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Hokitika Guardian, 22 July 1929, Page 4

The present Minister of - Customs in the House last week indicated an aversion to leaving it to an Advisory committee to go into customs taxation with a view to reforms of a necessary character. An Auckland paper has remarked that New Zealand cannot afford to remain isolated nor to continue her system of adjusting tariffs from the more or less academic viewpoint of departmental officials. Yet that is what is happening very largely, ■ for tariffs are built up with an eye to revenue. In the last Ministry, the fate of the tariff was in the hands of the Minister of Finance, and no change could be granted without the effect on revenue being the first consideration. The question is whether this proneness to seek revenue first, is not subordinating more important industrial interests, which encouraged, would by sheer development give returns outweighing the mere immediate financial results of a year to year tariff. The present Government is pledged to give first consideration to primary industries, but for the sake of the general welfare, tlie secondary industries must have attention also. What tlie country wants is not a politician’s pledge, but a business tariff, which will assure that degree of general prosperity which in the end will secure the revenue of the country on permanent lines. The tariff requires to assist in building up industries, and a Minister as the representative of the people, must act fairly as between the Department and the trading public. The business man is a factor in the country’s progress, and the aim of lound politics should be towards helping trade generally. From time to time the tariff is overhauled, but there preponderates always the views of . the Department. If there were an advisory committee it would be expected that local industrial requirements would be analysed more closely than they are, a.nd.certainly not only from the revenue-making point of view. The employment and producing valuo of an industry is worth considering, for it is manifest if it can maintain more workers and increase outpult, it should be helped to that end—an end counting for greater general prosperity. The Government has been asked to revise the] timber tariff with a view to keeping 7nen employed in that industry, and a; string case has been made in favour of the request. If it is not acceded to there will be a serious decline in employment, less production, and larger imports, the money for which will have to be sent out of the country. These econonifc aspects are wel 1 -worth taking in account.

Weekly social at St. Mary’s Club Rooms to-morrow (Tuesday) evening. Good supper.—Advt. The membership list of the Arahura Tennis Club for the season 1929-30 will be open as from Tuesday 23rd. July. 1929. Tenders are invited by the' Arahura Tennis C.ub for laying down a tennis, court.. Tenders close on Thursday, Aug. Ist. An agent is required for a Life Assurance Coy. doing accident business. Apply to Superintendent, C/o “Guardian” Office. Johnny Marvin (comedian), in “ Sweethearts, on Parade ” (ukulele played by J. Marvin) and “Where the Shy Little Violets Grow ” (guitar by Andy Sannelli). H.M.V E.A. 477. Fine instrumental accompaniments are a feature of this record.—At Yarrall’s.

For evening wear' we offer 36 inch, crepe de chene, all leading colours at 3s lid; two only -beaded frocks in pink, usual price 955, sale 59s 6d. One only georgette frock, shade apricot, trimmed gold lace, usual price 97s 6d, sale 75s.—Schroder and Co.— Advt. The usual 'fortnightly gas cooking demonstration takes place at the Soldiers’ IJall to-morrow (Tuesday) afternoon at 2.30, Mrs Heinz being demonstrator. The following will be .prepared :—Rainbow cake, meat patties, Napoleon finger, apple pie with short paste and gems and scones for afternoon tea. While telegraphic communication was in progress this morning between Westport and Hokitika, the Westport operator notified an earthquake was in progress, The shock was not felt by the Hokitika operator for a couple of seconds and then the shock was experienced It was mentioned that the s !, oclc at Westport was quite a solid one It was five weeks, to the heur, or the big shock. At the annual meeting of the Greymouth Boxing Association the balancesheet disclosed expenditure £644 9s 4d and revenue £695 13s Bd, leaving a credit balance of £sl 4s 4d, after having started the year with £4B 9s lid. 'Fhe excess of assets over liabilities was £97 2s lOd. Officers were appointed as follows: President, Mr A. Behan (reelected) ; vice-presidents, Messrs Kim Williams, A. Grogan, N. W. Jones, J. Steele, G. E. Perkins, and 1 C. Chamley; committee,'Messrs W. Giesekihg, F. Costello, Herb Moore, J. M’Leod, N. Hodgkiss and B. Ryan. Mr F. W. Baillie was re-elected secretary and Mr L. M’Glashan was appointed treasurer. Mr M. Keating was- re-elected auditor'.

A traveller by the sea shore route from Karamea to Westport in the course of a description of the journey says: At Llewellyn’s we have a close view of the land which has risen from the sea. We have to climb over this and it is interesting to note the rocks still covered with seaweed and other marine growth not yet died away. Crayfish and every variety of shellfish, some still with the shellfish inside the shell where the gulls have not picked them out. This area would appear to he about three-quarters of a mile long and about three chains In width, rising on an average from 40 to 100 feet above'toe level of the tide. The coastline here has extended Out a distance of approximately • five chains;