The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27, 1932. THE BALANCE AND AFTER.

Hokitika Guardian, 27 April 1932, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27, 1932. THE BALANCE AND AFTER.

A comtemporary remarks': “The Bud.get inu.-ft uo balanced and the country will have to bear as best it can me new demands' of the Government, out the imposts are hearing very heavily both upon business and upon the private individual-.” With The uncing of the Budget, we may a-sk. what is to . follow ? It is unfortunate that in Parliament the effort, to balance the Budget is so long drawn out. Instead of stonewalling, the obvious tiling to do when money is scarce, it would he more to the point, to pass what the Government desire at their responsibility, and do something towards helping industry and trade to revive. It is clear, as remarked above, that the extra taxation is affecting business and enterprise, and something is required to counteract t-nat effect. The Opposition is satisfied to maintain a negative attitude regarding remedial measures now required, but the Government is proving strong enough to carry its policy. That being so. some concentration on tlic future is desirable. It will not suffice to think only of the depression and in terms of curtailing expenditure. There is the need for positive action to seek to build up the future as the surest factor to help towards permanent (rehabilitation. The Government has laid its. policy to help succour the unemployed. No less a sum than £4.500,000 is to be provided; but it will he a shame if all that money is merely to go in purely “relief’ work. “Relief’’ work is mainly makeshift work to provide occupation, and the greater port of it could actually ho done without. It will he a reflection. therefore if half of the- large sum mentioned is to he so wasted, and to give no real community benefit. To our mind, there should he concentration on schemes of work to bo of lasting value. Ji each district were to consider its own resources in need of development or expansion, no doubt many valuable suggestions could he made to the authorities. Hero in Westland, thoughts turn at once to (lie mineral deposits known to exist up and down the Coast. Geological experts have placed on record discoveries or indications of potential value and it seems to u-" there is an immediate need to prove those discoveries eystem;i i ically. Of the large sum mentioned above, amoieiy s"i aside lor prospeclinir under ex'<"t leader-hip and with scientific assi-1 a nee, could surely he spent to practical advantage m test jng the ear!-- reports o-i record. II seems plain dint Ike country mn.-i rely (Mi ictcrmd (levolunmoid - In help j|-elf. Till market' improve overseas. 0” former p'.mus fr-Mi: lie land cannot be won. and some other atrenev leu-i he used tn Mohave a re\i\al. 'Pee value oi a gold-m.iipig d'srnvcy ji |. i In- juncture would he ol vvy great i m t inrt a in e a ii(l a 11 *'a c I a It ei.! 1 11 •• - ■’ over-eas. So far as Westland is coli- , , i red. Ir • is a gre'il I rael <*l li'iulis- ! (.m il ry, i he inn I "I'in I va’u - cf v, hivii i- etikii'iwn. I lie lime is very 001101 . - llle f • 1 | he it and IS' cert •<'ii it- I: He value. I he " ol Id prospect s "'ll i"0 »»« fbel-e |.i I'm ' > 11!" * 1 i M ‘ ' I' 'pc l'<>" oe'i'dv trade revival even if I lie Hudj:, balanced k 1931. If N I'ur the jiefiple therefore L* endeavour to work (mi their own de.-Jinv in.iu within and

a search for u new gold-field would he a. ui-oful objective for the* part use of unemployment hind:;.