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Hokitika Guardian, 11 April 1925, Page 2

The object of the new taxes and levies in France, says another contemporary, was to balance the Budget and to enable France to m;yke a commencement

to get rid of her heavy load of debt, on which she fays a comparatively high rate of interest. Her debt has been built up by a series of heavy deficits on her revenue account during the war and post-war period, ranging in size from 6,200,000,000 francs in 1914 to 49,800,000,000 francs in 1918, and totalling, up to tho end of the last financial year, 304,900,000,000 francs. A comprehensive inventory of the French financial position was made under instructions of M. Clcmcntcl a few months ago, the result being comprised in a bulky official tome of nearly 300 pages. It concludes with an optimistic assurance that '‘France will find in the immense wealth of her territories and colonies the necessary sums for discharging the loans she lias contracted in the defence of her frontiers.” The “Economist.” 'commenting on that assurance, says British readers will probably agree that M. Clementel lias a good basis for bis faith, but adds that some of France’s money troubles have been created by her Finance Ministers, and expresses a suspicion that recent attempts at Bud-get-balancing have been ’‘achieved by a slight but gradual inflation.” An increase of the note issue to provide funds for a capital levy leaves no doubt whatever as to the element of inflation involved in the new proposals.

It is very gratifying to learn that the auxiliary water supply, tapped at Kanieri Forks, was turned on yesterday afternoon, and proved a success. The flow of water which found its way to the reservoir was at once adequate, and a store of reserve water at once began to make guod. This is very pleasing for it relieves at once the anxiety felt in regard to any emergency which might arise requiring the immediate use of a large supply of water, 'flic members of the Conns il and the staff have bad an anxious time in regard to tin 1 matter and there were unavoidable delays in securing the connection. It was a difficult piece of work to take the pipes up the bill and secure the connection in the shortest time possible, but the Borough Overseer (Mr Mefvor) and his stuff worked energetically, and the work lias been pushed through satisfactorily. One result from the free (low of water is to demonstrafe that there is not any blockage in the main ) ipe line on this side of the Forks. Evidently tliere is a hlo: kage above the Forks, and it will be the task of tho staff to locate the trouble alter the holidays. M lien that is found there should be no reason why the main pipe line should not, as heretofore, supply all the water required for the town. At the same time it will he most useful to have the auxiliary service tapped yesterday. There is ample water available to pick up at the Forks, and the supplementary supply to be obtained there will be. always, a good stand by. Tho townspeople have bad to pul up with a good deal of inconvenience during the period of shortage but in the circumstances the difficulty could not be avoided. Now that there is a second supply available, tliere should not lie in the future a lengthy bold up again. At the same time, it must not bo thought that the water supply troubles are at rest. The main service supply is in need of a good deal of attention. and the Tucker Flat section is said to lie in a state calling for early attention. H will bo for the Council to look into the position fully heliumand see that the town is not allowed to stand in serious jeopardy again Inr the want of water. As it is. the present bold up lias caused a considerable expenditure besides taking the stall away from the ordinary work about the town, which has gone back accordingly. There is thus a good deal of extra work* to provide for. and the Council must needs give flic matter special attention for a. first class water supply is essential to the health and convenience of the town. Meantime all concerned are to be congratulated that the late trouble lias been overcome, a.nd tlie position is again normal.