WELLINGTON NOTES.

Hokitika Guardian, 8 June 1923, Page 1

WELLINGTON NOTES.

SURREY OF WHEAT. GROWERS’ DEMANDS. [Special To The Guardian.] WELJHNGTON. June 6. What loukcd very much like an inspired message was distributed from Ashburton b.v the Press Association a day or two ago implying that if the wheat growers of Canterbury were not assured of "a reasonable Stateguaranteed price,” the sowing for the approaching season would he one-third less than that of last season. The message has relived in a mild form the old controversy over farmers’ subsidies ami the “Rost'' expresses in its own fashion an opinion on the subject which is pietty generally held here.

“It is undoubtedly mud desirable," it says, “that tiii- country should be self-supporting in regard to wheat and Hour and their derivaties : but that •self-reliance can he too expensive. New Zealand is an island country, as Britain is. and yet bread is 25 per cent dearer here than in Britain, and Jo per cent dearer than in Australia where the price of wheat is about the same as in New Zealand.” Scarcely more than a year ago the Alinister of Agriculture, as became a good freetrader, expressed approval of the discontinuance of the wheal and butter subsidies, hut apparently since then, if all one hears i-. true, he has repented *'f his hasty speech.

SIR JOSEPH WARD’S CRITICISM Competent authorities here whip careful In explain that they do nol share Sir Joseph Ward's gloomy view of Hie financial condition of the Do minion, confess to having a good deal nt sympathy with the ex-l.ibcral lead- - Ciitiei-m of t lie Oovernmeoi's heavy taxation and lavish expenditure. Air Alassey. they say. lie..- well-nigh exhausted the patience of some of hibesi political friends by his reluctance to make substantial reductions in the taxation placed upon industry and ctiterpiise during the war. They remember I hat he was not alone responsible ior the excessive demands tna.de upon companies when huge sums of money were required for national purposes, hut they ;il-o remember that he largely increased these demands aftei the armistice and that he has not yet tinkled the question with the understanding and courage it demands. Then they declare that the ndininisLrntive expenditure has been maintained at lur to.i high a level and that the public works expenditure has been allowed to mount up without any considered regard to the straightened finnan* i'ial conditions of the country or to the returns likely to lie obtained from [lie

expenditure. In short, they go along way towards agreeing with Sir Joseph Ward, without giving any countenance to what they conceive to he his political aspirations, AIR MASSEY'S REPLY. The Prime .Minister's reply to Sir Joseph Ward’s imliet.incut covers most of the ground traversed by the cxl.ihcral leader fairly ellVetiinlly : but here again dr .Massey’s friendly critics find llnvs in his defence. Sir •Joseph Ward, they say. was obviously referring in company taxation alien he stated the maximum rate in England was iniii-h less than that in New Zealand. Id lion he was speaking of the maximum rt'ic of | income lax on individuals wa- only a ' political ruse to put an opponent in ; the wrong. Put the Prime .Minister wa- cm it led to plead 1 hal he had spam millions in i louring up tie* aftermath i.: tho war and in pioviding the •oldi'Ts ii!i l.oiec- and (iiri.is It iirv.c iliat Sir .I,: •: j■ h Ward had ilggeste.l a different method u! linnneiiig the housing and sot t!c on lit M'iicmes. hut It was not no itable to Parliament and its so pariori ;y niUst remain only a matter of opinion. The fault the critics hate lo find hen- i-, mu tlnil the .seventeen or eighlo n millions sol ii«idi* by s-ij- e:Ji Ward when Finance .Minister in the National Cabi-

m-t weiv spent. but limi they were very recklessly spent to Die disadvantage ( ,f maiiy of the men concerned. This is a faniili-ir ver-ii n ol an old story and only the years can tell whether or not ii will be jusibied by recull s. N !-l W .Ml NIST FUS. Speeubition Us to the now Ministers .Mr A! a - se.v will ask tine GovernorGeijernl to appoint is us-.iiming a wider ranee as Die op.-nine' of the session ol Parliament approm-' is. it seems to be taken for grind ed tlmt .Mr Coates will relieve .Mr (tutlicit* of the portfolio of Railways; Imt Dils tralisi.-i would lielo Mr Ainss-v only a very small way towards ibe s Motion of Ins trouble-;. The •'Dominion'' discussion the matter yesterday readied a sugges. tivo (oiulu-.iou. "All hough experience lias its value and claims to re. con-nil ion.” it said, "the mere longl h of time a member lias been in the House is in itself unimportant in comparison with Ins ability and general fitness to underlake ministerial responsibility.’’ This i s taken in some f|ii:irU'-rs as a feeler on behalf of .Mr F. T. Kolh-sliiii. the iii-w ineinher Inr Timaru. who has had much experience in local government and would brine: to the Cabinet many useful fliiit 1 it:os as well a- a great name. Viewed from the galleries. liowever. none of the more active aspirants lor odirp lias greater ebiims to recognilion tl-nn has Mr A'oung, the member for Waikato. Of ail t!;o oiil lianils on the ((oveiMiiieni side of the House ho : s the best equipped.