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Hokitika Guardian, 6 October 1927, Page 2

Tire Government lias displayed a remarkable yes-no attitude regarding the revision of the customs’ duty. From the proceedings in the House on Tuesday it will have been seen that the Minister of Customs revised his tariff proposals very materially, giving away largely on all moot points in which representations had been made. The Govcrniiient had been subjected to very considerable criticism regarding the increases, and the Minister in charge apparently found discretion the better part of valour, and as the press message said “took the easiest way of surmounting his difficulties, and gave way to those who made the strongest representations to him. We do not know that this can be called statesmanlike, more particularly after what must have been the costly method followed to arrive at the tariff proposals in tlie first instance. The Government had a tariff commission to report, and several weeks were spent by that committee going up and down the country. In addition, there were all the Government experts connected with the Do partments affected, so that in the matter of advice the Government was well served. There must have been some failure to assimilate all the knowledge and instruction brought to the door of the Cabinet, unless it be that the Cabinet Ministers badly drew the final proposals. The whole procedure and its final effect does not reflect on the intelligence or administrative ability of the Government at all creditably. The surrender to the popular clamour has boon so general that either Government was badly advised at the outset, or used the advice to ill-advantage. The prestige must suffer from the figure now cut. Their,, there is the question of revenue involved. By the increases as first proposed, tlie Government sought to find additional income. What is to be clone now—if that money is considered essential ? It does not appear that any financial adjustments are l>cing made to meet the concessions resulting from the return to former duties. This further clouds the statesmanship, or calls into question the necessity there was at all for seeking for further revenue by way of the Customs. The whole situation is far from creditable to the reputation of life Government.