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Hokitika Guardian, 8 November 1924, Page 2

A not 11 Kit session of the New Zealand Parliament lias been brought to sin end. Tin: Government has survived even with its slender majority, the pal tv bolding most loyally together. The pro-I.iberals who went over to the UnwnmuMit their coinpait to support -Mr .Massoy against a pus-sihlo change to Labor, and Rcloriu was able to bold on to office, Recently t"o Government supporters became tractions but not determined enough actually io seek to oust the Ministry. But .Mr Massey found himself hampered by his slender majoiity ami was not able to put through all the legislation he brought down. Some notable measures were withdrawn because of the adverse comment. The Prime Minister elected to be discreet rather than valorous. But at least there was no tapering off in tin* borrowing proclivities. On all possible occasions authority for fresh loans have been taken, and as Hie market served, Mr Massey was not slow to take advantage of the position. The trend of the Government policy in this respect lias been to border on recklessness, for already, there is an enormous public debt demanding hugi annual payments to meet interest and sinking fund. Vet the debt is added to whenever the market serves, for the Government has unexhausted burrowing powers, thanks to a pliant Ilou.se which has gianted authority whenever the request has been made. The session has been a loquacious one to very little advantage, 'I here was a stonewall which delayed business towards the end of the session, and caused the filial stages ,governing many important measures to be rushed unduly. Mr Massev managed the House with bis usual tact and ability, born of bis great parliamentary experience, tie rose superior to every difficulty in keeping with bis recard, which is an outstanding one. seeing that he is the only Premier within the Empire who has been in office continuously since war broke out in lON. The intervening ten years have been troublous times, with much difficulty and unsotHenient. It is to the ( red it of Mr Massey that he has been equal to all emergencies and has weathered the many political and even national gales he has had to encounter during the period referred to. Undoubtedly lie is the strong man of the House, and he has used that strength not unfairly. It is perhaps fair to say that the shortcomings of the session are due as much to the members of the House individually as to the leader, who naturally makes the pace in keeping with the driving force. This is another way of saving that the House is not as strong itself as it might he, lint the Government cannot he blamed for that. That cliarge is against the electors who are probably looking forward to next year as o'-time for new deeision though at the moment with Mr Massey’s star in the ascendent, a probable change is not likely.”

Tiik uil't of C--00 to the "Westland Hospital ~ building filial by tbe Trustees of the Hokitika Savings Bank, not only marks a very Generous act. but shows that ns occasion demands the local institution can apply its surplus funds to a very useful purpose. All Westland must be proud of its tine hospital institution, which is now so well found, and the act of the Bank Trustees in this matter will be approved generally as the surplus funds could hardly go to a more deserving object. The local hospital is l>eing specially well equipped and the gentlemen directing its fortunes give much time and attentionto the best conduct of the institution. For some time the administration has been hampered by the want of funds owing to circumstances beyond the control of the Board. The grant now made will earn a subsidy of £'ooo, so that the Hospital Board will derive a benefit 0f..£1,0C0 from the ready and generous act of the Savings Bank Trustees. This will free the Board from pressing financial difficulties, and carry it through the remainder of the finhP-

cial year without serious difficulty. The gilt is one which will he appreciated no doubt by the ratepayers of both town and country, for it relieves them in turn of an amount equal to the grant—-which is a. very substantial sum. The money will enable the liability inclin'd in regard to the isolation ward to be liquidated. That ward was essential and was lately in full use. It was a. very good purpose to which to apply the money, and all concerned are to be congratulated on the outcome of Thursday’s deputation. The gift is certainly a good advertisement for the Savings Bank, again calling to miml the usefulness of the institution to the community without affecting its financial stability.