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Hokitika Guardian, 19 June 1926, Page 2

Tm: Speech from the Throne at the somewhat informal opening of Parliament on Thursday, owing to the indisposition of the Governor-General, was well patterned on former Speeches. Mr Coates followed the usual traditions, recounting ancient history in solemn form, and giving an address of length, without breadth or depth. The Prime Minister of a new regime might have introduced changed methods to signalise the new beginning ol the new order, hut Parliament is t.o wag ns before. The Speech touches on numerous questions which will give all and sundry scope and license to talk about, and the debate oil the Ad-dress-in-Reply may he expected to run a full course, particularly with so many new voices to try the acoustics of the Chamber. The legislation already foreshadowed in regard to several matters is catalogued in brief, hut apart from the compilation of acts referred to. very little detail is offered. It is a ease, therefore, of waiting and seeing to discover the flotsam and jetsam which the Coates waves will throw upon the political shore. There is nothing very tangible to seize upon for discussion, for ibc legislation mentioned. as far as Lbe Speech is concerned, is in embryo.

Tin: Government policy whatever it may prove to be in detail will be passed. for behind the Prime Minister there is a party strong enough and united enough to assure the passage of all measures doomed expedient I'm the public good. The list ol subjects is large enough in itself to (ill a very bulky volume when xo the titles ol the I,ills arc added the details of the measures, legislation ol some moment may llp looked to in regard r several matters, hut we would like to see more personal attention irom the Cabinet to matters financial. The Ministers have delegated certain duties to a special committee, the task of which is to investigate and report regarding measures to he taken in connect ion with economy and control ot expenditure during the current liuaucial year. This is rather bald and unconvincing, particularly as three months ot the year have almost passed, and there is little outward sign of theeffect of the win's of the committee. The task set the committee is not a light one, and we would have preferred that in the six mouths which have passed since the general election, Cabinet itself with ils capacity number had tackled the situation, and ere this given sign of some practical reforms in regard to the control ol liuanec.

What we have seen has been tire notation of the six million loan, on top of a five million loan raised iin.uicdia.tolv previous. And in addition there is a declared surplus of one million one hundred and fifty thousand pounds. Jl is evident that before studying economy and the control ol oxpcuditiuo. Cabinet fortified lbe position, by raising the large sums indicated. It seems to suggest it.se 11 at once that a real desire for economy could be practised by curtailing borrowing instead ot adding so largely to the annual expenditure for interest., and the necessity of providing more money for repayments. Finance is iho most important matter for the country to consider at the moment. The trade returns combiiii?d with the fall in value for primary products, indicate a shortage of income compared with former revenue. That means operating adversely against the Dominion’s national finance. At the best now the Committee can only juggle with the position. for it has to act quickly to save or improve the, situation for the nine months of the financial year remaining. It is only temporising with the national outlook. W'lial is necessary is a financial policy dealing not only with the present, hut also for the future and it is tine hounden duty of the Government, of any Government, to declare its policy in that regard without hesitation or delay.