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REACTION AFTER THE WAR.

. Sir,—lt is indeed satisfactory to find factories in all lines more or less busy, especially those engaged'in the manufacture of goods wanted for war purposes, such as boots and shoes, saddlery, straps, leggings, etc., clothing, and cap manufactures, etc. Will this continue, may l ask,. after peace ia declared? I certainly think not. We have to consider —and Beriously consider —what effects • Japanese manufactured goods are likely to have on colonial industries. At the same time we have nothing but the highest-praise for our splendid allies, who have, ever .Bince the declaration Of the war, so willingly come forward to' assist our British Empire in her -hour of need, which speaks well for their thorough belief in her cause. Still we must not lose sight of the enormous responsibility we shall be called upon to shoulder, and with industries in all lines feeling a gradual curtailment of their output will in all likelihood result in not only shortening the hours and days of labour, but even worse, bringing about a slackening of hands all around.

Our Government appears at present somewhat in a fix as to so proportion the war tax to prevent as far as possible inconvenience and disaster. Advances on imports, through Customs tariff, will not only cause inconvenience, but may seriously affect sizo of shipments. Exports on tho other hand, at present producing highly _ favourable returns, may not be sq seriously affected. But the question is: Are the present high prices likely to be maintained after the war? I think you will agree, when I say not at all likely.

Once the Dardanelles are open, and Russian produce is allowed to pass through, a serious drop in prices may and no doubt will follow. That being so, what-effect is this likely to create amongst New Zealand farmers? The question then left to consider is; How can the war tax be applied so as to create the least possible inconvenience? The solution, to my mind, lies in the following:—ln your edition of yesterday (April 16), I read: "Since 1901 Australia has spent tho enormous sum of 2.1 million pounds on defence," adding— "In the same space of time she has wantonly squandered the awful sum of 180 million pounds on alcoholic drink." Pfiissia and France, so the cable tells us, have found it both necessary and beneficial to put an end to this dis»strous extravagance, while our energetic j allies, the Japanese, taboo it most enerjs£b km

land (lisclosos the fact that Lloyd George (a patriot that every Britisher may well feel proud of) has found it necessary to take the most drastic steps to combat the evil, declaring in his magnificent speech of February 28 last: "Drink is doing more harm than all tho German submarines." Lator news points to stops being taken to secure Stat© control throughout tho United Kingdom, and supplying a pure light beer that may satisfy the thirst and prevent drunkenness, at tho same time securing the enormouß _ profits for the benefit of the country, instead of going into the pockets of private individuals. This leads me to the conclusion that in this lies the only solution of coping with the New Zealand war tax. State control for Neiv' Zealand looks well on paper, but tho question is: Have we even one strong man in the present Government, with backbone that will not only bring such a measure forward, but stick to it, tooth and nail, and see it through? I ddubt it. I have in my mind one that may—one that will do nothing rash, but one that once convinced the country will benefit by such a measure, he will put his hand to the plough and not turn back. It may be interesting to know the amount expended in New Zealand on alcohol since 1901.

I think the amount would open the eyes of our worthy Prime Minister and convince him that herein lies the solution of his war tax nightmare, and from a liquor-seller's point of view would be found to compare, possibly more than favourably, with Australia's little bill, when the difference of population is taken into account. State control means an artiole good in quality and reasonable in price, with no desire to encourage drunkenness. If .good enough for Great Britain, in fact the United Kingdom, should be good enough for New Zealand. Evgn in Australia it has been tried with good results, justifying adding more houses to tho list. The ..terrible war tax must be levied in some shape or other, and the' profits of the liquor, .under Stato control, would more than provide the necessary amount required, besides conferring a lasting benofit. Crime and insanity would most assuredly disappear to an appreciable extent, while the general health and prosperity of our glorious little colony would soon make New Zealanders bless tho day that brought in 6uch a drastic reform. —I am, etc., A N.Z. BUSINESS MAN OF 33 YEARS' STANDING.

Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/DOM19150421.2.9.10

Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2441, 21 April 1915, Page 4

Word count
Tapeke kupu
828

REACTION AFTER THE WAR. Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2441, 21 April 1915, Page 4

REACTION AFTER THE WAR. Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2441, 21 April 1915, Page 4

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