The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. SATURDAY, MAY 21st. 1927. POLITICAL POINTS.

Hokitika Guardian, 21 May 1927, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. SATURDAY, MAY 21st. 1927. POLITICAL POINTS.

Tun Prime .Minister’s speech this week w-ns not remarkable for any outstanding political points which would give much id' a lead as to the political future. He stressed once again the points of his programme put before the electors at the last election, but this action only emphasised how far short of performance the Government policy lias been. Mr Coates professes to look forward to the fuLure with a good deal of confidence and promises a flood ol legislation. The essential matters, bearing on land and finance were named specially. but nothing is given of tile trend of (lie policy in these matters. He attacks the land policy of the Leader ol the Opposite a to whom lie paid a good deal of attention, but the Prime Minister did not come forward with any policy in its place. The virtue about Mr Holland's policy is that lie proposes to do something—something by the way with which we do not generally agree—but Mr Coates fails to offer even anything which may be criticised. The failure of tbo present party in power is perhaps best evidenced by the • dearness of money, and the inability of the Government to do anything in the way of restoring public confidence so as to assure the position and brighten 11 10 financial burden. Tbo rural credit- scheme is not over promising as was made rather plain by the Minister of Finance. The money available for rural credits is very restricted and is likely to remain so, and from that quarter there is not much prospect of relief. The customs tariff is io be revised, but nothing is said of llie possible revision except the bint to assist tbo secondary industries. A primary industry, such as sawtnilliiig is allowed to languish through without the promise- of any immediate relief, and though ‘‘loss Government in business” is reiterated once again, the Government control methods in timber export is still continued. Mr Coates lias a bard row to line in the coining session, and the country generally is expecting the Government to give a lead .in the present critical times. In many centres mem are clamouring again for work, which suggests that the Minister's late scheme of work is not operating successfully. What- is required is to lift the cloud settling down <ll the country as a result of the dull times. The dearness of money' must assist to make matters more difficult. The Minister of Finance expressed regret that the banks had taken the stops they bad to rise interest rates, but was evidently without any suggestion to meet the difficulty. The drifting is not a pleasant prospect with so .much of the winter still abend. Something should bo done to lift the restriction on trade as affected hv the control methods. The difficulty created in regard to butter, timber and even honey, by methods of irksome control, are all too manifest and have contributed in no small way towards the general impasse. Tf Mr Coates desires to communicate his confidence to the people lie must bo more positive in bis statements and tlie expounding of a gencr- , nus. helpful policy is what, is most desirable to help the position just now. His difficulties are appreciated, but there is too much rest and be thankful about the manner in which the position is faced, while at the same time the difficulties are not minimised by tlie rate of borrowing indulged in, and which from the simple statement of tlie Minister of Finance, is still to be continued. With no immediate hope of tapering off in borrowing, ,tbe general outlook is anything but promising.