PRESS COMMENT

Hokitika Guardian, 16 July 1927, Page 1

PRESS COMMENT

There is only one way in which those to whom the writing down of their land values is repugnant can avoid the necessity of having to do it, and that is to- so increase the productivity of their land as to enable it to show higher net profits per acre. The most likely rejoinder to this is that it cannot bo done without command of increased capital or less expensive farm labour. The capital cannot he obtained on the terms to which landholders seem to consider themselves entitled, and the difficulties in regard to labour arc too well known to need recapitulation. Thus there appears to he no alternative to acceptance of the placing of more conservative values on land which all lending institutions appear to he adopting.—The Dunedin “Star.”

Many people do not regard the carrying of prohibition as the cud ol the voting on this matter and it preferential voting is employed the State control supporters will still he able to press forward with what they believe to lie the best solution of the problem. It is difficult to sec what arguments can he advanced against this change if the third issue is to be retained, or if a fourth is to bo added. The Government will put this contentious matter on a much fairer basis, or a more logical basis, ii it follows this course, and it will have a powerful answer to the extremists who insist on the summary removal of the third question from the ballot paper, or its retention so as to penalise the other side.—“ Southland Times.”

There are not two opinions regarding the propriety ot attempting to boom butter prices, but only ns to the expediency, and t li** London distributors are too old at tbe game to he caught napping when their privileges are Threatened. The fanners have not been overwhelmed by the

“momentum of the political machine.” as Mr Grounds suggests, but by organised action on the pan of those who made the trade in New Zealand butter, and virtually own it to do with it as they list. It is necessary to realise the fact that New Zealand dairy produce is not absolutely essential to Great Britain, or to tin world : it is purchased only at the convenience of those who hold the entire trade in their hands.—•• Southland News.”