The Guardian (And Evening Star, with which is in corporated the West Coast Times.) FRIDAY, MAY 16th, 1924.

Hokitika Guardian, 16 May 1924, Page 2

The Guardian (And Evening Star, with which is in corporated the West Coast Times.) FRIDAY, MAY 16th, 1924.

TRUST IN THE PEOPLE. Tits late Rt. Hon. AY. E. Gladstone laid it down that the principle of Liberalism is trust in the people, qualified by prudence. Pursuant to that dictum the present Liberal-Labor leader, Air AVilford, with some of his lieutenants, has set out on a tour of tho electorates represented by Reform member*, to expound the Liberal policy,

ami to invite a. renewal of the former trust ol thi' people in the Liberals at the next time of asking at the polls. Tile Liberal policy is one of liberty and freedom, tree from da.ss ascendency. and from injurious privileges and monopolies. Reform has been long enough in office now to be found out, and in his address nr Napier ihi.s week. Air Wilford was able to traver.se ihe policy of the Government on many points. A single speech would not suf. tiee to rover all the ground, hut in dealing with financial aspects only. Air Willord was able to expose the many shortcoming- of tin Government, shortcomings which are i listing the -oimtry very dear 10-dav in tho way of heaped up taxation, and from tionernl maladministration sta lijais lias arisen from the soldier settlenient scheme which was put thiough on such ill-considered line.-. The Liberals ean look bad; alwnvs with pride nt the really remarkable success which attended the financial policy of the party when in power from the time of Ifon. John Ralbtnce onward. New Zealand, under the Liberals. achieved a great record financially. It started out with the selfreliant policy when faking office following Sir llarry Atkinson, and never turned bink. Again when the period of the Coalition parly was served, a Liberal again was in charge of the national finances and Sir Joseph Will'd once njtiin distinguished himself by his magnificent handling under most trying circumstnner.s. Mention <4 the mime of Sir Jo-epli reminds us of some recent comment on the financial position of New /calami in the Sydney ‘■'Herald", wherein appeared the follow, ine; “In New Zealand, ns elsewhere, most of tile political problems hinge on the question of finance, anil in this domain of polities the personnel of the Dominion Parliament- is deplorably weak. Air A! a.ssey, the Prime Alini-tor. who lm- charge of the Aliiii.strv of Finance, has many admirable qualities. He is a good party leader, r. mail of .shrewd common sense, a rapid weaker. indicating an alert mind, and lie possesses a good deal ol courage. His upbringing, however, has not fitted him for tile Treasury. Mis admirers are proud of saying, and it is literally true, that lie went from the plough to the political arena, where he fought with stubborn perseverance through years of opposition to the office ol Premier, which he has held since the middle of 1912. But Air Alassoy has had no business training and experience, such as aided Sir Joseph Ward, for instance, in Ins long career under the late Air Seddou, in his ow'n Government from 11)0(1 to 1912, and as Finance Alinistor in 1..« National Ministry from 1915 to HII9. It is a fact that the financial position of New Zealand has gone away under loss capable control than that of Sir Joseph Ward, whose long and successful commercial career, plus his personal acumen, have given him a kind of financial instinct. Some of his policy measures may, of course, he criticised and disagreed with, but it is sab- to say that generally throughout New Zealand the public would be, more than satisfied /f it could lie arranged to see Sir .Tosept Ward again ill charge of the national purse" The Reform Government is content to go on taxing and borrowing without any concrete scheme for relief or repayment of the debt. Hairhazard reduction of taxation is proposed, and at the moment Air Massey has called to his aid a special committee to advise him on the point. AVe can hardly imagine Sir Joseph Ward or the Liberals being so bare of financial initiative as to pursue such a course. Then in regard to surplus money received in excess of expenditure, that is usually “collared" by the present Government for further expenditure, whereas it was the policy of the Liberals to utilise the money for relief in iiebt reduction or other purposes for tho financial credit of the country. Tt would be well if the people would begin to turn over in their minds the rival policies of Reform and Libera's in regard to finance and study where safety is to be found, and added security for the present and future good government of tho Dominion.