CURRENT TOPICS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 295, 16 May 1914, Page 4

CURRENT TOPICS.

A REVOLUTIONARY CHANGE. The March number of Tiie Round Ta'ble describes in caustic vein the manner in which a.revolutionary change in New Zealand's naval policy, was effected last session. "The Bill was driven through all its stages under the crack of the party whip," says the Empire review. "The fpund Government «member trusted implicitly to Mr. Allen and accepted the whole of his proposal without a query, while the good -oppositi. ist taking the time from Ins leader, voted unhesitatingly for the rejection of the Bill. Neither kind of partisan could have given reasons for the faith that was in him. The Bill contained a radical alteration of the system of naval defence in this Dominion and was perhaps the opening of a new und important era in its history; yet the Parliament of this country gave to the affirmation of a principle of such far-reaching importance not so long and serious a consideration • and hardly do intelligent a consideration 'as was given during this same session to the affirmation of a principle governing the future construction of tramears. Parliament must plead guilty to the charge. Mr. Allen presented his new policy to a surprised Legislature and had it adopted by an obedient party majority without any adequate discussion or consideration. The community generally scarcely realises even now what has been done.

UPKEEP OF ROADS. We have a Public Works Department much more efficient for roadmaking than any rural local authority. For stall', for equipment, for economy in construction, the Public Works Department is enormously, superior to tin- local bodies. Why then continue the system of subsidy which in New Zealand has no advantages, and which has all the vantage of waste iu expenditure? It is an "unbusinesslike method- which must collapse whenever I'ariiamcnt can be driven to accept of ■•national" services >« clearly set out in ; appeals to the guardians of the national punf: because it leaves others to share the impopiiliir.lv which always attaches to the tax collector. This is a politicku's view. To the eiliwn it matters nothing whether'" lie pays to Uie State or to the Road Board. Ilia chief interest is to si"/ that necessary services are provided in the most efficient and economical waitner, and there is nothing out futility and waste in leaving t-he_ control of main roads in the nands of local authorities. The Prime Minister has admitted as much, but he pleads that there is a '-majority in Parliament agahwt the proposed change. This majority could not survive an inquiry such as ha.; been held in England, lor no Pariiamenlary eloquence could convince thinking men that a main road is <i "local work' fairly chargeable against local revenue.— Auckland Herald.