PRESS OPINION

Hokitika Guardian, 6 January 1925, Page 3

PRESS OPINION

While n few private people may travel and thus realise something of what Empire problems mean, it is really the statesman who most need the knowledge, for they guide the Empire, and how can they guide it or establish and maintain real unity if they remain at home. Air John Bull will realise it some day—pity lie is so slow to take in a new idea!—and he will then perceive that one of the surest ways to achieve Empire unity is just that interchange of. Ministerial visits which Mr Massey suggests.— Wanganui ” Herald.”

If the British Government can devise a cheaper and more efficient .scheme for handling frozen produce than that provided by the Fort of London Authority, then it should be able to save the consumer something and give the producer better service, but if it is going to cost the British taxpayer a million a year it is the British consumer who should he given the benefit, not the Dominion producer, who should he satisfied if his product is bettter handled. The producer. has not the right to expect, and if we know him lie does not expect, anything in the nature of a subsidy from the British taxpayers or consumers.— “ Taranaki Herald.”

A conference of Dominion Premiers is also desirable apart from the special questions connected with the Geneva protocol’, a.s the Singapore base, extension of Imperial preference. Empire migration, Ireland, and other domestic- affairs, will he benefited by another exchange of views. The fiasco following the previous Imperial Conference. owing to the subsequent resignation of the Baldwin Cabinet, will not ho repeated, as Hie Conservative majority is strong enough now to assure the present Alinistry a full term of office.— “Greymoutli Star.”

A commission of experienced and ,successful railwaymeu have shown where improvements can he made and at what cost. The Minister has always shown himself anxious to effect improvements where they can be effcctoti. Now is the time to ask that, they should lie carried out. Those who have so long urged the Rimutaka deviation believing il to be the only means of expediting the journey, should now domic themselves to getting an early derision cm these suggestions of the Royal Commission. “Wairnrupa Age.”

MV may illustrate the co-operative nature of advertising hv reference to the daily Press, which is unquestionahlv the most powerful and effective means of publicity. The advertiser lu-lps the newspaper to thrive, so that it may improve its news service and give the reader the best information on current topics at a low cost. But the newspaper, in tiifli, by thus increasing the number of its readers and gaining nuire iiillueiu-e and importance. is enabled to oiler the advertiser an ever-growing circle for his announcement. The advantage becomes reciprocal. The same principle bolds good throughout the advertising field. —" Northern Advocate.”

Tin- excursion rates should lie made so low that they would he within the means of the poorest citizen. Ihe l.Always cannot a (ford to see traffic diverted to the roads, as it. is being diverted at the present time. They must either cater lor the public and regain the traffic, or put up their shutters. The reorganisation of the railway staff "d! not have accomplished the task tor which it. was designed, unless it makes the railways the cheapest, quickest ami most, popular means of transport within the Dominion. '‘North Otago Times.”

State railways cannot hi tin-ly divorced from political control, but if they arc to !»■ efficiently run that rniit,.„i must la- reduced to a minimum. In the past political considerations have counted for much, and though "c think the permanent officials ol the Department have too often larked imagination and enterprise, it should he home in mind that they have had their ideas interfered with in this way without being able to protest publich. Auckland “Star”.

Opposition is sure to arise to the smmestion to have but two railway workshops for the whole Dominion, and rightly, too. Conditions here .lo not lend themselves to this centralisation. however, excellent, such a policy may he in theory with railways generally. Not less facilities but more must 1,.' agitated for. To semi locomotives 159 miles away for repairs is obviously an absurd policy. Alnreover. such policy would tend to make large towns hjc-gcr. and small towns smaller, a state of affairs the Dominion must avoid if it is to escape the wretched example Australia lias given to the Empire. Part of Hie secret of New Zealand’s national solidarity and prosperity is ill the encouragement given to a scries „f convenient-sized townships all over the country, rather than have two or three unwieldy cities, with all their attendant horrors, and the remainder of the land semi-deserted. The objections to the fewer railway worksimps apply to the suggested lessening of district traffic managers.- “Greymouth Star.”