The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. THURSDAY, AUGUST 27, 1931. HASTENING SLOWLY.

Hokitika Guardian, 27 August 1931, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. THURSDAY, AUGUST 27, 1931. HASTENING SLOWLY.

The All Party Conference in Wellington i.s hastening slowly in its task of overhauling the national finance. Naturally it will take some time to" comprehend adequately the financial position, but it it essential that should be thoroughly understood before decisive action is decidtd upon. At Home .the political parties have determined already on a National Government as the primary means of overcoming “the grave national crisis.” In the end this is not unlikely to be a lead for New Zealand. Mr ■Baldwin has reviewed the British situation very plainly. He says “the only means by which the national emergency can be met is the close co-operation of all parties,” which Mr Forbes had remarked before, and the Independent members in the New Zealand Parliament are re-echoing the same suggestion. The Budget now before Parliament covers only the current year. Tt is known that to save taxation this year, certain reserves have been raided, and these surplus funds will not be available next year. The Minister for Labour, speaking at Hamilton, of next year, lias predicted a more difficult time ahead for New Zealand. Certainly till affairs are in process of righting themselves at Home, there is always the danger of the Dominion market in Britain being serious]v affected. It is there where tbe bulk of the New Zealand produce is sold, and if the market should be further restricted for the wart ot adequate finance, and prices drop still further, the reflection will be more serious than ever for this country. This, however is a possibility, and must be m the ’minds of the members hi serious

conclave in Wellington. If the next financial year is going to be more difficult there is greater necessity than ever for the close co-op*-ration of all parties to meet the position. This aspect suggests the necessity for the national finances being uud.r the control of an All Party Committee as the shortest and safest means of reaching unanimity in the direction of guiding the country in regard to its financial future. Whatever is done, it is clear that an extra burden must be borne and shared as far as possible over the community. To this end an administration representative of all sections will give* the most equitable results, and for that reason should be encouraged as being in the best interests of the public at large. At Home there is the promise of the composite Government acting quickly. In that cjn-cumstanee, there will be ilo regrets ' that hei'e the ■ All Party Committee is moving at'a leisurely pace. There will be the opportunity to copy British methods, if need be, and to model a financial policy on the lines of the Home decisions. A financial crisis is a serious position for any country. We read daily how Australia has fared through the long drawn out drift going on. New Zealand must needs avoid similar conditions arising in this country, and it is ior the legislators to combine forces, even at party sacrifice, to courageously face the national duty in this matter. Action to that end is the surest way of escaping u crippling financial crisis.