PUBLIC OPINION.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17526, 1 May 1925, Page 6

PUBLIC OPINION.

WHAT OTHER WRITERS ARE SAYING. LOST SCHOOL TIME. The teachers have acted wisely in recommending that no set special measures be adopted to make up for the school time lost this year. While it is highly probable that many boys and girls, the majority, perhaps, could work a little longer each day without ill effects, it is possible that others would suffer from the extra strain. Particularly would there be this danger with the older pupils of secondary schools who are preparing for examinations. The matriculation examination now involves steady and consistent work, not only in the day school hours, but in the preparatory work done over-night. If the pace is quickened, it is possible that this strain may become too severe, especially for the health of the girls. It is much wiser not to risk this, even if the alternative is slight modification of the examination standard for this year. With juniors and primary school pupils there is even less necessity for rushing to make up time. — “ Post,’’ Wellington. GERMANY’S WRONG TURNING. The election of Hindenburg to be President of the German Republic is the worst of many strokes that the evil genius of Germany has dealt her since the war. Time and again a situation of promise in the reconstruction of Europe has been affected by the wrong kind of development in Germany, by one of those blunders to which the German nature is peculiarly prone. Now. when the Dawes plan has been adopted, when there is talk of Germany entering the League of Nations, when a pact of peace in which Germany will be included is mooted, Germany challenges her former enemies by electing as President a soldier identified throughout the world with the old regime. The old idol of the German people has his good points. These, however, do not matter very much now, nor is it, in the contra account, of supreme importance that Hindenburg is old and mentally rather feeble. What is really important is not the man, but what he stands for, and what he is associated with in Germany and abroad. The Nationalists have triumphed. Hindenburg is a Junker, who looks to the Kaiser as the real head of the German nation. — “ Star,” Auckland. EXPORT OF GOLD. The announcement that the Bank of England is empowered to export gold forthwith is an event of the utmost financial and commercial importance. It represents the taking of a long step forward in the return to normal conditions. of which the immediate reaction of the United States dollar is the first proof. It is reported that the sterling exchange rate advanced to 4.53 dollars, or roughly lid under parity, within less than a quarter of an hour. Gratifying as is this almost complete restoration of sterling to its parity with the American dollar, the effect of the British Government's decision to permit immediate resumption of gold exports will be seen in the restoration, at any rate the strengthening, of international confidence. Great Britain will be directly concerned, because the long-hoped-for. long-deferred recovery of its international trade will now be brought very near b}’’ the stabilising influences upon exchanges that resumption of free gold exports is expected to exert. In the recovery of British trade British dominions will indirectly participate. With a general free course for gold, a common measurement of value in terms of gold will be re-established.— “ Post,” Wellington. . STRANGE ADMISSIONS. After what has been said, officially and unofficially, about the Northland tunnel, it is clear that this work must be examined and reported upon by independent engineers. A report laid before the council last week embodied strange admissions. Not only has there been, an unexplained delay in obtaining an Ordcr-in-Council authorising the tunnel, but there have been some mistakes in carrying out the work. An error in alignment has resulted in a bulge. The centres on which the concrete arcli was cast were not constructed according to design, with the result that the shape of portion of the arcli lias l>een altered, and not improved. Finally, one fourteen-foot section of the tunnel lining is more or less seriously cracked. According to Mr R. Semple, who has made an unofficial report on the tunnel, this section cannot he regarded as safe. Mr. Semple asseVts that “there is a possibility, and almost a probability, that the portion of the tunnel referred to. . . . will some day collapse. 39 Tin’s clearly is a question on which qualified wigineers must pronounce a final opinion. Although it is admitted that the undertaking involves serious working difficulties on account of the nature of the ground to be pierced, it seems

plain that errors have occurred which should not have occurred.— ''Dominion,** Wellington. A WAV WITH* GLOOM! We are as whole-heartedly with that gallant optimist. Canon Fielden Taylor, as we are against the gloom-producer who is for ever crying that the world is out of joint. Socialists with a political axe to grind, and professional weepers, make the times hideous with their dolefulness. They grow almost maudlin when they survey the present and peer shrinkinglv into the future. The saner part of the community, too, might become morbid, but for the Fielden Taylors. Speaking at the Anzac Day service in the Town Hall, the canon sharply disagreed with those who beat their breasts and moan that man has altogether failed to learn the lessons of tfhe war. His view is that the sweep of mankind’s, vision is widening; that the spirit of human understanding is slowly but perceptibly “ rising upward to the sun.” We are convinced that the padre is right. Human understanding, or brotherliness, or whatever it may be called, is spreading. Civilisation is becoming more civilised. A black night followed the hectic rush of post-war wealth—a night in which old antagonisms came creeping back, and men reviled one another. Like petulant children they are still contending, many of them, unable to realise the presence of a slow-moving sun above the horizon. It is there, as Canon Fielden Taylor and his co-optimists arc so confidently declaring. Only’ the people of small heart and narrow perspective will deny the fact.—” Times,” Wellington, “TAXABLE.” The Full Court at Wellington has decided that a superannuation allowance is not earned within the meaning of the statute, and is, therefore, taxable as unearned income. The judgment conceded that superannuation allowance “is a payment. ... in consideration of the services rendered.” but it was held by their Honors that this was not sufficient to bring it within the meaning of “earned’’ as defined in the Act. Brief!v stated, the statutory meaning of Ih c ievni “earned income’ 5 differs from tl.nl ordinar-

ilv accepted. l Attention having been drawn to this difference, it* is probable that the issue v ill not be allowed to rest with a judgment oi the Full Court, and that an aiteupt will be made to induce Varliast-ent to amend the definition. If a sfe«ra»S e xemption i& made for superauititacioci amend ment will be a simple natter, but can the exemption be fairi* linai ted in this way ? W hat is th* ior of those person.s who, for nliair retiring allowances and provision »»r *ld age. must depend upon their own savings, wit', lin State SMbsi.lv s. eh ns th.it' ...•i.l -t! reran mi* tioa find*?— '•■Post" i{,-llinglon.