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Hokitika Guardian, 20 July 1926, Page 1

prise. Government and private enterprise in its many phases is indissolubly linked together. In tho rational order of things one cannot exist without the other.

Persons with myopic vision who assail private enterprise, do so without the most elementary consideration of the known laws of economics. In tho sano organisation of society. Government is essentially paternal in its attitude to private enterprise. No Government which had any desire to prolong its existence would attempt to hinder enterprise of value to the whole State. The pioneer afforestation companies possess the confidence of the business community, and distinguished commercial leaders have shown their belief in afforestation by becoming associated intimately with the oldest established and most reputable companies.

•So far, no charge of mismanagement lias been brought against private companies doing afforestation work, and those eoniphnies which effectively safeguard the money belonging to investors will undoubtedly progress to realms las yet undreamed of. . A captious critic who gravely doubted the honesty of private enterprise, recently suggested that the Government should take over tlie management and trusteeship of all private afforestation companies; a proposition which would make even the most dauntless Prime Minister suffer qualms when the purchase price of the companies came up for consideration. Of course, we must recognise that all life is speculative and every action of frail humanity is fraught with uncertainty. If the Government was piepared to eliminate private enterprise from tho particular field of afforestation activities it is quite possible that some private companies would bail such a decision as a means of gaining additional profits without the necessity of waiting till their forests had matured.

Meanwhile, it is the duty of every commonsense person to ignore inspired controversies, of which disgruntled nonentities are essentially the authors. The State is performing its mission in the afforestation cause and private enterprise is also consolidating effort for patriotism las well as profit.