The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. FRIDAY, JUNE 24, 1927. PARLIAMENT OPENED.

Hokitika Guardian, 24 June 1927, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. FRIDAY, JUNE 24, 1927. PARLIAMENT OPENED.

Parliament has now set out on what is likely to be nil extended session. From nil accounts there will be many bills up for consideration, including many hardy annuals. The Speech of the Governor-General covered the usual ground in its resume of [last events and reference to the future was not very explicit. The customary pious hopes were expressed in familiar language and Parliament was declared opened. The official Opposition —the Labour Party - is not likely to hide its light under a bushel. Mr Holland will see to that, and lie has several lieutenants of loquacious ability to support him. There are not a few pegs on which Labor will delight to hang a mere or less relevant dissertation, so that we may he sure tin’s will he a wordy session. All the same, there are outstanding subjects which it i.s hoped will receive the fullest consideration and some effective attention. The general state of the country calls for that special attention, and it i.s for the Government to attempt something practical with remedial measures of administration. The prosperity of the country i.s at a discount, causing a financial stringency which in turn affects employment and the general air of progress which for sometime marked the course of events in

the Dominion. The drop in prices for primary products reacted with serious effect. There were some contriI hntory causes to that unfortunate rei suit, hut it is not possible to regu'ate prices by Act of Parliament. This country lias had experience in that direction and there is reason to believe the lesson has been learned. More borrowing is not the economic method of meeting the position, hut that is the remedy usually resorted to in times of stringency, and New Zealand has just been on the London market. The newt step is to he with regard to taxation, of which it seems there is to be more. There 3 is to be some readjustment attempted, but the net result will be more income levied from the poep'e. At the late rate of borrowing and in the state 3 of the country, without nnv other policy to meet the problems of the times. o-reater taxation appears to iho inevitable, and will have to endured for a time. The country needs renewed attention to land settlement on sound economic lines. With more people being brought into the Dominion, and the industries being over supplied with labor, there must he some outlet for the new arrivals, as also for a proportion cf the

unemployed, who could lie turned to best use by becoming producers. .More production is necessary, the more so nowadays, because with falling prices a greater volume ot exports should be available to keep up the volume of money (lowing into the country. I 11less this conics to pass there is a serious financial stringency, and that is felt by all classes of the c: nmumity. The problems of to-day call for statesmanship in Parliament. There must be a measure of boldness as there was in 1891 and the following years when the Liberals bad to light the country's affairs under the BallmiceSetblou Governments. The regrettable aspect now is that there is far too little sign of the boldnesss so desirable. The Speech is not specially encouraging in that direction, hut it i.s hoped the session will not be confined to bum drum legislation only. Imt there will be some ilciiueil move to restore prus- | rity by establishing confidence- in the minds of the people at lnr.e so that the best use may be made of this wonderful country.