PRESS COMMENT.

Hokitika Guardian, 2 July 1926, Page 4

PRESS COMMENT.

Tlie cultivation of musical appreciation is in many ways of greater value than tlie laboured production of indifferent executants. Singing lias another important phase as a well recognised aid in improving purity of speech sounds, and, while ignoring the querulous and exaggerated attacks periodically. made on our New Zealand accent, there is ground for necessary improvement 'before evident weaknesses develop into objectionable permanency. We have no doubt that tlie teachers in tlie schools will realise the value of new methods in musical training, will not begrudge tlie time necessary for their application, and will loyally support any efforts to make music play a full part in the life of tlie people.— “ Lyttelton Times.”

It is not strange that Mr R. A. Wright, in his first public speech us Minister of Education, said he must be cautious when experts were in

doubt, and that be was faced with an cxcessit'c output of professional men and too few skilled artisans. The curriculum, as pr Marsden says, needs the introduction of reason., for in secondary schools it was lagging behind requirements. Rut it is weak to sav we do not know where we are going. What are our experts for? It- certainly would be a strange phenomenon if tlie ojeening of new roads, or the improving of old ones, obscured the view ahead of the traveller. Wo certainly are going somewhere and that “somewhere” is a brighter school life and a richer crop of citizenship.—“ Otago Daily •Times.”

, Although tlie opening of the parliamentary session is close at hand, it cannot he said that interest in political prospects is strikingly apparent. Perhaps it might be all the Tietter if, there were signs of a livelier concern in public affairs. It may have been partly with the view of stimulating interest in the politics of the country that Air H. E. Holland (Leader of tho Labour Party and presumptive leader of the Official Opposition) addressed -his constituents at Westport recently. It would be flattery to describe tlie opp-'ch, as reported; as illuminating. A miltant note, was naturally struck, for political Labour lives on aggressiveness; but tlie grounds of declared warfare against the Government are- very flimsy. If Mr Coates lias rio more formidable indictment lo lace than that which Air Holland presented in Ibis speech, -lie will not be greatly perturbed.- “Otago Daily Times.”

There ought to lie work for all who seek it in this Dominion, but largely because of the uneconomic conditions brought about by, militant unionism some men are earning hia.li wages and ethers are not earning any wages, live country is short of skilled men in several trades. Instead of being trained as artisans, lads have lvjen "allowed in recent years to drift into “blind alley” occupations which lead nowhere. Hundreds of them are now thrown on the labour market without trades. The unskilled labouring class gathers strength in this way. If anyone benefits it is the tribe of union agitators, who know jugfc enough about economies to enable them to see that b.v. forcing wages- up to an artificial level they are able to make a close corporation of certain trades and callings.—“Taranaki Daily News.”

Sir James Allen has done splendid :woi;k,. though much, of it has been ■ necessarily of a technical nature and therefore not,, as conspicuous or-as impressive as much of the mure inferior (■service ol otlieit's with greater garrulity. The retiring High Commissioner seems •to have felt the cold air of Nc-w Zealand's indifference generally concern•“K the. importance of the post and its influence in Dominion and Empire affairs. While it is true that a magnetic personality might of itself break clown indifference and create pride and enthusiasm, no great change may be looked' for unless and until the status of the High Commissioner has been i raised and the scope of his service extended to diplomatic,• affairs. Afeanwhile, the uoliticiuiis prefer to keep the position in London purelv that of a commercial agent with a little distinction now and again at Geneva or around a dining table where tact and toherons are essential.—” Christchurch Sun.”

’The value of exports from New Zealand in 1025 was the highest, on record, t'l.’c total for all exports being £,‘55.202.272; and ol that total the value of the , primary produce exported was £54,521,031. That practically represents the surplus wealth of the country, or, as it might be better put. the cash with Wmcli the country meets its obligations abroad, and upon which the farming community is largely financed. Industries which enable the country to secure that return are important enough Lo justify the steps the Government, .acting upon Sir Frank Heath’s report, proposes to take in scientific research work and the establishment of mi Institute of Dairying, the dairy industry being fas Sir Frank .Heath says) “the one branch of agriculture which shows marked expansion of production in recent years."—“ Af'anawntu Evening Standard.”

The eleventh-hour amendment to the Order-in-Coimeil under which omnibus traffic will lie regulated, whereby the twopence above tramway fares’ may bo remitted in eases where a legitimate public convenience is provided, goes far towards removing the main cause of objection. to the regulations. . . . As the' regulations now stand tlTere is a good deal, to be said in their favour. Some control of the buses is essential, they must conform to tlie requirements of public safety and convenience, and they must make adequate provision, by insurance, to meet their liabilities in the ease of accident, and they should pay a fair price for the use of the roads provided by the public. There is also some strength in the argument of the Premier that the local authorities and the ratepayers arc involved with terrific capital and overhead charges, and that some alternative must lie provided to ruinous competition. But the decision as to what constitutes ruinous competition is left in the hands of otrot' the. competitors, and that is a grave defect.—-Auckland “ Stivr.”

The opinion of most people about the sensational drug story started the other day in Christchurch will ho that of Chief-Detective Lewis, of Dunedin that somebody has been telling Colonel Knott a tale. Although no one will suppose that a Salvation Army officer would start such a story without facts, it is impossible to believe that Colonel Knott had sufficient information to justify so grave a charge. . . . We do not know what information the police have in their possession, hut it is quite certain that they have no information which would justify Colonel Knott in repeating again to-day that “New Zealand does not know how New Zealand lives.” The vast majority of the people in New Zealand live clean and healthy lives, and although that does not justify indifference about the minority, it is neither necessary nor helpful to become hysterical about them. Though ninny young girls are living less wisely than they should, it ds-preposterous to attribute to secret societies what is so obviously mere weakness and folly.— Christchurch “ Press,”

f AN OBJECT FOR PITY. “The man to be pitied is he who lies down with malice and rises with hatred in his heart. 1 doubt il science has increased the total sum of human happiness. It is better to work than to brood. 1. have known few idle men without a-grievance of some sort. ’ Mr Richard Keartoa. in “A Naturalist’s Pilgrimage.” THE HARD ROAD TO PEACE. “ Are men prepared to pay the price, of peace:- The idea Hint there is such a price to be paid may seem strange to sonic. They talk ot the cost ol war. hut peace they seem to assume to Ire a free gift easily attained, or. indeed, man’s natural birthright, unnaturally disturbed only by wickedness or folly. War they regard as the active state; peace a.s the passive. War they suppose tomes hy effort of an evil kind; peace is to be maintained simply Insitting still'. . . . . War, it has been maintained, is the. natural, is the inevitable result of international chaos; peace is only to be secured hy the establishment of international order. The advance front chaos to order cannot possibly be made by sitting with folded hands, but only by resolute and per r severing effort. Nothing is easier than to drift into war or revolution ; but men never drift into peace or good government. Like all good things—prosperity, justice, liberty—peace lias to be sought Tor. striven for. paid for.”—Bolton C. Waller, in “ Paths to World Peace.”