The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is in corporated the West Coast Times. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1925. PROGRSSIVE PRINCIPLES.

Hokitika Guardian, 21 October 1925, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is in corporated the West Coast Times. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1925. PROGRSSIVE PRINCIPLES.

In (he enin>e ot his address at the Prim-css Theatre last- night, Mr Seildon. naturally at some length, telcrted to the [ilanks of the National Party. The proposal- are |o| prngrr-xivc advaneenient along the lines ol l.iheral principles which plated New Zealand in the forefront, and Mhieh the suereeding governments have not repealed. Despite the fact that there was much opposition to many of the enactments. it remained to l.e seen that m regard to several measures, the following administrations sought to improve and expand the honeficiont logisKtrinn of the Liberals. With that there can he no i|tiarrel. But there were some measures which though not repealed, were ignored. They are laws with a [lower for good, and they are needed very much to-day. Such a measure as the Kami for Settlement Act might well he operating to-day with a view to [Hitting more people on the land. Gnlv it should lie done in a reasonable

vv.'i.v, pointing to success such ns was achieved with the Cheviot estate, ami not in the wild sea iter-cash policy as marked the finding of land for the soldiers. Sir John McKenzie’s measure of 1 SOI* was operated hy the Liberals 3 with marked success, as Mr Sodden explained. an it would he well indeed to see the administration of those days revived now, so that more people might [ be afforded the opportunity to go on * the land. Then there was the famous measure | doled hy Sir Joseph Ward, - governing advances to settlers and J workers. This benign net working ro- * gulnrly and steadily, v as something akin to a rural hank. Tn the later years there has been a shortage of money and the ltonofits of the measure have not been obtainable at all ’» readily. Thousands of applications are waiting to ho dealt with, and in the prolonged wait, there has arisen a demand for the agricultural hank. Had funds been provided regularly for reasonable advances to settlers and workers. there would never have l>eon the insistent demand there is now for a state hanking system. With foods for state advances, interest charges would have been kept down, and no doubt there would have been more public i money available for lending purpose*. ■ This branch of the administration requires a careful overhaul to ensure the present position being well met. and it is in that direction the \ational policy should be shaped. Excessive borrowing ■ should he cheeked. There is a great programme outlined for public works expenditure, hut while it may lie necessary. the country should not he committed beyond its means and present time resources. The loan bill has mounted un tremendously, and to accomplish all that has Ix-en laid out. borrowing must go on to do the jobs within the time, but there should he a careful assessment to ascertain whether the Dominion <::ui do all that is being asked of it within the period laid down. In other words, the question is whether the rate of expenditure in the country, not only for public works, but also for education, and such other headings, is not Iveyond the means of production to-day. With shorter hours, less work, and frequent interruption to trade by strikes and hold-ups. there is a serious curtailment in the average rate of production. It is from that source that the main return to meet public indebtedness comes, and knowing that, a restriction is inevitable. The ability of the country to foot annually the i enormous interest bill mounting up. ’ should be fully weighed. The fiiinn- ; eird outlook for the country should he i the main concern of those in Purlin- < ment. Tn private business the necessary precautions have to be taken well t in advance. In public business there s is not the same close scrutiny, yet ft 1

i' no less urgent. At tlie present juiictnre, with the present trading outlook and the debt the country is carrying, any candidate appearing on the hustings and offering the people toe earth is promising something Ic can only attempt by impoverishing the people as a "hole. On that neemint it appears to us that a revival of the steady, selfreliant principles of Liberal administration in times past, is the best tiling that can happen to New Zealand in these difficult times. Mr Sodden in his Speech emphasised what should lie done ill a reasonable way. and we believe such a policy to he the safest to pursue at this juncture. MV believe, ton. such will come to pa made to fusion suggested that a coalition "ill he inevitable when the strength of the parties is revealed after 'polling day. The country uain „ •stable

and sane government., an. l got somethin:' where one i arty tries to outbid the oilier with policies impossible of effective nraeiiee. Mr Sodden stands

for security in government and national aspirations. His loyalty is proved beyond question. He has the welfare of his homeland at heart. and knowing and known as he is. will lie n useful figure in the active parliameniary life of the country. Mr Seddon for' hi- past service, deserves well of the people. There is the promise of useful services to come, and in him Westland "ill have a representative fully to he trusted wherever he may go in the service of the people.