DOMINION TOPICS

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 92, 12 January 1935, Page 20

DOMINION TOPICS

A Premium on Care. The answer given by a lawyer to a correspondent is that if a motorist appears to have been an innocent party to an accident, the insurance companies will defend him against a claim in respect to compulsory third-party insurance. That is good business from the point of view of the insurance companies. In effect, they represent the interests of the great mass of insurers, who, by the way, have lately had their annual premiums substantially reduced to cover the damage that they do collectively. But there is one direction in which n special concession should be extended to the careful motorists among them, and that is in the provision of an annual deduction for “no claim.”—“Christchurch Star." The Imperial Link.

In these days, when transport and communications have developed so greatly, when important trade and other problems are under constant discussion, and when Empire partnership, stimulated by the war, has become a real thing, it is necessary that care and discretion should be exercised in makinggubernatorial appointments. New Zealand has been singularly fortunate in its last three Governors-General — Lord Jellicoe, Sir Charles Fergusson, and Lord Bledisloe, all men of accomplishment and experience, who were able to give valuable advice on important problems engaging the attention of the Government. The esteem in which the Royal Family is held is Em-pire-wide. The King is the venerated head of a free Commonwealth of Nations. In days that are past “cut the painter” was a term not infrequently used. It is never heard now. Circumstances are drawing the bonds tighter. —Dunedin “Star.” 1 Passchendaele.

1 General Sir Alexander Godley has given a spirited and determined refutation to the attacks on the late Earl Haig which have been made by Mr. Lloyd George. His reply is couched in definite terms born of his conviction of the absence of any culpability on the part of his dead chief. On that account alone it will be read with sympathy and interest .’n New Zealand. As he implies at the conclusion of his remarks, it is of little profit at the moment to pursue the argument as to whether Passchendaele was a disaster or a high contribution to victory or neither. Whether, in any event. Lord Haig was solely or mainly responsible first for the inception of the battle and later for its continuance; and whether information of crucial importance for any judgment of his probable fate was deliberately withheld from the War Cabinet, there can be no judgment on these charges with the case part heard. The evidence of material witnesses is lacking.—“Waikato Times.” A Break-Neck Tour.

The report by our special reporter of the Duke of Gloucester’s progress through the South Island makes very disturbing reading. The pace at which the Royal Procession was compelled to rravel on its 240-mile journey from Nelson to Greymouth was clearly dangerous. The clearing of the route of other traffic did not render it any safer, for no fewer than three very serious and possibly tragic accidents were but narrowly averted. And the danger involves not only those associated with ihe trip officially or seml-officially, but also the King’s' son himself Obviously? the first duty of the department concerned is to see that the Duke of Gloucester is transported from place to place with as little inconvenience and discomfort as possible; that he should be exposed to risk on the journey is unthinkable. Apart from those main considerations is the injustice that this mad rush through the country Imposes on the vast body of loyal citizens who wish to do honour to the Duke of Gloucester’—“The Press," Christchurch.

Dear Deer. Deer have become worse than a pest —they are a positive menace to the welfare of the country; The Government was slow to recognise. that fact; it dallied too long over its previous policy of merely culling the herds, with the idea of maintaining enough deer in the country to provide sport for - amateur stalkers. Now it does seem to realise that deer and chamois have established themselves so securely in the country that there will always be enough of them to provide sport, whatever measures are taken for destruction of them, i But it is not active enough yet in coping with the situation. More deer-killers should be engaged quickly and set to work in a systematised way. The cost.should not be counted against the work of saving the mountain forests and alpine growth and checking erosion of the watersheds; in any case, it would be lightened by the sale of deer-skius. The Government has reason enough to know the vast aniount of damage and expense which resulted from the introduction of the rabbit to Australia and New Zealand; it should take efficient ami resolute steps to check as widely and as quickly as it can the harm which has resulted from the introduction of deer and chamois.—‘Christchurch “Sun.” The Unemployed.

A few days ago it was announced that 3,000 men were engaged on road works in various parts of New Zealand. Three thousand is less than the number affected by seasonal fluctuations, but, if this means that an attempt Is to be made to promote recovery by undertaking a serious public works policy with an increasing orbit, we need not despair even now. The fact is that taxation is galling industry and that it must be relaxed considerably ere long. No relief can be given, however, until there is a distinct Improvement in business, which in turn must come through the workers who are idle being absorbed in permanent occupations. If we were told that 20.000 men were engaged on the toads and railways we would not consider the number excessive, for there would still be 30.000 with only casual employment. We realise that the task has been found a difficult one in the thickly populated countries depending for existence on vast manufacturing activities: but, here we have only begun to develop as a nation, and our inteqt resources are of an importance which will materially influence the prosperity of the future.—“ Southland Daily News.”

