NEWS AND NOTES.

Hokitika Guardian, 7 February 1928, Page 4

NEWS AND NOTES.

Xow that the Highways Board has been furnished with a large addition to its resources, which will be promptly payable as petrol enters the country, there should be no need for any dilatoriness in their use. Moreover, there should not bo any further transfers from the revenue to the construction fund. Under the original scheme there was a clear undertaking by the Government that if motorists paid the prescribed taxes it would raise a certain amount of capital for capital works. Xow that the taxes have been increased, the motorists are entitled to insist that the loan money shall b c punctually provided and that the whole of the tax revenue shall be devoted to its promised purposes.—‘‘New Zealand Herald.”

So far as wo are aware, no very serious objection is being raised to the increased duties the Government lias placed upon wheat and flour in flic interests of the producers, which are bound to result in bread-stuffs of that nature realising higher prices within the Dominion than in other whealproducing countries and, under the new tariff, the farmers enjoy a greater meed of protection for their own products, and freer tuadc conditions for many of their farming requisites than are afforded to the manufacturing industries of the l country, which give a much greater measure of employment to tlic people generally than lhe agricultural and pastoral industries. 'I bese arc points which should be borne in mind by the Farmers' Fnion in dealing with the subject. - ".Maua"'atu Standard.

It is doubtful whether sturdy British or Xow Zealand farmers would ever surrender their individuality in marketing so far as the Danes have done, though ample evidence has accrued, in their own experience, to show that cooperative organisation can bo of great value in disposing of certain lines of prodiue. Its value in the blitter trade lias been well demonstrated, li might well be tried in connection with the pork industry which the Government is encouraging with subsidy. ]n the meat trad" cu-onerative marketing is being carried a .step further by the decision of the Meat Producers Board to erect cool stores on the Thames. This step is sure to be bitterly opposed by the vested interests of the metropolis, and the issue will be eagerly awaited.—“ Poverty Bay Herald.”

If by increasing production, as in the case of wheat and Jlotfr, the need for importations is considerably reduced. invaluable assistance is given towards stabilising the financial .situation. just as effectively as Increased production of exportable produce as. sits in another direction by giving the Dominion a more favourable trade balance; indeed, as a producing country, Xow Zealand should not only aim at increased yields for export, but complete itule|aoidence of outside supplies .should be the objective. The outlook for tin l producer is very bright, and tlu* prospects of a return of normal economic conditions are most promising. if all elus'cs of the community will but keep their heads as easier cond it ions return.—“Tima rii Herald. ’

[f the Government persists in granting this pork subsidy, it should probe intimately the existing conditions in the trade from slv to breakfast table. The dill'ercnce between wlmt the breed cr gets for his pigs and what the housewife pays for her ham, bacon, and fresh pork is too pronounced to be explained away by ordinary trailing profits The existence of buyers' rings in the stockyards of New Zealand -this phenomenon is said to lloiirislt more luxuriantly at Burnside than elsewhere has been bitterly complained of b.v breeder', and fat loners. During the

reec-.s a. conscientious Minister of Agriculture (mild amass quite, a lot of very interesting information in this domain of trade.- "Dunedin Star.”

We shall not get far by (intemplating the figures of the banking returns. If our mi'll and fio_w are not working conditions are far from sound, whatever the financial barometer may appear to indicate. We want that action which "ill restore confidence in settlement, and the rest will follow. To permit farms to go out of production in an agricultural and pastoral country, is to court ruin. The farms must all he working at full pressure so that the .six or seven thousands who came off them into the towns may he drawn hack to the rural population. With adequate settlement thousands mare and giadttally the balance would be a.:j M'tcd in a manner that would safeguatd the Dominion against a recurrence of serious unemployment.— • ‘Snuihln nil .News."

h is a tribute to Xew Zealand produte. especially its butter, that both Australia and Canada are making attempts to keep it front competing with Jioir own products. Exported butter t! v. ays has handicap's to overcome, by .vay of freight., insurance, duties and it her expenses, the home-made article escapes, and if despite these, Xew Zealand butter can find a too-rcady market in Canada and Australia, it . cuts clear that its superiority makes it preferred by Canadians and Australians. The dairymen of those lands should adopt the obviously best course, >f ceasing their lamentations, and use their time better in improving their iwn products.—Greymouth "Star.” The dairy industry was assured by educational process and by assistance in freezing and cool storage in its infancy. when those facilities scarcely existed. The pork industry is not in the same position; all the freezing facilities required are already in existence and there tire buyers for nil the pigs produced. It is just a matter of price, and competition among purchasers will ensure the growers as good a price as the market will warrant. The Government can best help this ns well as every other branch of farming by reducing the cost of farming by reducing the cost of production as far as it can, b,v cutting down transport charges to the lowest possible limit and hv reducing taxation. The effect, v. e believe, would he much more permanent than the payment of a bonus on export, a large proportion of which would almost certainly fall into tilt? hands of speculators..—‘‘Taranaki Herald.”