PUBLIC OPINION. WHAT OTHER WRITERS ARE SAYING.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17837, 4 May 1926, Page 6

PUBLIC OPINION.

WHAT OTHER WRITERS ARE SAYING.

HOURS AND WAGES. The Federal Prime Minister proposes to induce the Australian States to secure uniformity of hours of work in the Commonwealth, as a means of strengthening the economic position of the country, which has had to stand up to some severe blows in the past few years as a result of industrial disturbances. The discussion of the subject, however, will be complicated by the divergent views on the desirability of the fort}*-four-hour week. to which New South Wales, under its Labour Government enthusiastically adheres. Coupled with this resolve to have a shorter week’s work there is the decision of the Australian Workers’ Union to take advantage of Mr Piddington’s appointment to the post of Industrial Commissioner to ask that £5 15s shall be declared the basic wage. When' Mr Piddington was chairman of the Commission in 1920 it fixed £5 15s as the basic wage, but the Government of the day refused to accept the figure, because it was too high, and would have involved the industries of the county in serious, almost destructive, difficulties. Probably the existence of a Labour Government in New South Wales inspires the union with hopes of better success, but it is noticeable, also, that in New South Wales an effort is to be made to secure in the State the forty-eight-hours wage for a forty-four-hours week. This move win be popular with the unions, and Mr Lang may look on this effort with favour, but it has to be remembered that hours cannot be shortened and wages raised in New South Wales without industry in that State being seriously affected. If the unionists are successful the results will not only be a rise in the cost of living, because increases in the cost of production in New South Wales will prejudice those industries which have to meet competition, and the outcome may be far more serious than now appears possible.—“ Southland Times.”

x « DR MOTT S VISIT.

The disadvantages of our isolation in this part of the world are overcome to some extent by the visits that are paid to New Zealand from time to time by persons of a prominence such as has been achieved by Dr John R. Mott, who will arrive in the south this week. When, as a comparatively unknown man, Dr Mott first visited Australia and New Zealand in 1896, he laid the foundations of the Student Christian Movement, which has since exercised a strong influence in our centres of learning. His next visit in 1903 is memorable chiefly for a student missionary conference under his leadership in Christchurch. Naturally, his third visit is awaited with large expectations by those who know .something of the man and his work. On this occasion Dr Mott has come to New Zealand in a three-fold capacity—as chairman of the World’s Student Christian Federation, as representing the Young Men’s Christian Associations of the world, and as chafirman of the International Missionary Council. It is believed that no man living can claim to havg greater first- ’ hand knowledge of world-wide problems of Christian statesmanship than Dr Mott. He was chairman of the International Missionary Conference in Edinburgh in 1910, and has- continued to be the foremost leader of missionary ! enterprise ever since. His greatest work, however, has been done as a leader of students. In 189,5 he brought to a successful completionMiis plan for a world federation of national student Christian movements.—“Otago Daily Times.” NEED FOR MAORI HEALTH CRUSADE. The need for the prosecution of a more vigorous health crusade amongst the Maoris has obtruded itself in connection with the typhoid outbreak in Hawke’s Bay. It seems a large section of the Natives in the localities affected proved, at first, hostile to inoculation measures. “In serious epidemics,” Dr Mercer told the Press, "we can go amongst the Maoris, but we are up against the pernicious influence of Ratana. His followers, believe in the efficacy of prayer. One result is that, when anj r sickness arises, they won’t notify it. Then, again, they are not at all keen on any scheme of inoculation.” In the circumstances, it was very fortunate that the services of Dr Te Rangihiroa were available. With Mr Tomoana, chairman of the Tamatea Maori Health Board. Dr Buck (by which name Dr Te Rangihiroa is better known) planned a suitable campaign, involving the inoculation of all Natives liable to contract the dread fever. Already, much good work has been done in that direction, and the campaign is now in full swing. Unquestionably, however, what is known as the Ratana influence will require to be countered. Dr Buck, however, intends to make a thorough job of his inoculation work on this occasion. It is his aim to get amongst all the Maoris in the various settlements in the Hawke’s Bay County. What has also proved a great handicap in connection with the epidemic question has been the dearth of Maori nurses to assist in tending the sick. As a matter of fact, not a single Maori nurse was available in the whole district, and an “5.0.5.” had to be sent north for some Maori nurses to be sent down. The position is of importance to all other districts in which Natives reside, and it is to be hoped that the Health Department will now do its utmost to stimulate greater interest amongst the Natives generally in matters affecting their well-being.— “Gisborne Times.”