WELLINGTON TOPICS

Hokitika Guardian, 22 June 1927, Page 4

WELLINGTON TOPICS

MERCHANTS AND MERCHANTS

ODIOUS COMPARISONS. (Special to “ Guardian ”.) WELLINGTON, June 20. Air W. G. Motion, the member of the Dairy Board who returned with Mr AV. A. lorns from their two years residence in London as the representatives of the Board at its London Agetiwy only a fortnight or so ago, was a little unfortunate in having to follow his colleague in a recital of their experiences at Home. Mr lorns had covered the ground so thoroughly and on the whole so convincingly, that Air Motion had to go far afield to unearth fresh facts cl' any consequence and to give colourable) justification to some of bis deductions. He told the board, for instance), of merchants—-implying there were many e>f them—who “pretended to give the hoard assistance,'’ hut really “were lighting tooth ami nail to eliminate its operations.” That there* might he* no mistake about tliematter fie emphasised the point. “The reason for this,” ho explained “was that, they realised that the Board's operations won lei betray their own weakness in obtaining the price level that was fixed from time to time. 'Pile -only allottee that had built up a favourable method of distribution was the subject, of the jealousy oi many other agents, particularly when it was i'fttind that- this firm could distributes large quantities of produce when the other merchants had difficulty.” ' If it i* by exalting one firm from all its rivals in this fa.Jhion, Mr Motion has sought to popularise New Zealand products in London, it. is little wonder the "pretending” merchants have not given him better result?.

AFTER. THE EVENT. Trie name of the linn indicated by Mr Motion is as well known ill trade circles as is the name oi the Dairy Board itself, and Mr Motion has only himself to blame if his zeal for the welfare of this particular concern is misunderstood. It seems a little superfluous, however, lor lum to Imre added to his gratuitous advertisement the assertion that “notwithstanding anything that- may he said about this firm, they undoubtedly rendered greater service to the producers than, any other linn operating' in the. New Zealand trade.” There are one or two other linns, it seems, that assisted the hoard “very ahlv indeed” and endeavoured “to give the producers a very fair run.” but these arc not so easily identified as the one selected for special distinction by Air Motion, and' as for the rest they are in a “dilferout situation.” The remainder of his report proclaims Mr Motion, to lie a last adherent to the policy of control and price-fixing, which, lie maintains would have given the desirable results predicted by its promoters had the board persistently adhered to the policy La which it: stood committed. This, of course, is the only ivsovt for the “compiilsionists” in their discomfiture. Tt has the sole advantage of being immune from any assault save that of common sense, and common sense is a wen non that avails hut little against, persistent fanaticism. LICENSING LEGISLATION.

Licensing reform i's one ot the disturbing problems the Government will have to face during the approaching session of Parliament, and the “Evening Post.” one of the lew newspapers iu the Dominion that snaps its fingers impartially at the prejudices of both sides, is reminding the Prime Minister and his colleagues of their obligation. “AA’e protested at the lime,” it says, referring to the postponement of this subject last session, "that the parties mainly interested whom the Minister had in mind had been, too long considered, and the party which should be most considered (the public) had been ignored. Extremists (cither for abolition or no change) have ffl'cctually blocked Jiy their quarrels the sensible reform of the licensed liquor traffic. This suits the contending parties very well. The stand-pat opponents of all reform are satisfied and the Prohibition lenders say, ‘Reform is impossible,’ though they will not attempt it. But it is not fair to the great hotly of public opinion. Parliament will again be asked to deal with the licensing law in the coming session. It is to he hoped that then those of moderate views will insist that ex-1 trenio opinion, however much it may stonewall or block the business, shall not ho allowed to carry the day.” As for the immediate contestants they seem to lie about equally to blame for the delay in settling this important question. Delay indeed would appear 'to be the card they, both are playing. STATIC CONTROL.

Tin's assumption appears to he justified by the attitudes of the two parties towards State Control. The Moderates, as the anti-I’rnhihitionists are styled in courtesy, will fight obstinately’ feu* the retciution of the ‘‘State Control” issue on the ballotpaper because in its present form it is of the greatest assistance to them in defeating the- issue of "No License” at the polls. The Prohibitionists will fight equally vigorously for the removal of this issue from the ballot, paper because they have got it into their heads that it diverts votes from their particular panacea for the evils of the drink traffic. Perhaps they both have a measure of reason on their side. But neither party o( extremists so far has come to realise—or at any rate to confess—that the retention of "State Control” and the submission of the three issues to the electors under the system of preferential voting would give as nearly as possible a correct reflection of public opinion. Those that preferred State Control in itself would vote State Control and those that preferred State Con ml to one of the other issues would make it their alternative choice. Of course in counting the votes it would be necessary to pit each issue ugaist each other issue, to determine which has the greater number of first and alternative votes, hut the result, as already stated, would reflect the electors’- wishes as nearly as might be.