THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 1918 MUNICIPAL ACTIVITIES.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 11752, 6 February 1918, Page 4

THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 1918 MUNICIPAL ACTIVITIES.

Wlicn the present world war is brought to a termination. the system of interna) as well as external tia<i,nr will undergo important changes. Propaganda work is already being conducted in various countries in lavour of the nationalisation of industry and the means of production, the recent startling developments in Kussia indicate how far a- down-trodden people are prep.ired to go m pursuit „f Utopian idealß. Hav.ng these facts in view, and recognising, as we must do the growing unrest among industrial ists throughout the world, we Should be guilty of gross perversity and wanton obtuseness were we- not to faec the question of industrial reform in a bold a,ud courageous manner. In this matter of reform each country must work out its-own salvation. 'What may be practicable, or good, for one State or dependency, may be utterly impracticable and baneful for another. So far as this article is concerned, we propose addressing ourselves entirely to the industrial condition of New Zealand. In few countries of the world has State enterprise been developed under such congenial conditions as in this Dominion. Here we have State education, State railways, State post and telegraph services, State coal mines, State life and fire insurance. State farms and nurseries, and State money-lending institutions. How much further we may proceed with State enterprise without imperilling the nation cam be determined best in the light of experience. There is a strong feeling that if many more of our services are brought under State control the national efficiency vvill be seriously impaired, and the rights of minorities will not. be sufficiently conserved. Nevertheless, many men who a few years back were regarded as crusted Tories are to-day prepared to admit tlie desirability of main arterial roads as well as shipping being vested in the State. But though it may not bo politic or prudent to involve the State in further industrial responsibilities in the meantime, there is considerable scope for the development of municipal activity. We are persuaded that it would be in the hest interests'of the great masses of the people if the supplies of bread, meat, fish, vegetables, milk, coal, and fruit, and the sale of intoxicants were brought under the control of the municipalities. This would result in cheaper and more regular supplies, in purer food, and in economy in distribution. Moreover, the bi-products of the different industries could be employed to greater advantage than at present. Take meat, coal, and vegetables. as simple illustrations. _ In connection with meat, the municipality could quite .conveniently establish a tannery, and possibly candle works. The coal could be purchased in large quantities and at reduced prices with the supplies for the municipal gasworks, stored in the municipal yards, and delivered with coke, by 'the municipal carts. The vegetables could be grown in abundance on the municipal sewage farm, and offered for sale, together with fruit, in one or more of the municipal shops. Each branch of industry should b© made self-support-ing, and only a limited portion of the profits should be set aside as a reserve fund. The municipal employees should receive fair remuneration for their services, and should be able to retire, after they reach a certain age, upon superannuation. We shall be tokl that all of this its very good in theory, but we shall be asked, who is going to bear the loss in the event of one or all of the enterprises proving a failure? In.reply, w € may state that, with proper management, a loss should be impossible. If a loss should, however, be sustained, it should be borne by the whole of the municipality, and not by ratepayers alone, unless it be provided that portion of the profits, if any, shall be expended upon roads and other public services. The subject of "municipal trading will have to be faced sooner or later, and if difficulties present themselves, means must be discovered by which they can be overcome.