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Hokitika Guardian, 31 August 1931, Page 4

The innlitical fortunes of Great Britain are of the greatest interest and concern to New Zealand, and it is of t'lie highest importance to the Dominion that the economic strength of the Motherland should he maintained secure. National prosperity here depends on. the sale of the country’s produce, and Gieat Britain has -been the best customer all along. Any financial reverse will minimise the buying power of the country and not only will less produce be purchasable, but prices will ran,gee lower. Also, Britain is the main source- of supply for finance for large undertakings. It would be well if New Zealand could progress and develop without" the aid of borrowed money, but that has not been possible hitherto, and doing without loan money just row is causing serious unemployment, which assists to mark the finanical stringency. As it is, the economics to be enforced at I'fomc must affect general trade, till the adjustments are brought to a normal level. The hopeful aspect of Home affairs just now, is the spirited co-operation of the majority of the Parliament to see the finances and administration of the country put on sound lines. The National Ministry is now preparing its policy to be submitted to the Commons, and in the preparation of that scheme the best brains of the land are cooperating with thougilit only for country and not for party. This state of affairs gives the greatest assurance as to the righting of the sub-finances, and New Zealand can well afford to take stock of what is to be done. This country gave a. lead in the way of its own economies, but Britain has returned the compliment as it were, in setting up a* National Government to do what is urgently required.'While, there is a strong public opinion in favour of like action here, the parliamentary mind is not yet made up on the moot point. But it is not unlikely that events are actually shaping to that end. The present range of prices and the outlook for next season are such ,«.s tr> make one pause as to the possibilites, unless the low price I'vel from commodities abroad, is not met by further economies here and closer concern for the administration. \nd this latter remark applies as much to private as well as public affairs.