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Hokitika Guardian, 3 November 1922, Page 2

In the Upper House last vieek some reference was made to the borrowing propensities of the (lovermnent and ■|nite a lecture was read to the party in power by some of its mos£ notable supporters. In the course of a debate on the Aid to Public Works and 1-suul Settlement Bill Sir Edwin Mitchelson said that lie had been wondering for a considerable time past when the borrowing of the Dominion would come to m end. Next year it would be necessary to further reduce taxation if the Dominion was to prosper. Tt was bet(er to have a deficit Instead of the present heavy taxation. He regretted the "ant of self-denial and tendency to lean on tho State for everything. Sir Thomas Mackenzie said that although taxation should he reduced the Dominion’s balance-sheet must he made to balance. Sir Walter Buchanan Raid that before the country could be restored to prosperity the cost of working farms must lie reduced. They must reduce the cost of liyinn- and practice economy which

had been almost forgotten. The Hon. G. J. Garland maintained that the root of the evil was land speculation. The Hon. \V. Earnsliaw deprecated pessimism and paid a tribute to the Government for the work it had done. The Government was doing its best under difficult circumstances. Sir William Fraser appealed for faith and courage, and said that there was good ground for hope in future. Sir William’s wisdom as expressed seemed to amount to offering a stone to those who asked for 'bread. The country is not going to live on “faith and courage.” What is wanted are deeds by the Government. The “hope for the future” would be best centred in a j change of Government, wherein the I sound principles of tiie past, including ' self-reliance and sound administration I would find a place. The count:y needs this badly, and it is conceivable that the people are thinking in that iliroction now. public meetings are inrij- , ing votes of no confidence in the Massey Ministry, and little wonder seeing that it has had so much opportunity, and so little of practical worth for the country's good—as witness the general financial position.

What is the solution for the difficult times which have beset Now Zealand

under the Reform Government, wliinfc is l>eing found out so rapidly of late? Mr Veitch M.P.. as quoted in the thought for the times to-day, suggests industrial development and improved trade conditions. This remedy in point, of fact is one of the planks of the Liberal Party at the coning polls. So in quoting tile cure, Mr Veitch makes no haphazard statement hut lays down a general dictum which will pass into authoritative practice when the Liberals attain power in the not distant future. In the ordinary sequence of events, the Liberals must come back. The reign of Reform with all its broken promises and unfulfilled pledges is drawing to a. close. The monument of taxation and depression in trade it has raised or created; the muddle of the finance and the administrative chaos it has brought about; the unemployment pervading the land; the failure of the State concerns to balance accounts—all proclaim day in and day out how Reform has failed to govern wisely and well. The Liberals left no such record behind them. They were the party of safety. The party which built up defence; the party which pushed Now Zealand ahead as it never went before. The party records of trade development and expansion ; laud settlement and increased productivity are thero to show what the Liberal policy has done. It can do it again if the party has the opportunity. It remains for tho people to realise the trend of national events'and check the Reform party as soon as possible.