WELLINGTON TOPICS

Hokitika Guardian, 25 August 1932, Page 6

WELLINGTON TOPICS

NO MORE TAXATION

PRIME MINISTER'S ASSURANCE.

(From a Corresponuent). *

WELLINGTON, Aug. 22

• The assurance given by the Prime Minister during the week-end to the effect that there would be no more taxation of any description, and no more drastic legislation, during tlie approaching scission of .parliament, is, for the time being, more definite and reassuring than is .the promising news from Ottawa. Thelnorning paper announces that “New Zealand, can rejoice with the Empire to-day in tlile substantia,i and practical achievements resulting from tlie Imperial Economic Conference,’ ’ but it does not.exactly explain where the rejoicing should begin and where it must cease. “There may be some who .will be disappointed at the actual terms of the agreement reached,” but that, the public is told, “can be only because they expected too much.” And the public is further infdrnted that Britain still sells mors outside than inside the Empire and must maintain respect t foreign markets. OF FIRST CONSEQUENCE.

But apart and before all this, ais the “Dominion” states, is the cause for congratulation and deep thankfulness in thei fact that the spirit of Empir unity has triumphantly passed the severe, test of tariff bargaining. “Tire principle of economic co-operation,”'we are reminded, ‘has been unanimously adopted and, what' is of more consequence,., applied in many practical agreements.. If so much has been p-ov-cd possible among this representatives of an empire comprising one-fourtli of the earth’s area and population there is good hope of achievement at the forthcoming World Economic Conference Ottawa should prove a‘ real help in lifting the depression and London may oomplete the upward movement.” : This is the spirit in which the Economic Conference may be faced by such of the British delegates as ’ may have gathered experience and goodwill at Ottawa during the last few weeks. Returning to the Frime Minister’s statement at the week-end in regard to the first session of the new Parliament, it was scarcely necessary for the leader of the Bouse to return to the superfluities and indiscretions of new members and disappointed ones. “I am hound to agree,” he is reported as saying ‘that a session of Parliament has an unsettling effect, but this is chiefly caused, by the fact that so many illconsidered statements are made in the House. 'The Government is not responsible for many things that are said during debates, and it has to be admitted ,it was Unfortunate that there was a danger of the country becoming alarmed unnecessarily' by questions which were overstated'.”. Excesses of speech are scarcely less common on one side of the House, than they are on the •other, anff there are occupants of the Treasury Benches who are not wholly immaculate iff this respect. . PARTY ASIDE. Apropos of this subject, it is gratifying to see how scrupulously the Hon. Adam Hamilton, who,, in the absence

of the Right Hon. J. G. Crates, is bearing the burden of the Employment Department, in addition to his own portfolios and a number of minor re, sponsibilities, eschews all party demonstrations. That in the days of the three Party system he was a good Reformer is generally known, rather by his seat in the House ■ than by any of his party demonstrations, but to-day as a member of the Coalition Government lie makes no distinction between Reform and Liberal and is as attentive to Labour as he is to, the two amalgamated parties. No doubt other members of tlie Cabinet are as scrupulously aetentive to representations and need of Labour as Mr Coates’ locum tenens is but it is doubtful if any other Minister of the Crown ever has set aside party in a more earnest desire to serve tincountry, and its people.