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Hokitika Guardian, 1 August 1931, Page 4

The man in the street is criticising the new taxes and duties in a very wholehearted way. but behind it ah is the feeling that the burden has to be borne, and it is bettor to face the situation squarely and balance the budget, than to drift on a sea of douot and insecurity, with wrecking rocks on all sides. Mr Forbes has tackled ins job wort determinedly, and while pinch will he felt, there is comfort in the fact that much of the extra taxation is temporary, and is to end next year. By that time the political situation will l>e clarified, and the House will review the finances in a more independent manner than is possible now with a minority party responsible for the administration. At the same time, there is not any workable alternative put forward to that proposed by Mr Forbes. The fact is that in is agreed the budget must balance, and that can be done only by raising more money. Still, New Zealand is not in an extreme position, nor is a crushing load of taxation proposed. But sufficient is imposed to impress the average man with the condition of the country, and -he must realise his obligation to help. In so helping lie, too, must balance his own budget, and there must be personal economies and the denial of some pleasures in the doing of the task. But the mutual help will be the factor in assisting the Prime Minister to realise his objective. The House would be critical about' the details of the taxation, and items were criticised in round terms, but with the result to bp attained, it became necessarv to find .a substantial sum of money, and in the judgment of the Government and its advisers, the erwrse taken was deemed the best. The more passing of the duties does not achieve the object in view, and for that reason there is the obligation on the people to accept and co-operate in the task which is before the country. There is the ring of a sound policy in the move by Mr Forbes, who has had to perform the most difficult task yet set a leader in the New Zealand Parliament. He lias gone about his task in a manner to deserve the symoatliy and goodwill of the people at large, and in a general way that re-wnri-l which has been wellearned, will bo his.