PRESS COMMENTS.

Hokitika Guardian, 5 July 1928, Page 3

PRESS COMMENTS.

Objection is being taken to the Government using so large a proportion of the population to take work away .from those who' remain in unofficial citizenship. In the absence of bettei government we waive objections to the Civil Service running the country, so long as “running the country” is confined to the absolute, requirements of sound government and does not sprawl over into all kinds of competitive trailing ventures. In that event far fewer Civil Servants would, be needed, and that would permit, of better salaries being paid to the efficient indispeiisables.—Dunedin “Star.”

It is necessary that, regarded from the point of view of a national investment, the railways shall be'operated in such a way as to ensure the best possible financial return in the circumstances.' On the other hand, the railway system should be made as < efficient as possible in the provision of services that will meet the needs of .the people. Manifestly, it cannot be an easy matter to. reconcile these two considerations —that ot catering as generously as possible for the public, and that of making the railways pay. It is apparent mat were the Department to act upon the principle that ho service should be given to the.|public upon which the financial returnnot satisfactory it would be helping to defeat its own design ol popularising the railways, and would he playing into the hand's of competitors.— “Otago Daily Times.”

The whole system,of produce expert control calls for review in the light of experience, and in the interests ot producers that task should be undertaken in earnest. As to the control of the export of fruit and honey, tlie best tiling that could happen in regard to. them would be their total abolition, for thev have proved mischevious without accomplishing any good for the producers. On the contrary, especially in the ease of ,honey control, the lesu ts have been disastrous,, as we showed recently. The time is ripe for a complete review of the whole control business, and a revision in the direction of simplification and reduction M cost to tlie producers.—Oamaru “Mai .

The movement that is making the university a centre of adult education, and the local proposal to •establish a public lectureship, or at least public lectures, in civics strictly so called, are to be encouraged as taking the l-iidit direction ; and to make an institution of higher learning a research department of local government is a further step on that way Tt is to be hoped that in these and kirn.red departures university policy in New -calami will do more than hitherto in strengthening the bond between higher education and the art of goiein meat.—“New Zealand Herald.”

The responsibility of the liyes of men lies heavily on the shoulders <>, every officer, and lie should know how to husband them. Till tlie time comes if it ever does, when a system of defence training will be no longer required, the people of this Dominion must Tie prepared to face their responsibilities and provide the means for the training of men, and especially of leaders. A~ system which is hot reasonably efficient in those respects should not bo tolerated.—Dunedin - “Star/ 1

Taking all factors into consideration, tho most cautious commentators are expressing confident belief' that bottei times are in prospect. But since New Zealand depends so largely for its material prosperity on our export trade in primary produce, it is well that there should be no easing up in the vigilance necessary to ensure that only the highest graded quality should go I'orWard to overseas customers. In the meantime, the people of New Zealand nlflhoiift’h somewhat embarrassed at the moment by seasonal unemployment, can face the future with high hopes that the country is going forward into a period of general prosperity.—Timaru “ Herald.”

Aledical officers attached to the Education Department have, however, returned a favourable verdict respecting the effect of the operation of sum-mer-time as observed by them in tlie schools. And it is apparent that members of the medical profession do not generally accept the contention of tho opponents of summer-time that the introduction of it is inimical to tlie interests of tlie young people. Otherwise, of course, the large majority of them would not now be advocating a continuance of the Act. That the opponents, of summer-time will allow that the medical verdict carries the weight which impartial people will be prepared to attach to it is perhaps not to be expected. But it is not venturesome to suggest that general public opinion in favour of summer-time is so overwhelming that it will eventually assert itself to good purpose, even though Parliament may not this year confirm the decision of last session.—“ Otago Daily Times.”

Only the other day a shrewd local observer criticised tlie New Zealander for lus failure to develop a definite national typo, and it is baldly disputed that in some respects we lack a good conceit of ourselves—in, for example, our attitude towards locallymade goods. “1 fear we are too much inclined to bo pleased with ourselves over many things,” said another speaker. Again perhaps so, but still again, is not this a world-wido condition, and it quay be suggested to this critic that he will not improve l->litie.s by making the attitude ol parties towards the llible-in-sehools question a reason for not voting at the next election. It is less profitable to dwell upon these criticisms than upon tlie wise remark of Archbishop Averill about the delusion of progress as a self, operating law. Of recent years this idea of progress as a fixed law has suffered much from critics and events, but it is still a cloak for mental and moral indifference. The march of real progress—that is, moral, aesthetic, and intellectual advance as well a s material improvement-—depends upon the activity of the individual working as an intelligent and moral member of a community.—Auckland “ Star.

The pleas which manufacturers make one after another in this issue toi support of our secondary industriescontain nothing unreasonable. They do not ask that preference should be given to them apart from ljrices and merit. But they ask that they should be tried and given a prelerencc to others when they are found to be as satisfactory in use. For a week to conic 274 windows in this city will be displaying goods ol New Zealand manufacture. It is nearly a third more than the number of exhibitors in the secondary industries court ol the great Exhibition. Tlie displays should have lasting value, it an association coukl lie formed of members who would pledge themselves simply to ask tor New Zea-land-made goods on all occasions, and to give preference to them till they had fault to find, we believe that a greater stimulus would be given to tins country’s .secondary industries than they have ever yet received.—Dunedin “ Star.”