PRESS COMMENTS.

Hokitika Guardian, 8 March 1927, Page 4

PRESS COMMENTS.

The great body of rural opinion is very plainly opposed to the granting of increased protection to secondary industry; it would be interesting to know how much sympathy there, is among farmers of the rest of the Dominion for the efforts of Canterbury farmers to secure absolute protection for Hie flourmilling industry.—“ Now Zealand Herald.”

A period of industrial prosperity at Home will be reflected in an increase of prosperity in the Dominions, the effect of which will be manifested in the steady, if not rapid, disappearance of the evil of unemployment. The prospect, however, of an improvement of trade in Great Britain does not render any the less important the desirability of the controlling authorities affording every encouragement to the development of trade in other parts of the Empire.—“Otago Daily Times.”

With more buoyant and widespread demand for our meat and dairy produce exports, an improvement in prices may naturally be expected. Should this take place, and not be accompanied by foolish over-importation by New Zealand traders, then our adverse trade would be changed to a favourable one, and one of the main causes of the present inactivity and unemployment would disappear. Then our ability to absorb a reasonable llow of immigrants would coincide with a decreased need for emigration from Britain, and the interrelated industrial situation in both countries would he immensely relieved.— Dunedin “ Star.” Caution is always commendable, but the, thing needed to lift tho Dominion cm of its present difficulties is vigorous productive enterprise, lit tlte extent to which this enterprise is checked needlessly by an undue tightening of commercial credit, or in other ways, the whole country will suffer. As much harm may be done in times like these "by undue caution inspired by overdone fears, as is done sometimes by unbridled speculative extravagance.—“ Wnirarapa Ago.” Having vistieil other countries in his extended tour, Mr Coates is in a position to compare conditions with those in New Zealand, lienee his cheerful note of optimism as to the future of the Dominion is doubly welcome, particularly for the reason that he stresses the need for effort on the • part of everyone—presumably inclusive of the Ministry.— “ Taranaki Daily News.” At this stage of industrial development we must secure overseas a large proportion of our requirements, and that affords the opportunity for furthering trade within the Empire. Tlio effects must he of mutual advantage. Our interests arc linked together, and our prospreitv is dependant, to some extent, upon the prosperity of our partners in this commonwealth of nations. Compared with other Dominions, our trailing record is favourable, hut it can he improved. A policy directed to that end would not run counter to the gradual development of tho industrial strength of the Dominion. The growth of our local markets would create a purchasing power which would lie used in obtaining necessaries and luxuries from the Mother Country. Outside the range of our own manufactures wo have very wide choice, and preference for British goods there would be in tfie best interests of our own country and the Empire.- Christchurch “ I’rcss.” The cause of the present depression is that tlie customers for our products, such as meat, butter, cheese, etc., arc impoverished by the Great War and the coal strike, and are unable now to pay tlie prices they formerly did for such commodities, and, furthermore, there are other countries endeavouring to supply our regular customers with goods, and to do so they are offering these at lower prices. We arc suffering, therefore, from lessened purchasing power and increased competition, and the latter is likely to increase in intensity.—Wanganui •• Herald.”

It should be clearly understood Hint individuals with intelligence below the average are not necessarily undesirable members of society. In fact, the world lias numerous occupations suitable for them. But their educational training necessarily differs from that of the normal child, and the obliga-

tion rests with the Slate lo give them social and industrial assets. It is false economy to allow them to drift through the ordinary school when they could he prepared to meet life more efficiently by a course of special instruction. Fortunately they form but a small proportion of tfie children in our schools, probably not more than five per cent., hut, with those who are temporarily retarded, there is room for I uiThor development of the special

schools inaugurated by Hits Kdticalion Department.—Lyttelton “ Times.”

The matriculation,, examination is intended to test the lit ness of the candidates to enter the University. Unfortunntelv it lias come to he used its ;-

'• leaving school " examination, and that is why the munher of eandidates has crown so large. In the interests of the I’niversity not loss than that of the eandidates a chance is urgently needed. There should be an entrance examination for the University—an examination that would encourage really capable students to proceed—and a separate examination for the purpose of enabling pupils leaving school to qualify for a certificate.— Wanganui " Chronicle.”

The efficiency of municipal government: in \<-«- Z-Ndaiul is threatened already by the unfortunate intrusion of political party divisions. It will be threatened anew if electors of whatever political opinion, fail to recognise the promise of new blood.— ‘‘Christchurch fcitar.”

If we may sell chocolates and icecream and penny dreadfuls without incurring tic- wrath of the narrower economists, may we not also sell tourist service The trade in one is at least as legitimate as that in the other, and the benefits to the purchaser are not to be compared Therefore, the taxpayer should rejoice, with the Minister and his departmental officers, that the business of the Government Tourist Bureaux continues to grow. Not every country enjoys the privilege, let alone the profit, of restoring his health and happiness to the tired traveller— Christchurch "Sun.”

Th- - '. ' ill be ivy pressure upon 111: Arbitration Court to move in the sumo direction as U- re the war, and even if demands far higher wages are less insistent, the claims for improved conditions—which often mean either less or more costly output—are still imperative. There is need for wide recognition that such concessions involve all addition to the burden already carried by industries which cannot, gain any relief. Their only remedy is greater effort to balance the decline in the relative value of their output: their only consolation, faith in the prospect of better returns. But these are intangible compensations for present hardships, and until the latter is realised, or they perceive evidence of comparable efforts to reduce the cost ot production in the sheltered industries, it is net 1.-.:: - , r:-i:y that they

io i - -"date desperiae remedies -‘•New Zealand Herald.”

Tie unemployment problem lit Home is ji,■:i: ■■ Iv felt bcduise of the diflicidtv experienced in linding work for skilled workmen ; if New Zealand could include a lair proportion in tlie immigration quota each year it should not. have any marked elfect on the local labour market. The Hofninion. however, would do ii ureat deal more to reli"ve llie position in the Old Country if in set itself resolutely to the task of creating larger local markets or our nroduec. Secondary industries can he ful I v developed when preference is given by the individual citizen for N'ev.' Zealand-made goods. When that happens, the Dominion should not have the slightest difficulty in providing employment for a. (Urge number of skilled immigrants.—Christchurch ‘'Star."