PRESS COMMENTS.

Hokitika Guardian, 18 May 1927, Page 3

PRESS COMMENTS.

)\ e are told that lack of land for use is handicapping the success of the Government's immigration policy. Wo do not doubt it. But in that case what of the huge area of freehold land just “ held,” unoccupied and unused. How comes it that it is profitable to somebody that land should lie held unused and unoccupied ? If the Government is looking for a land policy here is a part of one, at least—to render it unprofitable for anybody to hold land under conditions so gravely menacing the welfare of the country and thwarting its productiveness. How is this to he bettered? Is it not by a drastic differentiating land tax striking hard those who hold lands unprofitable to the .State ?—Napier “ Telegraph.”

The Government of the Dominion is wisely not committing itself to any fresh undertaking with respect to immigration so long as there is any extensive volume of unemployment in the Dominion. While there is no question of the capacity of this country to support a very much greater population than it does, care is of course necessary to ensure that the volume of immigration is at no time greater than the country's immediate power of absorption. This explains why redistribution of population within, the Empire is necessarily but a slow process. It is admitted even by the loader of the Labour Party in New Zealand, Unit the Dominion could easily carry a population of ten millions. The future will no doubt prove that this estimate is well within the mark. And in the face of that conclusion the protests against imniegratioii which so frequently emanates from members of the Labour Party cannot be logically sustained. always provided that the Dominion is industrially in a position, at the time the immigrants arrve, to absorb them and provide a fooling for them.—-“Otago Daily Times.”

The rise in the expenditure is a little disturbing. The Government cannot suddenly reduce tho expenses of administration by :m appreciable amount, but substantial reductions can be made by steadily pursuing a policy of economy. But the Government can. and should, see to it that the expenditure does not increase at all. and it ought certainly to avoid making any proposals which wil Imean new charges on tho Consolidated fund. This ought to be a general ride for the Government of tho day. even when the sun of prosperity is high in a cloudless sky. hut it is unusually urgent and important just now. Everyone is thinking about the fact that our social organisation has been based upon export price levels that are not now strong enough to support high living. 'lbis fact ought to find recognition by the Government in the form of a policy ol rigid economy and a determination that the cost of administration shall lie reduced. and kept at a lower figure for some vears.—Christchurch ‘‘Press.

Every farmer worth his salt should ho a member ul the Farmers’ L niun. and we cannot help believing that he would lie if the union were a really galvanic force. Ihe tanners should know best what treatment could most effectually lie applied to the solution ol the fanners’ problems, and they should present a demand for quick action a demand hacked by tbe lull strenglh of the farming population whipped into line by a union that is an inspiration, instead of one that appears to lie eternally apologising lor its existence. H should not lie difficult to recruit as many thousands as the membership now numbers hundreds in this district j| the union decided on a policy of direct action, and used its power to force* compliance with its wishes. 1 hat. it seems to us, would bring results in a Dominion which has lor so many vears been exporting relic! to conic out of the skies. This is not critiiism but advice issued in a kindly spirit to nu organisation that is obviously exci ting only a fraction of its full weight in the* national struggle.—“ Southland Dailv News.”

It does not matter which Government is in power; there is always an annual loan, with an increasing interest bill and an increasing taxation. It is generally recognised that it is lime that this policy should ho checked and more business-like methods adopted for the control of Government and local finance. Most private individuals find that they have to do without many things, because they cannot afford them ; and the same policy should operate to keep the ambitions of our local bodies within hounds.— ‘'Hawke’s llav Herald.”

A special committee, in a report, expressed the opinion that increasing unemployment was mainly due to unsound social industries, fisonl legislation was advocated, legislation restoring freedom of contract in marketing of produce, and offering or acceptance of unemployment, subject to reasonable safeguards for the health, safety and well-being of wage earners: that unemployment was intensified by present high rates of taxation; the need for a longer range planning of public works, and Government keeping in closer touch with municipalities and other local bodies with a view to registration of projected schemes of work, and the need for a more careful regulation of the volume of assisted immigration.