PRESS COMMENT

Hokitika Guardian, 17 October 1928, Page 8

PRESS COMMENT

The State has done little to - disengage competent men from other ties and allow them to devote their energies to defined researches. Almost inevitably the greatest hope of advance in medical research is in the generosity .ol private citizens who see how much can and should be done and feel impelled to help. The Travis Bequest is an admirable example; but it would be less difficult to expect it to be an example effective in inspiring others if the Government had not so unfortunately and selfishly refused to leave its financial value intact. The trustees inform us that the total stamp duty levied on the estate was over £14,000, which means that about £12,000 was levied on the public bequest, and tbe income was reduced by £7OO annually. Not only this—the income remains subject to income tax. This is the coldest sort of encouragement to any citizen who may feel disposed to follow the late Mr Travis’s example.—Christchurch iSun.

The .unexpected that happened at Ellerslie on Saturday illustrates well the truth that a crowd is apt to behave worst/ than the individuals composing it. f Though no doubt he number of violent minded men in the crowd was very small, the demonstration that compelled the authorities to close the meeting was an ugly exhibition of temper. A wise ' management forestalls trouble. After what had happened at the Pakuranga meeting, the club might have been expected to make some arrangement for preventing doubt arising about the start of a race. It should oe easy for tbe starter to ring a bell simultaneously with releasing the barrier and to station an official some little distance from the barrier who would signal to riders if the starter declared “No start.’’ This precaution should be taken at all future meetings.—-Auckland Star. ;

Tbe losses due to defective borne life may, in the intellectual, and even in the physical sphere, be in part repaired but in the, moral they are remediable. No matter what reliance is placed on outside agencies, tbe moral standard undoubtedly comes from the ■ home. While it must be admitted that in the majority of the homes of jdie Dominion parents are solicitous of the welfare of their children, the loss of parental control, of which we hear so much, and the decline of family life, are due jn large measure to ignorance of the needs of children and of the duties of the home. This new and changing age . demands new' conditions in the home, but in spite of the various efforts to relieve the parents of certain responsibilities, the soundness of the body politic still greatly depends upon the influence exercised in the homes of the people.—Lyttelton Times.

The Minister has discovered that the University has not been spending all its money from year to year, has been able to build up a reserve, in favt; and, without considering the fact that this .reserve is the University’s sole means of extending and increasing its scholarships and travelling scholarships and ’•■esearcb scholarships, be sees here a supply of money which can be used for “other university purposes ” —which the. Government ought to satisfy in any ease. The idea is, therefore, to rob the University, and no doubt claim credit for the distinguished benefaction! The sentences in which the Minister indicates that the. University could rub along comfortably without any annual general grant at all are, if not a threat, is a warning which all friends of the University may take to heart.—Christchurch Sun.

It should be remembered that the attitude of the elected representatives of the people does not always represent public opinion, it was only ufiei much pressure from the newspapers, and from newspaper correspondents, that a few of the local bodies in the Dominion decided to take steps to curb poster advertising, but so far even the strongest protests have failed to shake tbe conviction of one Government Department that it is actually beautifying the landscape by encouraging hoardings. The Christchurch City Council has also given interesting proof lately of the aesthetic distance that may separate representatives of the people from the majority of the people themselves. Indeed, there are so many examples of his kind, if we care to look for them.—Christchurch Press.

When Mr Sidey’s Bill, to extend the full benefit of a year ago, was thrown out by the House, four Ministers voted for it and five against it, the Prime Minister being an opponent. Since the Government is now supporting the half-measure, opposition to it is not likely to 'be decisive in ‘another place.’ The question can still cause warm feelings to be aroused in the House, as was shown by last night’s debate, but there is reason to hope that after the further trial which is now in prospect it will have ceased to be provocative. Experience will suggest adjustments of the farmer’s routine which will commend it to him, and prejudice which is ere conservatism will have time ro vanish. There should be no doubt of a Parliament being returned at the coming elections hv which daylight saving, for the full hour, \v ill be enacted as a permanent measure. —Tuned in Star.