WELLINGTON NOTES.

Hokitika Guardian, 9 August 1924, Page 2

WELLINGTON NOTES.

R EPU BLIC A N A SSOC I ATI ON. (Special to “Guardian”.) WELLINGTON, Aug. G. Following on the cabled news of the trouble in Ireland over the boundary question, a meeting of the Irish Republican Association formed some time ago was held in Wellington towards the week-end. when various .phases of the Irish struggle were traversed by speakers. the failure of the treaty to provide a satisfactory solution being emphasised. A collection was taken up lor the funds of St. Kndn, a school founded in Dublin for the education of Irish youth. It is a pity that such an association exists here, for it is bound to result in the formation of an opposition organisation, just as tho Catholic Federation resulted in the Protestant Association being established. No doubt the members of the Republican Association are moved by tl.y strongest feelings of patriotism, hut are they wise in their movement. New Zealand has no concern in Irish affairs, and if Old World feuds are to Ik* maintained here it would not be for the good of tin* Dominion. Such meetings as thatheld by tin: Republican Association are explosive in their nature, and everyone will regret to see any further developments in respect of this Association. The people of New Zealand have quite enough to do in minding their own business of developing the resources of the Dominion. FOOD TANKS.

Wellington people are becoming very restive over food taxes and have been not a little amused at the manoeuvring to have some of these taxes raised. It has been clearly demonstrated that wheat cannot he grown in the Dominion under present conditions at a prolit. Government has tried price guar-

antee. pools, control, prohibition of imports, high duties, and still the wheat growers have failed to provide the Dominion with its full supply "f brendstuffs. It is obvious that in the near future New Zealand must import

a certain quantity of wheat annually. That being so, it is causing people to wonder why the duty on wheat is being maintained and duty mi flour increased, which will mean dear bread, and that will hurt flu* Wellington people. We have no interest in Hour mills or in wheat production and that perhaps makes us wish for free trade in breadstuffs. Not so very long ago alarm was felt here at the request of the sugar refinery workers fo a continuation of the duty on sugar which was imposed as a temporary measure. Wo were assured that the Chelsea Works would lie closed and a Number of workers thrown out of employment. Now we find that sugar is to he reduced by CJ per ton. What happy circumstances make this possilhe 'i It will not be claimed that the Company is actuated by any feelings of generosity. Tt is the effect of the competition of other sugars. The reduction indicates that we have been paying C 3 per ton too much for sugar. In view of this "Parliament is not likely to maintain tho duty. The present Government is responsible for the present dearness of bread, for it was the tariff of 1921 that the present duties on wheat and flour were fixed. All the special pleading of the Minister of Agriculture will nut wipe this out. MR ROLI.KSTON’S finance.

The Wellington papers did not discuss the scheme of national finance suggested by the member for Timaru with any fairness. It has been treated from the party point of view and the Reform journal has analysed views expressed by other city papers and asserts that the majority is against the scheme. Sound business men and Guise familiar with finance hero are inclined to take a different view. It is pointed out that Mr Rollestou’s scheme is not knew, for it is being practised by the Chancellor of the Exchequer. The surplus in the British Budget has a 1 wavs been applied lo the reduction of debt! ami that i' what we want to see here so as to pill a stop to the scheming ol the Minister of Finance and the Treasury to produce a surplus which can be ’ applied as the Government thinks lit. Mr Bolleston goes further

and suggests that the people should he taxed for the express purpose of paying oil' debt which obtains in Britain hut is not required here, because the hulk of the our loan expenditure is reproductive, and a sinking fund has been established for the repayment of debt to which the taxpayers contribute. It is held that the reduction of the war debt should lie the constant concern of the Government and the surplus should have been applied in this direction. Here it is necessary to reduce taxation for it is not politic to lax the people who are engaged in the development of the country. Our pivsi'iu system oi finance is an enormous ciu'ciuriiKOinenl to extravagance. £3,000,000 has been borrowed for public'works, £1.000,000 has been taken from the surplus, and money is to he obtained under the guarantee scheme of the British Government. A very large percentage of the money wilt go to maintain inflation.

Wo have received the following information I rum Glassott’s Yv arehnuse, "Christchurch, and advise readers to act quickly:—A few only small women’s navy tweed coats sent post paid for 18s fid. Naturally it will he advisable not to delay. Boys’ all-wool tweed sports suits, auv size, 27s fid. Men’s all-wool dark tweed sac suits 40s fid, ladies’ velour coats, fawns and greys 18s (id. These have lieeu reduced from 84s, and the quality will give years of wear. Money will he refunded oi goods exchanged if any of tlieso goods are not approved. Glassons Marehouse, Of! Lichfield Street, Christchurch.—Advt.