The Star. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 29, 1927. NOTES OF THE DAY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18349, 29 December 1927, Page 8

The Star. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 29, 1927. NOTES OF THE DAY.

aii Act that comes into force at the beginning of the year the Government of Great Britain imposes very stringent regulations on the sale and measurement of milk. It is interesting to learn, in connection with the effort that is being made to establish the bottle delivery in Christchurch, that all milk at Home is sent out in sealed bottles, and that the Government takes the utmost care not only to inspect the sources of supply but also to ensure proper measurement. Actually a difficulty has arisen in regard to filling bottles, because it has been held that the new regulations will call for a special test of every one of the millions of bottles that arc in use, but it is expected that the difficulty will be got over by testing and stamping the moulds in which the bottles are made. New Zealand ought not to require as stringent regulations as older countries, where the possibilities of infection arc greater, but at least it should insist, as a step towards reform, on a sealed bottle delivery.

A T the beginning of a new year it is very gratifying to know that British statesmen and financiers are taking a very optimistic view of Home and Foreign Affairs. Comparing Europe to-day with Europe of a few years ago, it must be admitted that a great and beneficent change is to be noted. Great Britain, France, Germany and Italy arc meeting as equals and partners in advancing the cause of peace, and while the Balkans continues to be a storm centre, there is evidence that the Great Powers are not disposed to allow these small States to precipitate another world conflict. Russia and China are still a canse of uneasiness among the nations, but on the whole the international situation gives less cause for anxiety than it has given for a year or two past. In particular the trade position at Home is more gratifying and the re-organisation of industry and the improvement of production and marketing are proceeding hand in hand, while a very much better tone exists in all industries. “It is sheer nonsense,” said Mr Philip Snowden recently, “to say that improvements in the condition of the working classes cannot be secured without the overthrow of the capitalist system. The idea is utterly wrong that Labour’s best policy is the sabotage of the present industrial system. The common sense policy of Labour is to help to make the system proficient and highly productive, but the condition of such improvement must be that Labour shares in the improvement.” His utterance gives the keynote of a new spirit in British industry and one that is worthy of the attention of employers and workers alike in every part of the world.

THE Australian bishops, who have called the attention of Mr Bavin to the danger to the moral and material welfare of the citizens through excessive inducements to betting and gambling, had in mind tin-hare racing, which extends the range and appetite for betting, especially among women and children. Happily, tin-hare racing in New Zealand is not likely to make any headway, because betting on the results would be illegal, but a warning as to the grip that this form of sport, has obtained in the Old Country may be given. The Greyhound Racing Association, Limited, of England, with a capital of only £SOOO, decided at a special meeting on November 17 to sell out to a new company with an authorised capital of £1,000,000. The new company’s capital will consist of 800,000 8 per cent participating preferred ordinary shares of £1 each, entitled to 25 per cent of any additional distributed profit, and £200,000 in deferred shares of one shilling each, which will be entitled to the balance of distributed profits. The net profits from four months’ racing in the White City and at three other centres have been estimated at £145,000, and four and a half million people passed through the turnstiles. The figures are significant, because the sport relies entirely on betting. They also bear out the contention of the Australian bishops that the sport brings with it the threat of a great social evil.