PUBLIC OPINION.

Hokitika Guardian, 16 January 1928, Page 1

PUBLIC OPINION.

Regarding the bare majority as a solution of the liquor problem, it is as we have frequently pointed out, unsatisfactory. it »:. absurd to call the bare majority democratic, while in the United States, the most democratically organised country in the world, amendments to tlie Constitution can neither lie carried nor proposed without the support of two-thirds or three-fourths majorities in Congress and tlie State Legislatures. In practical affairs, as all business men know, more than a bare majority of votes is constantly required to effect any important change in the management or administration of companies and commercial enterprises. The object in all such cases is to prevent sudden violent and paralysing changes from being instituted by the turning of a chance vote either way. The House finds itself in a very curious position, and the wise and rational course to take is to refer the issue direct to the people at the next general election.—Auckland “ Star.”

ft is freely recognised that our national system of education is marred by many shortcomings and anomalies. Classes in our primary schools, for instance, are far too large, and this means not only that teachers are subjected to an undue working strain, but that the efficiency of the schools is lowered seriously, with detriment to nearly every child who attends them. Much good may lie done by organising a strong and well-sustained public demand for the speediest possible reduction in the size of school classes. It is another familiar fact that our secondary schools, though only a small percentage of their pupils go on to the university, are dominated by the demands of the matriculation examination. If it is supported as it should be, the Association for tlie Advancement of Education will be able to render invaluable national service in working for reforms which will make our schools very much more useful and efficient than they are to-day.—“ A\ alrarapa Age.”

There is no way of preventing any sectional organisation from issuing questionnaires and asking for pledges from candidates, and there is a practical method, all the same, whereby th'eiio sectional fanaticisms can be chocked. The political parties could, and should, adopt the rule that no candidate will he officially recognised or supported who does not refuse to give pledges on any matter outside the official party programme. All the parties, and all the politicians, present and prospective, would welcome such a rule, and whether the other parties adopt it or 'not, the Reform Parly ought to do so. It would leave every candidate free to express his views on any subject lie chose, hut it would operate against the undue influence of partieularist minorities in n.-.-iional polities.—Christchurch “Press.” If payment were made exclusively by results there would lie infinitely more satisfaction. ■ A man would b > paid wlmt he earned and would not be systematically working with his eye on the clock. The arbitration system as at present applied to the solution of industrial troubles, is inequitable and unsound. Once the Court may have fulfilled all the functions expected of it. but it is now the fountainhead of compromises which ignore the economic laws and follow the lino of least resistance. The Court ignores such desiderata as merit and business principles, instead ol regarding these as panic factors in the processes of production. Indeed, it has become more or less a tribunal which tempers its decisions with charity rather than with sound judgment, and as such deservedly stands condemned.—“ Southland News.”