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Hokitika Guardian, 29 August 1930, Page 4

Thk finanial position of Australia is a very difficult one! The Commonwealth has to face a situation of its own creation. The world situation has Been ignored, and Australia has lived on happily and somewhat oblivious of the approaching day of reckoning. The attempt to step the tide of adversity by electing high tariff walls, maintaining a high wages level, and ’continuing to borrow and buy lavishly, has failed, because adverse trade balances resulted, and the successive deficits were not realised in their true garb till credit was in danger of suspension. The borrowing limit has been passed and it is now for the people to set their house in order. The visiting financier accredited from the Bank of England, hasi detailed cause of the trouble and pointed the obvious remedies. The situation isjyw'

easy of recovery. To restrict capital expenditure is going to further dislocate internal progress, and it is too clear that Australia’s principal wealth in exports of wool a.nd wheat will encounter a low level of. prices, a.nd greater outside competition. The wav is not going to be easy, and one of the chief difficulties will be to face the menace of the high wage standard a.ncl shorter hours so generally prevailing in Australia and affecting so many industries and the c-Ost of production. The high wage earners are decreasing in Humber ahd joining the ranks of the unemployed. Here there is the immediate- challenge to Australia to reduce the costs of production that- more goods may bo in demand, and more work created. The country Ims many well-equipped industries, but it has strong competitors outside, and unless these can be met on a market basis, Australian pro-, duction must suffer. The palliative of shutting out the imported article by high tariff, that Australian industries may still go on paying high wages is penny wise and pound foolish in its result. The high level of costs is demanding more money from its own people in the- endeavour to prop up false security. The whole must topple like a house- built of cards, for it is not founded on a true economic basis. Australia has to meet the situation without, as much as within. She must have exports to recover new money and so expand her industrial possibilities. This is the test for the governments and people. No amount of advice will suffice at this juncture. The nation has to do its practical part to realise its destiny. There can be/no ignorance of the situation. It is being proclaimed from all sides, and the people will require to realise where they have drifted, and knowing full well the reason of it all, must proceed to recover the good name and credit,of the country which is capable of attaining the highest aspirations under sound political and economic guidance.

Mr W. Jones and family insert a notice of thanks in this issue.

Limited quantity of Boys oil coats from 8s lid. Inspection invited at W. IT. Stopfortli’s.—Advt.

The rain of yosterday brought down a. small flood in the river. This has had a satisfactory result to the bar. The sandbank at the mouth has out away considerably, and the channel is running straight to sea with an increasing depth.

A notice in the Gazette last night announced the appointment of Inspector James Kerf Simpson (formerly of Grey mouth) and Inspector Stephen Till, to be Superintendents in the New Zealand Police Force. The appointment in each case is to take effect on and from September Ist.

It is understood that at the last fat stock sale at Aralmra a well-known grazier put up a. tenner in support of his contention that- a prime Hereford bullock that was sold would give pounds dead weight. A local butcher doubted tills and covered the amount. The beast has since been slaughtered and turned the' scale at 962 pounds.

The heavy rain during yesterday and last night caused a considerable flooding in Sewell Street in the vicinity, of Hampden Street, the drain in Sewell Stfeet not being able apparently to curry the surface water and as a re* jS.ult the water backed up all ever Cameron’s padclock and the low-lying sections in the vicinity were also flooded.

It is understood the estimates for main highways expenditure for this vqar have been curtailed substantially for this district as a result of the shortage of money. The Public Works Estimates, however, are likely to be more elastic. Regarding the highways, heavy bridge expenditure will absorb the bulk of the money available, so that proposed improvements to tlie loads will have to be deferred largely till next year.

The Hon J. B. Donald informed Mr Field that whitebait fishing regulations were now in form for final consideration, and it was hoped to issue them shortly... It was hoped that the regulations would result in the establishment of the fisheries to their former plentitude so far as that was possible under the changed natural conditions, but it was necessary that the changes proposed should be brought about in a way that was reasonable and fair to these concerned.

Replying to the Hon W. Downie Stewart the Hon P. A. de la Perrelle stated in the House on Tuesday that as an indication that there was noth-, ing approaching wholesale Issue of aft union permits it might be stated that since tiie United Government had taken office there had been five licenses to baffle alluvial gold, with prices vah lied at £4OOO, one at £SOO, and three of a total value of £IOO. Tho objects for which art unions were granted were worthy, and at the same time tended to relieve unemployment.

While staying at a Rotorua hotel, Wilhelm Backhaus, the famous pianist, was robbed of £3O in hank notes. The money had been placed in a dressing-, case in his bedroom, last Saturday, and when Mr Backhaus opened the case on Monday, prior to paying his hotel account, the notes had gone. A number of English hank notes had not been touched, the thief evidently thinking they would be difficult to change and might he more easily traced. Backhaus was questioned about the theft when he arrived'in Auckland. “It is true,” he said, “hut there is nothing more to say. Why . talk about the only unpleasant thing that has happened since I have been in New Zealand?”

