PRESS COMMENTS.

Hokitika Guardian, 26 November 1927, Page 4

PRESS COMMENTS.

So far ns farming—actual employment on the land—is concerned, admittedly it is difficult to frame any arbitrary set of conditions that would govern them all. Possibly the exclusion of farming from the operations of the Act could be defended on the ground of principle, though everybody knows that considerations of principle bad nothing to do with the Minister’s decision. But no such .consideration could justify the t'Xeltision of dairy factories from the operations of the system, unless it were also proposed to exclude flour mills, freezing works, tanneries, and a || other industries handling primary products. Indeed, it is difficult to see where the line could bo drawn, since the retailor who sells flour, the butcher who sells meat, the bootmaker. saddler, and all storekeepers handle the produce of the soil. Ihe (Government* stepped with ><> ' . 1 into a deep morass when it authorised the ,introduction of this measure—“Lyttelton Times."

Bv all means let the children encouraged to support local mdusti>, b„t at the same time, parents should render all the assistance that lies in their power by adopting o W>!icy « will have prompt and beneficial cllect Bv concerted action they could create a market and both manufacturer am retailer will take steps to see that it is well supplied. We cannot influence the course of markets overseas, but «e can bv united efforts develop markets p,,. own good within our own coiintrv. It is a matter for the individual purchaser. The elleet may appear to be small, if judged by individual purchases made from day to dav. but the combined olfect would be stimulating to the industrial community and result in steady development. If the children are taught to take an interest in New Zealand-made goods, ami the parents resolve to give those products preference, then one great essential to industrial strength, a loea market, will he assured.- '‘.Lyttelton Times.”

The discussions which have already lion we have to face, and, if we want ninth to clear away some of the misconceptions of the scope of the Rural Intermediate Credits Bill existing m the minds of the public, anfl there is not the slightest doubt that its provisions will ho gladly availed of by tlie. working farmer. The debate in Parliament, during which Ministers .-bowed clearly just bow much has I,ceil done in the matter of State lending. and the purpose which the Government seeks to serve through the rural credits scheme, have done much to disabuse the minds of those who have been too ready to believe tbo (barges made by interested parties against the Government- of lack of sympathy with the farmer, while the utterances of members oi the Labour Party have demonstrated very clearly the shallowness of their recent l.v----f oil ml concern for the man on the land and their sad lack ot understanding of his problems. - - Haw ora

Of New Zealand. America is totally ignorant, and it is not impossible that, those directing the tourist agencies are as ignorant as any. That is the positaken place in the llon.se have done to compete equally for a share -d the tourist traffic, the war must be car-

ried into the enemy’s own romitrv. and a .systematic i oipse c f propaganda instituted by till* efficient isiaif of expensively equipped agencies in Sail Francisco and New York. The staff should be a mobile force, and the Government should lie prepared t > spend as many thousands per annum as the sell cine will cost, done well. It would In* money profitably spent, especially if the comfort, convenience and fancies of the tourists were sedulously studied oil this side of the Pacific.—• “Southland News.”

The farmers have keen granted excniptinn from the arbitration system, and il is hoped they at least will ho satisfied, however much the principle oT exemption of dairy factories is subject to criticism. If the Government does n it. intend to abolish the Court, it would hr- just as well to leave it alone, because amendments prompted by impulsive public opinion do not appear to afford much satisfaction. The fact of tin- matter appears to he that the people most; concerned take in interest. In legislation that affects them until they find themselves caught in its toils. This is the ease with some of the trades unions that are now deputation ising the Government. They took no notice while their names were used in former resolutions, but when the Government prepared to legislate on the strength of recommendations taken at their face value, the general body of trades unionism wakes up. One of the faults of democracy in these modern days is that the science of government jis liecoming subservient to public impulse.—Dnnnevirko “News.”

There is one parly which is not considered. either under the Arbitral ion Act or in the proposed amendment and that is the public. Every award affects the consumer, and every rise in wages increases his costs, yet he has no representation on the Court.. Possibly it was a realisation of this fact that led the Government to include the provision that there should he no prohibition of pieeo-worl; in future awards. Payments for work actual y done is so logical and just that no fair-minded person can object to it, provided it is set upon an equitable basis, such as the Amendment Bill proposes. Moreover, it would not operate in raising the cost of living. while wage increases always do so. From the public point of view, this is the most important part of the Bill, and, if it ho adopted, it can only result in the public benefit.—- ' ’Wanganui “Chronicle.’’