PRESS' COMMENTS.

Hokitika Guardian, 25 August 1926, Page 4

PRESS' COMMENTS.

There arc people, always, • who will take every benefit- that is going, hut who begin to object as soon as tb.ey are required to give something in return. In Imperial affairs these would prefer to enjoy the privileges of British citizenship without being subject to any of its obligations. On the score of selfishness alone, this attitude is to bo shunned; but in this particular case there are equally strong practical objections to it. Both for tlio sake of our own material welfare land to show our regard for blood ties, we of the Dominions should strive to earn that equality of privilege which Karl Balfour bestows upon us hv a studious regard for the equality • of duty indicated by Mr Bruce when he says: “Our task is rather to ensure effective consultation with regprd to the obligations which membership of a wider whole normally and naturally imposes upon us. ” —“llaweia Stai. It is contended by some that the rigidity of the wage scale imposed on the community by the Arbitration •Court will presently cause ’ trouble, for as the purchasing power contmets, as it must with the shrinkage of exports, the industries will feel the position very keenly. .Falling produce prices and rigid wages are certainly not viewed bv the farmer with any degree of satisfaction, and it is not surprising that there should be a demand for a readjustment of wages to the changed conditions. —“Wanganui Herald.” One recommendation for tho establishment of Juvenile Courts has certainly been carried into effeef, but a further step suggested, in the form of a clinic for physical and psychological examination of all children coming under the jurisdiction of these Courts, Ims net vet been taken. The assistance 'of medical science, not only for juvenile delinquents, but for all classes of offenders, appears to follow naturally on the logical and humane provisions exercised under the Probation Act. Solutions of -difficult problems connected with breaches of the law may become easier with the discovery of contributory muses.—“.Lyttelton Times.”

Why, it may he asked, should the Bailway Department for a moment entertain propositions for huge capital expenditure on the already pampered towns when country districts are compelled to put up with the most primitive means of transport, which cause the marketing of produce to leave so small a margin to the producer? Tho answer presumably is that the Railways Department is primarily engaged in tho transport business, and therefore favours capital expenditure where it promises to- he remunerative, and .discountenances it where it holds out only the prospect of dead loss.— “Evening Star,” Dunedin.

There was not a single instance in the Prisons Report of capital punishment last year; only one flogging was administered; 17 persons were declared habitual criminals; and II eases were transferred to mental hospitals. Tt is noted with some satisfaction that 76 per cent, of the total admissions were for sentences of under three months’ duration. The worst phase of the prison record is its evidence that petty crime is rife and on the increase. The youth of the Dominion requires a more rigorous discipline at home.—Christchurch “ Sun.”