TOPICS OF THE DAY

Waikato Times, Volume 118, Issue 19663, 24 August 1935, Page 6

TOPICS OF THE DAY

Poro-o-tarao Mishap. The finding has been published of the departmental inquiry into the Poro-o-tarao railway mishap, in which the engine crew were overcome by fumes in tho tunnel, and the train, out of control, dashed down an incline, causing a derailment. The report is satisfactory in so far that it is shown that the combination of circumstances were so unique that it was impossible to foresee and make provision against them, and the change of their re-occUrrence is a most remote possibility. Such a mishap, it is averred, had never been known in the long period of railway history in this or any other country. It is gratifying to have expert assurance that the mishap was in no way attributable'to lack of foresight on the part of the management, and that every reasonable and practicable precaution is to be taken to guard against a repetition. New Zealand railways have an enviable reputation for immunity from accident, coupled with efficient management —a reputation which, the rcpoit shows, the Poro-o-tarao mishap will not impair.

Bobby Calf Trade The correspondence that has been published on this matter during the last few days has been painful reading, and it is hoped that the writers have quoted extreme cases which are by no means general. Prosecutions have been launched on several occasions, but they have not been sustained, and it is by no means impossible that exceptional cases have been, and are being, quoted as general conditions. As one writer pointed out the regulations governing tho trade are, if properly enforced, sufficient to ensure the elimination of undue suffering by the young calves, and it should be the bounden duty of someone in authority to see that those regulations are not a dead letter. It is surely unjustifiable to brand the majority of our dairy farmers as callous and cruel, and careless of everything but personal gain. There are probably some farmers and carriers who are not as considerate as they might be in the conduct of bobby calf activities, but now that pointed attention has been drawn to the matter it is probable they will pay more heed to their ways.

American Neutrality A resolution has been introduced into the United States Congress to safeguard that country’s neutrality in the event of war. It is a pronouncement embracing much in its seven-point policy, and would effectively prevent America’s participation either in the prosecution of, or profits accruing from, a foreign struggle. Congress already has passed legislation to eliminate private profit from war. This was the outcome of some astounding revelations made before a Commission set up to investigate the transactions of armament firms during the 1914-18 contest. The anxiety of the American people to stand aloof from any further cataclysm can well be understood, but as in the previous clash circumstances proved too sti’ong to permit them remaining neutral, it is possible that in the event of another upheaval they would be forced to take sides. The situation is grave and the issues are great, and should the dogs of war be unleashed the scope of their depredations cannot be gauged. For a great people to declare that under no circumstances would they intervene is shortsighted. There may bo no other course open to them but intervention in tho preservation of honour and the interests of humanity. This fact President Roosevelt.evidently recognises, as he is seeking a compromise to the Senate’s resolution.

Car Conversion

The conversion of cars is increasing in prevalence in New Zealand, and many motorists arc of opinion that the penalties imposed by our courts have not been sufficiently severe to prove a deterrent. They therefore welcome the decision of some administrators of the law to refrain from lines and impose terms of imprisonment. Catconversion lias far-reaching effects, for it means greatly increasing the risks on the highway. Few of Ihe converters have passed the necessary driving lesls, there is no gauge of their competence, and as every incompetent driver is a potential danger to every user of the public thoroughfares the need for drastic treatment is apparent. Another matter is that car conversion greatly adds to the difficulty of crime detection. A disciple of Bill Svkes can perpetuate a burglary rnanv miles from his usual habitue, and he hack at his base long before the crime is detected, making the field of investigation far wider and the (ask of the police much more complicated. Of course, all ear converters are not of the Bill Sykes’ fraternity—some arc merely joy-riders who do not hesitate to borrow a costly conveyance to satisfy a passing whim, but they thereby inflict hardship and unjustifiable responsibility on the owners. That the administrators of the law are alive to the necessity of making tho penalty fit the crime is satisfactory. It. is to ho hoped that the determination to do so will become general, in which case we can confidently anticipate there will be a rapid declension in the practice of car conversion.