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Hokitika Guardian, 15 April 1924, Page 2

Tt is clear from the cable news and the Ministerial statements that Air Massey is angling for another loan. It will he issued the moment the Home market is favorable—that is, as soon as the issue can be under-written favorably, and so ensure successful flotation. The Government unfortunately has not any financial policy. It borrows as often as it can, despite Mr Massey’s many optimistic speeches about the financial outlook, the promise of a surplus, and so on. The Government still gees on piling up the debt, and making taxation higher, because all this loan money has to lie provided for in the end out of revenue. And as regards the revenue aspect, notwithstanding the raising of additional loans, Mr Massey talks about reducing taxation, even though in the following week liabilities are to be added to the country’s burden. At tbo moment while still considering the matter of raising additional money, he has set up a special commission to find methods of reducing the burden of tbe land and in(oiue tax on the more fortunate class called upon to contribute through those channels. It is nut a commission as might he expected to review the whole incic'ence of taxation, but only a part, and that not the major part, of the revenue derived from direct taxation. All this confirms the statement that the country is without a policy in finance destined with ativ hope of relieving it from the heavy financial burdens it is bearing. Rather is it the reverse, and so we are harking Lack to the bad old Conservative days of Atkinsoiiian times, when the Liberals had to come to the rescue of the country with its self-reliant policy and put a stop to extravagant borrowing, and the desire to go on raising money without provision to repay the loans unless by adding unduly to the taxation burden. It is wellknown that taxation in New Zealand is far too high to lie pleasant, but the country will look in vain evidently for any relief while .Mr Massey is Finance Minister.

A ratiikk unusual circumstance transpired last week, when a Minister of the Crown passed through here “unhonored and unsung.” The Hon. Nos. worthy, Minsiter of Agriculture, and the Minister in Charge of Tourist liesorts, arrived in Hokitika unannounced officially, anti went on for a holiday jaunt to Wniho Gorge. This is probably the lirst occasion on record when such an evreit has happened. It is the more remarkable, because it is not so long ago that an invitation was extended to Mr Nosworthy to tour the district and note the requirement arising from tiie departmental neglect of the tourist resorts. The Minister hint promised to come in due season, blit coming, he omitted to notify his advent and made no effort to cover the ground which it was hoped he would attempt to do personally. The Minister's action, or rather inaction, appears to be in keeping with the studied neglect of tlie Department he directs, ns regards the tourist resorts of 'Westland. Just why there should he this official conspiracy is not clear. Here are all the features of a natural wonderland. Nothing is required to he done artificially to embellish wliat nature has provided. Chiefly, wliat is required are better means of communication with extensions to add to the general attractions of the natural resorts, which all who see marvel at. But the Tourist Department makes a dead set against the local resorts, even to tile length of some of its principal officers endeavoring to dissuade folk from coining this lar. This is not a random charge, nor unfortunately, an individual one. It lias recurred in times past, as it lias happened recently, and it is to he hoped the Minister will become cognisant of tie facts, and take steps to avoid a further recurrence. Meantime the advancement of the tourist resorts of the district, must lie left to local enterprise and enthusiasm, not to Government aid and direct help.