NOTES OF THE DAY

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 293, 6 September 1919, Page 6

NOTES OF THE DAY

Thr reconstruction of the Ministry necessitated by the retirement oE Sin Joseph Wakd and his colleagues has halted at a point which it is rather difficult to account for. Some new blood has been introduced, and the appointment of two uew'Ministers each p£ whom has an honourable record of war service in particular commends itself. Both Major Hike and Major Coates arc likely in their respective ways to have a stimulating effect on the activities of the Ministry, and Mii. Noswop.thv has a useful experience as a public man to call on in his new tasks. But why has the Pr.iiiK Minister stopped at the appointment of thr»e new Ministers when it must be obvious that lie and his colleagues cannot hope to do full justice to all the large Departments of State unless Cabinet is made up to its full strength and with the best'men available ? There is more than enough work—urgent work some of lit—for all; and more new blood still is needed. « *• s » • Mb. Arbuckle, the secretary of the Goal Miners' Federation, a few days ago professed to. be in ignorance -of any "go-slow" movement in the coal mines of the Dominion. We wonder whether this gentleman will profess ignorance to-day in face of the output figures recorded at certain mines. It would be really interesting to know whether those who control the "go-slow" policy ever stop to consider the full effects of their action. Of course the mine owners suffer. All their overhead charges go on as usual and the lessened output means loss to them which, in view of the very small profits-'earned by some of the mines, is a serious enough matter. But the minors themselves are substantial losers too; so arc labour unionists in other occupations dependent on coal for power or transport: so also are the general public, the great third party to every strike, lock-out, or "go-slow'' movement. The ''go-slow" movement means loss all round at almost any time, - but at the present juncture its adoption by the coal miners means the prolonging of the railway cut and the genera! disturbance of Industry and commerce to I the injury of the whole community. i With the exception .perhaps of the wharf labourers, the miners of New Zealand have had bigger concessions granted them sincc the war started in 1914 than any other body of organised labour in the Dominion, and at the present, time further proposals for the betterment of ; their condition are under consideration. It would almost seem that the more they are granted thi- more irreconcilable their attitude becomes. And it is the general public that in the end has to pay Uio piper. * * * «■ As it bore on- tnc prospects o! doing something in a practical way during tlie present session of Parliament to meet pressing educaneeds, the reply made by Sir Fbancis Hell to a deputation from the Secondary School Assistants' Association was anything but encouraging. The Minister emphasised the point that lie rnigiit only be holding the portfolio of Education temporarily. He held out some hope that salary increases for secondary teachers might be considered before the Estimates wcru passed, but in regard to the question of co-ordinating primary, secondary and technical education lie held, while approving this reform, th'at it was not for liim to say what form he thought it should take. Presumably Su; Jj'rakcis Bell, for the time at least, adopts the same attitude of self-effacement in regard to' all big questions of educational policy. This is a state of affairs very far from being just or satisfactory to the country. It would be unrcasona&lc to find fault with the present Minister or Education, who has just taken over the portfolio, presumably as a temporary measure, because he is not in a position to open out a bold and progressive policy, but the Government as a whole and Parliament will accept a heavy responsibility if they consent to stagnation in educational affairs until after the general election".

Thetik aiv, of course, many educational questions with which it is impossibly to deal in a hurried session. This no doubt, is true of the, measures of co-ordination to which the Minister referred and also generally of the extension and reorganisation of technical and other forms'of secondary education. But while it is justifiable to allow such questions to stand over for the j moment, 1 there arc'others in connection with which no such pica is admissible. Tho most conspicuous example in point is that nf schooi buildings. [t . is agreed on all handsthafc an expenditure ot several millions during the next few years is called for in order that State school buildings may be so extended and improved that, an end will be made, of overcrowding and conditions established in which duo regard will be_ naid to the health' and -welfare, of the rising generation.- Something, even if it is only of a preliminary character, certainly ought to be done before the session terminates to meet this urgent need. Th 6 demand for better schools has been neglsctcd too long. * '. •> £ £ Whatever the circumstances may be in which it was established, the butter equalisation fund as it has been administered hitherto was a most unfair charge upon a deserving body of producers. A.* wo have urged tin several occasions, there is no just-ice in an-arrangement which artificially restricts the price, of ail article of common use at the' expense of <me section if the community. The injustice of requiring butter producers to forfeit, on butter consumed in the Dominion, tlw difference between the local and the export price was, of course, heightened by the fact thai n. 1 argil proportion of thrni aro small farmers engaged with their families in an arduous and trying occupation. All who look fairly at the facta will welcome the announcement, made yesterday by the Prime Minister. that producers this season will be assured of the full export value ot their output and that tho amount rcouired to supplement th;; restricted local price, which is to stand unchanged, will be drawn henceforth from the. Consolidated Fund.. Ar. a matter ox justicc to butter producers this decision is to be commended unreservedly. ' How far such measures are. to be regarded as an effective attack on the cost of living problem is another and much more doubtful question.