PRESS COMMENT

Hokitika Guardian, 6 October 1928, Page 8

PRESS COMMENT

The annual report of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research shows that this infant department—the Scientific and Industrial Research Act which established it was • passed in 1926—is becoming vigorously "useful. So far, much of its work has been preparatory, explorative, and educative, but a real Beginning has been made and the question has therefore passed beyond the stage of debate to that of concrete test.— “The Sun,” Christchurch.

Kingsford-Smith’s reported decision to make Blenheim his starting point lor the return journey to Australia will be received very ungrudgingly in the City of the Plains, whose people are of one mind in wishing the Southern Cross a safe return to Australia. It will be a matter of great satisfaction to the whole of the people o k Canterbury to- think that a couple of hours can be cut off the return journey, Whether the point of departure is Blenheim or Palmerston 'North, or any other place a little nearer Australia.—“ Christchurch Star.”

It would not seem that any great risks of injustice are involved in the Mental Defectives Bill, whose objects, apart from methods of giving effect to them, have been generally approved. The point has been well made by Dr Sutherland, of Victoria College, that, in the present state of popular knowledge on such questions, legislation which deals with mental deficiency may be better when it appears to go not ,far enough rather than too tar. Otherwise there is the danger of a later"revolt, in which good and more doubtful, features of such legislation may be lost together. It is not necessary that a whole complete system for the treatment of mentally deficient should be established now by a single Bill. But it is full time that there should be a beginning.— “Dunedin Star.”

The Minister of -Education has said it was hoped a step forward would be mase in the organisation of education facilities. With the advice of the Director the Minister. might, with advantage go stead ly forward. The education Department must see to it that the Dominion system of edim non does not lose its high position. Hie Minister, should b.e able to ascertain. the probable cost, and then proofed with his plans. The Dominion mtist have a more practical syllabus and a better organisation for the closuyr vents of the primary school. Business men have repeatedly . asked tho .ne scnool-work should be made more conformable than it is to life-needs, ihere does at least seem an oppoVtuni.tv . of making, a definite advniro in this direction, while at the same time all different types of ability are fully developed.—-“Otago Daily Times.’’

Not even the most' carping of the critics on the Opposition side of the House . c'f Representatives will be able.to say that any attempt has been made in the annual Railways Statement, presented to the House of Representatives, to disguise the seriousness of the position facing the railway administrators of the Dominion. We think', however, it will be generally agreed that the railway administrators in this country are making commendable efforts to retain tho present high, efficiency of the services, in the hope that the future of development of the country will he so lac-’ \ tated as to yield that increased measure o'f support for the railways as will not only more nearly balance the railway budget, but encourage the Department to embark upon an even more progressive policy than has been possible in the past. Herald.”

One* of the major issues to he decided in Now Zealand, as in most other civilised countries, during the next decade or so is whether the problem of the status o'f labour in industry shall be solved by. parliamentary or by industrial action. The proper status of labour in industry is not to he determined by the authoritative verdict of any economist or sociologist, because all human relations are subject to evolution. This generation, and many more will have to .work under the captialistic system, and the wiser heads among both employers and employed are seeking to make the best of it. That is the explanation of the attitude of the Trades Union Congress in the Mother Country. The view of the Communist, o'f course, is that any improvement of the under the existing system would only postpone the social revolution: hut seeing that the capitalistic system .is here, while the social revolution is, at best, a very long way off, tlie Communist has nothing to offer the’ working men and women of this generation.—“ Lyttelton Times.”

There is before Parliament a Bill designed . to determine the qualifications necessary before any person may practice as an optician, and to establish a register of those who are so qualified. Mho need for it arises because, as the law stands, anybody who wishes to do so can set up as an optican, offer to test sight, and to supply glasses correcting defects he professes to discover. It will give the optician an

assured status. It will also protect thfe public against the possibilities -of unskilful treatment, or even fraud, which are always present so long as the decision to call himself an optician is the only preliminary needed for anyone to begin to practise as such.— Auckland “ Herald.”

The’British quota provisions in the Cinematograph Bill appear to have been dangerously amended by the select committee. As reported, the measure expands in effect tho definition of British films for its purposes, excluding from the quota those of insufficient artistic or photographic merit to warrant their being considorered and those of negligibly shortlength. The measure, of course, provides for prompt steps being taken, if circumstanced warrant, to enforce observance of the quota as set out. But the necessity for this should not arise, a probability strengthened by the graduated increase of the -quota through a period of years. The supply of good British films, complying 'fully with the more precise definition now proposed, should increase at least as fast, as the increase in the quota.— “ New Zealand Herald.”

The Select Committee of the House of Representatives, to which was referred the Bill introduced by Mr Sidey providing the means whereby there might he a local observance of summer-time, has reported unfavourably. It was in order that the difficulties that would attend the operation of such a scheme might be carefully considered, with particular regard for the view of the Railways and Post and Telegraph Departments, that the Bill was remitted to the committee. The discussion in the House showed country members to be opposed to even so modest an application of the principle of summer-time as this would entail, and in .these circumstances it is impossible to he very hopeful of the enactment of legislation that would grant to the community even a small measure of daylight saving. Probably what may now happen is that there will be voluntary and piecemeal observances of summer-time, such as my tend to he * productive of a certain amount o'f the very kind of confusion which Government Departments desire to avoid.” “ limes,” Dunedin.

LA PULMONA. j Sometimes the public becomes very confused over titles of records and music. A Blenheim dealer recalls that he was confused on one occasion when u young lady asked for a record, “La Pulinona.” The dealer decided that the popular “La Paloma ” |\vas required. Evidently this yobbg -lady knew the value of Pulmonas for coughs atid colds. Pulmonas, Is 6d and 2s 6d from chemists.—(Ad.) - j