Last evening at the Soldiers’ Hall the Ladies’ Gymnastic Club gave a display for the entertainment of parents and friends. There was a. considerable attendance. Miss Marjorie Austin, of the Musson School, Christchurch, has had the Club in hand for a bare fortnight, and the results have been remarkable. There was a class of about 30 performers, divided into senior and juniors. All kinds of callisthenics were indulged in, together with 'grouping; statuary, club swinging, tumbling and physical displays. It was an admirable display reflecting credit on all concerned. Miss Austin',who held complete control of the class, gave a special display of various feats, including dancing, and was loudly applauded. Mr Eyians thanked 'MTss Austin and the performers for the display and hoped on Miss Austin's early return with Mr Musson and . a visiting party, it would he possible to give a public display in the theatre. Cheers were given for Miss Austin and the class, and a very pleasing form of entertainment concluded. Men! We have varied stocks of Le Roy oily canvas garments, including coatis, leggings, butterfly capes roadman’s coats, etc. Our cash prices for these mean a big saving to you.— At W. H. Stopforth’s.—Advt. Competitors at the West Coast Golf Championships are reminded that the best selection of golf balls and accessories is kept at Ross’s Sports Depot. Dunlops, Birdies, Silver King’s, Kro-> flites and all the leading golf balls in; stock at Ross’s.—Advt. Every young man in Hokitika should have one of our stylish caps. Saturday is your last opportunity at this price. To clear at 3s lid at W. H. Stopforth’s.—Advt. Woods’ Great Peppermint Cure for influenza cold#.

A meeting of the Hospital Ball Committee will be held at the Board rooms this (Friday) evening at 6.45 o’clock sharp.—Advt.

In connection with the two applications made to the West Coast Rugby ‘Union for reclassification of two Excelsior players, and which were refused, we incorrectly stated in our repb'rt that they were recommended by the Sub-Union. The applications were siriiply forwarded on to the W.C.R.U. for consideration.

The reorganisation of Education in the Dominion referred to as the Atincre Report, before Parliament, lias received a full share of the Government’s time and support. Another educational matter worthy of even greater support is the Grand Ball be held in the Arahura Road School-W room this evening, and which is in aid of the school prize fund. Don’t fail to support this worthy cause.

AH roads this evening will lead to the Arahura School, where the Annual Ball in aid of the prize . fund takes place. The Ladies’. Committee have prepared a very sumptuous supper, and the arrangements throughout are very complete. The famous Roger Radio Set installed for the occasion will be heard to advantage. Don’t miss this Friday evening.

! The death took place at Wellington yesterday of Mi* John Jeffries, Well-known resident, at the age of 89 ™

years. The deceased was formerly a member of tho Police Fore© and was stationed nt Reef ton and Westport in the very early days. He had been in failing health of late and the end was not unexpected. Deceased leaves -. a family of two daughters (Mrs Torbitt and Mrs VanHoutte), and five sons, one of whom is Mr Wm. Jeffries, the well-known auctioneer of Hokitika, the others being Arthur, Kenneth, Frank and .Tames, most of them residing in 'the North Island.

The Medical Superintendent of the Grey River Hospital submitted the following report for the month ending 31st. July, 1930: Patients in Hospital at beginning of month: 59 males, 38. females; Old People’s Home, 37 males, f' females. Admitted during month: Hospital, 64 males; O.P. Home, 1 male. Discharged during month : Hospital, 50 males, 39 females ; O.P. Home 3. males. Patients died during month : Hospital, 5 males. Patients remaining at end of month : Hospital 68 males, 39 females; O.P. . Bioine/,35 males, 7 females.

A meeting of the Committee of the Military Ball was held last evening at the Soldiers’ Hall when Messrs Pater-, son and Bleach submitted a ■ sheet, showing receipts £42 arid ex*--penses £2B 9s 9d, leaving a surplus of £l3 10s 3d. A vote of thanks was passed to the Ladies’ Committee for § the admirable supper arrangements; s .arid it was resolved to hand the surplus to the R.S.A. hall funds. Mr Jjl'vntts acknowledged the hundsome vote with thanks, thanking the mill- * tary officers for, the grant. A proposal was mooted to hold Ye ball about October Ist. Mr Lawn's orchestra offered to supply the musio * as a contribution to the hall funds. It was decided to take the matter up and make arrangements in due. course through the R.S.A. and to publish particulars later. Most favourable consideration is the recommendation of the Public Peti- ; J tions A. to L. Committee.of the .House, .in connection with the claim of G. Griffiths, Inangahua, for redress < in connection with a contract for the erection of the Inangahua Junction , railway and traffic bridge. The contract was determined and petitioner asks for the return of his deposit of nearly £4OO. The committee recommends that this he done, also that inquiry he made into alleged under payments, and a faulty nature of information regarding one of the abutments which was supplied by Public Works Department to Mr Griffiths. The committee added that it cannot understand why its previous recommendation was not carried out by the Government, and it was stated by its chairman, Mr J. A. Maepherson, that the head of the department told the committee be'approved of the return of the deposit. Addisons can show you a.fine range / of Girl’s School Uniforms, Fujjfj Blouses, Panamas, Gym. Hose, Knitted Silk Ties and Cardigans. Usual moderate prices.—Advt. ....... ;