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Hokitika Guardian, 26 September 1921, Page 2

The (|uestioii fust referred to is a universal problem. All countries are interested ill it and all are trying ill their own way to solve it satisfactorily. Pursuing the subject further, the authority t|uoted above goes on to say that the industrial situation is out of balance not only between the several branches of industry, but between countries, as the one-sided state id trade shows. The latter, however, is in the way of gradually lighting itself. An officer of an American Bank attended the meeting in London in June of the International ('handier of Commerce where an opportunity was afforded el meeting bankers and business men from ejuirly all tie countries of Europe. He curie away with the conviction that tin' want of balance between industries is a more serious factor in the world depression tlian the want of balance between countries. Eh ery w lien > wages, ilia nil fact tires', t ransporla t ion ilia rges and middlemen's charges generally are out of proportion to tile value ol primnrv products. The latter have fallen

■•'ripitately; wages come down slowly and wages are the sustaining 'actor in the cost of manufactured goods, transportation charges and middlemen's servers. England's export business is poor because the countries around the world to which she sells must, pay, for the most part io raw materials and these are so cheap that they cannot buy mill'll. It is true that the devastated districts of Era lice cannot produce in normal quantifies, but the restored industrial capacity is very much in excess of present operations. In other words' they could not at present use more shop capacity if they had it. There is a state of deadlock not only in trade between countries but in domestic trade, and tile litter is generally the most important factor, ft is a ipicstinn whether our exports can lie very much increased immediately even by offering i',redit|s. Manufacturers will not Imy cotton goods, and that de| ends upon a general industrial revival, or in other words upon a general How of trade. If we could make great loans at lowrates for construction purposes, thus nutting people to work, that would afford a stimulus, hut that is impossible; and responsible statesmen over there would shrink from making great loans for purposes not directly productive, such as dwelling houses, at present building costs. Great Ifritain lias abandoned its undertaking to build 500,000 bouses, frightened out by the cost.

The thoughtful tribute paid at the IVesbyterian Church yesterday forenoon to the mem ity of the fallen is another indie.nl ion that there arc those who do not forget. The men who m"'veil and sacrificed that the world might (ice of an oppressive enemy are deserving of all recognition. In this country, at. least every effort is being made to recognise the services of those to whom we are indebted. In its zeal there lias been some misdirection of noliev, and a failure to achieve all that was honestly aimed at. But the motive to do the right thing was there all the time. \Ye do well, too, to honour those who were loyal and true to

their country. It is a time for loyalty, and where it is cxnmplilied it should be ( recognised. The local ceremony calls to mind the fact that the supreme saerifice required of the men who wont from ' this district, was a grievous toll. The war claimed its victims with a heavy I hi,nd, and Westland bad indeed a very ( heavy burden to bear. It will be some j little comfort no doubt to the parents and relatives of the fallen to know that the memory of their loved ones is remembered and revered outside the family circle. The memorial will be a reminder for all time to those who pass in and out of the Scots’ Church how intimate were the relations of this district with the tragic side of the war. Indeed the memorial will stand as a lesson of our duty to our country. It is only by helping that we can make o ur fair land fairer. We must avoid selfishness, discountenance ideas of going slow , and throw our whole energy as did the soldiers into achieving success and final victory, not counting tin 1 personal cost ol doing what we pan to make this better and safer for democracy.