LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Dominion, Volume 15, Issue 25, 24 October 1921, Page 5

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

THE SAMOAN MANDATE Sir,—The two outstanding points of Mr. Massey’s reply to the statement in "The Round Table" concerning New Zealand’s attitude to the Samoan mandate nre that he dooa not deny the allegations of fact, and that ho apparently seeks to escape responsibility behind the authority of the King. Sir Janies Allen saw danger to the Empire in the direct dealing of the Dominions with a foreign tribunal Tike the League of Nations, but New Zealand has nevertheless established such a course of dealing, and accepted hdr mandate for Western Samoa direct from tho League. If your report is correct; Mr. Massey’s explanation is that "His Majesty had elected to accept the mandate in his right as Sovereign of New Zealand, and that being informed of the fact the League accordingly addressed the Dominion indicated." Rut this explanation really explains nothing. Tho King is.not a Kaiser. It is not by his own caprice or even by his own discretion that he can determine a matter of this kind. If "His Majesty elected to accept tho mandate in his right as Sovereign of New Zealand.”, he certainly did so on responsible advice, and whatever may have been the form, which this advice took, does Mr. Massey suggest that New Zealand was not consulted in tho matter? New Zealand was, of course, consulted with regard both to this point and to the general attitude of the Dominions to the League of Nations, and this had been done before Sir James Allen left the Ministry. "Some of the Dominions," ho said in the statement published on April 20, 1920, "desired to deal with the League direct, and Now Zealand had been asked whether it desired to do so or to transmit its representations to the League through the Mother Country. New Zealand favoured forwarding its representations to Che League through Mother Country. It was suggested iliaf there should bo a Secretariat in London to deal with representations from British Dominions to the League. The Secretariat could act as a sort of clearing house and co-ordinate tho representations of tho British Dominions. Negotiations on the subject were proceeding." It was therefore with a full knowledge of tho facts mentioned by Mr. Massey and Sir James Allen that to deal with the League of Nations except, through a Secretariat or clearing-house in London, "might lead to the Dominions separating from tho Mother Country and being independent.” It is useless, to disguise the gravity of the course which the Government has taken in opposition to this

weighty advice, and we aro surely entitled to know how and why it. came about. The explanation doubtless is that South Africa and Australia were consulted as well as New Zealand; that through General Smuts, who is obsessed with the dangerous idea of Dominion sovereignty and independence. South Africa strongly urged that not the Empire, 'hut the individual Dominions should deal with the League of Nations: and that New Zealand acquiesced for tho sake of peace. Is there any reason at all why the people whose interests are so vitally concerned should not he told exactly what the process was? —I am, etc., THE WRITER OF THE ARTICLE. October 22.

THE FARMER AND HIS OUTLOOK A PROTEST AGAINST PESSIMISM. Sir,— Judging by tho remark passed by "T.D.H.” in that interesting column "Without Prejudice,” he appears to think although a man is a farmer he is rarely an optimist. Well, lam both, and should like to pass a few remarks about the deputation who were supposed to represent the producers that waited on Mr. Massey, and gave him a very pessimistic report as to- the country generally. I may say at the oflset that I am a small sheepfarmer, whose income has absolutely vanished this year, My net returns for - wool were ti tenth-part of what I have been getting, and the returns from my surplus stock are not worth mentioning. On the top of this I have heavy interest charges to meet, as I was not one of the fortunate ones to step into my father’s shoes; but hadi to start from "scratch.” Have not got my tail down, hut have been stumping and breaking in new country, ploughing .my land, putting in crops, and generally doing all the heavy work of breaking in a bush farm, as I firmly believe that “There is a silver lining to the clouds,” and we sheepmen have a real good time coming. I must say Mr. Hunt put the position in a very able and clear manner, but think it rather strange that he should be ono of the leading spokesmen of a deputation of producers, as he is reputed to be one of the heads of a leading firm of stock and station agents—a class of business which some of us farmers know to our sorrow have been very busy nt that, game of "passing it on,” that lie makes such a point of in his speech. Ho may be a farmer; but fancy it is rather n.s a hobby than for making a living. Ho also mentioned that unless taxation was redliced there, would be some more "passing it on" in the way of increased interest charges, as the present ones were not profitable. I should like to ask him is sheepfarming profitable at the present time He then dealt with when wo began "handing it back,” and what the results will be. Yet he talks of handing more on, and he says he has the welfare of the producers at heart. Why do not these big firms set an example, and pay the losses out of the huge reserves these companies have been building up in previous years, instead of “ "passing it on." I am a member of the Farmers’ Union, and fake a fairly active part in it. in the district in which I live, and) think tho Dominion president and vice-president havo not been doing us any good by stumping the country and painting such a’ gloomy picture, and am glad that Mr. Massey 'spoke so strongly against them doing‘it. It is ruining our credit, because if someone js always calling out that we are being ruined, it will not be long before it is generally accepted as a fact; and we will bo refused credit facilities without which it is impossible to carry on. Another point is this: yWnat inducement is there to work our farms if we thought the country was going to "tho dogs,” and that we are simply doing the work for the mortgagee. A man should not believe that if he wants to work his place to the full advantage, and make it produce all it can. I think they would have done a. great deal more good if they had gone round the country trying to cheer us up, and told us good times”wore coming, and that "the birds would sing again.” I am going to reneat n little story told tn mo bv a friend, which is peculiarly opportune at the present time. "Two frogs went out on a foraging excursion one night. They camo to a crock ot cream, and decided to sample it. After having their fill they tried to get out, but could not. on account of the slippery sides. Ono frog said: 'Oh. wo shall never get out of this!’ but the other frog said. 'Oh, we will get out all right!’ and kept on swimming. The other frog was still about not getting out, and eventually did die. The more determined one kept swimming round and round until tho cream began to got thicker, and at last turned into butter. Ho then got on top, gavea bit of a croak,, hopped out of tho crock, and got away.” There is a big lesson to learn from the above story, which these pessimists should take to heart. It is a peculiar thing, but the ones who are calling out tho loudest are generally well able io stand a "financial bump;” and I often wonder whether they think it rather good fun trying to make those men who aro nof: so fortunate feel miserable. If so, ft is what you would call a very poor joke. Mr. Massey should have given some members of the deputation the advice ft

well-known. Magistrate in Christchurch who was noted forliis outspokeness gave to a young fellow who was brought before iiim for trying to commit suicide because his girl throw him over. He said, “Go home, young man, and take a dose of pills.” It is to be hoped that in the next stunt Mr. Polson and Captain Colbeck take to help the union and the farmers generally, their cry wilhte optimism, not pessimism. Thanking you in anticipation.—l am. etc.. AN OPTIMISTIC SHEEPFARMER.

LEVIN D.H. SCHOOL & MATRICULATION Sir,—ln reply to Mr. T. Moss, who said at the board meeting yesterday that matriculations were obtained at the d.strict high schools of his district. I would like to point out that at the Levin meeting addressed .by Mr. Bakewell, the senior inspector, when asked to instance district high schools where matriculation passes had been obtained, quoted Eketahuna, but at tho same time said that the teacher in charge there gave a deal of her own time in gratuitous coaching of her pupils. Comment is needless. I am, etc., LEVIN.