WHAT OTHER WRITERS ARE SAYING.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18186, 20 June 1927, Page 8

WHAT OTHER WRITERS ARE SAYING.

Licensing Legislation.

Are They Cheaper?

In the Sydney City Council Imperial Preference ha; been at issue at odd times and its latest appearance is in connection with the purchase of typewriters and motor-cars, when one aiderman insisted that British goods should not be purchased, because they were dearer than similar articles imported from other countries. The question to be asked is: Are the foreign goods cheaper? It may be true that the actual cash payments are slightly larger, even when the rebates under the Imperial Preference tariff are allowed, but the money for these foreign goods is going to countries where the trade balance is not favourable to Australia. Countries like Australia and New Zealand, when they are comparing the prices of British and foreign goods, must remember that Britain is their best market, and that the money sent to Britain in payment for these goods comes back, in great part at anyrate, in the form of payment for primary products, while the money sent to the foreign countries stays there and helps to build industries which compete with the British and in turn diminish the purchasing power of those who consume the products of New Zealand and Australia. Locally-made goods certainly can demand the first preference, but after that articles produced within the Empire should make a special appeal, not only on sentimental grounds—as a matter of business it pays to buy from those who take our products. As long as that is true, the comparison of prices is dangerous—the figures in the British catalogues must be reduced to make good the invisible discount which the British consumer of our gobds secures to this country.—“ Southland Times.’*

Though the Government must accept some part of the blame for failure to legislate on the licensing issue last session, the greater responsibility must lie at the door of the extremists on either side. The Licensing Bill did not appear until late in the session. It should have been brought down earlier; but when it did come the reception given to it provided an excuse v for further postponing a task which most Governments are only too willing to escape. We do not suggest that the Bill as introduced should have been passed; but it provided a framework within which members could fit what they preferred. Extremists (either for abolition or no change) have effectually blocked by their quarrels the sensible reform of the licensed liquor traffic. This suits the contending parties very well. The stand-pat op ponents of all reform are satisfied, and the Prohibition leaders say: “Reform is impossible," though they will not attempt it. But it is not fair to the great body of public opinion. Parliament will again be asked to deal with the licensing law in the coming session. It is to be hoped that then those of moderate views will insist that extreme opinion, however much it may stonewall or block the business, shall not be allowed to carry the day.— “Evening Post."

a a a The Primate and the Birth-rate.

The Primate of New Zealand is seriously concerned about the New Zealand birth-rate, and reiterates the familiar argument that, surrounded as we are by countries “anxious for an outlet for their teeming millions,” an increase in the native-born population is essential for our preservation and wellbeing. “What," he asks, “is the use of talking of a ‘White Australia* or a ‘White New Zealand,’ when the birthrate is so alarmingly low?” We may perhaps see more clearly the complexities of this difficult problem if we face certain uncompromising facts. One isthat the modern parent is not likely to accept increased family responsibilities from purely patriotic motives. The attitude of parents in this particular connection is influenced partly by economic considerations, partly by an increasing conviction that the smaller the family the greater the scope for its individual members with respect to education and opportunity, and partly from pure disinclination to face the burden of rearing large families. The modern attitude is, of course, a negation of the Scriptural injunction that we should increase and multiply and replenish the earth, and on purely racial grounds is not easily justified. But this argument does not dispose of the fact, the growing magnitude of which is so disturbing. If the increase in the native-born population is not enough to ensure our national safety, the only possible alternative is immigration of kindred stock, on an Imperial plan. If it is true that certain portions of the Empire are under-populated, it is also true that others are over-populated. The task of statesmanship is to devise some system of securing a more even distribution. Here, again, the question is governed by economic considerations, as quite recently we have seen for ourselves. —“The Dominion,” Wellington. x x

Patriotic Funds.

The criticism levelled at the administrators of the patriotic funds has doubtless been well-intentioned, but it has been somewhat lacking in cognisance of facts and wisdom o£ expression. There is no justification for saying that there is a policy of “bottling up’* i and unnecessary “nursing.” These ! funds have to be administered within the limits of the trusts attaching to them, and those trusts are being carried out with just regard for the intended recipients. The pressure of a time of special necessity, felt by many in common with returned soldiers and their dependants, ought not to be allowed to obscure the precise purpose of theso funds. They are not funds for . the general relief of unemployment, but essentially war funds. Their subscrib- \ ers, ■who appointed the trustees, meant j them to be used to safeguard the interests of those whose means of livelihood and comfort were impaired through actual war service. They are not rewards for that service, but means to mitigate the ills suffered through it. When this distinction is clearly borne in mind, together with all the relevant facts of the funds’ administration, the criticism falls to the ground. The demands upon the funds have been exceedingly heavy, heavier in fact than they were expected to be, and they are likely to i remain heavy.—“ New Zealand Herald,” Auckland.