not only these two departments, but others engaged in constructional tasks, into that close co-operation which is now designed. The Dominion expects. theoretically, that its railways, roads and telegraphs shall be provided and operated as parts of one going concern. They must be parts: a measure of division and decentralisation is inevitable in detailed organisation. Yet they belong to one national business, and their intimate co-operation is a supreme desideratum. “ Herald,” Auckland. SOMETHING MUST BE DONE. In recent discussion upon the housing shortage there has been little which offers or suggests a practical solution of the problem. The outcome appears to be the most nebulous recommendation that “ something must be done.” Mr Holland made a reference to the problem in his policy Speech lasi week, but when he got down to bedrock all he had to offer was an opinion that “we would have to build houses by the Government for letting—for the houses built for sale to the workers seem to make a demand on the workers which no worker could carry.” If the Government were making a profit from house-building there might be merit in this proposal: but there is no profit. Interest and sinking fund payments are fixed to repay the Government advances and no more. Housc-lelting upon an economic basis could not possibly be much cheaper for the occupiers, aiid it might easily become more costly for the Government.—“ Post,” Wellington. DOAIJ XIOX ’ S TR A DE. An increase in the figure representing the excess of exports over imports is the feature of New Zealand’s overseas trade returns for lost year. This increase, of a million and a half pounds, is welcome in itself, more welcome still if it can he taken to indicate a, fixed tendency of trade, but all things considered the balance of four millions cannot be regarded as a sufficient, safe and conservative margin. Two facts have to be remembered in this connection—first that our imports are always returned at less than theii* landed cost, and second that, in spite of an increasing proportion of local indebtedness, we have still to pay interest on well over a hundred millions of external debt. Further, the most striking improvement on the export side is in a large measure due to exceptional prices for wool.—“ Herald,” Auckland. THE FEEBLE MINDED. The problem of the feeble-mimiad is serious, and the* Committee of Inquiry has treated it, in its report, as very serious. Indeed, one authority quoted has described the world as going down the easy slope to A vermis with a blind complacency of ignorance likely to be shattered by a sudden crash like unto the crash made by the Gaderene swine when, they, with the devils in possession of them, plunged into the Sea. of Galilee. The-declaration of this scientist, for that is what he is, is at once a justification of the fears expressed in the report and a warning against legislation driven by panic. The report covers all the ground occupied— we might, without exaggeration say devastated—by the facts. It, therefore, has made a number of recommendations which arc evidence of the meticulous care they have exercised in the consideration of the hideous and complicated question submitted to their responsible judgment.—“ New Zealand- Times,” Wellington. AN ILLUSION OF CONTROL. By pure coincidence the return of the delegates of the Dairy Produce Export Control Board to New Zealand synchronises with a depression in the export value of butter. This fact is being used for all it is worth to bring pressure to bear upon the board as ;i whole to exercise absolute control of dairy produce for disposal overseas. To Mr Bollard, a Minister of the Crown, is attributed (lie statement ; A fluctuation jn prices is always likely, hut T a>m sure that when the scheme of the Dairy Control Board is in proper working order matters will he different and better prices will rule for our producers. That will he to the benefit of the whole Domiu ion. And from an Auckland correspondent was received yesterday n message expressing the hope of Waikato farmers “that by controlling prices in England a satisfactory return will be given to producers.” W© admit inability to define what is “a satisfactory return” in the opinion of farmers or anyone else with goods for sale or services to render. Whether absolute or modified control of dairy produce should or should not be exercised by the board, we will not now discuss; hut it is important to point out that hope of control of prices in the English market is illusory.—“ Post.” Wellington. WORTH ADOPTING. .VI intervals for some time past suggestions have been made that (he Imperial Conference might meet on occasion in one or other of the d<* minions. Although no move has yet been made in this direction, it is clea*' that these suggestions are in every wav entitled to practical considernsubject, the “ National Review ” observed that the Imperial! Government could spare several Ministers “to go out to one of the dominions, where an Imperial Conference could he held in the autumn, perhaps at Ottawa, if Australia and New. Zealand were agreeable.” There is a gpod deal to he sc id for holding the next Conference in Canada on whatever date may be selected. The great advantage offering is. of course, a considerable saving in time to those of the dominion Prime Ministers who now have to make, the longest journeys in order to attend the Conference. In 1923, Air Massey was absent from the Dominion for five months attending Imperial meetings in London which occupied a period of slightly over seven weeks Attending a Conference of the same duration in Canada, the Prime Minister need be away only about three muutlii.