The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 1932. A WONDERFUL EXAMPLE.

Hokitika Guardian, 2 March 1932, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorpora ted the West Coast Times. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 1932. A WONDERFUL EXAMPLE.

I-iiAT peace hath her victories for Gieat Britain no- Jess renowned tlian in war, is examplified by the won U v.-r-I f“l financial recovery of Great Britain in .so brief a period. The cable news has been telling up this week that theie is a wave of confidence in British securities, a nd gilt e t dged investments are surprisingly buoyant, The economists are looking forward to the early approach of .the time when the British pound will be back to sterling par, while in Trade Union circles it js being predicted that the worst phase of the depression ig over, jind a steady recovery is possible. Thus latter opinion is striking, because organised .Labour, outside the sane section, did not countenance the late political changes, hut it would appear the change is to be assisted and not retarded by the national policy now in train. The new duties are in force, and on ~ he eve of the fiscal change there was a great rush of goods to escape the- tarilf. This need not be disconcerting, for it indicates how valuable British trade is to foreign nations, and with the solvency of Britain so apparent, traders will be more anxious than ever to trade with a country where payment for goods is assured, even though the price be reduced somewhat hv the tariff imposed. It is good for the oversea Dominions, also, to learn of the gratifying recovery of Britain, fo* that fact stabilises the Home market, and assures an increasing demand for colonial products. Blit the outstanding fact of the recovery is Britain’s well designed policy and the response of the nation to assist that policy to fruition. Nothing has been finer as an example than the readiness with which the taxpayer met his obligations, heavy though they were. Many paid in advance, and others voluntarily made contributions to the public exchequer. Yet once again the nation of shopkeepers has shown how to face a- difficulty and to overcome it. There is an example here for all countries to emulate. In New Zealand the e/feet of taxation is bearing down many, but it should he possible to imitate even feebly tlie spirit of the British taxpayer and give as cheerfully as he does. The voice of complaint and complaining may he heard on all sidcts. but here is the chance for tlie cheerful giver ami the result is tha(; disclosed by tlie splendid British record of debt emancipation and overcoming of financial difficulty. Britain ol course ha.* not been relying only on the taxpayer, hut ha.s indulged also in economies of ■ a great nature. Finance at Home reaches large figures, and to make an impression on the position, the economy axe has had to be used in earnest. It Ims not been merely a tapering off, but a ruthless cutting down. The result is the early emerging of the country from its difficulties and the ability to return file quicker to more no. inn] conditions. The country lies had its and it set about finding ways and means to overcom*' tlie sudden emergency. H js for N w Zealand, Australia, and other .Dominions to take the example to heart, and in no half-hearted meaner dally with issue. A talkative Opposition may seek to delay but it should not divert the right action to

take. The Government has the call for deeds and not words, and with the example of Britain in mind, should the- quicker retrieve the financial untunes of the Dominion. Meantime the country will have cognisance of Opposition tactics and their futility, and should keep the occasion in mind when the opportunity to expiess an opinion at the ballot boxes offers.