The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 1931. A WORD IN SEASON.

Hokitika Guardian, 4 February 1931, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 1931. A WORD IN SEASON.

'I he various addresses of His Excellency the Governor-General were inspiring. There is no doubt the present difficulties of the Dominion are much in the mind of the King’s representative, and it is but natural he should express his thoughts. The folk need to be encouraged by the leaders of thought in New Zealand. There are those who for political purposes are using the situation to create a general scare. J.ll certain quarters the unemployed appear to be used in the endeavour to stampede the Government. New Zealand however, has been regarded with such favour in the past, that it is difficult to believe that the bottom has fallen suddenly out of the place. Production proceeds continuously, and the land now in cultivation is being used year by year to better and greater advantage. The Government with full faith in expanding settlement is carrying out its policy of placing more people on the land, and adding to the productive wealth of the country. These facts should give confidence that New Zealand cannot go back really. With settled confidence in the country, the Dominion must’ continue to make good. The position to-day is mainly a matter of export prices for products. Markets have the knack of Huetuating all the world over, and the situation is aggravated just now by the fact that the staple products of the Dominion have l ecu bit simultaneously by the world’s range ot demand and price. Recovery is possible, probably quickly too. it the United States proposal to adjust payments on war debts, comes to anything. The fact that many countries are involved in debt over the war and th 0 debt calls for large payments annually in interest, and principal. This drain bad reduced the local circulation of money, and the ability of the populations affected to buy and trade

generally, has been involved seriously. Relief through the channel referred to. would be a certain factor to revive international trade, and in that improved intercourse lies the- hope of the world markets. New Zealand exports so much raw material that our produce can be readily consumed abroad under more favourable circumstances.

and with such a prospect ahead we can afford to view possibilities in a more hopeful manner. The remarks of Lord Bledisloe have been, therefore, quite apropos the general outlook, and it would be well to give practical expression to his good advice in general trading and intercourse. The Government) has its task at the moment in endeavouring to cater as liberally as possible in providing employment. The stringency of trade lias caused the ranks of the unemployed to grow of late, but the position is being handled with determination, and with patience will he retrieved. The matter is not one for party bickerings, for the effect is purely national in its application, and world history shows that no sectional party in the political arena has discovered yet. a cure for the ills we have become heir to. Because of that, any Government which is attempting to grapple honestly and firmly with the question should have support and encouragement, to assist, rather than with barren criticism and oven throats and reproach, to retard it. All good Now Zealanders should unite iu the- effort 1° aid the policy being formulated to assist in minimising tip. labour market, the restrictions of which are causing such distress in many places.