DOMINION TOPICS

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 104, 26 January 1935, Page 20

DOMINION TOPICS

A Valuable Bequest.

The bequest by Professor Macmillan Brown of funds for the establishment at Canterbury University College of a School of Pacific Ocean Studies, and of his specialised library, is important. Although all the theories of the late Chancellor of the University of New Zealand about the anthropology of the Pacific peoples were not accepted by eminent anthropologists abroad he made material contributions to the science in his own studies. Yet the establishment, which lie has made possible, of such a school in the Dominion should become his greatest contribution to the science.—Christchurch “Sun.” Beach Patrols.

The need for patrolling New Zealand beaches, and provisions of finance to maintain such services, are matters raised by recent fatalities and developments. It is stated that frequently the warnings of patrols go unheeded, and that the only remedy is to invest them with police powers. The general public regards a life-saving display as a pleasant diversion, but does not realise that organisation and maintenance of such a service requires money. Beaches in boroughs might well be ptrolled partly at the expense of the local body. Bathing is a remunerative attraction, so why not spend some money to make it safe? The greatest difficulty lies in patrolling out of the way beaches, but it should be possible to frame some plan of financing these services.—“ Auckland Star.”

Quotas. To the claim of the farmers in the United Kingdom that the Home producer should receive preference of consideration from the Government, with the Dominions coming second and foreign countries third, no substantial objection can be taken in New Zealand. It proposes a policy’ that corresponds in its terms with that which the manufacturers in this Dominion agree should - be pursued in the tariff treatment by New Zealand of imports of manufactured goods. Moreover, it expresses the spirit of the Ottawa agreements in its recognition of the importance of the development of trade within the Empire. But tlie British Government cannot ignore the fact that most of the British trade is done witli foreign nations. In the face of the trade figures it must proceed circumspectly. It must show reasonable consideration for the country’s best customers. —Otago “Daily Times.” Problems of the Pacific. Such a magnificent record of oceanic research stands to the credit of Professor Macmillan Brown, whose lamented death has left the educational world poorer because the wells of inspiration that sent him out into the far corners of the globe to carry on bis splendid anthropological work have been, quenched by his passing, that it is not a matter of surprise that generous bequests have been provided under his will for the establishment and maintenance of a School of Pacific Ocean Studies at Canterbury College. The racial movement and developments of the people of the Pacific afforded the Professor a lifelong study, and his handsome bequests are in keeping with his ideals and interests. It has been repeatedly mentioned by voyagers engaged in research work that, at first sight the divergence in the circumstances of Pacific communities seems greater than their similarity.—Taranaki “Herald.”

Mortgage Legislation. The problem for settlement is whe-

the the proposed mortgage corporation and the suggested mettiods of apportioning the loss are the soundest and fairest to all parties concerned. There will be losses and they cannot all be borne by the taxpayers, many of whom are suffering just as badly as the farmers from the fall in the values of their town properties. Before putting his Bill in its final form, Mr. Coates has been visiting the four chief centres and consulting business men and financial institutions as to their opinion- on his proposals. We do not know what the verdict on the rough draft of his Bill has been, but we have before us a bul-

etin issued by the Depti'“.ment of

Economics at Canterbury College dealing with the scheme as outlined recently by Mr. Coates in his pamphlet The view taken in this bulletin may be described tts generally favourable to Mr. Coates’ scheme, with ’be proviso that criticism is of little value until the details of its application are filled

in by the Bill. —"Taranaki Herald.” Antarctic Exploration. The general public will not learn

much from Admiral Byrd’s specially written article giving the results of his scientific work in the Far South. It would not learn much from all the chapters on scientific results of all the works- on Antarctic expeditions that have been published. The admiral’s

list of twenty-two departments of science in which investigations were conducted is impressive, no doubt, but "what good came of it at last,” or may be expected to come of it, is still left far from clear. A vast unknown area

has been identified with the Pacific Ocean, a land mass has been confirmed as being a land mass, not a collection of ice-joined islands; it is hard to see

how that knowledge can affect anyone very materially, and the picture in our minds of the Antarctic continent would not have been altered if the conclusions had been otherwise. For the rest, the adventurous flight which was made “did not so much settle familiar problems as raise new ones,” which is satisfactory to adventurers, since it moans

hat there will still be polar expediions in the future. —Dunedin “Star.”

Our Legislators. Mr. Webb was certainly not flattering to the Parliament of New Zeala’nd. and the precis of his remarks which was no doubt cabled to various parts of the world would not add to its prestige in other countries. It cannot be denied, however, that the average age of politicians in New Zealand has in creased in the la.-t fifty years, and that the number of professional men who have been returned as the people’s representatives has been declining. Whether the standard of education in the general ranks of Parliamentarians has fallen is less easy to determine, though Mr. Webb’s remark would appear to be true of the present Cabinet compared with some, at least, of those of tlie past. There is nothing new in the cry that Parliament sorely needs re stocking with sound think-os. The Legion, for instance, had as one of its objects an improvement in the integrity and educational attainments of members—an alm at which no one could cavil. —"Southland Times.”

