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Hokitika Guardian, 16 March 1921, Page 2

AcrouDiNc; to our Parliamentary correspondent's message published ycstciday, Mr Massey as Minister of Finance deigned to give tlie House a peep at tlie .treasury. The coffers are 'very bare. The six million loan is not—it was not subscribed by one-third and Air Massey with tender feelings for the financial shirkers bad not the courage to enforce the compulsory clauses! Mr Massey went about the country crying “wolf,” ‘ wolf,’ and the loyal and even the, timid f'olk did their best to subscribe their (plota to the soldiers’ loan. Tint the favored ones defied the law, they did not contribute, and though Air Afassey had the powers, be did not enforce contribution. Here fs a definite shoitcoming on the part of tbe Government, a failure to do its duty to the soldiers and the country irrespective of personal feelings for the. shirking band. Then he tells us the surplus has been collated—temporarily of course —for public works-. This means tbe Government was not able to raise tbe money otherwise, and with rough and ready methods took what was handiest, iirespoctive of sound finance. Afr Alassol tells us, also, that while in London he intends to keep his eye on the money market, and if there is a favourable opportunity there, no doubt he will borrow to tbe limit. Self- reliance in borne borrowing, even when he lias the powers of compulsion behind him, are to go by tbe board, and tbe financial policy becomes a thing of shreds and patches— a matter of opportunity. AToncy be must have but get it where be can with th,> least inconvenience to those who should, on the level with the loyal subscribers, have been made to contribute compulsorily to tli ( , needs of the country to carry out its war time promises to the Soldiers. Finally, Air Alassey plucks up courage to say the word ‘‘retrenchment” in departmental expen diture. At last there is a sign that the extraordinary excess in public expenditure is to be checked. I lie Alinister realises now where he is drifting i> and one of the surest aids to be invoked to avoid the wrecking rocks. In this there is some hope, but Ah;. Alassey hat been a long time in realising the inevitable. Heading between the lines, tin synopsis of bis utterances in the House , suggested that the financial needs oi the country are in a stringent condition and there are tightening times ahead. The member lot Nelson it: tlie J L >use last week put himself in the limelight by asking a question regarding tbe sawmilling enterprise suggested in regard to the Jackson llav district. Mr Atmore could have gleaned authoritatively all lie wished to know from the responsible officer in the Government Office, but for the sake of advertisement la- elected to put the question through the Prime Minister. If Mr Atmore has such a, burning desire for knowledge we suggest lie take a little time off in the Faster holidays and make bis way through beautiful South Westland to the far off region of Jackson Bay. There lie could spend bis time very busily for a lew days with the sandflies and mosquitoes spying out tlie alnd. He would find himself on the fringe of an extensive forest with the deep waters of the bay lapping the coast line. He could devott his sleepless nights while not engaged in almost ceaseless war with tbe mosquitoes, in wondering what good such country is unless it is developed. Hr could ask himself what purpose this gift is serving unless it be a harborin'; | ground for the mosquitoes who know nr rest. The obvious answers would probablv present themselves if bis mind k not too distorted by the ordeal of the mosquitoe plague, and be could then ponder on bow best to start development. He would not agree, of course, to the bush being burned off, first ns a personal revenge on tbe mosquitoes and secondly to make room for settlement. Wo have an impression that Afr Atmore is an economist, in which case lie would doubtless agree to tbe timber being milled and marketed. Having reached this very obvious conclusion, lie would next wonder bow tbe enterprise was to be brought about. Hi* would realise that the timber woud have to be sent to a market. This would call for shipping, and shipping would u>quire a jetty. Then tbe timber would have to get got from tbe bush to the mill, from the mill to the jetty. Workmen would lie necessary. They would have to be housed and fed.- More, the workmen now needs to be entertained. His pleasures require to lie catered for. A modern village reproducing the amenities of town life woud have to grow u)>. But how, that is the question y The “small” man lias not the means. Tlie project is so large that money in bulk must be found, and that spells a company. For long years the project has been open to the world atlarge. No one seized the opening till a syndicate representative of New A ork capital took up the idea. A quarter of a million expenditure will be necessary to ensure a turn over of payable capacity. To justify this the concession must la* large, but it can be on the country’s terms which, nevertheless, must la* reasonable. We ask Air Atmore if New Zealand as she is trending now, can afford to turn down off-hand such an opening as presents itsell Does she want the country opened up and settled; remote places brought inti; profit and peopled with an industrious people or if Mr Atmore prefers thnl the mosquitoes shall reign there supreme. The issue is so definite and conclusive that we wonder at Mr Atmore’s first stop without first acquaint ing himself of the true position.