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Hokitika Guardian, 2 October 1922, Page 2

An Auckland citizen, Mr A, Spencer of tho Auckland Employers’ Association sneaking in Christehuroh, said : —Tho burdens of taxation nro crushing vory

heavily on the whole community of this country. Our national debt is £208,000,000. The unfortunate part is that there is no money for development because the big companies are heavily taxed to tile extent of 8s 9d in the pound. It is impossible for them to find money for commercial extension. To lend money they would have to get from twelve to thirteen per cent. The result is that many companies are investing money outside the colonies; preferring even the risks of Mexico to tho burdens imposed here. Cheap money is not available in New Zealand. Wo arc not producing enough to pay our debts, and the standing charges of interest on our loans amounts to £12,000000 a year. We have to find another £11,000,000 for administration purposes for running the country, and all this in the face of falling revenue. There i every prospect that the Government will he another £2,500,000 short this year; last year it was £5.000,000 short. The solution of the problem is land settlement on a large scale. AVe must get suitable people here to share our burden and to help produce more; so enabling us to pay our debts. It is a job that must he tackled and it must he tackled without delay.”

On'ck, again the olive branch of peace is lieing hold out to the rebels in Ireland. Air Cosgrove the new leader of the Dail Eireann is proving a strong man in the determination to uphold the treaty to give Ireland Home Rule. The offer to give the rebels peace on the surrender of their arms, is magnanimous treatment. The alternative is to inlliet capital punishment in all extreme cases where the Government forces are attacked, and in reference to incendiarism, looting or the unauthorised possession of munitions of war. This is manifestly a proper course to pursue if security is to he attained. It is very satisfactory to note that the Dail approved the principle of the motion, and the details are to he considered later. This will give the reliel following fuller notice of the proposals, and will no doubt lead to a. considerable diminution of the rebel forces. The Irregulars are very recalcitrant, but gtadnallv their tactics arc being overcome. More stringent measures are evidently requisite to secure recognition of the governing authority which takes its power from the people alone through their representatives. Ireland lias for so long craved for Home Rule that with the means to achieve tho great desire it passed all understanding that open rehellion should for so long hold out against a form of Government which was their ideal.