PRESS COMMENT.

Hokitika Guardian, 10 December 1927, Page 4

PRESS COMMENT.

During the first half of this year the index number of export prices was 135, the cost of living figure was 103, and the purchasing power of exports 83. In addition to this burden the farmer who thought he hold a freehold was under tribute to at least three first mortgages—the public debt of New Zealand, the local body public debt, and his private creditor. It is, however, the disparity between the price levels of the sheltered and the unsheltered industries that is undoubtedly in the main underlying the economic diffieulticK which have afllietec! the Dominion since 1920. The permanent basis of sound prosperity and progress in New Zealand is and must long continue to he the primary industries, for they alone are strong enough to export and sell in competition with the rest ol the world.—AVanganui ••Herald.”

Teachers in this country, more perhaps than the members of any other profession, have shown a capacity to look beyond their own professional interests in dealing with educational problems, and very many of them undoubtedly are animated by a singlehearted regard for the interests of the Dominion and its oncoming generation. Those, however, who fear that the new Association for the Advancement of .Education may be captured by tlie teaching profession have the remedy in their own hands. Here is an opportunity to create a community organisation which will consider and deal with educational problems from a community standpoint. Members of the community will have themselves to thank if they treat the opportunity with indifferent neglect.—“ AA’airarap* Age.”

Prohibition remains in America because Prohibitionists, although a minority of the people, are strong enough to tip the scale between the two regular political parties. In New Zealand they are a minority, yet they can so seriously interfere with polities as to secure that theie shall he ii substantial majority in the House of Representatives in favour of proposals that a majority of the people would reject. That this is true is self-evident, but if the Prohibitionists would have a formal proof of it, they would get it by allowing tlie people to decide (I) whether there should be a three-issue ballotpaper, and (2) whether the carrying of Prohibition should not require a majority of at least 60 per cent,—Christchurch “ Press.”

In England motor transport is helped by the universality of good roads, and in New Zealand, the improvement in reading is every year adding to the anxiety of tlie Railways Department. Three years ago the chairman of one of the great English companies said that many branch lines did not pay, and the time might come when, as had been done in the United States, branch lines would have to he closed, and the places on them served by road. Our own Minister of Railways, responsible for branch lines that have to be subsidised out of the general revenue, should note this. There was talk recently of an understanding between the railway and road transport companies in England, by which co-operation would replace competition, but there is no word of this in our cable news. •If it has come to nothing, England may witness a transport war unprecedented in extent and vigour.—Auckland 11 Star.”

If the practice of giving sectional pledges became, general our system of Parliamentary government would become impossible., Parliament would become a conference of delegates rather than a deliberate body. In every constituency there is diversity of opinion upon various subjects, and no man can subscribe to all his constituents’ views. Nevertheless, he is supposed when elected, to represent the whole constituency, not u particular section of it. A Prohibtionist may be elected, thought it is known exactly how his vote will go on that question, because his views generally are more acceptable to the electors than those of his opponents. If definite pledges upon a variety of questions were asked for and given, whether open or secret, Parliament would soon fall from its high estate.—“ Taranaki Herald.” Our growing national strength is really our contribution to the strength of the Empire, and each Dominion must make that contribution in its own

wav. The pessimist max see in this a ' danger of conflicting policies, but understanding, based on knowledge, and co-operation-as members of a commonwealth of nations, will ensure success. Anil the visit of Mr Amery should do much to enlarge our vision, while, at the same time, it should enable him to interpret aright the spirit of the countries overseas. The changes effected of recent years have been farreaching. and the Imperial authorities appear to realise that, in many respects, they must become the executive head of a great community of nations, destined to play no unimportant part in world affairs.—“Lyttelton Times.”