Migration. Indiscriminate migration is like free trade. It is a policy that woiked well when conditions favoured it and the chances of success were mo>e widely distributed than they are to-day. Ministers in Britain have recognised tho necessity for selection, possibly selection after probationary training, in the type of migrant assisted by- Ine State to settle in the Dominions. Great Britain has still 2,500,000 unemployed. Probably a fifth of that number may be considered unemployable, and half the remainder unlikely by reason of age and upbringing to make suitable migrants. There still remain 1.000.000 unemployed, and for their absorption into permanent work Liberal. Conservative and Labour statesmen all rely upon land settlement as the most promising agency.—“ Southland Times.” Supplying a Shortage.

It is a long time since New Zealand butter has been sent'forward to supply a shortage, and although the season during which the scarcity of supplies will exist may be only a short one, nevertheless the opportunity for sales of produce has been presented and has been seized. Tlie fact that 500 tons of butter have been sold for delivery in New York is not, perhaps, of much account in a country which sends about 140,000 tons of butter annually to the British market, but still it is gratifying to know that the slightest chance of selling produce has not been neglected. Tlie promptness of the shipment should create a favourable impression in American business circles. —“Waikato Times.”

Thinkers Wanted. ■When the Government and the Public Service Commissioner address themselves to the question of the entrance of University graduates into the Public Service they should approach the question as any wide-awake employer would in considering staff requirements. He would avoid stocking his service with men likely to become time-servers; he would demand efficiency, and lie would put a premium on thinkers. The trained thinker is a quick worker He disposes of the business While other men are deciding on the approach to the problem. Thus an employer having men with the ability and confidence to make reliable decisions does not require a staff of cumbersome proportions. And that is a major fault of the New Zealand .Civil Service. It is unwieldy.—Christchurch “Star ”

Carnegie Fellowship. Educational thought and progress in the Dominion have suffered on account of our geographical isolation, but an opportunity is offered through the fellowships for the holders to gain firsthand knowledge of what is being done in the Old .Country, and to come under the influence of the leaders of educational thought, who, to those concerned with education in New Zealand, are mere names. By limiting the fellowships to one year, the Carnegie Institute docs not intend to provide a complete training that might tempt some of the holders to seek appointments abroad. Its intention is that they should return to the Dominion and, with the foundations laid at the institute for study and research, “play in the educational system of their country parts of more than ordinary importance.”—Christchurch “Times.” Supply and Demand.

It is obviously impracticable to absorb the unemployed industriaists at Union rates of wages, and the re-consti-tution of compulsory arbitration to exercise measures of persuasion would achieve no purpose, because the last word as to whether or not he sholl employ more hands rests with the manufacturer or the tradesman himself. The improvement in business is still only theoretical and has not yet been translated into hard cash. The receipts from industry are 30 per cent, below normal as represented by the figures for 192829, and those millions have to be offset by economies to which reduced labour costs unfortunately lend themselves to conveniently, it is useless to argue any other way, the inexorable laws of supply and demand operate mechanically and, whatever attempts may be made to combat their influences, the principle still remains inconquerable and remorseless in its dominion over industrial life. —"Southland Daily News.”

Summer Fire Damage. Camp and picnic fires are not the only cause of outbreaks on grassland and in plantations. A match or a lighted cigarette butt carelessly tossed aside is almost equally dangerous. The use of wax matches in the country at this time of the year is a practice that should he avoided, for they are less easily extinguished than the wooden match and their potentiality for mischief is consequently greater. But tlie chief enemy of the farmer and the forester is. as a correspondent points out, the criminally careless person who is too lazy or too ignorant to see that fires are lighted only in the safest ''localities, that they are carefully watched while they are burning, and that they are completely extinguished before the campers or picnickers leave them. If visitors to the country attend to these small details, which mean so little to them but are of such grave importance to the farmer, they will be far more welcome on their excursions into the countryside.—“ The I’ress.” Christchurch, Elie Export of Brain-.

Some may ask what guarantee there is that New Zealand will derive benefit from the knowledge and experience acquired by students sent abroad. It is notable that the Senate is not reported to have made any limiting condition on these lines. In fact, such a condition is not imposed on present beneficiaries under tlie scholarship system. A little thought shows that it would, even if desirable, be found impracticable. Insistence on a student's return would involve the guarantee of a position suited to his acquired status and capabilities. The requirement might also have a most cramping effect on his whole career, thus defeating the object of the original endowment. The same problem has been much discussed with respect to Rhodes scholars, the conclusion generally being that it was unreasonable to look for a direct and purely local reopportunities and rewards must be proturn. But if that is insisted upon, then vided commensurate with the class of service it is desired to retain. Since that cannot be guaranteed, it should be enough to feel assured that in New Zealand talent is given every opportunity to come to fruition and that no financial bar impedes the progress of ability.—“ New Zealand Herald.”