WELLINGTON TOPICS

Hokitika Guardian, 5 March 1926, Page 4

WELLINGTON TOPICS

IF LABOUR. CAME. WEAPONS FORGED liV REFORM. (.Special to “ Guardian.”) WELLINGTON. .March The suggestion made in these columns a little while iifjo to the eh of i that it would he wise from various points of view to repeal the superfluous war legislation still lingering on the Statute I'ook has hoon very emphatically endorsed hy a nutuher ol contributors to the " Evening Post.” One

of these indignant citizens, after making such excuses as he can lor the passage of such legislation in time ol stress, points to the menace it oilers to the country now the need for its existence has passed away. '‘.Just imag--1110.” lie says. what weapons would lie placed in the hand' of the Labour Rally if. later on. it secured the reins of Government and was aide to put into

operation these socialistic measures introduced and passed hy its predecessors. fit particular, the Hoard of Trade Act, Ifilil. which arms the Gov-

ernment with the power to lix wanes and salaries, fees and commissions, prices of commodities, of hoc genus omne. could and would ho used with tyrannous effect hy an unscrupulous Government.” This candid critic, who apparently is not hostile to the present Government, declares that the Dominion has had “ far 100 much grandmotherly legislation in recent years.” and that it is high time the people were encouraged to manage their own affairs without the interference of a Government whose real knowledge of business and financial matters may he of a microscopical quality. BOOZE AND BOOKMAKERS.

Another of the doughty knights of the pen believes Unit New Zealand is sorely in need of a loader with a sound knowledge of economies. " who will no longer pander to rich landowners, vested interests, hooze and bookmakers.” and who will get rid ol the iniquitous pieces of legislation which now deface the Statute Rook. The Rent Restriction Act. he says, serves no useful purpose and is responsible for the housing shortage, and the breaches of contract occasioned by the Mortgagees Extension Act have done llm credit of the Dominion incalculable harm. "If lell alone for a while longer.” he predicts. " the sundry hoards controlling the country's trade and primary products will destroy, if they have not already done so. the markets that have taken the primary producers a life time to establish.” This critic does not eonline his protest, to hard words. He is prepared to put his hand in his pocket to assist in bringing about a better state ol affairs. A previous ebrrespoiufent laid proposed tile formation of a league with the object of supplementing me Government 11 miseroseopieal acquaintance ” with economies. Such a league, this correspondent points out. would have iru " frec-from-incomo-tnx

squatters, bookmakers or monopolising brewers” to help it along, and be is prepared to subscribe .C 2 - -) straightaway towards the cost ol the good work and to lend such further assistance as may he required. This, so fai. is the only nolo of real business in the crusade. LEVEE CROSSINGS. In the "Dominion” this morning Mill. 11. Ximmu writes in forceful language wlnit has been on the lips of many people since the ghastly fatality at Packakariki the other day. "The "hole community.” he says without j exaggeration, "is shocked at the recent level-crossing fa'falities. which. "Eliin the last lortv-eight hours, have been iv.sjjon.Mble Inr Inu five people i into eternitv. I lie puLlie ;m* thoroughly roused hy the totally iiuirlci'puito urnteefivo measures provided hy the Uaihvav Hepur tine lit. for pedestrians !*ikJ drivers of vehicles, whether motor or horse-drawn. The time has surely f.ome when tin* ih«;i fr

eMX'W-r will 1„,( l„- allowed In out ■ ll'f ( 1 111 ' Hun nf }in>t<'i-t ion for litinmii lite." I lie " Dominion” ir>c]| in deal ing editorially with the recent fntiiiity oflers such excuses ns are possible lor the coMtimied neglect of the Railway I )<*|>:i it nil lit. hut ii states »iuitc* frankly that urgent ropresentatioiis iiimle liv t!'e Wellington Autornohile ('lull 'nearly un years ago in ro"i! I'd to | i:t ri ini hi rlv iln ngerotis erussmys hare received no attention from ihc authorities. AI the Porirun erossHit;'. which has heen the scene el* a nuinlier ol' fatalities, if tln re is a crowd of people on the platform or a stack of goods it is impossible from the drivers’ seat, of a touring car lo see a train a ppronehi ng Irom the south before miming on to the rails, and then it may lie too late to yet out of the uny "I a non-stop express running at thirlv-(ive miles an hour. THE DEPARTAI ENT'S VIEW'. The Railway neparlinent credits it•sell with taking everr reasmiahle preeantinn In prevent accidents at level crossii'/s. It erects eonspienous signs and warnings /there there is ••rnss-i'l'-t keeper, it insists upon whistles hem;; sounded at the npuroai h to every crossing. the speed being niodiliell when desirable and engine-drivers, guards and every official ahout a train keeping a sharp lookout while on duty. There are between .‘I,OOO and -1,000 level crossings in the Dominion and it 1

would take millions of money to make them free from danger, or “ foolproof.” as one flippant official put it. The Department admits that there still are a number of crossings which refillin' greater safeguarding than they have at present; but these are being attended to as time and funds will permit. There being through the country scores of such crossings ns the ones that brought ahout the recent catastrophes, however, ii is impossible to acquit the responsible officials of culpable negligence. Jt. is inconceivable that either Ministers or Parliament would have grudged the money necessary to remove such death-traps from the path of travellers bv road and rail. The Department has not got the money ref|tiired simply because it has not adequately represented the position to the keepers of the purse, ft will lie well if the public remains sufficiently indignant to insist, as Mr Ninimo demands, upon the protection of human life being placed before all other considerations.