The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 1933. THE ISSUE.

Hokitika Guardian, 18 February 1933, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 1933. THE ISSUE.

The Prime Minister’s statement of the ‘’national situation, in reply to the Opposition attitude towards the further taxation considered necessary, really (stated the obvious. But it seems to be necessary to do so, for there are none so blind as they who w‘di; not see. The policy 'of the Labour party, said Air Forbes, was to keep on spending no matter where the money came from.” For that reason the economies enforced by circumstances were generally opposed. And hue criticism was lUsniaily personal than national. Air Forbes compared it to the bad tactics in .football, where a -player was disposed to play the man and not the ball! It was a rather -apt allusion so far ,asi the Labo,ur attacks on the Prime Minister is concerned, and the retort courteous by Air Forbes was one of those quiet replies wherewith he ‘scores no neatly, -nr Forbes went on to .traverse the policy of his Labour opponents who did all they could to embarrass the Government. There is no doubt a great deal of waste of time in Parliament, and the tactics of the Opposition is largely responsible For that state of affairs. It is the duty of the Government to maintain the credit of' the country by budgeting for' a balanced • budget. Beth Air Coates, .as Minister of.[Finance, and Air 1 Forbes, have been at- one in stressing this fact before the House, but as Air Forbes remarks, Labour has, sought both politically and financially to embarrass the Government, and prevent the currying through of the policy. Mr Forbes went on to express faith in -the public reception of the policy now being enacted. There has been an outcry in many directions, but it is all destructive criticism, and nothing is offered as an adequate substitute. But jt is generally agreed that the country must yield more revenue if there is to be a favourable adjustment of the finances. The policy of tin Government -is intended to adjust the national credit along solvent lines. Admittedly jt- is a difficult task with the pre-rent state of the markets for produce—the staple asset of the country. There is no easy way to meet the .‘.situation, and conditions have to he faced as stern realities which cannot by ignored. This in. effect wa-s tiie defence of the Prime Minister for the further taxation, and as the responsible leader of the country, it is not for him to shirk his duty. Air Forbes may not lie a magnetic leader, as his opponents so often aver, but lie is a solid leader who can meet each situation with boldness and decision. His answer to- the civil service the other day when seeking full political rights, was typical of'the man and his candour, and who must be the more respected because he is ready to face facts and deal courageously with them.