PRESS COMMENTS.

Hokitika Guardian, 22 February 1929, Page 7

PRESS COMMENTS.

At the present time many boys come into the larger centres to attend schools, but the time must come when large numbers of boys will leave the town in order to attend agricultural high schools in the country and there undertake a course of study and practical instruction designed to assist them in their life’s work. The Dominion is confident that a progressive land settlement policy will minimise, if not solve, the problem of unemployment, and there can be no doubt that closer settlement will present openings for boys who desire to work in the country. W’c must see to it that young recruits in the army of producers are fitted for their work, as far as our education system ensure that, encouraged to obtain the practical knowledge which employment on farms will give, and urged to work towards the acquirement of a holding.—“Lyttelton Times.”

New Zealand may regard the rise in the Bank of England rate with equanimity, since its financial needs have been provided, and the local monetary position is iremalikably easy. There still remains the incubus of £IS,OCO,0;;0 of debt to be converted lieforc November, and additional funds may lie required by the Government for its advances operations. There is, however, so large a reserve in domestic resources that the Govern men t would have little difficulty in obtaining at least a portion of its needs within the Dominion. A national loan, whethei for financing settlers or to assist the conversion operations, would be a sounder outlet for surplus funds than the extravagant speculation in oil shares that has occurred recently.— “New Zealand Herald.”

Nobody can fairly deny the right of the millers and bakers to make good commercial profits, but it is not fair that the wheat-grower, who always finds it difficult to make a profit at all, should be the target for attack by timse who are opposed to the duties on wheat and flour. The growers fee? that that they are not now, and for some years have not been receiving adequate prices for their wheat, but they will be content to do the best they can for themselves in present conditions without murmuring, so long as they are not unfairly used. It is grievously unfair that the wheat grower, who does the heavy and hazardous part of tlu* work of providing food for the nation, and who obtains by far the smallest rewards for bis services, should lie treat. € d as an exploiter.—Christchurch “Dress.”

In Christchurch a Summer Dross Rct’orm Leauge has been started, and the report of the inaugural meeting suggests that out Southern friends are taking up this matter very seriously. We are glad to see that the meeting rejected in “omnibus” resolution justifying “all that has already been done in the introduction of saner and healthier clothing for men,” including even that ungrateful and untidy eccentricity the “canoe” shirt. But the League decided in favour' of “clothing light in weight and colour.” and specifically declared war on “all high and uncomfortable collars” This seems to us a step in the right direction, and on daily experiences during most Auckland summers would certainly justify us hcic in following the example of the South and organising a practical movement in favour of more convenient, more comfortable, and healthier clothing for “mere men.”—Auckland “Star.”

Clearly, the time lias come to foster a big expansion of the kind ol inoustry that provides skilled employment. 'I his is the only prospective and real solution of the unemployment problem. Mouldy shibboleths of old political schools must give way to new world ideals of fiscal law and industrial development. More than anywhere else in New Zealand this community needs to promote secondary industries. It is paying out oi rates over £101)0 a week u „ charity without reducing the d». marid for such assistance, and without any prospect of providing permancnl work for the unemloyed, and skilled occupants for the eager, well-educated generation. The whole business is so s j ll v that one wonders why administrators gallop extravagantly all over I lie country instead of staying together in Wellington and doing real constructive work.—. Auckland Sun.