SOME AUSTRALIAN IMPRESSIONS.

Hokitika Guardian, 19 May 1924, Page 3

SOME AUSTRALIAN IMPRESSIONS.

POLITICIANS AN!) THE PRESS. AY ELLINGTON. .May M. 'I he Member for Ifurunui. Air (I. AA'. Forbes, returned from a month's visit to Australia, and. although, as he ieinarKed to tr “Lyttelton Times” correspondent, he did not cultivate politicians when on holiday with ALs Forbes and their daughter, lie gained some impressions of general interest. A visit to Hawkeshttry Agricultural College, "hen a presentation of diI loams took place, gave him an opportunity of meeting the Alinisters of Agriculture of New South AA’ales, South Australia and Queensland. "I was impressed.” he said, “with the fine work being done at the institution and was glad to see the names of some New Zealanders among those receiving diplomas. The principal spoke highly of Neiv Zealand students, declaring they had a fine lot from the Dominion. They came with n determination to learn, and they worked earnestly.”

"As for general polities, what struck me most.” said Mr Forbes, “was that in Australia the Press is more outspoken about politicians that we are accustomed to in the New Zealand Press. ’Phe Australian papers affect the American style of journalism and do not treat politicians with the respect they get in print in New Zealand. so that I come hack Midi pleased with our papers. The rail nay strike "as on in New Zealand, but all the news from this quarter we got in Australia was only a feu inches daily and generally speaking, the cable news of the world published in Australia is not nearly so complete as in most New Zealand ]iapers. The older established Australian dailies seem to be overcrowded anil make dull reading. Most people prefer the smaller journals, which turn out brief paragraphs with ample headings and do not try to cover the whole news situation. Public opinion is mostly formed from this snippet class ol journalism, uhich is not as good ns our papers, either from a literary viewpoint or interesting selection of the Morld's nows.

"I found a general feeling that the perpetuation of the three-party system in Australia is giving too great advantage to the lat hour Party. The people were deploring the fact that the two main parties do not unite in order that a straight-out issue may be placed before tlie electors. 'Pile Labour Party hoivever. seemed the only one with unity of purpose. The other panties do mu appear to he able to come to an understanding and the future of Australian nolitics is made very uncer-

“Wiiile I was in New South. Males, commercial leaders were warning people of the necessity for financial caution. Thev talked of over-speculation i.mi the oossiliiliiy of curtailed credit, but there was a tremendous amount of building going on in Sydney. One also heard much criticism of the low labour output for high "ages. Iml when we looked at many fine buildings, the new rail wav station, the great, work of the underground railway station, the projected harbour bridge, we thought that somebody must l e doing a lot ol good work, despite "hat "as said about the men not doing a .nil day s work. CITY TRAFIC PROBLEMS.

Having had excellence ol the comI iratiw.-ly minor tiaffie pioblems ol New Zealand .ities ami the attempt to introduce the kcep-to-t he-lcl t rubMr |-orl.-- watched I his phase ol Australian lily lilt- with interest. NydlH-\, he said, is facing its dillicult traffic I robleiiis with courage and one of its needs i> widening some narrow city streets. While he wa.- there a cnnleretici- of local aul hot ities was held v.i discuss the p.folilem anil develop lines for relief. 'They bundle traffic very Well ill Sydney, was .Mr l-’orbes's opinion. Keep-to-t lie-left is enforced by the police ami the rule is well observed but it was chaos in Melbourne, where, despite the wider streets. It was harder to get about. Till'. COMING SESSION. Alter returning to his home, Mr l-'orbes intends joining in the Liberal campaign on the platlorm throughout New Zealand, lie will speak in a number of southern centres.

When it was suggested to Mr Forbes that the session is likely to be lively lie replied doubting tlu- liveliness, hut declaring it would certainly he one ul the most interesting of recent years.

•1 cannot see low Mr Massey, with bis narrow majority, has ally possible chance of putting through contentious legislation." he-said. " I here is no doubt that the question of electoral reform cannot ho delayed and an inteicsting situation i- likely to develop on this poiilt alone.'’