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Hokitika Guardian, 24 July 1924, Page 2

Tm: request I'm an express train from Hokitika one day a week is really a modest one. It was suggested because the Saturday time-table offers facilities for our experiment with the least possible inconvenience to the daily users. Wo notice that an ex-Tra.i. Manager at Christchurch (who must be credited with some knowledge of the possible workings of the lines) t bough t the suggested express to Hokitika should lie applicable to every day of the service. No doubt that will come to pass in time, but local demands here would be satisfied for the time being if a once a week oxpicas service were establi.slnl bv way of a trial. Travellers who now take tin* motor service from Otira and roach Hokitika over an hour ahead of the train, appreciate lie saving and the convenience of early arrival. The same with the outward trip by motor; ears leave bore over an hour after ilic train departs and join up with the Midland service at Otira. As this connection is becoming more and more known it is being more fully availed of and there is the spectacle of the railway management encouraging opposition. dust to show the reasonable spirit of the people in the matter we believe that the request for the extra Monday service would he deferred if the Saturday express service were installed. The Monday service must route—sooner than later—for the in-ter-communication East and West is growing, and no doubt that extra weekly train will become part and parcel of the regular summer train running. There is of course a general demand for a quicker service right through and this must be conceded. How long tlic communities will have to wait is mnertnin. Perhaps the Railways Statement now due front the Minister of Railways will foreshadow reforms of an essential character, or it may be necessary to await the report of the English experts shortly due from Australia where they are occupied at present. Probably the shortest cut to the reforms so generallv sought throughout- the Dominion will he a radical change in the management of the railways. That alteration is believed to he not so very fur off.

Tiik Financial Statement delivered in the House last night was a voluminous reeittil of many subjects, the gist of which had lies'll publicly ventilated before. The surplus was a known quantity, and most of the proposals were predicted in advance by the Prime Minister: There is little that is new to draw attention to. and certainly no surprises. Mr Massey does not hide* his light under a bushel, and what with voluntary .statements, and the pressure from deputations, the policy of the government such a.s it is. is generally well ventilated ahead of the full dress announcement in Parliament. Mr Massey is committed to a reduction in taxation to the tune of a million, hut even in this matter lie does not take the country into his confidence, hut the inquisitive must await the details of the finance legislation liefore it is disclosed where the relief is to be enjoyed. Incidentally it' might ho mentioned Mr

M.asgey is borrowing n cool jnillion just now, so while relief in direct taxation is offered on the one hand, on the other a financial harden to the same amount is being put- upon the shoulders of the taxpayers. -Mr .Massey preaches economy, hut as usual does not practice it to any great extent relative to the large figures involved in the public expenditure. Mention of figures reminds us of the value of exports and imports for the year, showing the great advantage of the former, and the useful credit balance to the country in the way of surplus money thereby rendered available. The •splendid output from the farmers f<, produce accounts for the business credit in favour of the country. The accumulated credit balances of the public acioimt.s just now. no doubt, have assisted in helping the credit of the country as a whole, but the taxation which lias produced the surplus is having a serious affect oil the country, and the more relief the Government can afford in taxation, the better it will he for internal development. Something heroic should he done about debt reduction. It would he well to call a halt in the annual borrowing, for heavy charges are heaped on the people for years to come. There is the need now for more self-reliance. It was this which called the Liberals to office in 1891. and the whirligig of time seems to have brought a recurring period round again when another change will he necessary to give the desired relief.