The Daily News. FRIDAY, NOVEMIBER 1, 1918. URGENT AFTER-WAR PROBLEMS.

Taranaki Daily News, 1 November 1918, Page 4

The Daily News. FRIDAY, NOVEMIBER 1, 1918. URGENT AFTER-WAR PROBLEMS.

It seems almost incredible that the Government of the Dominion has persistently adopted a taihoa policy in connection with taking steps to deal with the urgent problems for reconstruction that will be necessary immediately after the war. It was bad enough to be caught when the great conflict arose, but it will he far worse to find, when the Avar is over, that no effective machinery has been devised to meet the great needs that will require immediate attention. We cannot tell when peace may be proclaimed, but in view of the possibility of a sudden end to hostilities happening there is not a moment tor lose in entering upon the serious consideration of practical schemes for coping with the repatriation of some 80,000 men, besides a probable influx of thousands of new settlers. It is really time the Government got together a number of the best men availablemen of large practical experience, resource and business ability—to whom the main problems can be referred with a view to framing ■workable schemes for reconstruction purposes. The pivot on which the after war problems turn is development of the Dominion's resources—our primary products, minerals and industries of all kinds. One of the first 'essentials is land for settlement, and in this direction the Government must be responsible for finding suitable land, not in inaccessible legions, but near the railways, for it is obvious that intensive cultivation of small areas of first-class land must be the main provision. No haphazard way will attain the end in view. There must be a process of judicious selection, coupled with compulsory powers of acquisition, and, as far as possible, an organised system of smaller settlements which can be supervised by experienced farmers, who are possessed of the necessary scientific knowledge to enable them to give expert advice to the soldier-settlers as to obtaining the best results. The country did not grudge the money for the Avar work, and it will not raise any objection to providing the funds which these settlers will require, especially as thereby the prosperity of the Dominion will be forwarded. The task will be difficult and heavy, and unless the scheme is based on sound lines and every reasonable encouragement given to the settlers, there Avill be a costly breakdown. That is why the-problem should receive immediate and earnest attention, so as to avoid the evils of hasty and ill-considered methods. Already men are returning from the front faster than they can be absorbed, and as" many of them during the y/ar have married, the question of providing homes has also to be faced. There has been considerable talk about returned soldiers being utilised for carrying out public Avorks, sueh as road and railway construction, but these "men deserve much better consideration than being relegated to the position of day laborers, Avith no outlook beyond. They have been led to expect generous treatment on their return after giving up their livelihood here and facing the horrors and dangers of the battlefield in defence of their country. It would be "a dark blot on the Dominion if these men do not get a square deal, and they can only do this if the proper means for advancing their Avelfare are at their service. For those to Avhom mechanical industries.'appeal; the necessary instruction . should, he available, and it is here that our technical schools and coll egos should take a hand, but they avUI need essential equipment and expert instructors, besides satisfactory buildings. The old standards have failed and been abandoned iu Britain and America because they failed to meet the test of modern requirements, so it is obvious New Zealand must rely on the exponents of the new standards in order to attain industrial success. The Avar has enabled the Empire to realise the greatness of its ro.nn-povrer asset and its immeasurable value. It has also emphasised the resourcefulness of the sons of the Dominion, and after the Avar these factors should he utilised to the utmost in the development of the resources, the fringe of Avhieh only has been touched in Hie past. A very serious responsibility is cast on the Government, but there is grave anxiety on the part <\f the public as 10-whether the task will sit lightly on their shoulders or be tackled earnestly and determinedly. The main essential for the moment, is that the Government should act and not talk. There is so much to be done requiring mature thought, judgment and practical common sense that the atmosphere of the polite °rena is not favorable to

consummation. We cannot disre-1 gard the solemn obligation the j country is under to the members' o.! the New Zealand Forces, and; honor, as well as policy, demands, that the obligation shall be well I and faithfully discharged. There \ is ample scope for utilising all the returned men and more, but the danger is that unless adequate steps are taken in time, there will be chaos. We need greater production, the creation of industrial enterprises, development of hydro-electric power, adequate roads and railways constructed in the best interests of the Dominion. Utilitarian effort is needed, not spasmodic undertakings dictated by political wirepullers. What is most needed at the immediate present is a leader who understands and realises the problems that have to he solved, and is prepared to, organise the ground work whereon the superstructure of the Dominion's future welfare may be built, and the claims of our returned soldiers to honorable recognition of their services fully conserved.