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Hokitika Guardian, 24 December 1930, Page 4

The Government continues to move boldly and steadily along the narrowpath of sound administration. It will be making many enemies by the way; i The old opponents are hitter enough giving no credit where credit is dueij These irresponsibles who have helped materially to place New Zealand in the difficult financial position it is, are ungenerous enough to give no praise whatever to the boldness of the economies the Government is bringing about. Localities which are being penalised by the necessary action of the Ministers can see no good in the Government, and will he storing up their vengeance to be wrecked another day. It seems to be the penalty attached to stern duty performed. But the great body of public opinion must in the end recognise the faithfulness of the task performed. On all sides there is a clamouring for positive action, yet when the Government takes the steps necessary after close consideration and investigation, there is an outcry. The considered statements, issued by the Acting Prime Minister at this juncture are impressive in themselves. The Government its full investigation, realises the financial drift which is going on. Tt has n duty to perform to endeavour to balance the budget, to end tbe financial year in credit. At the very outset. Mr Forbes took the people into li.i* confidence, and gave a very full exnnsition of the general situation. More revenue had to be found ant economies enforced to meet the position. The Government has not shirked its duty at anv stage, but the luck bas been against it all . Mon". The latest straw is the dr on in wool nrices and tbe failure of dairy produce to rise superior to the depression. These two factors would have helped tremendously had the financial barometer gone up. The prices created a new situation, and fresh phase was introduced by the plight of the farmers. There came' the need for further action. The Government is taking it. An expert committee is looking cl owl v into the position of the farmers. In economies, costly railway works me being suspended, but an army of workmen will be thrown out ol employment, and work must, be found elsewhere for them. The situation is fraught with the greatest difficulty all round. Other works which will require to he started may not be R 0 costly in regard to material, and perhaps more remunerative when completed than the discarded railways can be. The position of a Cabinet Minister at this time is .not a happy one. and they need the sympathy and encouragement of the people to continue the task they have in hand of keeping the financial position as sound a® possible. Any national financial difficulty will reflect Itself over the people as a whole and would impose p vo- n greater taxation. The wisdom of the present course is therefore apparent, and the Government should he encouraged to go its strong way by the strongest possible backing of public opinion.