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Hokitika Guardian, 8 September 1925, Page 2

Thk truth about this Dominion’s share in Empire migration has been put very plainly bv Lord Burnhant. An opportunity has been neglected, The Empire Settlement Act of If)”:? provides the British Government's earnestness. It made available £3.000.01X1 a year to defray that Government's half share of the cost. The backwardness of the Dominions has meant that no more than £400.000 a year could le spent. For that meagre response to Britain’s need and generosity. New Zealand must shoulder a full share of blame. The position was stated quite clearly bv Lord Burnham when he said that

authorities at the other cm! were prepared to do their part and the authorities here must do theirs; and that statement’s implication was fully justified—the authorities here have been lamentable inactive. Keen the

deputation waiting on the Empire Press t'uion delegates had to refer to the Government’s failure to give an adequate lead. Ihe failure is inexcusable. In Britain there is a surplus population in the rural areas going to the towns ami a great problem of unemployment. Here there are broad

a res trying out for occupation and

improvement to make them productive. says the “Auekland Herald." For its tied it's sake as well as for the service that can he rendered both to (lie Homeland and the Dominion. lh< Government should bestir itself. It is useless to treat this question as rela-

ivelv unimportant, by tacking it on o other portfolio- as a sort of makeveight in distributing Ministerial rcawmsibilities and duties. There is .rope and urgency in i: -efficient to ustify a Minister being given this as ii.-, one partii ulur job. and heeling dm at it until something adequate is lone.

Or the local appeals made to the public from time to time that to take effect to-morro'.v by the - hool committee and touchers in aid of the improvement of the school grounds should enjoy the best of response. The play ground is where the children congregate day after day. and it is something of a reflection after all those years to find the grounds in such an ill-conditioned state as they arc for the normal activities of the children. In former years they were in better order, hut a policy of drift and neglect, has resulted in the grounds passing into a very backward state. '1 h< appeal is a very timely one. for the state of the grounds call for urgent attention. It is satisfactory at. least to find that some attention has lieen paid to the surroundings of the war memorial within the sdiool precincts. This work can well lc extended and the plot in full view of all traffic, he made of outstanding ollVet. Parents in particular will no doubt help Ircely to-morrow, lmt the community as a whole has some obligation in the mailer. and we hope to learn at- tin* close of the effort that- a .sidistautial Mini is available for the- puriwise in mind.