PRESS COMMENTS.

Hokitika Guardian, 27 August 1928, Page 4

PRESS COMMENTS.

j “One of the interesting items in the I annual report of the Tourist Department presented last week was a l'cfeienee by the Melbourne agent to “ a widespread movement covering tlie various States of the Commonwealth and the countries bordering on the j acilic to keep the tourist on the move.” Why tourists require to be kept on the move is a little uncertain, as is their readiness to move on it they show an undue disposition to stop somewhere, but if the plan succeeds New Zealand will have to maKe sure that it works out as the Melbourne agent hopes. Pooling arrangements are all very well when the resources of all members are about equal, but as we can reasonably claim that we have very much more to offer tourists in New Zealand than can be offered to them in any Australian State, there is a danger that keeping tourists on the move may make them spend less thne in the Dominion than they would if no subtle pressure were being applied to them.—Christchurch “Press.”

After suggesting that amide accommodation for all tubercular cases should he provided, and patients persuaded to go into hospital, the committee observes that successful treatment is possible in the homes of the patients, and states that “sanatorium treatment is not essential,” and “most cases are successfully treated at home”; and then goes on: “Some patients go downhill while Waiting, some die, and some (earlier cases) often recover before their time comes for admission.'’ Some of this is so

contradictory that the report .seems to need revision to be fully intelligible. AYe all know that patients are sometimes removed from sanatorium care, or are sent away to die in their own homes, and that the earlier a case receives treatment the greater , the chances of recovery, yet the committee comments unfavourably upon these sanatoriums having numerous “minimal ” (early) cases, and “encourages” hospitals to admit the most serious. One paragraph in particular is noteworthy—“that the Health Department deal stringently with medical practiioners who neglect to notify eases, and that inspection he done by nurses rather than by men.” The whole matter is too serious for jesting, or we could make many comments about tin's suggestion.—“ Auckland Star.”

No amount of political eyewash can overcome the broad fact that the London financial houses look with favour on New Zealand and regard the Dominion as financially healthy. The estimates for the current year promise reductions in the expenditure, amounting to £1,300,000, and it is noticeable that the revenue estimated is also kept down. Tliis is wise. The return from the income tax should not show an appreciable advance and may be lower than it was during the last year, but even then we think that in anticipating a reduction in the revenue of £1,300,000 Mr. Downie Stewart is estimating on the safe side. The Financial Statement is not a brilliant document, but it is very informative and it may be taken as a safe statement, giving hope of further economies in the cost ol government without any suggestion of grandiose schemes which may have a pleasant sound in election year so long as the expenditure they require is kept steadily in the background.—“ Southland Times.”

AVhat happens a.t gun club meetings where live birds arc released from traps and shot at? A great many are killed at once, and this is the mercy of good uutrkmunship. Otlicis are wounded and wait until men invado the shooting area and with sticks and booted feet make an end of them. That is, “after the round,” and those which fall within the shooting area. Others fly further than the boot-aiid-stiek area. . . The facts have a- plain and piercing eloquence of their own. Our hope is that it will persuade more and more people to utter the souse of disgust ,it inspires in them and so bring nearer the passing of a Bill to suppress the shooting of captive birds. The efforts of the Hon. G. 3)1. Thomson and other Parliamentarians to secure that object have so far failed; but Mr Thomson’s Bill, or one like it, will become law if the voice of a humane community is heard.—Christchurch “Sun.”