PRESS COMMENT.

Hokitika Guardian, 21 October 1927, Page 3

PRESS COMMENT.

As matters stand, the award wage is merely used as an argument against every suggestion that work should he offered to "those who are willing to do it at a remuneration in keeping with their capacity. From those who arc seeking hut not finding work it is im-. possible to withhold sympathy. It is evident ihnt between now and the end of tho year a considerable effort will he c-allcd for in connection with unemployment, and, as the problem is a national one, it behoves the Government to do its utmost to devise methods by which the present difficulties may ho overcome. But, with all clue respect to Sir Joseph Ward, the idea of picking out a small line ol railway in each island and setting ten or twenty thousand men to work there is not of striking practical value. Probably, moreover, it would he found that a lair number of the unemployed have no desire to assist in the construction of a small line in either the north or the south.—“Otago Daily Times.”

When it is proposed to abolish the, land tax—which means the graduated! land tax designed to promote settle-j nKM it—only five per cent of the farmers will benefit, and they the richest men in the land, who need no assistance from an anxious country. The men who are in difficulties require cheap money | to extricate themselves from the hands of the mortgagees, and cheaper land to ensure as far as possible that the first period of depression that . comes along will not sweep them again into the morass. The farmer is entitled to less interference with the laws of supply and demand, and, when we say this, we include all bonuses designed to bolster up industries which would not require aid if they had. any p<o,speed of success under efficient management.— “ Southland Nevs.