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Hokitika Guardian, 29 August 1924, Page 2

Tiikuh was an interesting contributed article in Wednesday's issue regarding the subject of laud and income taxation. The stibjei t- of national finance is one open always for free discussion,

for there are ctcr phases cropping up

which open the way to commelit more ot less critical. Parliament is to deal very intimately with the .subject o!

taxation this session, and the opportunity will lead up to the whole subject being brought under review. The need for taxation is governed of course by the expenditure involved. To ensure

a reduction in taxation, calls for the closest economy in expenditure. In any administration expenditure which is essential, it- i.s well to sec that the outlay is not extravagant, and that, value is received lor the expenditure.

On these lines expenditure may he made always to justify itself, and in cases recoup itself to a considerable de-

gree. Indeed, without due care and economy it will he lull'd to reduce taxation, which i.s the special Source of income whence is drawn the power to carry on expenditure. In arrivng at what might- he considered equitable taxation, in relation both to taxpayer and the incidence itself, it is worth while giving special consideration to the more economical side of the question. When it is stated that in three financial years, from 1918 to 1921. the administrative expenditure of the State Departments in the Dominion increased by no less a sum than £12,948.443. i: can he understood that, it will he a

strange circumstance indeed if the I railing knife of economy could not Ik* used with some relief for the taxpayer >n such a huge outgoing. The Tax-

payers' Association, as a. matter of laet, took the matter up and was nhio to show that in many directions departmental expenditure was excessive, and it hits Peon possible to curtail ii con. siderahly. On examination, it was found, for instante. that several departments were overstaffed. The Railway Department was found to !>o in that category and along with others, it became possible to reduce salary lists as retirements and reductions could he made. While it is ucevissarv to

secure the highest efficiency in the ) i,: ic senile, it should he possible to ttlain that goal at a lesser tost than it present has to he met by the century. and gi-.ett the result, the way w ill ie made easier for Government to tone.' taxation, and tints free more money

for greater production and further legitimate enterprise in trade and industry.

Tbh Labor members in Parliament- are complaining of the policy of the Government in importing coal in huge quantities, to tho detriment of tho coal mining industry of the Dominion. While making tho complaint and railing at the Government for its policy, the Labor mem lie rs ignore the cause for the stops taken in the matter as one of public policy. The Government hui made it plain all along that coal is imported merely as an insurance premium ns R. were--* guarantee that

the coal miners in the Dominion may not strike to hold up Dominion t.rnnslort. and industry at any time merely on *he assumption that the millers control the fuel supplies. Tin’s has been made plain over and over again, and until the Labor members can put forward some guarantee oil behalf of the miners that there will he no strikes to dislocate industry or transport through the want of local coal, tl: members will continue to rail in vain. Ihe public have not forgotten what happened | reviously when advantage was taken of the position to strike when coal supplies were short. In many of the centres thousands of people went through a very cold winter or two because of the coal shortage, and it was only by the Government taking the extreme step of importing coal in huge quantities from all parts of the world, that the position was made good. That is the situation in a nutshell. Of course it has cost thousands of pounds to do what was to he done. The money has been sent out of the country, and the miners have gone short in employment often as a consequence, but there is not the fear now -if a hold-tip. which would cause incali'liable loss, and do great community harm all round, ft is a mat tel of safety fit.st. and the action of the Government has had the mural support of the people. It was the only safe w.av to break the obstructive spirit of the ill-led liien. who were the victims of had leadership. The effects are being visited on the men to-day, but it is not the fault of the Government nor tlie peo] le. The blame must 1 o sheeted home to those who otdered a paralysing strike, which, in turn, caused supplies of coal in enormous quantities to he brought into New Zealand.