Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star SATURDAY, MAY 22nd., 1920. THE WEEK.

Hokitika Guardian, 22 May 1920, Page 2

Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star SATURDAY, MAY 22nd., 1920. THE WEEK.

' The Prime Minister who has been sticking close to business in preference to the more pleasant task of attending the Prince of Wales, lias been unburdening his mind on matters of finance to a representative gathering at 'Wellington this week. There is still no announcement of the financial results for the year, but Mr Massey's continued presence in Wellington, combined with his thoughful words on. the subject to the Dental Association, suggest that as Minister of Finance he is going elosei.y into the whole question, and that when the Financial, statement comes down lie will be ready to enunciate his financial policy. He suggests already putting on the break, and from this may bo inferred the fact that he anticipates difficulties ahead. “It will take us all our time to avoid a wave of depression” said the I’rimp Minister. “We do not want depressing, apd I believe that it 'can be avoided, but it can be avoided only by care, economy, and industry, on tbe part of the people of this couptry. We must curtail the extravagance that has been "oing on in towp and country for a, long t-jme past, Money has been plentiful in Npw Zeal and—more plentiful perhaps jfchap ip opy other part of the Empire. Tfi,e people of the Dominion concentrated during the war on doing everything they jio.s- ---< sibly could to supply thg heart of the Empire with the - products }t required for the use of its people, apd bp the army and navy. The oopseqi.cn •,» lias been that money has poured into this country in a way we had over • A pir= ( fenced before. But a- change is coming j over the scene. You will have seen from London that already there had been a drop in prices. The commanded of our produce is coming to an end, and we must not expect to receive for our principal products the prices that we have been receiving. There is no question about that. Some people will see consolation in the reduction of the cost of living reduced, but remember that of licing reduced, but remember that we are not likely to have tho amount of money to spend that we have bad during the last few years. That is why I wish to impress upon the public of this country the necessity of being careful.

Siij Joseph Wakd, whose financial ability has been of .such service to the country, sailed this week for a trip to the Old Country. Before leaving, the Dominion for which he has rendered such signal services in times past, Sir Joseph was fareweiled very cordially by commercial and other admirers, including his staunch political friends, and i high praise tendered him. In yosterj day’s issue there was published a personal interview with Sir Joseph Ward I "by our Wellington correspondent, and ' reference was made to the financial out- , look. Sir Joseph has been so lately in office that lie is familiar with the general situation and it is very satisfactory to know that he considers the question can he handled without great difficulty. He realises the great public debt to be faced and the social and industrial questions' to be solved. Both are largely matters of finance, involving a considerable burden of taxation. Ho believes fho position can be grappled with by a oourageous and vigorous policy, and under careful and economi-

’ cal administration Now Zealand w “pull through” without serious dii eulty. Mr Massey has mentioned a ready the amount of money in the eou: try, and probably Sir Joseph Ward h in mind tlie utilisation of that rosen in a public way. Till Mr Massey r veals his own policy wo shall not kno how the full position is to be faced, bi what Sir Joseph hints at suggests a w out, and no doubt the Prime Minist controlling tho financial fortunes of tl country will be alert as to the inwar ness of the position and be prepared strike out courageously as'Sir Josei suggests. ; Navai. defence is going to be one of fc! most important questions the count; will have to face from a finanei; point of view. Till the League ( Nations is establisbed—nnd the Jesi able events seems to be alar off—ti country must be maintained in sound defensive condition. At Hon the position is being regarded as a vei foremost question, and the gravity < the position is reflected here only i a lesser degree. In recent speeches ; Home, Lord Beatty has stated that was impossible to get the necessary di fence without paying for it, and tl day we forget that and did not mat the necessary provisions would see t! British Empire crumble to tlie groum Lord Horne lias stated that the respoi sibilities of the British Empire . wei tremendous and that without an Arm; the Navy’ alone could not do all th; was commensurate with Imperial respoi sibilities. Regarding tlie Navy, S (Thomas MacKlpnzie, our own Higl Commissioner who has first hand knot ledge of the European situation sn: - ho was quite sure that the ovetsoi Dominions would do their part loyal and well. It was true that the re ponsihilities were tremendous, and was to be hoped that' every party hot mg'the reins of State would see to* that defence was quite equal to win might at any' time be required. Nevi again should The Empire have to fni the awful risks of war with the 1 adequate provision of 1914. Gallioc was an illustration. The Navy eou not alone have done the work, and ill til the combined attack was planned, a hope of success was entirely visional’; Ho would carry back with him to Ne Zealand the host recollections of ti Old Country. The visit of our trooi and their mingling with the people < the Old Land, would be of immem benefit in future, inasmuch as they iis discovered the kindness and generosii of their fellow-countrymen on this sid It was never more essential than at tl present moment that men of the wide, experience and ability should represoi the Homeland abroad and the Oversc; people here, and he would sav, as ne: 'in importance, that those eontroliin the destinies of Empire in this gret centre should travel abroad in order' 1 make themselves familiar with the En rtpirc over which they ruled. If f i were done, and each country took i ! proper share of responsibility, tiiei could be no danger of the Empire emu bling. The policy of the younger lar.d ought to he to secure as many goo men and women from the Old Couutr as desired to go abroad, to develo industries and to effect close settlemon in order that employment might b made available, and that, if occasio arose, there would be sufficient fore to protect the territories from attack. In tlie House of Commons during tin debate on the Naval Estimates, the Tc fence question had more critical lmndl ing, and dealing with the Jellicoe. ro ports, Mr Long went on to refer to'th general question of naval defence will'd had been raised. “If lion, members sa; these reports I do not think they wonh criticise us,” said the First Lord o the Admiralty. “They are very ionf reports requiring very careful examination. This is not a purely naval question. I do not hesitate to say fliai whatever may he the view of his Majesty’s Government as to our policy of the future in connexion with the Dominions, you will do nothing in the way of working out a real scheme until you have an opportunity of meeting here in London representatives of the Dominions, and of talking it over with them.- It is only J>y that means that yon can arrive at a definite understanding. It is impossible to exaggerate whajb we owe to Lord Jellicoe, but in this matter wo must go deliberately.” Mr Long said lie could speak with some authority on the subject because lie had for two years served as Secretary for State for the Colonies, ind during that period presided over great Imperial war conferences, in vliieli this question was discussed. But ;o have produced some hasty scheme limply because they were told that Ley ought to have acted on those rejorts would have been criminal. I’lie Admiralty hud pot, however, been idle.

