PRESS COMMENTS.

Hokitika Guardian, 31 August 1926, Page 3

PRESS COMMENTS.

Higher duties are likely to lead to the establishment of still more factories and to still higher costs ol luaniilaeturo, while countries like Great Britain and America are reducing their costs and are thus able to sell their goods still more cheaply. Then Hie local manufacturers will want another addition to the tariff. T’’at is the way they are “ helping ” the farmer. Another way in which they are "helping” is in draining the country of labour, which finds the attractions of town life too great to he resisted. A little more of such help will make the farmer’s position impossible.—Taranaki “ Herald.

There is no reason wbv university teachers should suffer hardship in respect of superannuation, yet it is declared in their behalf that the Government pension scheme forced on professors is no benefit to them, but merely a special form of taxation. It must be conceded t’mt the arguments advanced in support of this contention are both logical and forcible. — Dunedin ” Evening Star.”

Whether the political structure ot which we form a part is called the British Empire or the British Commonwealth is not very material. Noi can any suggestion, that the Dominions exist ih a state of dependence he considered as in the least degree impressive when it is remembered how lightly their obligations to the Mother Country rest upon them and when it is realised how completely they are at liberty to manage their offairs t” t'-eir own satisfaction.—“Otago Daily Times.”

Su long ns the majority of men m every Dominion desire, as they do desire, a common Empire policy in everyday affairs, we need not feel over anxious because a few metaphysicians or a few representatives of mischievous minorities agitate for a violent constitutional operation which will facilitate the dissolution of the Empire at some future date. Christchurch Press.” Those wlio do not believe in the freehold system will see in the Land Laws Amendment Bill a device to facilitate further the granting of that which they disapprove. By the same degree the convinced freeholder, who is now far in the majority, will welcome it. He will see. in it. quite rightly, a means of furthering the ideal of a Dominion filled with small holders, each working the land which 'he owns or is on the way towards owning,— 11 New’ Zealand Herald,”

The Public "Works Statement emphasises the need for the strictest economy in departmental expenditure ami draws pointed attention to the fact, 'that while the Government is continually increasing its expenditure, it is doing very little to increase the productivity of the Dominion, or to add to the total output by means of closer settlement and more intensive cultivation.— Auckland “ Star.”

Control of the purse should belong to Parliament. Argue as it wiil, the Railway Department cannot dispose of the fact that the present subsidy system gives it this power, which it should not have. Its earlier contention promises no end to the vicious system of levying on the public funds to pay interest for which they are ultimately ' responsible, and working losses for which they are not, or should not he. Until wn end is made of it, the financial independence claimed in the Statement is an illusion and a sham.—“ Now Zealand Herald.”

It- is very well known that within the parliamentary ran ks of the. Labour Party there are members who realise that the land policy of tinparty is not suited to New Zealand conditions, and is altogether opposed to public sentiment, and tlu-y fear that so long as its traditional land programme is persisted in ,the Labour Party is not at -all likely to seize the political reins in this Dominion. There is no doubt that the Government’s land proposals will he welcomed and supported by the great hulk ol the people throughout New Zealand.—“Taranaki Daily News.”

If any system of family allowances is adopted, it seems better that the Wtate slioukl undertake the burden, and so ensure equal treatment for everybody. That fs. the justification lor the Government's* measure, if it needs one, and all those interested in the social welfare will he anxious to see how the experiment will work out'. For it is, of course, an experiment, however excellent the intentions ol its promoters may Tie. If it can be shown that it removes one of the serious handicaps of the worker, without placing an unreasonable burden on the community, we think that- everyone will he more than pleased.—“Hawke’s Bay Herald.”

There is no instance in history of a countrv maintaining or building up great prosperity or wealth by buying everything abroad. In any case, when one turns to another national aspect of the subject, one finds that it is only by the encouragement of loc-al industries that it is possible to build the population without which adequate defence is out of the question. However one faces the problem, one comes finally to the conclusion that defence rests on adequate occupation. A country cannot have pidequate occupation without population, and it cannot build population at this distance from the world’s markets without secondary industries.—-Christ-church “Star.”