The Sun 42 WYNDHAM STREET. AUCKLAND THURSDAY. AUGUST 14, 1930. A TRIUMPH FOR SENTIMENT

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1050, 14 August 1930, Page 8

The Sun 42 WYNDHAM STREET. AUCKLAND THURSDAY. AUGUST 14, 1930. A TRIUMPH FOR SENTIMENT

SENTIMENT has retained the Invercargill seat in the House of Representatives for the United Party. The by-eleetion favoured Mr. Vincent Ward, second son of tlie late Sir Joseph AVard whose name had been a household word in Southland for nearly half a century. It had been the expressed wish of the venerable statesman that he might be succeeded by one of his own hoys. Many of the people of Invercargill remembered, and voted to gain a triumph for the dead rather than for the living. So an inexperienced and politically inconspicuous son succeeds a distinguished parent. Tlie residt does not necessarily m,ean that “an Amurath an Amurath succeeds.” After initial victory and the grateful satisfaction associated with it, Mr. Vincent AVard, 31. P., may find Parliamentary succession to a famous parent a handicap in politics rather than a great benefit. As a rule the saying “like father, like son” does not work out to notable effect in the political sphere, where individualism with merit counts for so much in achievement. History provides few exceptions to that rule. Tlie successor to parental place too often is subjected to the glare of contrast in national service and statesmanship. If the new member for Invercargill should become even a faint shadow of his late illustrious father in political ability and work, there will be ample reason then to congratulate his electors on their choice. In the meantime it looks as though a generous folk had voted with their hearts instead of their heads. As a vital or even as a useful test of the main rival parties’ prestige and of public opinion on the Government’s policy and record, the by-election was of little value as a guide to tlie future. Labour did not contest the seat, but was content in maintaining its working alliance with the United Ministry to vote silently and obviously strongly' for the Government Partyte candidate. In all probability a three-cornered fight would have brought about a different result. As things were the Reform candidate polled exceptionally well, demonstrating conclusively that Invercargill, like most other centres of population, since the manna General Election two years ago, has recovered to some extent from a hypnotic spell. Still, Mr. Vincent Ward won the day and is entitled to congratulations in the hope that lie may prove worthy of his good fortune. But it cannot he said so readily that the Prime Minister is entitled to claim, as the Hon. G. W. Forbes has blandly claimed, that the result of the by-election supports his confidence that “the people as a whole realise that the Government’s financial policy is dictated solely by a desire to maintain New Zealand’s high credit at a high level by methods which, under the circumstances, are the fairest and most equitable that could be devised.” Moreover, not many people will agree that “Invercargill lias given a splendid lead in this respect to the whole Dominion.” Unless the shrewd people of Invercargill have lost their common sense, they must know quite well that instead of fulfilling promises to advance the country, toward prosperity and greater enterprise the Government deliberately has, by its severe exactions and impositions, increased the cost of living, increased the cost of production, and also ha-s increased trade and industrial depression and unemployment. If these results are to help the Government win seats at by-elections and keep it in mischievous power, then the Dominion as a whole will deserve the poor Administration il has had the bad luck to get during the politically worst eighteen months in its experience for a generation. As a plain fact Mr. Vincent AVard was enabled to succeed his father in Parliament not because the Invercargill electors took a reasonable view of the Government’s financial policy, but simply because they were impressed sentimentally by memory of a dying statesman’s wish and the nearness of a new grave. There will be less sentiment at the General Election next yeah. This the Government should realise and modify and mend its bad ways.

THE WEALTH OF THE WAIKATO

CONCLUSIVE proof of the success that lias attended the dairying industry’s endeavour to increase production is provided by the annual report, of the New Zealand Co-operative Dairy Company, Limited. This is a record calculated to confuse even the most persistent pessimist. On output figures the past season lias been the most successful in the company’s history. A total of 44,597 tons of dairy produce has been manufactured, and in the four principal departments of the business—butter, cheese, casein, and milk powders—all-round and considerable advances are shown. It is true tliaf)m the latter part of the season a sharp decline in prices was encountered, with the result that the average payment will be less than for some years past. It is equally true that this decline has been caused by marketing conditions beyond the control of distributors, manufacturers, or producers. The men on tlie land have taken the best possible course. They have countered low values with increased efficiency and, in consequence, they have been able to make the most out of a weakened market. The Waikato’s offset to bad times is a fortune in bonus payments amounting to £353,623 which, in itself, is a lesson to the whole of New Zealand. As a whole, prices have been good and, although dairymen on the rich Waikato lands have reason for disappointment at the falling away late in the season, the future may be faced without undue anxiety. With the coming of the winter in Europe, prices will tend to become firmer and, even if the increase is not marked (it would be foolish to predict or expect that old levels will be reached in sensational leaps) it is certain that, with a repetition of anything like the past exceptionally good season, production figures will again move upward. Improvements in herd-testing, the better use of fertilisers, and the adoption of more scientific methods generally, have conferred great benefits on the dairying industry, and the coming season should provide even more striking evidence of their value. In addition there is to be considered the possible effect of the present drought conditions in North America. The past year of the Co-operative Dairy Company was marked by the completion of gin important alliance with’ Australia’s Empire Dairies, and it is’probable that the full effect of tlie better and more economical marketing conditions thus secured has yet to-be determined. _ Another move that augers well for Waikato producers is that affecting the company’s trade in the East. The extension of this side of the exporting business would he particularly welcome for, so far, its possibilities have been plumbed with encouraging results, and the field is an immense one. .Already, in the principal hospital in Singapore and in other similar institutions, the produce of the Waikato is consumed, and it is certain that the company will make every effort - to extend its Eastern trade connections. Clearly dairy producers are doing their full share of the progressive work that is the most effective antidote to depression, and it is to be regretted that they are called upon to face additional costs arising out of a burdensome Budget. The country is fortunate in being able to rely heavily on the wealth of the Waikato.