WELLINGTON TOPICS

Hokitika Guardian, 19 March 1928, Page 4

WELLINGTON TOPICS

EXCESSIVE TAXATION. THE WORKERS’ HARD LOT. (Special to “ Guardian.”) WELLINGTON. -March 15. The “ Evening Post ” which has done its share in protesting against the present excessive taxation, publishes a letter from a correspondent in which the writer, after quoting the comments of other leading papers upon the subject. offers one or two pertinent observations of liis own lor the consideration of the .Minister of Finance. “If -Mr Stewart chooses to ignore the adv iee of his friends—among whom f may number myself—he will be inviting, he says, ‘‘trouble from quite a number of .sources. Meanwhile I should like to emphasise the laet that it is not the rich nor the simply well-to-do that soil'er from excessive taxation. It is the great mass of the people, the mere wages folk, that hear the hrunt of tile burden, in the shape of inflated prices, increased charges, higher rates, ami lessened employment. The man receiving U 1(1.000 a year can jog along comfortably enough, even if he lias to pay £2.00(1 in income tax; but the mere woikcr, with a family, whether lie re-ic-ives t'2oo or £SOO. has a very hard row to hoe under existing conditions.” It is well the Minister should he remiuded of his promise to review the posiiion during the approaching session of Parliament. ROOSTING PRICES. The evening journal, on its own account. wants to know why the Minister of Lauds, mi behalf of flic Government, is boosting prices against the consumers. “ Since when.” it asks. “ have the duties of Ministers of the Crown included the office of markets tipsier? Mr .McLeod, as Minister for Industries and commerce, however, appears to have assumed that role. He is reported to have urged fanners to hold our against the market and not to sell wheat, because lie is satisfied that Ihe price will advance to (is per bushel, or over. He suggested that they were lacking in combination, needing organisation for the sal<> of wheat. Against, whom are they to hold out, unless it is acknowledged by the .Minister himself that *' wool, meat, and grain are all bringing good prices.” Then why harden up farmers to demand more for wheat than world parity price justifies and so artificially keep the price ol bread high? That is what -Mr McLeod's advice to the farmers means.”* The Minister of Lands has not yet had an opportunity to reply to these strictures, but it will not be unfair to him to quote the “ Post’s ” review of the situation. “STAND OUT.” The “Post” gathers from Mr McLeod's advice to wheat growers that they are not to sell for less than (is a bushel and that they are to get together in order to secure this price. “ Quotations for flour in Australia by cable to.day,” it says, “arc £l2 per tou free on board Sydney and £l2 5s tree on board Melbourne. On top ol that there is a. duty in New Zealand of £3 per ton imposed in the sole interests of the wheat and Hour industries; and there are freight aijd charges, themselves protective in essence, of £1 3s in addition. The current price of flour in New Zealand to-day is CIO os less 2.1 per cent discount. Without the protection of £3 duty. Australian (lour would land here at £l3 ISs. In face of this, in face of the fact that although the harvest. thanks to Providence, is sufficient for our domestic needs, Mr M’Leod, as a Minister supposed to lie careful of flic interests of all the people all the time, is advising some ol the people all the time to extract the uttermost farthing from the community at large. We .submit that this is no part of his duty.” The public awaits the Minister’s reply. THE MAN FOR SAMOA.

Mr G. W. Koines, the leader of t!ie National Party, has had the good sense not to join with the leader of the Labour Party in attempting to make political capital out of the Samoan situation, hut has given voire to the opinion of many sane observers in regard to the Dominion’s mandated territory. “It is very evident to me,” he is reported to have said in Dunedin yesterday, “that the Administrator should he a. man who understands the native mind. We in New Zealand should he in a better position to supply that type of man than any other country owing to our success in dealing with the Maori race. I understand that Sir George Richardson is now to be retired. I believe that if a man with experience of the Maori race were sent to Samoa wo would have no difficulty in the future, and the Tittle difficulties now existing would he straightened out without a doubt. Sir George Richardson has earnestly endeavoured to do his best for the Samoan people, and no one doubts his sincerity and desire for thenbetterment. A man with a knowledge of the native race and psychology of the native ljiind, however, is essential as Administrator of Samoa.” The popular! opinion here is that if such a man were appointed Samoa’s troubles would be at an end within a week.