ECONOMIC COMMISSION

Hokitika Guardian, 10 January 1929, Page 4

ECONOMIC COMMISSION

A drastic report. 'Australian Press Association). (United Service.) (Received this day at 8.30. a.m.) SYDNEY, Jan. 10. 'flu' “Rig Four” Economic Commission have presented their report to tin* Federal Government concerning their mission in Australia “To look us over.” T lie report which was made available at (lie Stale Premiers Conference at present sitting at Canberra makes candid pronouncements about Australian borrowing, the failure of arbitration tribunals and tariff weaknesses. It declares Australia has been spending too much money unprofitable, has been mortgaging the future too deeply, and recommends a brake should be put on expenditure for: development works, which tire not directly revenue producing, leaving the field more uddely to private enterprise. The report also recommends that. ;m investigation should he made into tlu- cost of production of staple commodities, which are far tooVhigh in some instances, and the .substitution of the round the table method of settling disputes between employers and employees. No more railways should he built without the fullest investigation as to alternative road routes, and the unification of railway gauges should be undertaken without delay, under the twenty-four million British migration and development grant. I’’URTHER DETAILS. SYDNEY, Jan. 10. One ol the mam conclusions is the present circumstances in the Commonwealth are not favourable to immigration. They think there should be a Tull scientific inquiry into the economic effect of the tariff and the incidence of its duties. Tlit Commissioners say the arbitration system in Australia has failed. Despite the fact that Australia is unnecessarily, or uneconomical!}' mortgaged Tor the future, the present financial position of the Commonwealth is sound in the sense that its national income and source of public revenue are amply sufficient to pay for the Government, and provide for public service and repayment of the public debt. CANBERRA, Jan. 10. The conference of representatives of the Commonwealth and States, which concluded the consideration of the report of tlio British Economic .Mission, agreed that the amendments of the development agreement between Rritain and Australia would be desir- ■ able and the Commonwealth Govern-. A incut agreed to discuss the matter with Ihe British Government. It was decided the Railway Commissioners of the Commonwealth and the States should bring up to date the estimate of the cost for unifying tho railway guages.