PRESS COMMENTS.

Hokitika Guardian, 24 August 1926, Page 4

PRESS COMMENTS.

-The question whether incomes should be taxed on a different method cannot he positively determined ; only a timid Treasury opposes the contention that the taxes should he reduced. It is difficult to determine whether the operation of the Customs tariff is equitably balanced, but there is no doubt that its aggregate effect, is oppressive, and that by a simnlo modification of the existing duties the Government could both give relief to the community and materially encourage trade with Britain. No objection can be offered against the A 1 blister's decision to postpone action in regard to the complicated problem of tho'principles of taxation, blit there are the weightiest reasons for expressing disappointment at liis persistent refusal to consider tile possibility of immediate action upon the simple question of using available resources to reduce taxation this year.—“ New Zealand Herald.”

It is hardly necessary to recall that, when it became necessary to acquire land for soldier settlement, peak prices were prevailing, and land was changing hands freely, and had, on the returns that wore being secured for its products, a value that was never previously reached. The inflated values could not last, but the Government would have been severely criticised had it “ gone slow ” in the matter of purchasing lands for repatriation at such a time. The loss that lias been incurred is, of course, regrettable, but the country must needs put up with it. It will do this with a better grace for the knowledge that the effect of the procedure which entails tlio writing off of so much capital lias been to put the soldier settlers oil an altogether more promising looting.—“ Otago Daily Times.”

Public schoolboys have been brought to New Zealand in large numbers and . trained on farms on the understanding i Chat land will lie available for tliemj fur settlement when fully trained. Where that hind will come from is a| question that cannot be answered, and , the problem which will lace the Gov- ' eminent in a few years’ time is a very real one. There is a tremendous land shortage for would-be settlers who were born in the Dominion, and if the only ( available land is to lie set aside for these immigrants there will he an out-j cry from one end of the Dominion to the other. The whole question of ini- j migration needs careful overhauling, | and meantime it is obvious that in- j creased immigration on tile lines sug- j gested by Air Poison would he very 1 unwise.—Auckland “ Star.”

The policy of the Railway Department is to seek and to make business —-not to wait for it, and by rendering service and catering for the publicneeds to merit public support. It should succeed. If it renders equal service to that offered by its rivals, the fact that the railways arc a State enterprise should turn the scale in their favour. It is to the mutual interests of the Department and public that the Dominion’s railways should be made to pay. Mr Coates, as the Minister directly responsible, has inaugurated a progressive policy ; it is for the shareholders in tlie concern—the general public —to second his efforts by all possible co-operation.—“ Waikato Times.”