NOTES OF THE DAY

Dominion, Volume 15, Issue 56, 30 November 1921, Page 4

NOTES OF THE DAY

Nature teems to have decreed that Britain and France shall never live long together in complete concord. Each has the highest esteem for the other, but each looks at international problems from a slightly different angle. Lord Curzon’s speech has wounded. French feeling. What lord Curzon had to say was perfectly true, but whether it was wise to have stated it publicly was another matter. The over-candid person is never popular. The fact of the matter is that France is the most interested of all parties in the enforcement of the Versailles Treaty. She is incapable of enforcing the terms of that treaty without British support, and support has been willingly given, except where Britain has thought that the French have been going too far. At the same time, the French desire freedom to take independent action to suit themselves, and are irritated to find that, Britain is not prepared to support French plunges, such as the pact with the Turks, which hare been carried) through by the French without a preliminary understanding. The trouble simply is that France would like British backing in all her foreign affairs generally, but dislikes paying the price of modifying her foreign policy to suit British ideas. It is a case of wanting it both ways, and Lord Curzon’s mistake —if he has made one—is that he has gone needlessly out of his way to rub this fact into the French. These things are pleasanter if they drift imperceptibly into consciousness.

The appeal made by sawmillers for somewhat more liberal protection for the timber industry than it is accorded in the new tariff would nt> doubt carry more weight with the public if timber prices stood at a rather lower level than tlTey occupy to-day. In spite of the evidence that has 'been offered that ruling prices of timber are in a great* measure governed and made necessary by the wages paid in the industry, there is undoubtedly a feeling that timber prices are too high, and ought to come down. As the sawmillers-’ case for increased tariff protection is stated, however, it is clearly entitled on some grounds to consideration. Particular weight attaches to the contention that since every tree felled contains a pro. portion of low-grade timber, the importation of timber in this category will mean that local low-grade timber will bo wasted and the cost and price of timber in the higher grades increased. in a corresponding degree. In these circumstances, any advantage derived from importing cheap low-grade timber might be heavily outweighed by the disorganisation of the timber industry, loss of employment and wages, and a reduction in State and local body revenue, as well as by an increase in the price of highgrade timber. It is of some importance also that the duty on sawn timber is not on an ad valorem basis, but stands to-day at two shillings per hundred feet, as it did about fifty years ago, when imported timber in a given class was valued at less than one-third of its present-day value. This means that in effect the duty has been substantially reduced.

Gas continues to be the topic of the hour in the Hutt Valley, an« the differences arising within, and between, the boroughs of Lower Hutt and Pefone on this question seem to bo interminable. The resignations of tho Mayor of Lower Hutt and Councillor Strand yesterday in pursuance of the mayoral challenge at Monday night’s meeting of the Borough Council will give the residents of Lower Hutt an opportunity to' express their opinion finally whether the scheme for a separate gasworks should be pursued. There are two vacancies on the council in consequence of the resignations, and if both are filled by tho return of candidates of the same opinion on the gas question it will lie a clear guide to the council as to the feeling in the borough. In principle the economical and sound policy is to have one gasworks for the two boroughs. If the Petone plant is not as up to date ae it should be, the supply of gas indifferent, or terms offered for a joint supply disadvantageous. Lower Hutt is left with iho option either of making a bad bargain or of going to tho expense of erecting a second works, and creating a new set of overhead charges that should be unnecessary. The problem is a matter of fact.j[ and figures which need expert elucidation. The danger of the forthcoming contest is that the personal element may overshadow the issue. Both sides have allowed themselves to become heated over a long-drawn-out and complicated business, but they will have to stick to facta and avoid feeling if the by-election is to be of service to the borough.

During the debate on the Customs Bill in tho House of Representatives last evening the assertion was made that some of tho powers of Ministerial action it proposed would involve taking control over taxation out of the hands of tho representatives of the people. Power expressly delegated by Parliament to a responsible Minister who, with his colleagues, holds office by its will is not in any real sense lost tn Parliament. If there is to be a flexible tariff, capable of prompt adjustment to such rapidly changing conditions of trade as are liable to occur at ony time and certainly must be expected in the immediate future, powers of action and initiative in regard to tho adjustment of duties must be delegated to the Government and tho Minister of Customs. At the same time care ought to bo taken that these powers arc not unduly extended; the aim should be to establish conditions in which t'hcj, will bo used wiih reserve, and any and every

step taken in altering, imposing, or removing duties o light to be subject to review by Parliament at the earliest opportunity. Possibly by an oversight, the Bill as it is drafted makes no provision for any such reference to Parliament of action taken under section 11, which deals with the imposition of anti-dumping duties. This part of the Bill certainly ought to be brought into lino with others in making any action taken subject to approval or reversal by Parliament when it next meets. Temporary measures against dumping might, of course, have to be Taken at a time when Parliament was not sitting, but there is no reason why these measures should not bo reviewed. Parliament on occasion might order the refund of an anti-dumping duty, and here, as in other details of Customs administration, the knowledge that the ultimate authority of Parliament was in all respects fully maintained would impose a wholesome restraining influence on the exercise of Ministerial powers. In the last ano’y. sis, the extent to which the control of Parliament over Customs or any other form of taxation is weakened will, of course, depend upon tho extent to which it effectively asserts and exercises its powers. Ministers can only go as far as Parliament permits.

The. policy pursued by the Sydney City Council under the present Lord Mayor, Mr. Lambert., and the Labour caucus bears more resemblance to that of. New York under tho Tammany Ring than to ordinary Australasian municipal politics. Mt. Lambert, who is a leading spirit in the Australian Workers’ Union, is a domineering person with a penchant for undignified controversy and strong extremist leanings. Tho relations between tho council Tlnd its 3400 employees are on a vote-catching basis. All employees must live within the city area, so as to bo on the city electors’ roll, and are called upon to ' contribute to levies to tho Labour Party’s Municipal Election Fund? The affairs of the city have been managed in the most extravagant manner, and there appears to he a very general recognition on all sides tlhat Labour is not in office “for the good of its health.” An organised fight is being put up both by the Labour supporters and those who desire that something more nearly resembling government in the interests of the city population as a whole should be supplied. The new electoral qualifications that (have been laid down are such as play directly into the hands of tho Labour caucus, and if it succeeds in retaining office local politics in tho leading city of Australia look like continuing on a steady course down hill.