PRESS OPINION

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 74, Issue 150, 27 June 1931, Page 1 (Supplement)

PRESS OPINION

UNITED ACTION Tho Railway Board, in calling for evidence regarding the desirableness of completing the South Island Main i Trunk line, has given Canterbury an 1 opportunity which should bo eagerly; accepted of presenting an overwhelming case in favour of this line. It may be taken for granted that Parliament will have to make the final decision on the line, but tho endorsement or otherwise of the Railway Board may be the determining factor, and it is desirable that the province should not only show a united front on this subject, but should marshal its facts in a way that will admit of no argument. Particularly do we think it desirable that that body of public opinion which is con corned with the discomfort of sea travelling should not be overlooked in a welter of economic considerations,, pure and simple, and it. would bo well! to have the point of view of the travelling public strongly represented to the Railway Board.—Christchurch Star. REFORM AND FUSION The idea that the Reform Party is| solidly behind its leader in his attitude towards the fusion proposals of the United Party receives a severe jolt from tho memorandum on the subject, that, has been signed by many prominent Auckland citizens. Discussing tho matter some weeks ago, we ventured to express the opinion that Air Coates did not speak for tho whole of his party, and a glance through the list, of signatures justifies what we said. Many Auckland leading business and professional men have put their names to this invitation to all sections of political opinion to combine in protection of the national interests, and it is sate to say that most of them—indeed, perhaps nearly all of them—aro or have been supporters of the Reform Party. Nor, is there any reason to suppose that Reform opinion in Auckland is peculiar in this respect. The leaders of the. party must face the fact that a large section of their followers favour some sort of union—temporary or permanent —with tho United Party, or, to put it on the wider basis of the memorandum, an arrangement by which all parties would sink their differences and work for the common good in this crisis.— Auckland Star. WORK FOR PARLIAMENT The very brief forecast, published on Saturday, of the nature of the work to be undertaken by Parliament during its final session will have won general approval. If the Prime Minister’s intention is carried out, the House of Representatives will tackle serious business as soon as it meets. Legislation dealing with unemployment, is being drafted, and, apart from that, Air Forbes says, the Government will not bring down far-reaching lt is to be presumed that the first question of importance to be tackled will be that of the provision required to satisfy the demands of the unemployment schemes. Temporary measures will be essential, but it is to be hoped that the Govern inent and Parliament will be fully alive to the necessity for a definitely constructive programme. They cannot do their job by merely authorising means of financing relief works; it is imperative that they should make provision for such an adjustment of industrial and commercial conditions as would bring about the gradual absorption of the unemployed in worth-while occupa tions. Tho only other subject which would seem to demand anything like lengthy consideration is finance. Air Forbes, it is to bo hoped, will seek authority for further economies, ami h will require legislation to provide rove nuc and sanction expenditure. Tho dis cussion of these matters should afford members ample opportunity to express their views on any subject which may be regarded as interesting to the con stituencics, and there need be no waste of time. In the final session of a Parliament members naturally are inclined 1 to talk to the electors, and both the| Address-in-Roply and the Financial | Statement debate are usually very lengthy. This is a year when both debates could be cut down to the absolute minimum, members reserving their speeches until tho second reading and committee discussions on actual legislation. It is, after all, open to question whether what is said in the formal debates makes any great impression on the electorates, and just now most people would be glad to think that Parliament would practice economy in the transaction of its own business, i he country certainly does not expect, its elected representatives to spend man) costly days in mere talk, nor to waste time on unnecessary legislation. The ('lectors probably would be best, pleased if members would restrain themselves so as to permit the Prime Alinister to bring the session to a close consider ably earlier than usual. Private mem bers, at any rate, would be the gainers, for they would have all the more time among their constituents, personal con tact with whom is likely to be a more effective campaign weapon than even the most, eloquent speeches delisered ai Wellington.—Taranaki Daily News. I

