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Hokitika Guardian, 19 October 1922, Page 2

HowKVKn, it is n healthy sign of the times in the political world when n Reform journal of the repute of the Auckland “Herald” steps out into the open to criticise the Government. The occasion must lie a very serious one for so ardent a friend as the leading Auckland paper to strongly criticise the maladministration of the Government. An indication of the line of criticism is given in the thought for the times to-day. Mr Massey’s Government has failed miserably in the attempt to right the finances of the country, and the Auckland critic referred to, has been most outspoken in traversing the Government mal-adniinistration. It is realised in Auckland that the overburdening taxation of to-day combined with the fact that the country goes on living beyond its income, is the cause of the financial stringency New Zealand suffers from. About £900,000 is owing for land and income tax which tl p f'pojiln cannot pay, and i\fr

sey is now offering to take promissory notes! More paper to deflate values. Then over £1,000,000 is outstanding on death duties presumably "because the estates have not the ready cash to meet the heavy taxation. Air Massey has gone beyond the limit. He has taxed tbe people beyond their ability to pay, and he is going on doing it to keep up appearance. The Dominion is living beyond its income, and while that lasts taxation will be overOjurdening. Mr Massey and his colleagues lack the courage to do their duty and have delayed so long that the financial plight of the count 17 is rapidly going from bad to worse.

The further provision on the Public AVorks Estimates for bridges on the main south road, will he gratifying to al! interested in the advancement of the south district. There is a vote for the overhauling of the small bridges on the H'kitika-Ross road, as also for the bridges on the Ross-AVaiho road. This work has been very strongly represented to AA r ellington by the local body and the auxiliary bodies taking an interest in the Welfare of the district. Only recently the Chamber of Commerce made special representations to tbe Memebr for Westland ns to tbe urgency of tbo matter, if lor 1 \ 11 «• fli.* was to be maintained 011 the south road in an economic manner. Another bridge vote calling for mention is that of £I,OOO for tile AYaiho river. The amount it totally inadequate to meet the cost involved in the undertaking, but Air Seddon lias had the assurance of the Minister of Public AVorks that the erection of’the bridge will be gone on with next year. It is now advisable to agitate for tbe definite adoption of proposals for tbe work, so that when the time for erection is at band there will bo no undue delay over the preparation cf plans. AY it h the AVaitangi bridge now undertaken, and the provision, also, for tbo erection of the AVaikukupa bridge south of tbe AY a i ho. tbe southern district is very well provided this year for the great essential in promoting its advancement, namely the provision of bridges over tbe numerous streams to facilitate traffic.