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Hokitika Guardian, 24 February 1928, Page 2

This is the special month sol aside lor the heavy payments on account of Government taxation. What the taxation of tlie country means ill solid figures is recorded in the thought For the times to-day. According to the authority quoted-- the source is from a Government organ New Zealanders are taxed just now at the rate of £61.000 per day. This U six times more than the taxation "lien Sir Joseph Ward was in power, and Sir Joseph has licc.ii styled a wizard of finance. lit its complimentary sense that can he understood by the co-operative quotation given above. The writer who deplores the financial position in the Weekly Press is constrained to do so; not only because of the increase in the general taxation, hut because of the bleak outlook. That he seems to attribute very plainly to the miscarriage of the general administration, and he formulates a catalogue of things done and undone which calls for an adequate answer in Iho way of material rcoragnisation of the administration to assist in stemming the file of depression which is overwhelming the country. Tn other words a i onstruetivc policy is needed on the part of the Government. The matter is essentially financial and on that account. the time is over-ripe for a financial review irrespective of party. When the parties made common cause as regards politics at the time of the war. and a coalition was effected, the financial position was strengthened i-oti-adeiably. Similar action is desirable now to save what is becoming a desperate position. A grand Council of Finance might well he set up to overhaul the ueneral situation, and agree to a policy which will assist matters materially at this juncture. The Government lias failed to make headway up to this, proof of which is the heavy volume of unemployment. Confidence regarding the finances of the country must he created, and that can best he done by some legitimate effort, and the suggestion here made would he a material step in that direction.