Australia and New Zealand. It must be confessed that there does not exist among many New Zealanders the feeling of friendship and admiration for the Australians which ties of blood and realisation of what the Commonwealth has achieved should engender. It is also probable that many Australians undervalue New Zealand as a unit of Empire. There is urgent need for a clearer understanding and closer co-operation between the two countries both in their own and in Imperial interests. Yet what do we find? In November there was the pathetic spectacle of Ministers from both dominions reverting to their childhood days and indulging in a game of oranges and lemons, with potatoes as a modern addition. Admittedly the trade in these commodities was of considerable significance to both sellers and consumers in each country; but it was almost ludicrous that the conference had to be postponed through failure to reach agreement.— “Southland Times.”

Air Mails. The first air mail, which left England on December 8, reached Auckland in 18 days. An attempt was made to connect with a steamer which would have brought the mail here in 16 days from the date of despatch. It failed, because of a minor mishap. Since then it has become apparent that regular steamer connection will not be made. The mail arrives at Sydney on Saturday morning, too late for the regular Friday sailing to this country. Thus the mail which left on December 15 did not arrive until January 2, again IS days. The despatch of December 22 failed to connect with the Monowai, which reached Wellington on Monday, 16 days later. It was not due until Saturday by rhe Mariposa, this meaning that 21 days will be taken for its carriage. The' prospect for the fourth mail, which left on December 29 is even poorer. It remains to be seen how long it will take. Since New Zealand has contributed £5OOO a year toward the service, representations should be made to have the organisation tightened to reduce the delays.—“ New Zealand Herald" Butter Better.

The increase in the retail price of butter in the Dominion follows the recent improvement in the market oveAseas. The firmer tendency apparent in November was attributed to the fact that Germany had had to make heavier purchases from Continental countries, thus easing the selling pressure in London, and to the Australian Dairy Board’s action in restricting shipments, from the middle of November, to 2500 tons weekly. These factors may still be operating because there has been a most marked decline in the stock position as reported by the Dairy Board. At the end of October New Zealand stocks overseas were set down at 11,277 tons, and by the end of the year this total had dropped to 615 S tons. Last week saw the process become even more market, for stocks fell to 4900 tons, despite the fact that arrivals were fairly heavy. The movements confirm the contentions of those who held that the position would quickly right itself once the Continental trade resumed its natural course.—“ Christchurch Times."

Trade Across the Tasman. There was general approval in the Dominion of the warning given by the Minister of Commerce and Industry, the Hon. R. Masters, to Australian exporters a few weeks ago It was that if trading were not allowed by the Commonwealth to become more mutual it was obvious that, in the present condition of internal trading, New Zealand would be obliged to seek agreements with countries willing to buy her exports as well as to supply her with their own. Mr. Masters was careful to say that he was not pledging the Government of the Dominion or uttering any threat. He was, as one intimately concerned with the commercial welfare of New Zealand, putting a plain business proposition before Australian exporters of both primary or secondary products. They are. he reminded them, enjoying a market of much value in the Dominion, the balance of trade is greatly in favour of the Commonwealth, and the necessity for greater absorption of exports is as great in New Zealand as in Australia.—“Taranaki Daily News.” Export Prices.

For the good of the hard-pressed farmer it may be fervently hoped that there is something solid behind the present improvement in export prices. Too often in recent years farmers have seen prices flutter upwards only to fall back again, and this has led them to view every rise with caution. But there are features about thepnovement to-day which mark it as something different. It is more widespread than that of last season, is steadier, firmer, and more persistent than at any time since the depression began, and comes at a time of the year when New Zealand production is at its height. Most important of all, it is supported and bubyed up by an extension of demand overseas. Twelve months ago the export outlook was patchy and uncertain: for the dairying industry it was at its worst, and people wondered bow long the improvement in wool could be maintained. Looming ahead was the prospect of a quota on meat, and nowhere in sight were there alternative markets. Uncertainty breeds fear, and for New Zealand 1934 was a trying year.—“ Auckland Star” General Godley.

The introduction of a system of universal military training, in substitution for the volunteer system, involved a change so sweeping and revolutionary that it could hardly have been accomplished smoothly if it had not been wisely and skilfully supervised. Sir Alexander Godley acknowledges that in a country which had had very little modern experience of war and preparations for war “it was very natural that business people, farmers, and anxious mothers should have been a little apprehensive.” Actually, the territorial scheme was viewed with a good .deal of public suspicion. The Commandant of the Forces, as Sir Alexander Godlev then was, went, as it turned out, precisely the right way to overcome objections to the scheme and to dispel the suspicion that existed. He convened meetings, he explained the proposals, and he invited opponents of the scheme to state the grounds of their distrust of it. He placed all hi# cards upon the table, and by doing so gained the confidence of the community.—'‘Otago Daily Times.”