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Hokitika Guardian, 30 March 1931, Page 4

Thk week in Parliament which has gone on record, can not he considered creditable to the Labour party. That party was given the fullest liberty to air the views of members, and indulge in ;i, stonewall which will, go down into history without much credit to those resno' sihlo. The Ciovernment had to resort, and not before time, to closure methods, and if they can be considered at all rigorous, the Labour party by its policy of indiscretion and ovei running of the hounds ol lair opposition. is wholly to blame. 1 lie stand of the Labour party against the Finance Bill has offered little in the way of an alternative to raise the require 1 funds to balance the budget. The Coveriunent’s purpose in "'agereduction is not merely to save money. It is to reduce the cost ol State services. many of which are non-produc-tive. generally. Heavier taxation such as Labour proposes, assuming that, n could be paid—would increase and not lower the cost of production. And we mav he sure that the cost of living will. iii fact is. declining. Mam evidences of this are forthcoming. The big tall m umber prices is a ease tn

point though it is r.ot ilcar unless there is a greatly i m rev-sod demand involving production on a large scale, that the price will he very helpful to tile millers. However, the public is to :c( are an i'umedm e advantage in the North Island, and tlm South Island w.l! liu doubt participate in due course. Bent.-, arc reported to he ialiiag in ill the centres, where pop:.intion is greatest, and much relief is iexulting. Many business houses have been ((impelled owing to the stringency of trade, to shorten hands or reduce wages. So far as the Government is concerned, there is a great drop in revenue, with palpably less work involved for the existing staffs. 11" the economy in wages is not possible, then mure men and women -and youths must he thrown out of cmp!uym("'t, and a wages “cut" is -sorely the fairer way of meeting those employed. Air Forbes has stuck g'lndv to Ids prouosals. ami with the country as a whole behind him, is destined to come through. The sooner tlm better for the good of tlm country