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Hokitika Guardian, 22 November 1922, Page 2

It was the custom a. decade or so ago to rail against tho increase of the public debt. If there were occasion at that time how much more is thoro now when the debt within quite a limited period has grown by leaps and bounds. Ten years ago after Reform came into power the net debt was just over eighty two million or just less than £BO per head of the population. After ten years the debt approximated two hundred millions and was equal to £162 per head. That is during the period of the Reform regime the debt has doubled per head of the population. This fact gives point to tho thought expressed in another place to-day, that while Mr Massey talks about ceasing borrowing or tapering off, bis Government is still busy raising all the money it can on loan. In tho late session, authority was taken to raise a few rue re millions, which were

as much as Air Alasscy dare ask for, though an additional amount was contemplnted. It is Air Alnssey’s system of balancing accounts, when taxation will not do the trick, to go on bor- ! rowing. He finds that less difficult than reorganising the administration, and doing as an ordinary safe business man has to do—live within his moans. This added load of debt is an addition to the burden of the taxpayer, and tho need for economy was so great that the eomemrcial people formed a Taxpayers’ Association to resist tho Government mismanagement. Air Alassey appears to have put them off with lair words and goes on borrowing. Reform lacks a definite financial policy to rej trieve the desperate position it is landi ing the country in. and unfortunately [ there is no sign in ATr Alnssey’s manij festo of any policy being in incubation which will bring financial relief and sej curity to the country. That is the j greatest defect of all in the pretentions of Reform.

The numerous attendance at the Town Hall on Monday night, indicated a general interest in the proposed jubilee exhibition which augurs well for the project when it comes to pass. The proposals in regard to the important event were ratified by the meeting, and the preliminary measures will now go forward accordingly. The movement is certainly a step in the right direction, and at the same time shows the enterprise of the people in the desire to seize the opportunity offering to advance the general interests of the Coast. At the present juncture it is not possible to accurately visualise possibilities for tho reason that when the event is in progress there will he a revolutionary change in the mode of travelling east and west. The mountain barrier will have disappeared. Despite the beauty of the Otira Gorge and tho novelty of the coach journey, to many it is a trip which many avoid. A train journey is on a different lwsis and crowds will be able to travel in greater comfort without the inconvenience of detraining and also with greater celerity. The more expeditious and comfortable means of transport and the facility to the many thousands of people outside the Coast to visit a district known only by repute, will commend the journey and there will he a very great influx of visitors. In point of attendance it seems safe to anticipate very satisfactory results. The organisation of the exhibition itself should be such as will ensure its popularity locally. Experience is now being gleaned in Christchurch, and the benefit of what is gained there will lie available for AVestland. The matter teems to he taken up here in the right spirit. The people realise Hie possibilities and there are the resources within the district to carry the great project through. Just as the event marks an important epoch in the history of the provincial gold field, so the celebration will usher in a new era for the whole Crust. Client changes are to come to pass, and with tho growth of population, and the means for quicker locomotion, coupled with the new markets available, the district will have the opportunity to come into its own. The people are about to use that opportunity to good advantage. and carrying on in the same spirit will make the event one of the greatest of all in the long and interesting history of the West Coast.