WELLINGTON TOPICS

Hokitika Guardian, 8 February 1928, Page 4

WELLINGTON TOPICS

FARMERS’ FINANCE, SIR HAROLD BEAUCHAMP’S GLOOMY VIEW. (Special to “ Guardian.”) WELLINGTON. Fed). (>. Leading business men in Wellington closely associated with the rural industries do not share Sir Harold Beauchamp's gloomy view of the financial position of the man on the land. 'I hey realise that- the process of deflation must continue—that land purchased on the basis of the high prices ruling during the boom-years alter the war must ultimate)v be valued at their producing valm—but the reject the suggestion that it is going to ruin half the present occupiers. If the lending institution lor which Sir Harold was speaking last week lent money til substantial rates m, hooni valuations, these authorities sav, it was bound to have a considerable number of its clients turning to it lor relief. That bad been the experience of every institution of the kind ami of many private firms. What could be done in the circumstances depended largely upon the character and the capability of the debtor. If be were a man of the right type it would pay to give him an opportunity to pull through ; it he were not, it would he I,rater to let him out on the best terms possible. Hint was the polic\ generally adopted, and the one Sir Harold Beauchamp with his wide experience probably would approve. EEC I I’llOdTY. In the course of an interview with a representative of the " Post ” on Saturday, Dr D. J. McGowan, the president of the Associated Chambers ol Commerce, expressed views concerning the approaching negotiations between Australia and New Zealand in regard to their tariff relations which harmonised with those already set out in those columns. " lit view ot the good leolitig existing between the two countries, and having regard to their proximity.” Mr McGowan said, "it is probable that misunderstanding exists on both sides, and if so. this should readily he cleared away in eonlereiicc. Both Governments have been actuated by a desire to protect the interests of their primary producers, and their representative claims Humid he mutually recognised and protected. without straining the harmony ul t ommercial relations. Though the balance of trade is in favour of Australia. and New Zealand’is in a strong position to negotiate, tlu* Dominion has much to gain from an amicable working agreement.” Obviously what was in M.r McGowan’s mind was that New Zealand should not push the advantages it enjoys tinder the existing tariff in the last extreme, and that the main purpose of the negotiations should be tn reach an agreement that would assure the continuance of amity and goodwill between the two countries. FOR THE FARMERS. During the recess, when the political game has to he kept going without the assistance of a Parliament in session. Urn Hon. A. D. McLeod is the lighting wing of the Cabinet, and uncommonly well he tills the role. Whether his audiences agree with him or not they are hound to admit that the Minister ot Lands in his public utterances is frank, versatile and very much in earnest. Speaking at bedding the other dav to a gathering composed mainly of farmers he protested strongly against attempts which, he said, were being made to hold the Dominion Government responsible for disturbing economic conditions, which were besetting etety part of tlm world. lie had no objection, lie went on to say. to the larmers undertaking political organisation ol their own and turning it to such account its they pleased : but il political organisation was necessary for their welfare then business organisation, he declared, was ten times more necessary. Just what the farmers were to do with tbeir business organisation niton tbey bad il the Minister did not explain, but be seemed lo imply that their shortest way out ol the dillieuities created by the adverse- economic conditions was to lean still more heavily upon the goodwill ol the Government. TREND OF EDUCATION. The torrespoiidenee columns ol the local newspapers were opened wide during the school holidays for the discussion of the education question. Doubtless the season was lavournble lor the unburdening of the tenehers souls. To-day " Kxped " in a long letter provides .-an appropriate conclusion to the discussion. " That the expectations ol better education have not Peon realised in anything like reasonable proportion to the money outlaid is the fault neither of the teacher nor of the school." Kxped says, “ One docs not blame the private soldier of the rank and file for the tragic failures of tile late war; one looks to the man higher up. to the leader. So it is in the tragic failure ol our education. It is the men who have had control of it who must take, the responsibility. New Zealand has been singularly unlucky in this respect during the last twenty-live years. There seems to have been nobody in high office, eitliei as Minister or as Director or in any other capacity influencing the destinies of the nation. / who luts ha*! vision enough to plan and courage enough to carry into effect a system of education adapted to the true needs of the country.” And last, year the Dominion’s expenditure upon education exceeded four millions!