NEWS AND NOTES.

Hokitika Guardian, 13 November 1924, Page 4

NEWS AND NOTES.

Canadian apples have not been seen on the New Zealand market very much in the past, hut California, which is under foot and mouth disease regulations, used to send large quantities to the Dominion. The suspicion that apples from California are coming in as Canadians drive homo to us ail important point that if by any chance this dreaded scourge gets a hold in this country, Now Zealand can straightway prepare for the deadliest blow yet struck at her. The .risk is so great, and the ceonsequeiujes so terrifying, that the Department must attack this matter vigorously end

fearlessly. Proposals to prohibit ceitain imports arc sure to rouse a storm of objections, but if we are to guard ourselves against- this affliction \ c must be prepared to carry out precautions to the utmost lengths.—“&uiitlilaiul Tinie.V

There' are in the Dominion very large areas of hind sLill awaiting development, and there arc many thousands of acres that could he better farmed than they are now. .More farmers are needed—properly trained men with the will to work hard mnl on scientific lines—and more facilities arc needed by those who me on the land. The best farmer that this country inn have is obviously the young New Zealander. provided In- is efficiently trained and loves his country. It is a national duty to provide the training, aril the Agricultural and Pastoral Societies with their shows me making one valuable ell'ort in this direition.—■•‘Northern Advocate.”

Magistrates, entering the servin' comparatively late in life, leceive an inadequate retiring allowance, and it is easy to believe that this fact may deter capable lawyers from inking these posts. Must able lawyers can make more in practice than they would ho paid as Magistrates, and if in addition superannuation remains small there is the less inducement to go on the P.emTi. This is an undesirable state of affairs. MaAstraibs should lie drawn from men of brains and i-har-ai ter. and iL is poor cioiiomy to pay tlietn rclntiv.-l.v moderate salaries and allow them to look forward to a mean retiring allowance. The whole question should be settli'd without delay and it will be a. reproach to the dovernmciit anil Parliament- if it is deferred until next .session.—Auckland “Star.”

The increase in revenue for the Erst half of the eurienl year over that irr the nil-responding period of the lust year was Cl”“.;tll? and the increase in expenditure was £.T(iI.(iTG. As remissions of taxation to an estimated t tent of nearly two millions have been authorised in the session of Parliament that is now drawing to a close, it is obvious that, in order Unit sound iinance may lie maintained, the Envoiu-mi-iit should continue to i-xi-rciso •;..e in its expenditure.- ‘‘Otago Daily Timos.”

Compared with many other countries New Zealand is very backward in nmMessing science in support of its main industries. This is not altogether surprising when it is remembered that i" the past the Dominion's soils have iiail always to turn to the task fust in hand. There has been enough to do in subduing tlie wilderness, in giving i-iim-muni: ations, and in reaping the fist rich harvest. The primary phase in

development is passing, culture is becoming mure intensive, and it is time that science should ho called in to reinforce labour. All ImiAls were once required on the immediate task. I nt to-day New /calami cmi all’ord to retire more from the lii-ld to the laboratory. “New Zealand Herald.”

The olli- ini opening of the H inganao liydre.oleel lie works. . . marks (To completion of a s-Tieme of far-reaching impo: tam e to the people of the Wellington province. The possibilities of applying elei trinity fur power, as well a.s for lighting purposes in directions still uliexploited. appear almost illimitable. They are. inced. only bounded by the capital available for harnessing the “white coal" of the Dominion which has too long been allowed to inn to waste.- and the energy and shill brought to hear upon planning ami enlist rut-ling the works >ei|llired for the development of the power that “white coal” is capable of r .p----plving.— “Mniiawntu Evening Standard”.