EXTRAVAGANCE

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 266, 30 July 1918, Page 6

EXTRAVAGANCE

Sir,—The Government recently, by War Kegulations, wisely decrced that sums ol over .1:1000 were not to bo sent, out ol New Zealand (without the permission ot tho Minister of Vi mince having been obtained) suvo lor ordinary trade purposes. So far, so .good! Hut, bir, tho Government has not gone iar enough, it should prohibit Lheso iulitis (which weekly amount iu thu aggregate to many thousands of pounds) being utilised tor tho purchase abroad of goods that are quite non-essential, and ouly tend to intensify waste and extravagance among milnv of our peoplo. It is undeniuiilc that'a considerable proportion ot Iho large sums that are remitted, principally bv cable transfer, lo London, America, and elsewhere, is for payment ol unnecessary and undesirable imports. Why should not an embargo bo placed upon tho purchase otilsido nl such tilings us pleasure motor-ears spirituous iquors eostlv furs, and expensive clothing and millinery? At a time such as this it fills one with indignation to sec the window displays of some ot our shops. Thero we find ladies' fur coat:i at 7ft guineas, mulls at Ml guineas, lut collars at GO guineas, velour hats from G9s. (id. to 5.1 guineas. A day or Imago I was speaking to a commercial traveller, and lie fctated that he had a lino of ladies' boots, tho retail price ot which would be .S3 10;.—and they wore selling well. As to spirits, it is v.ell known that enormous quantities are being imported. For all thess things funds have to be sent out of New ZeaSomething should be done, and speedily, to stop this drain on our resources, and to discourage the wanton extravagance that unfortunately is so noticeable among certain sections of the community, and apparently is on the increase.' This matter should unquestionably bo dealt wi.h bv tho Government. 'Towards the end of the present year this countrv will l>e called upon (o sul> scribe at least £10,030,000 of the *20,000,000 loan atuhoj-ised by Parliament Inst session. It is a matter for surprise that th». Government has not dono .more to conservo the finances ot the Dominion in Iho way indicated: that is by proliibitI ing tne importation of those things "which are better done without, and which only weaken our finances when everj shilling is required to uoalilo its to "carry ou. 1 am, etc., WATCHMAN. v>