PRESS COMMENT

Hokitika Guardian, 24 July 1928, Page 3

PRESS COMMENT

The New Zealand producer has a big obligation laid upon his shoulders by the vital importance of the industry with which he is associated, not so much in regard to the attractive markets offering, but most important of all, the danger threatening the vitality of the industry in the policy which permits any dairy* products other than prime quality to reach the London market. If the quality is maintained, the stability of the industry is secure, and the /producers of the Dominion will he in the happy position of being able to avail themselves of the growing attraction which the British market offers for butter and cheese of the high, est quality.—limaru “Herald.”

Rural industry is working, Working industriously, and yielding to an extent that should silence the pessimist. The country, despite its temporary difficulties, is sound, sturdy in fibre, and destained to outdo even the wonderful achievements its short history lias already produced. Life is not all easy in New Zealand, any more than in any other country; the social fabric is not without flaw. But all counted, its advantages and resources are things to marvel at, its power of speedy recuperation after a setback is wonderful. The process is now in progress. Fostered by courage and reasoned optimism, it should speedily efface the difficulties of the immediate past, still affecting tho present in some degree.—“ New Zealand Herald.”

Tlie policy of land settlement which was prosecuted by the Liberal Administration and with which the name of air John McKenzie wns-chiefly identified was not accompanied by a policy of road construction that was necessary in order that the new settlers might enter upon the land under favourable conditions. It is to ho gathered, moreover, that it is holdings which were thus settled that now present a formidable problem in the form of deteriorated lands—lands which, from lack of cultivation, since cultivation could not lie successfully carried on if the means of access did not exist, have relapsed into their natural state. In these circumstances the Government lias been under the necessity of expending large sums on tho provision of roads to the already settled lands and has been forced to the conclusion that a policy of reading, must precede a policy of settlement. It must he agreed that, when the State offers land for selection, it owes to the settlers the duty of providing them with a means ol access to their holdings.—“Otago Daily Times.”

It seems reasonably safe to conclude that they consider it better, ns the /.Minister of Finance puts it, to have a mortgage-hold than to have no hold at all. There can be very little doubt, indeed, that they prefer a property of their own, encumbered though it may be by a mortgage, to property that belongs to a. landlord. If, however, Mr Holland sincerely sympathises with those whom he affects to regard as the victims of the mortgage .system, he exposes himself to the imputation that lie cannot also he very sincere in his profession of anxiety because the State-guaranteed Advances Department is not, as he complains, providing “adequate financial assistance” for jettlers and workers. He would require to he an adept in simultaneously blowing both hot and cold to reconcile his denunciations of the “ mortgagehold ” with his allegation that the Government is not imposing the “ mort-gage-hold ” swiftly enough upon settlers and workers who are applying for it and impatiently awaiting it. “ Otago Daily Times.”

, Of old it urged the maintenance of a spirit of unity through New Zealand, while ready to welcome any administrative freedom desired elsewhere, lo this urging it will continue to devote itself. But a new era has dawned since that fortunate day—albeit a Friday and a thirteenth day of the month, as those prone to idle superstition may with profit be remmdedwlien this journal’s founders issuec with courage their “volume one, number one.” .To-day New Zealand has acquired an important place m the Pacific and the status of a virtually self-governing nonunion m the family of British peoples. To .contribute something, to the worthy winning of the wider destiny now glimpsed and to the maintenance in these islands of British traditions, is the deepes wish cherished by the' journalistic heirs of those who made their venture so 1 01 , K go.—“ New Zealand Herald.

Interest in the history of the Alaou and his relation with Pacific peoples is growing in New Zealand, and greater faculties for the study of these subjects are certain to be demanded. Auckland is marked out by circumstances as the most suitable centre f« such study. Of New Zealand cit e it has the most points of contact "it the Alaori; it possesses the hnosU collection of objects illustrating - • life and history, audit is the jumpingoff place for the Pacific Islands The ultimate establishment of a school ethnology should he kept in view.Auckland lt Star.