SYDNEY’S HANDICAP

Hokitika Guardian, 21 December 1928, Page 2

SYDNEY’S HANDICAP

ADELAIDE SUFFERING FROM DEPBESSUOi.

AUCKLAND. Dec. IS

Sir Arthur Cocks arrived from Sydney tliis morning. Sir Arthur was Lord Mayor of .Sydney .11 1913. anti later was Agent-General in Lotion;., and was Colonial Treasurer to tiie Euller Government. Sir Arthur am! Lady Codes have booked through the New Zealand Tourist Department i n a comprehensive tour of tiie Dominion.

.Speaking of Australia generally, Sit Arthur said: “1 can tell you the West, is the most prosperous siren in the w hole Commonwealth to-day. (Jver there they are simply forging ahead, mill there is a great fllU.ro ior it. “Adelaide,” be said, “is under a eloiid; why. I don’t exsutly know , but the Federal Government inis appo.nted a Commission ol Inquiry to go into tiie question of finances ami to endeavour to establish the cause of lim impression which exists. 'I here is no doubt that Adelaide is getting the reduction of an adverse trade balance.’ “.Melbourne,’’ said Sir Arthur, “is no doubt feeling the 10.-s of the seat ol tiie Federal Government, but. despite that, fact, it is my honest opinion that she will rise above it.”

“And now lor Sydney,” said the interviewer.

“Well, Sydney to a degree lias not bad the prosperity nor the expansion in business that was anticipated this year,” was the reply. “The advent of tue new income Tax Bill, the surcharges existing on the city towards the North Shore bridge, the very high rents charged, and looming in the distance the collection of children s endowment as a further charge, have had the collective effect of discouraging people with large interests from pushing commerce and industry. Micro lias been no limitation to the* burdens placed upon the people I have re!erred to. and as a consequence 1 only the most optimistic reach otu lor Inrtlier expansion under the unhappy (omlitious existing. A gleam of light is forecasted. however, in the direction ol the conciliation conference which the ‘Jsig Four’ have managed to initiate, but it is well for Australians and others to remember that Australia entirely depends <>n a changed outlook. There is a grave feeling regarding the workers and their relation to capital. 1 say unhesitatingly that, as long; as we have got Labour leaders inculcating a belief among the workers in the slogan ‘Slower output and bigger wages.’ it is my firm opinion that Australia will drift towards ruin and disaster.”