PRESS COMMENTS.

Hokitika Guardian, 25 October 1927, Page 4

PRESS COMMENTS.

For those in modest circumstances who desire to become farmers an attractive leasehold should he available. It' we mistake not, the' prejudice against this tenure will not he so strong in future. The desire to “have a hit of land they can call their own ” has led to tragedy in the homes of too many of tlio.se who bought, farms on an instalment principle which gave them a negligible interest. This imposed on tnom a heavy mortgage, and left them no money to develop their sections in a manner that would permit them to meet interest, to say nothing of gradttallv reducing the burden. It this is all the Government intends to do tin’s session to alford relict lor the struggling farmers, and to restore confidence in farming as an industry, heaven help the country!—“Southland Daily News.

The standard of education should he very milch higher than it. was twentylive years ago. but we doubt if the determination to smreed is as generally observable as it was when the pupil had to relv so much more upon bis or her own efforts. Tile quest ion suggest-

ed in thinking over the great increase in the provision of facilities and the great growth in expenditure upon education is; ‘'lf es the modern system produce results commensurate with the enormous increase in its cost?’’ There is certainly room and opportunity for the now association to do good work in the Held of education and their movements will he watched with interest he parents and teachers, and also by the Education Department, who may see in the new organisation not a destructive critic but an ally in their policy of progress.—Stratford “Post.”

The Mnister of Finance has warned the country that the next year or two will he “peak” years in respect of borrowing. since the important developmental work's that are in progress must he pushed to their completion. Tt i' inevitable that the public debt must continue to grow until these undertakings have become revenue-producing concerns. The need, however, for the institution of a vigorous effort, as soon as this will be practicable, for the reduction of the debt should be fully recognised. The payment of between

eight, and nine millions annually out ol the revenue account- of the Dominion to defray interest charges constitutes a serious burden on the taxpayer. There is no public necessity of greater importance than that of effecting a reduction in the public debt, and, as a natural consequence, of bringing aliout a diminution of the load of taxation.— “Otago Daily Times.”

It would be dangerous to assume that butter and cheese were only now reaching their true values both products arc high in price because of unusual circumstances and may return to a much lower figure any time. Land revaluation is still necessary anil stabilisation at a safe figure. Tt would appear to be more necessary than ever for dairymen to go solidly for herd-improvement by testing, culling and breedings, and for factory managers to improve upon even tlio present high standard of quality associated with tXew Zealand LJ'oduce. A gratifying feature of the present position as far as we are concerned is the fact that in the “News” special market reports the advances recorded were all predicted with accuracy, thus bearing out our claim to bo reliably informed of the movements of the world's markets.— "Southland News.”