The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is in corporated the West Coast Times. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 5th, 1926 STATE INTERFERENCE

Hokitika Guardian, 9 February 1926, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is in corporated the West Coast Times. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY sth, 1926 STATE INTERFERENCE

I’m: eoneluiting potion of the remarks by S.r Harold Beaiicliamp, pub.ishod yesterday, conlained some interesting eoiiiment which will he approved Tory generally. He is reported to have said: “It would he very helpful j| the Stale interfered less in comii:er. ial matters. Control boards, pools, and embargo are not conducive to e.v ponding business. Alter all, it is the efforts of the individual that the prosperity of the country depends on, and not mi the Government control of industries -and embargo on exports.” The speaker in question must he accepted as an authority on the economic situation of tlie country. Over and over again in times past when Chairman nt the Bank ol Nev. /calami. his dictum “went” with the Government ami Irequontly was quoted. Something of tile conclusions of Sir Harold Beauchamp have stirred the mind of the Prime Minister, for in some of the elo. tioii manifestoes issued over the name of Air Coates, there was the use frequently of the catch phrase or slogan : “More business in Government and less Government in business. Now that the 10mindcr is given of such a policy being essential for New Zealand, the Prime Minister will recall his own utterances and should give the matter serious thought. In addition, it would be well to realise further the truth of Hie statement that il is on “the efforts of tbs individual that Hie prosperity of the eoimtr depends.” and that unless this is fully appreciated, the Government will go on sapping, if not closing up, the efforts of the individual to create progress with normal enterprise. If the individual with money available is to he cheeked in his enterprises with restrictions, and an embargo, such will he fatal to trading, for then the hulk of business inut decline, and to that extent prosperity will fade. Pursuing the ordinary avenues of industry calling for labour and general reproductiveness. it will ho for the good of the country to give more freedom in trading, and less enforcement of strangling prohibitions. There is too much of “Thou Shalt Not” growing up in the industrial world, and this is souring the individual who has the capacity and means to do more and more in the way of extending business. ff such an enterprising individual finds himself hampered and hemmed in hv regulations of n restrictive nature, lie will he discouraged seriously. and that will he harmful to the common weal. AVe do not know whether Hie now Ministers will bring to the Cabinet a better sense and understanding of business development, lnit if not, Mr Coates will have occasion to regret his choice. Our meagre population must needs lie increased, and the host way to do so is to find work for those eager to come here. If industries are menaced with restrictive legislation the expansion so desirable will not accrue, and development must lie bumpered very greatly. Realising to the full wluit Sir Harold Beauchamp means by the efforts of Hie individual supplying our wealth, it is apparent that the more individuals are well settled and employed here tlie better, it should be the task of the Government to do all in its power by freer trading to expand Hie existing industries and afford scope for others to ho developed here. The need of the country is certainly in that direction if the Dominion is to attain the destiny it is possible for so fine a country to achieve. The Prime Minister has opening and opportunity to review the national policy at tills juncture to that desirable euu.