NOTES OF THE DAY

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2442, 22 April 1915, Page 4

NOTES OF THE DAY

The Foodstuffs Commission is to resume its_ sittings and will specially investigate the rise in the price of butter. The pricc o f this commodity has leen affected by unusual conditions arising out of the war. In the past the practice has been for some of the large Taranaki factories to turn from the manufacture of cheese to that of butter in tho month of April, maiuly to supply the winter requirements of New Zealand, but this year, owing to the extraordinary demand for cheese and the very high price ruling, about 935. as against 61s. to 625. at this date last year, these factories are continuing the manufacture of cheese, consequently there is a natural tendency for the output of butter to decrease. The position in the circumstances is likely to be very critical in June and July To add to tho troubles of the market, an extraordinary demand has set in from Australia, and the Melbourne merchants, to secure supplies, have offered high prices. It is alleged that the Australian demand is to cover commitments in the East. Apart from this export to Australia the quantity of butter available for winter consumption in New Zealand is likely to be very short because of the factories continuing on cheese, and if somo check is not imposed record prices for butter are quito within tho bounds of probability.

Hitherto fcho question of the consultation of the Dominions by the Imperial Government prior to the conclusion of peace has been mainly considered from a single standpoint —that of the Imperial Government affording facilities for such an exchange of views. The matter _ is placed in a somewhat different light by the latest utterance on the subject of Mr. Le-.VIS Harcourt (Secretary of State for the Colonies). Asked in the House of, Commons what steps the Government was taking to consult tho overseas Ministers, Mr. Harcourt replied that the Premiers knew that they would be most welcome at any time; there was always a vacant chair .at the Committee of Imperial Defence. This suggests the necessity for a measure of initiative by the Governments of the various Dominions, New Zealand amongst the number. Mr. Harcourt has emphasised the fact that, as representing active partners in the Imperial concern, they have a standing invitation to go to London. This being the position it rests with the Dominion Governments quite as much as with the Imperial Government to make arrangements for an exchange of views or. the subject of terms of peace, more particularly as these directly affect the oversea interests of the Empire. With the war at its present stage immediate stops designed to secure an assemblage of the Dominion Prime Ministers in London would Ik premature, but it is open to question whether everything possible has yet been done or even inaugurated in the way of an interchange of views between _ the Dominions themselves as preliminary to the united representation that should ultimately he made to the Imperial Government 011 the subject of colonial expansion and the absorption of new territories captured from the enemy. The visit of the Commonwealth Prime Minister to this country somo time ago afforded an opportunity for preliminary discussion, and it is to be regretted that Mr. Massey finds it impossible to return tin- visit next month, when matters might have been carried a stage further. ( It is true, as has been pointed out by some Australian newspapers, that the New Zealand Prime Minister could have taken no active part in tire deliberations of the Australian State Premiers whose coifcronco ho was invited to attenc], but the Commonwealth Prime Minister, being able to directly consult the heads of the State Governments, could have spoken with added weight in discussing Imperial affairs in which Australia and New Zealand have common interests. At all events the various Dominion Governments should undoubtedly make >!< tlicir aim to arrive at an understanding amongst _ themselves on the questions which will form the subject of consultation with tho Imperial Government. It rests solely with the Dominion Governments to as far as possible eliminate hampering details which otherwise may in part -rob of their intended effect the representations they will eventually make to the Imperial Government.

Sir John Fihdmy, when Minister of Justice, was somewhat inclined lo h a ve us believe that a criminal was <i species of social invalid, to lie wrapped in cotton-wool, fed on goat's milk, and otherwise fattened on pleasant-sounding theories. Mr. Hf.upman, whose robust statement of poiicy we published yesterday, prefers to regard the criminal as a plain, bad man, to bo cleansed of his wickedness by a spell of hard work and healthy discipline. Opinions may differ, but the Herdman regime, seeing mosi likely ti .appeal to a community winch prubs itw f on having a fair share of sound common sense.

Mn. G. Bruce, candidate for the Harbour Board, says he is not. a idleness mail, but a practical waterside •. worker, and holds that lie is iictler qualified than most of the candidates for a scat on the Board. We have some recollection of seeing Mk. Rhixk on I he top. of an express in Pn<-,i. Office Square durins the big ,[,ti'ikc, in company with certain agi-

tators whose main anxiety at that time was to lock up the port and paralyse the trade of the community. We do not think that Mr. Bruce will be elected, but if by some miracle he were, the experience of looking at the management of the port from the other side of the fenco might prove ft very valuable one. 1