PRESS COMMENTS.

Hokitika Guardian, 28 July 1927, Page 1

PRESS COMMENTS.

The consumption of wealth for public ends is a part of the consumption of wealth generally. The best place for money, after the service lias paid its way and made the necessary provision for interest, .sinking fund and reasonable depreciation., is in the pockets of the people, for it will add to the demand for the services, thus producing more revenue and enabling the State to extend its operations. It remains to he seen whether the Minister of Finance will venture to lighten the burden of taxation, relying on the encouragement of industry and commerce to effect expansion that will he reileeted in a. buoyant national revenue. But something will he expected for the Postmaster-General —“Lyiton Times.”

After thirty years of arbitration, it is difficult to adjust our minds to the idea of doing without it, and it may yet he possible to preserve what is good in it. But is no use pretending any longer that the system gives satisfaction as it stands, or that anyone has enough information to say whether it should be ended or mended. The time lias come for an investigation of the whole problem of wage-fixing by a competent and wholly independent tribunal—Christchurch “Press. ’

Because Australia, mindful of the interests of tropical Queensland, places a duty on the principal Fijian articles odf export, Fiji would prefer to have closer trade relations with this Dominion than with the Commonweath. .Meantime the situation should convey to New Zealand men one valuable hint. If they wish to stimulate trade with Fiji .they will find an abundant ■.wad-will towards them there. With that, and the proposed tariff agreement. should it fie arranged, an extended field for New Zealand enterprise’ should speedily be thrown open.— 'New Zealand Herald.”

As far a.s farm lands arc concerned, the lime has surely arrived when the whole valuation system snoOKi ne over, hauled; the purely guesswork system of the past should be thrown overboard. and some system brought into vogue to levy taxation on actual selling values, not on thff fanciful “values” placed on properties by experts.” many of whom possess no practical knowledge of the work in which they are engaged.—Timaru “Post.” Farmers not only need technical education For greater efficiency in production. but they likewise need to know more about the economics of distribution and organisation. But they must think and study and act tor themselves. The authority we have been quoting declares that nothing more unfortunate has canto to agriculture than its entanglement with politics. The farm problem is an economic. Dot a. political, problem ft must he wiyad l>¥ them-

selves, with sigh assistance and aid as can be .secured from business men whose .prosperity depends upon the general welfare and stability of agriculture. “Marlborough Express.”

The tanner, so it is argued, is willing to endure the hardship and inconvenience of life on the land, always provided that the financial rewards are adequate, and tile risk of failure not too great. It is asserted that many farmers are drifting into the cities because, after a severe struggle, they are unable to make both ends meet. Whatever the explanation, an increased urban drift must ultimately mean a decrease in the supply of the products essential to human well-being and a consequent rise in values. For ibis reason the tendency is one to which economists everywhere will have to devote serious consideration.— “Waikato Times. - ’

No country is so strong that it cannot be ruined l, v extravagant. and on tele-- administration. The proTJem of unemployment is an indication that the community is feeling the severe 1 urden which is being carried, and if I La i burden is to be further increased by more loans and continued extravagance the result will he most .serious. National economy is the most important question of the day. and. if the present Administration refuses to realise it and heed the warning, the people w ill show their displeasure in no uncertain manner when they are call(d upon to cast their votes at the next general election .—Wanganui “Her-

ln lbe.se, days the motor-ear pt-ne-l: ,r ‘ s tIJ : 'M Parts oi the country that accessible by road, and nianv a prospect ha- it- beauty ruined tor the traveller bv tbe examples of < oinmercial art which thru-t themselves upon bis notice by the wayside. Even our tourist resorts are not sacmsnnt. There should be little toleration of this sort of thing, which amounts to vandalism, and steps to ensure the abolition of the nuisance are desirable. The provisions „f Mr Lee s Rill to this end are apparently on the right lines, without being in any way open to the criticism that they are over-drastic. A special* dispensation is proposed for the Government. it is to be noted, in tbe matter of the adornment of its railway station-. rhis may be expedient in order to avoid opposition that might otherwise be offered to tbe measure, but it is principally on the ground of expediency that the exception in favour of railway property is fo ho justf- —-“ Otago Daily