lie hoped that they would have on the Naval Staff the advantage of a representative of tlie Dominions, who would work with them in connexion with great Naval Staff questions. That was a small but an important step. '"We must go slowly in all these future developments of our great Dominions,” continued Mr Long. “They have made heroic sacrifices; they are bearing great burdens, and they will not he hurried in any development of the future, nor will they be Interfered with in their absolute right to control their own affairs. The best solution of tin's question is tbe combination of all the Empire in one great naval whole, and it cannot he done by hasty anouncements by the Board of Admiralty. It is Impossible to exaggerate tbe debt we owe to Lord JelHcoe, who has bestowed great labour, and displayed great tact and ability, and I hope that neither he nor anyone else will think that his labour has heon in vain.” The general principles which Mr Coates has laid down for his guidance

as Minister of Public Works found ready commendation from his hearers. Mr Coates impressed all with his earnestness, and the much talked of and often quoted “square-deal all round,” is more likely to materialise from that Minister than from any other Minister who has passed this way of late years. Mr Contes has the knack of taking a practical view of every question put to him. Another of his assets is that he is so approachable, and ready to listen to all representations put to him. A good caso will have fair treatment from him on its merits irrespective of colour or location. Enjoying younger years than usually fit a Minister of the Crown, Mr

i Coates is able to move about and set - tilings for himself. His keen desire is - to see things, so that he can judge as tc - the bent of his decision on the recoms mendation of his officers. His own exs periencc in settlement in the North Is--7 land coupled with his knowledge gained >’ in travel, have endowed him with a t good idea of works, and with a cleai f understanding he will be able to guagt r his task with sense and discretion. A.‘ 8 remarked previously, Mr Coates’ inclus - ion in the Ministry appears to have beet 3 a very happy selection. He is enthus--1 iastic about his work, and . recognise! the task ahead of him. He i: certainly well fitted for what is be : fore him, and it is of value certain!] that he has seen something of Westland its resources and requirements, for w< believe much good will come of it all. ! The essential need for the bridges ii 1 South Westland were impressed on tin * Minister at every turn. Except for tin ’ unfortunate contretemps regarding th< building of Little Waitaha bridge oi ' the main south raod, we should say tha - everything 'is well in train to see all tin ’ streams between R-oss and Waiho erector ' within the next two years. Little Wan ! „nnui bridge is to be pushed on witl ’ ail despatch, and a move wil ’ he made immediately' with tin • Waitangi bridge. Proposals fo ‘ .several° of the smaller bridges hav< -,j gone forward, and the next Estimate > * will doubtless provide the requisit k ■ funds. The outlook in this regard i ’ very pleasing and if the Minister ac ' complishes all that is expected of hir within the next year or two in refei ' fence to the southern bridges, be wil 1 he held always in grateful memory. N< 4 doubt had be been able to see the un ' --bridged southern streams furthe ' south he would have realised more' an< b more the urgency of the request. Cer ' tainly Mr Coates was impressed witl b the country lie passed through, and h is the avowed friend of the back-blocker These two facts indicate that all thing 2 in reason will he done in regard to tin ’ bridges now asked for. Taking thi 1 view"" of the position, the Minister’ * visit was certainly proved worth while " and the settlers will be looking forwan 1 with confident hope to the realisation o • some of their fondest wishes. In tin ' short time at liis disposal the fullest us ; was made of the Minister’s time, am 5 Mr Seddon and the local body chief!; F concerned are to be congratulated oi 5 carrying through so useful a tour satis | factorily.