THE OTAKI MAIL. Published on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. MONDAY, DECEMBER 6, 1920. EDITORIAL NOTES.

Otaki Mail, Volume XXIII, 6 December 1920, Page 2

THE OTAKI MAIL. Published on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. MONDAY, DECEMBER 6, 1920. EDITORIAL NOTES.

Economic Conditions. Forecast.-; of a considerable easing off in economic conditions have already i been fulfilled, more especially in the Old Country, Cablegrams of the past fetv weeks contain rather doleful accounts of the slump in trade, and the consequent serious growth of unemployment. The position is- well described in a cablegram just received in New Zealand by Mr K. W. Dalton, British Trade Commissioner, from the Department of Overseas Trade in London, as under: —“ Deflation.and credit restrictions at Home, combined with the temporary congested state of the markets abroad, have stopped the extension'of trade experienced early this vear.” The cablegram goes on; “Unemployment has increased gradually, and dull conditions are likely to last for a few months, without any sensational collapse, and with a fair prospect of recovering next year.’’ The latter part of this message will be read with satisfaction, and, we think, places the position fairly. It was only, to be expected that the present conditions would obtain —what eise could be expected?—but the prospects of the future are not so dark a.- some pessimists would have us believe. The British nation is tackling its big pro-, fclems heroically: her enormous respon sibilities are being shouldered man fully : exceptional activity is being | shown in many of the vital industrie:of the country; and out of the present state of - chaps and disruption undoubtedly Britain will emerge from the Sery ideal more vigorous and prosperous than ever. Will We Have A Slump? ' Because there has been a big drop in the prices of wool, some pessimists are already anticipating a terrific slump in New Zealand. Do the facts justify such a view? We think not. Certainly the drop in the price of wool is a serious matter that most a Sect our whole population: but there are no indication? that the bottom has fallen out of our market, or that we are faced with ruin. On the contrary, we have every reason to believe that our staple products will find ready sale at a good price, and if New Zealanders only apply themselves so their work with ’‘ ,: «eaes > ui4 exercise reasonable pru-

cu. 6 , ~~ *-'vp. jjjjis to rear in the deuce, we wilt . _ -‘—ftrßt tour future. Returns for the '

months of ihe season from the Affitland Province show a remarkable Increase in production, and tvith an increase of 55 per cent in the expert value of hatter, the season’s yield from

dairy produce may be' expected to attain record figures. The returns for ! the whole Dominion show that up to j i October 31 no less than 121,tK7cwt' of butter had been delivered into the cool : stores, this quantity being equivalent to more than one-third of the production for fne whole of the previous ■ season, and more than double the production in the corresponding period of 1019. The deliveries of cheese also show a considerable increase, the total for three months being 172,112 cwt, representing about one-seventh of last season’s output. Naturally, with the decrease in the price of cheese, and the big increase in butter, dairy farmers will turn their attention more to butter-making, and this season the output of butter will undoubtedly be a record for the Dominion, both in quantity and value. Although the state of the wool and meat markets is unsatisfactory at present, experts agree than an improvement may be looked for at an early date, more especially as regards frozen meat, in which the opening up of fresh markets in America promises well for this country. Altogether the outlook is hopeful, and while the Premier’s advice of prudence and increased production is deserving of every consideration, there is no reason to anticipate a slump, or to be pessimistic as to the future, while the conditions are so reassuring as at present. The Law and ! The Gambler. 'l “The contest, between the Law and; the Gambler has been on for one hundred years, but I think it has ap-|' p'roached the stage when the gambler, must give up.” These words, madCj n.se of by Mr J. W. Poyutou, S.M., when giving judgment in a case heard at Auckland last week, would seem to put. the position very nicely. Last session Parliament passed a bill, which,! wo stated at the time, should have the effect of going a long way towards j suppressing the bookmaker, if strictiv administered. Mr Poynton, with his well-known impartiality and keen sense of justice, did not hesitate to put the Act into operation, and in the cases referred to fined one of the offenders —an experienced “bookie 1 ’ —J £3OO, in default a year’s imprisonment, while another guilty person was fined £IOO, or six months in gaol. On f.hej same day, at Christchurch, a man coin victed off keoping a gaming-house was, sentenced to three months’ imprisonment, without the option of a fine. Such sentences as these should have a salutary effect on illicit gamblers,l Parliament has shown clearly that it] intends 1o check the gambling evil, and in the instances under notice the magistrates have shown their intention of enforcing the law. There may be, different opinions as to the wisdom, or justice, of the State legalising certain forms Of gambling, but there can be but one opinion that gambling is n growing evil in this land, and all thoughtful people, will be pleased to know that Parliament has taken stops that should at least put a check to, certain undesirable forms of the evil