PRESS COMMENT.

Hokitika Guardian, 8 November 1927, Page 4

PRESS COMMENT.

When the Highways Hoard Was first contemplated it was proposed that it should undertake the construction and upkeep of all arterial roads. To placate certain local prejudices and claims tlie present cumlier.sonie system of authority divided between the hoard and numerous local Todies was evolved. Ihe reult has been that road work has not conformed smoothly to tho policy laid down, and an impasse will he reached unless more revenue is made available. If motor owners are to be called upon to find this additional revenue they have every right to insist that tho additional impost- shall not be used to bolster up an unsound system ol working, but that an overhaul of lhaf system shall precede the demand for additional revenue. If legislation authorising further payments by motorists is introduced, it should contain also authority for a review, and, if necessary, a thorough overhaul of the methods of road control, which are now in operation.—•‘Taranaki Daily News.” The proposal to exempt the farming industry from the operation of the Arbitration law is not so much a eoncession to an important section ol the community as a recognition of the impossibility of applying any system lor the regulation of the conditions of work to occupations that must he undertaken whenever favourable opportunities offer in the country districts. The provision in the Mill which places dairy factories outside the scope of the- Arbitration hnv is. however, on a somewhat dilferent looting. A discrimination of this nature presents a difficulty. H it be logical to exempt an industrial occupation such ns is carried on in a dairy factory, why should it not he equal!', logical to exempt another industry, such as that conducted in the freezing works, which is not loss connected will the export trade. —" Otago Daih Times.”

Had the Government Liken the courageous and thoroughly justified course of reducing general taxation this year, it could have anticipated from tie motorist a much more placid accept a nee of the loading fax than may he given it. The other doubtful point is the method of expenditure. Here ithe opportunity for the motor owners, destined payers of special taxation, to demand, in the interests af economy and efficiency, that the main highways he handed over to the Highways Hoard for construction and maintenance as a national work. This is l system first proposed, the system which never should have been abandoned for the present piecemeal method of dividing responsibility and control. Reversion to the original plan would mean fresh legislation, hut the motor owners would he fully justified in demanding it. Announcement that such a change was [lending would have rounded i ll' the mailing seel ion. main lea lure of this year’s Public Works Statement. "New Zealand Herald.”

If our politicians could say no t those' v.lni runic asking lor the right to tux their neighbours, and if hank directors would consider Lie public awell ns the shareholders, we should avoid many, perhaps most, ol our troubles. As it is each new tariff revision becomes an opportunity for placing fresh burdens on the hack of D farmer, and ns soon as this is done the politician offers his sympathy to the farmer on the mutter of rests until the next tariff revision. It is n strange proceeding, hut seems to he generally approved, as the fanner commonly supports thi' man who hands him over to In' fleeced. There are doubtless other reasons for unemployment, but cerIninly this is one of the chief reasons. —" Waikato Times.”

The people' themselves have decided that, their Governments shall enter into many activities, monopolistic and competitive, that bring it’ into direct contact with, indeed make it. part of, our every-day business life. This being the ease, there l seems to he no good reason why it should, in conducting those activities, tic* allowed privileges that are denied to individuals and companies and indeed to local governing bodies also, engage I in similar businesses or enterprises, ft should be made possible to enforce a claim against a governmental department entering into a contract or undertaking a service in iust. the same way as against any individual or against any other corporate body placing himself or itself in the same position. It is no good argument to point out that in this relation we here in New Zealand are no differently situated from those in the Old Country or in the other self-governing British Dominions. A reform is needed in the community interest and we should not hesitate to press for it. It is a reform, too. that would bring a. fresh sense of responsibility to those in control of the departments concerned that would be all to Die good. —“Lfiiwke’s Bay Tribune.”

The fact that any Native land henefiits in value from new workers in its vicinity makes it essential, however, that it shall not escape some levy in the shape of rates. In the (iniiinsUnices, nothing could be fairer than that unpaid rates should be made a

debt upon the land and. as the Government does not wish such lands to he forced, in consequence, upon the open market, it should meantime, recoil]) the local body concerned, bolding to itself a eliiirge upon the land. What would have to follow would be a spedeing up the work of individualising title's ami if no quicker method can be devised in this rosncct.

provision might be made for the creation of many more temporary committees of management which would have to use the properlies under ibeir control in order that the rates might be paid, or. as we bare insisted, the State should be required to pay the rates, making them a charge on the land. The security should be ample to justify the Government adopting such a course. In those circumstances where the individual shares in any Native property are very small, a solution of the difficulty would be for the State to acquire it at a fair valuation and settle with the real owners when the extent of their interests became known.—“Gislxirne Times.”

In tlio past, employers and workers alike have often glared at each other with undisguised hostility, but rarely have either made any practical or positive contribution to the solution of industrial problems. The trade unions are evidently willing to face their responsibilties yi this direction, and it cannot he imagined that the emnloyers will turn a cleat ear to the appeal for co-operation. Guided by sweet- reasonableness, these partners in industry should he able to reach a satisfiietory settlement of the problems of their relations to one another. Too often has calamitous industrial strife paralysed the British nation, and if the pronouncement of the Tracies Union Congress represents the well-considered opinions of a cloniiiniit section towards a redirection of trade union policy, then we may see the opening of a new era for British industry.—“Lyttelton Times.”