PRESS COMMENT

Hokitika Guardian, 4 April 1928, Page 3

PRESS COMMENT

It is true that the Arbitration Court does not exist solely to fix wages, but . in practice it lias become more than 1 anything else a wage-fixing tribunal. Wages in industries having access to the Court arc now fixed in virtually all cases either by the Court, or on the scale laid down by the Court. Whether wage-fixing is to remain as much ns ever the function of the Court is a question that may usefully he discussed by the National Industrial Conference which is to moot on Alnrcli 27. Tli ere is .something to be said for the view that the Court should do no more than lay down a basic wage for unskilled labour, and leave all other wages to lie fixed hv agreement. Even in this limited scale of operation, however, a just and equitable basis for wages is needed unless the Court is to remain open to the charge of working on purely artificial and arbitrary standards. Unless the question of an equitable wage basis is considered and discussed by the National Industrial Conference that assemblage, in our opinion, will be ignoring the most vital aspect of the problem set before it.—“AYairarapa Age.”

Education is given a bias to fit tin rising generation for it. There is a prevalent sense of national unity, fostered by a system in which the Crown, above class and party, is a common centre of loyal affection. Imperfect as the example is, it nevertheless is an appreciable instalment of a democratic triumph over the old feudal order. It can be claimed -by Britons that they have done something toward making democracy sale for the world. This enterprise in self-government must lie resolutely pursued ft lias moved through many crises, some of them occasioned by its own blunders but it lias come to know the ((insolation expressed in a British Prime Almister s dictum that “self-government is better than good government.”—-“New Zealand Herald.”

I he present Arbitration system, under which a Court which cannot have expert knowledge or experience of any industry is empowered and encouraged to legislate as to the details of the organisation and operation of every industy, is frankly too absurd to last in a community of sane people, and it would have been recast years ago if any Government had had the courage to apply common-sense to the problem. The solution will not be found by inviting rival groups or sections to contend with one another in a verbal Doimyhrook or to Hatter one another with compliments and insincerity. It is a matter for the Cabinet itself, and the conference would save its own time by conveying that opinion politely to the Prime Minister at the outset.— ‘‘Lyttelton Times.”

New Zealanders are not jingoists. and they are not likely to make the mistake of becoming hysterical over the present situation, but they have sufficient common-sense to realise where a man of Mr Holland's views would have led them, both with regard to the Dominion’s prestige In the eyes of the world, and to the welfare of the ierritory it. control.-.- under the mandate But Mr Holland refused to see that the time had arrived when the Samoan question had to be tackled by Now Zealand as a national question and party advantage left out of consideration. with the inevitable result that his words have had a seriously misleading effect on the minds of the native malcontents. If Air Holland expected to make a reputation as the saviour of Samoa for the Samoans, ho is due to lie sadly disappointed, both there and herellaw era .Star.”

It is to he hoped that the next Siiiinni administrator will not he a military man and that he will succeed in restoring a more peaceful condition in I lie territory which lias been committed to New Zealand’s care by tlie League of Nations. The Prime Minister stated on Saturday that there litis been an iiirpruvomcnt in the position, but be added that the position is not yet satisfactory. The people of New Zealand desire that, the natives of Samoa shall lie encouraged to develop their country and that whatever grievances they may have shall he dealt with speedily. It is not a matter out of which political advantage should he taken, hut it is important that pressure should if necessary, be brought upon those in authority to face in a proper manner the difficulties that have arisen. - “AAbniganui Herald.”

The Government is anxious to promote land settlement, but it. i« wise enough to realise that the days when men went on to hush sections without money are gone. I hey cannot be brought hack by the wave of a magician's wand, or loud-voiced political propaganda. The people on laud that has proved its value are being encouraged in I lieir production by exu'iitling to them tin* emnforts ci modern civilisation, but the problem of interior land can only he solved by scientific researtli. The Government is atconiplisliing a great deal more than it is being given credit for in surmounting the problems that surround further closer settlement in this country. Lilt it realises that toe practical solution lies more in the scientific laboratory than in financial schemes. Dannovirke Evening "News.”

It is not enough for il to say, as Air Hawken lias dune, that it is keen to see the right class of settler put on the land and to assure candidates for sections that "tilings could not he made easier.” .Misleading propaganda cannot he silenced, hut it should he answered and, il access to the land is easy, steps should he taken to make tie- facts so widely known that there will no longer he justification for the reproach that sons of New Zealand farmers are vainly seeking I a nils of their own. There are undoubtedly

enormous opportunities for land settlement in New Zealand. A\hnt is needed is the inspiration of the Government and its officials with the spirit of confidence and self-reliance manifested by the settlers who met Air Hawken. Too many years have been wasted in talking about difficulties; it is time toe Government applied itself to the task- of overcoming: the difficulties anil reviving the enthusiasm for land settlement that has disinguished earlier phases in the country’s history of prosperity.—" New Zealand Herald.”