PRESS COMMENTS.

Hokitika Guardian, 5 May 1927, Page 1

PRESS COMMENTS.

The Afinister of Agriculture has given out figures showing that millers could easily afford, at the present prices of flour and offals, to pay fis a bushel for wheat and do well From the result of yesterday’s conference it would seem that farmers would be content with that price, fn that case there should be no need either for ally alteration in the present price of flour or for any weakening of the only protection the consumer has—viz., the possibilty of importation of flour. Already the Government lias promised an investigation of the cost of wheat-growing in consequence of the farmer's plea that he has suffered for the benefit of millers and bakers But would that inquiry go far enough? It should not only embrace the wheatgrower’s costs, but a close inquiry into milling economics and the cost of the baking business.—“ Dunedin Star.

The Singapore Base is not being built to defend England; it is being built to defend the Empire, and if wo cut close to the hone it is being built to defend New Zealand and Australia The necessity for the base is well understood. the choice of site has been determined by tlie most competent authorities. Till Saturday it remained only for the Dominion to decide whether it was prepared to allow the Alotherland to pay as unselfishly she would have done for this protection of our safety, or whether it would step forward, acknowledge the benefit and acknowledge as well the duty to pay something for it. On Saturday the decision was nnnouneed; and that it was a right decision hardly anybody will question. It is hot extravagant, it is

not rash, it is not aggressive. Jt is simply asserts in a practical way the Dominion’s direct interest in a scheme directly important to its own security. ••Christchurch Sun."

Delight in war is last becoming an anachronism. But it would be intolerably wrong to have the day employed in contemptuous recital of the follies of W ar and decrying of the service the dead have rendered to the cause of freedom and security. Some day, when (In. ,-isk of war has lteeti reduced to a minimum, and this struggle has been placed among events belonging to an age outlived, its outstanding crises will lie fully appreciated, along with Salami's and Thermopylae. Trafalgar, and AVaterloo. When that day routes. Anzae will he a name of deep meaning; and it is the part of each intervening commemoration to find and impress the lasting lessons of that meaning.— ‘■New Zealand Herald."