WHAT OTHER WRITERS ARE SAYING.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18091, 26 February 1927, Page 8

WHAT OTHER WRITERS ARE SAYING.

Armament Limitation. The mere reduction of armaments will not stop warfare, so long as people are ready to act on such motives or want of motives. What is wanted is that people should grow out of the habit of looking to force as the method by which they can obtain all they want. In civil life people look to the law to protect their rights. The League of Nations was founded to provide something similar for the nations; an international Court where cases that can be decided by law are heard, and an Assembly where each member can state the claims of his own country. The United States, however, will have nothing to do with the League of Nations. They were* invited recently to take part in its proceedings, but would only agree to do so on condition that no question in which their own country was concerned should ever be discussed by the League. Such a claim was, of course, refused, and the United States stands outside the League. M. Briand, in his reply to the United States, points out that disarmament proposals have been before the League for some time, and that the proposed conference at Washington might compromise the success of the Geneva negotiations. Many stages have been reached and passed at the League conferences, and much information obtained respecting the views and interests of different countries. Moreover, M. Briand points out, it is impossible to limit navies without considering armies and air forces, and limitation must deal with the total tonnage possessed by any country. Mr Coolidge’s proposal is crude, and has been made without adequate consideration of the difference between Europe and America.—“ Waikato Times.”

lounst tv ©sorts. There has been a substantial expansion of the tourist traffic to New Zealand, a movement that will gather force as returning visitors spread their impressions among their friends. As Minister in charge of the Department responsible for the assistance of travellers in the Dominion, Mr Nosworthy has again remarked on the necessity for increasing accommodation at all resorts, and commended the example of the Department in meeting this need at several of them. There is reason for questioning its right to praise in this respect, but the claim need not be challenged if it is meant to imply that the Department is awakening to the necessity of bestirring itself. Other facilities as well as accommodation need overhauling, especially the means of access to resorts. That may be illustrated by reference to the approaches to the Franz Josef Glacier region, unquestionably one of the most attractive places in New Zealand, with its unique combination of forest and alpine wonders. Private enterprise has relieved the Department of any anxiety regarding accommodation, but the only iine of communication is exposed to constant risk of interruption by sudden flooding of the mountain streams which cross the road. The present volume of traffic to that resort, and the possibili*ies of its development if access were assured at all times, are ample justification ior the expenditure necessary to bridge these dangerous waterways. One of the most serious complaints against the Department is that it is not impartial in treatment of all resorts; that it is less ready with commendation and information in respect of those where private enterprise maintains transport services and accommodation than in respect of those for which State Departments provide communication and hostels. J'his discrimination cannot be excused. The Tourist Department is maintained at heavy cost out of national funds, and it should give national service, without any bias for or against either State or private tourist services.—“ New Zealand Herald.”

In No Hurry to Act. The Government's attitude on immigration confirms the fairly general opinion amongst impartial critics that the job of conducting national affairs is too big for it. Ministers blame one another, by inference if not in actual words, and responsibility is transferred as glibly as desperate prisoners at bay attach guilt to their associates in crime. Immigration is not necessarily bad even when countries are circumstanced as New Zealand is at present. Population is essential to a young country and every potential producer is a valuable asset. But the opportunities to produce become less and less because farming has ceased to be a profitable industry, so lar as the average small man is concerned at any rate. Mr Coates admits that immigration has a direct bearing on the number who find employment. This is surely a confession that immigration should bo suspended temporarily, and the Prime Minister has manifested his belief in this course by declaring that in May all immigration will cease for four or five months. But, why delay till May, another three months, if harm is coming to those already here through the further congestion of the labour market? A week or two ago the Acting Prime Minister stated that he and his colleagues had cabled Mr Coates on his arrival at England to stop immigration for a while, and this should have represented to him the true position. That was about six months ago, and nothing has yet been done to stem the tide of immigration. There is no work for these people, unless they dispossess others; yet they are allowed to come in by the thousand, for it is easy to calculate that if 12,000 come in annually—a low estimate for this year—about 9000 will come in during the nine months between tjie time when Mr Coates received the request from Cabinet and the date when immigration is to be suspended.—“ Southland Daily News.’*..-