REDUCTION OF INTEREST Two observations by the chairmaa of the Bank of New Zealand, in his address to the annual meeting of shareholders recently, appear to be sufficiently related to be considered together. In one passage of his speech, Air Watson remarked mat the combination of high costs and reduced prices prevents the majority of farmers from carrying out their operations profitably, but there is hope that conditions will soon arise that will bring about a favourable change. That statement of the present situation and prospects of primary industry was preceded by tho expansion ol a hope that “ere long it may be possible to bring about a reduction of rates” of interest; a hope that was qualified by the reservation that as the banks do not control interest rates, nothing can be accomplished ‘•unless certain other important interests can be induced to co-operate.” I here has no doubt been a general expectation of a pronouncement upon this important question from the leading financial institution of the Dominion, but the effect of Air Watson’s statement is merely to postpone indefinitely the hope of relief from an item in the costs of production that has become oppressive with the reduction of prices. Its importance to the majority of farmers needs no demonstration; they are endeavouring to maintain production at prices that aro at least as low as the pre-war level, while interest remains disproportionately high, to an extent indicated by the difference between tho pre-war and the present minimum rates for overdrafts of 5J and 7 per cent. In these circumstances, the admission by Air Watsou that interest rates could be reduced by appropriate action is merely tantalising, since he neithei identifies tho “other important interests” held by tho bank to be responsible, nor offers any prospect of efforts to secure their co-operation. The farming industry is not the only sufferer from high rates of interest, but its need for a reduction in costs is most imperative, and a measure of relief from interest charges would bo the must practical and encouraging expression of sympathy with farmers in their difficulties. By the extent and the magnitude of its operations, the Bauk of New Zealand should bo in tho best position to take the lead in such action as Air Watson suggests is necessary and would be effective.—New Zealand Herald. RELIEF FOR AIILLERTON Appeals have recently been made to the Government and to the Nelson Education Board for assistance to relievo distress among miners and schoolchildren at. Millerton. According to a report published last week, it appears that the miners are refusing to accept relief work at 12s 6d a day although, apparently, there is a scheme on the West Coast whereby their weekly earnings would be made up to £3. This is better than any man on relief works can do elsewhere, the best return under No. 5 Scheme being four days’ work weekly, returning £2 10s, for married men with three or more children. It is also stated that the miners are refusing to pay the unemployment levy. If all this is true, public sympathy will be alienated because the average man will not readily understand why men should be too proud to accept work bringing in £3 a week and yet ask for charity to feed themselves and their children. It is difficult to believe that, the leader of tho Labour Party, Air Holland, was not. aware of what most people would consider disqualifying circumstance! when he telegraphed to the Prime Alinistcr painting a dismal picture of con ditions in Millerton and asking foi State aid. And if he did know what was going on, he should out of frankness have stated the full facts.—The Deminion. SELL ON AIERIT Ono means by which this personal cbntact between cheese and cheesebuyer could be induced, is the elimination of grade markings from the crates, and the withholding of grade notes. Grading must be maintained, but, as in the case of meat, it might be a guarantee of purity, and of quality high enough for export purposes. There may be other means of inducing buyers to test the cheese they are buying, but while they can buy on grade markings the effect of uniformity is against the premium which merit should win. Thia is a matter of some importance to Southland, because this province despatches the best cheese to London bearing the New Zealand brand, and if this standard of excellence is to reap tho reward it deserves individual merit should be permitted to exert its rightful influence. It would seem that the dairy industry in this province would do well to consider this matter gravely. There are points in it worthy of discussion, because it is to our advantage to “sell on merit.”—Southland Times. AN ACCIDENT OF AN ACCIDENT About two generations previously it was the descendant of one of Charles H.’s disreputable unions, tho Duke of Richmond, who had the audacity to taunt Lord Chancellor Thurlow with his plebeian origin and his recent admission to the peerage. Thurlow’s restrained but crushing reply has added to the English language a phrase which is far better known than the occasion or the authorship: The noble Duke cannot look before him, behind him, or on either side of him, without seeing some noble peer who owes his seat in this House to his sm-> r»sful exertions in the profession to which I belong. Docs he not feel that it is as honourable to owe it to these as to be the accident of an accident? The motto or another ducal family which originated in one of Charles ll.’a immoral accidents is “The ornament and reward of virtue.” Though Lord Ponsonby is not ashamed to claim a similar descent, it is only fair to say that it is not to virtue of that kind or to an accident of the kind that h< owes his title, but to a substantial re cord of public service.