The Sun 42 WYNDHAM STREET, AUCKLAND WEDNESDAY, JUNE 26, 1929 STRAIGHT TALK FOR POLITICIANS

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 699, 26 June 1929, Page 10

The Sun 4 2 WYNDHAM STREET, AUCKLAND WEDNESDAY, JUNE 26, 1929 STRAIGHT TALK FOR POLITICIANS

ALL that can be known about the Government’s policy and the prospects of legislative work has already been told, and there is no warrant at all for anticipating a notable surprise in the form of great statesmanship. Even in Parliament House itself, where a multitude of civil servants has been preparing for tomorrow’s opening of the Legislature’s first working session, there has been no stir of excitement. Many a road board with broken culverts to mend has opened in a brighter and more electrical atmosphere.

It has been indicated by the Hon. A. J. Stallworthy, who, in addition to being a colleague and confidant of Sir Joseph Ward, claims to have the highest inspiration to speak as one having authority, that the session will not he productive of any more legislation than can possibly be helped. From the Government’s point of view, which means the lack of a self-contained majority, “the less legislation the better.” In Mr. Stallworthy’s opinion this country is over-governed and over-lawed. “We want a spell from legislation to get on with the job. If any legislation can be avoided it will be avoided.” There is nothing like candour in politics, but in this case the naive frankness does not come well from a party that squeezed into administrative power through the beautiful wicket gate of promises to show all other parties and the people how a country should be raised from economic depression to radiant prosperity. If anyone seek proof of weak government such a one only need look at the Government’s failure to discharge its pre-election pledge “to leave no room for unemployment.” Its key policy of land settlement has been limited so far to the purchase of half a dozen first-class farm estates at tall prices for subdivision on terms which will load the prospective small farmers with a big initial debt. And all that the Government has succeeded in doing as regards railway construction has been a contradictory activity in stopping and starting new lines without even the shadow of a guarantee that results will keep the railways system from losing about £.1,000,000 a year. 1 Then, nothing could justify its pathetic ineptitude over the destruction and distress caused by the worst earthquake in the South Island. As was observed in this column a week ago the people of Vancouver were quick • than the New Zealand Government to think of the necessity for relief. Instead of leading the Dominion in meeting a desperate need the Government was slowest in expressing sympathy and slower still in providing practical assistance.

All things considered, and making due allowance for inefficiency and a marked lack of administrative experience, the most loyal and closest friends of the United Government must he keenly disappointed and vexed with its failure to do even a little of all it promised to get done in record time, and its greater failure to rise to a tragic occasion. Still, the weak Administration wants a spell from legislation to get on with the job. It wants time and freedom to consider the very pressing problems that weigh upon the Government and the country. The first duty of the Ministry and also of Parliament is to realise at once that too much time has been spent on staring at pressing problems and not enough time spent on tackling them. Of course, it will be a week or two at the earliest before Parliament is done with formalities and impressive, but valueless, preliminaries. It is to be hoped, however, that no attempt will be made this session on wasting a fortnight or so on that pretentious nonsense known as the Address-in-Reply debate. The country will expect Parliament without a moment’s delay to proceed with the necessitous work of relieving acute distress in the earthquake area and begin the reconstructive task of repairing roads and public utilities, so that a stricken people may he given heart to resume normal life at their ravaged homes. When this humane service has been started and rendered effectively, Parliament should then resolve to cut out party cackle (all the parties know quite well that they have no intention whatever to face an emergency election) and devote its time and such ability as it possesses to the needs of settlers, manufacturers, traders and the interests of the whole country.

TYPES OF TRAMS

STYLES in trams differ almost as much as in motor-cars, but the Auckland Transport Board was wise yesterday in deciding that the present is not the time for experiment with types to which the public is unaccustomed. For tlie present the.primary demand is for accommodation, and not for any new style of tram. The acute shortage of rolling stock brought about by the chaotic administration under the City Council leaves the board with no margin at all for experiment, and places it under the obligation of extending the facilities rather than testing innovations. The suggestion that the open type of car should be adopted was made some weeks ago, and reopened yesterday by a letter from the Auckland Chamber of Commerce which had determined that the mild Auckland climate warranted the adoption of the open type employed on the Christchurch and Wellington systems. Though a more or less self-elected body, the Chamber of Commerce unquestionably represents current opinion in the business community, and is eminently qualified to tender respectful advice. But, curiously enough, one member at the Transport Board’s meeting yesterday seemed to consider its friendly suggestion out of place. Others took the reasonable view that the Chamber was acting in a friendly spirit. Unfortunately, the Chamber chose an unpropitious season in which to advance its suggestion. The climatic mildness on which it based its theory was not in evidence yesterday. Indeed, conditions seemed to furnish ample reason for fidelity to the existing type of closed car. Finally the board decided to pursue its policy of having the immediate order of 25 ears made to conform to the present standard design, but to keep the question of trying out open ears in view when-a further order is placed. The arguments for and against the different types are of interest to all who patronise the trams. The open car facilitates tlie picking up and discharging of passengers, but frequently obliges its patrons to scramble over other people’s knees. The safety zones in the busier Auckland streets offset the open car’s advantage in lifting passengers quickly at the stops. As for the delights of the open air, no one questions them in summer, hut in stormy weather the seats on the exposed side are usually out of action, and the whole of the open portion is draughty and uncomfortable. Whether the climatic standard hv which the types are judged should be the city’s best or worst, the high level of summer or the low level of boisterous June, is a question for earnest thought and the inner conscience of the Transport Board. In the meantime it is good to know that the new trams are to be six inches wider. After this there may be fewer outstretched feet in the aisles.