WHAT OTHER WRITERS ARE SAYING.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18046, 5 January 1927, Page 8

WHAT OTHER WRITERS ARE SAYING.

A Problem Within a Problem. The observations addressed by the Earl of (larendon to the Conference of Educational Associations in London touched one or two important aspects of the difficult problem of Imperial migration. The urbanisation of Britain’s population, he pointed out, unsuited her inhabitants for agricultural pursuits. The remedy, he suggested, lay in an Empire-wide campaign of education with a view to reviving, amongst other objects, a desire fer country life in youthful minds. The paramount need of the overseas dominions. so far as migration is concerned. is an inflow of the right human material for settling on the land. What is in Lord Clarendon's mind, and what obviously must be true, is that this need cannot be met by the supply at present available in Great Britain. If the supply is to be augmented, fresh sources must be tapped by presenting to the younger generation of Britons the advantages of country life. The problem is not simply one of educating the public to the advantages of country life, as Lord < larendon's suggestion would imply. If it is necessary to develop by ail possible means the primary industries of this country, then it is plainly necessary to make primary industry an atyaotive proposition, not only in an economic sense, but socially also. By no other means is it possible to arrest the drift of the population from the country to the town.—“ Dominion.” Prime Minister's Message. Passing over the Prime Minister's slogan, which calls for unit' and goodwill, wc arc moved to address a few seasonable remarks to him as head of the Government. The prosperity -of any country rests largely on the competence, industry, and good faith of its administration. Failure in one or all of those qualities spells dissatisfaction and disquiet throughout the community. It follows that a definite onus is thus placed on the Government's shoulders. Now—Mr Coates, who entered on his high office to such acclaim, has not fulfilled popular expectations. It may be, of course, that too much was expected of him. seeing that he was young for the job. and was confronted with problems which were not of the simplest nature. Whether more was asked of him than fairly could be asked, the fact remains that when tested the Prime Minister did not always impress. He has shown a tendency to bend when he ought to have stood upright. Deeply-rooted forces have managed to pull him from the perpendicular or edge him into devious bypaths. Mr Coates will do better when he reasserts himself, even if that independence means a hiving-off of a number of disgruntled or disappointed followers. Such an attitude will help to recapture a measure of confidence lost. As for the disaffected—their defection will clear the air and actually add strength to strength. This Dominion wishes the Prime Minister an occupancy of the leadership long enough to enable him to prove his worthiness. He is in an unassailable position to make good . . provided lug fibre is right.—“ New Zealand Times,*