A VISITOR’S IMPRESSION

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8349, 8 February 1913, Page 8

A VISITOR’S IMPRESSION

LAND AND LIQUOR COMPARISONS WITH AUSTRALIAN CONDITIONS. Prior to leaving for Sydney yesterday tho Hon. W. D. Johnson, Minister of Public Works, West Australia, had some interesting observations to make to a “Times” reporter regarding his New Zealand visit. Mr Johnson said that he had as far as possible, avoided public functions and political gatherings during his visit, which was purely a pleasure trip, and most of his time had been spent visiting relatives and friends in different parts of the North Island. Naturally, he said, his family had had a delightful time, for New Zealand was incomparable as a pleasure resort, independent of the perennial interest connected with a return to one’s native land. He was loth to leave so soon, but ilis work in the land of his adoption prevented an extension of his holiday-making here. Turning to matters of general interest, Mr Johnson remarked that as a public man it was only natural that a visitor going through New Zealand should make some inquiries on questions in which ho was specially interested, but he had not arrived at any definite conclusions because of tho conflicting nature of the information that had been gathered. Ho was particularly interested in land settlement and tenure; also in licensing legislation. With regard to land tenure, his previous belief that New Zealand would adopt the principles of land nationalisation had been dispelled. He thought that the effort made to settle the land on the leasehold system was so halfhearted that it broke down not so much because the people were opposed to u altogether, but because they were opposed to the nature of tho leasehold tenure that had been given them. The original leasehold had many deficiencies for the tenant, and was of little, il any, value to the State. As to whethei those flaws are now being remedied ii. the right way or whether the State k getting fair consideration was a question that he preferred not to discuss. Speaking on the liquor question, the visitor said that from what he had seen iand learned of the laws regulating tlu 'traffic, ho would go away more conivincod than ever that the policy o. 'State control (State hotels) that is ii. operation in West Australia is the onl,, permanent solution of the many evil, surrounding the traffic. He was com polled to admit that lie had been keen ly disappointed at the appalling lac., of knowledge displayed by the average New Zealand elector in political mat ters. He referred especially to tlu ignorance shown by the public in bon tno laws of the country were adminis tered. He met dozens of electors win could talk freely on the subjects o. prohibition, freehold and leasehold, bm when tho question of administration oj existing .laws was mentioned then minds seemed blank. In this regard hi thought the Australian elector was bet ter/'educated. He watched aud criti cised administration keenly aud per aonally, and the State, encouraged tha. interest, for while legislation was im portant, aud, of course, necessary, k was the administration that fostered oi hindered the development of any ooun try. Mr Johnson noted that many of tin public bodies in New Zealand wen vested with spending, powers, which In considered should be controlled soleh by the State, mentioning particular!/ Education and Harbour Boards, who frequently spent money in excess o; immediate requirements in order to outdo their rivals, and it followed that the supporting taxpayer was often paying more than the resulting public con veniences demanded. It had alwayi, been his boast that New Zealand hao shown the world a lead in many matters of social and industrial reform, and he viewed Mr Massey’s efforts to reform the Upper House by making it an elective body, based upon adult suffrage and proportional repreeenta tion, with the liveliest interest. Hi had heard it mentioned that the proposal to divide the country into two electorates only was against the interests of labour, but Australian experience had proved the reverse to be the case. The Federal Senate was represented by one electorate only, hut they had founj that the superior organisation of labour ensured success ovei financial influence, and returned a majority of members. On the other hand, m the House of Representatives, which was elected from small constituencies, labour only had a smaller majority. In conclusion, Mr Johnson said thai he was deeply grateful for the many acts of kindness shown him by the Government and public men during his visit.