Safety First

NZ Truth, Issue 1185, 16 August 1928, Page 6

Safety First

THOSE ' newspapers which still straddle the rail of uncertainty, waiting for the electoral issue to be decided, were pleased to say that Downie 'Stewart's Budget displayed no window-dressing, was a matter-of-fact document, and, generally, was scarcely a vote-catching preparation. „ The point always to be remembered about dressing' windows is that the first requirement is to have something to display and this, unfortunately, the Government does not possess. ; The Budget, m plain language, is a sterile concoction comprising a few economic half-truths, so twisted as to. convey a suggestion of caution m the future for palpable blunders m the past. It strikes no note of optimism, has no genuinely constructive foundation and must go down among the governmental disgraces as but another milk-and-water infliction on public gullibility. Admittedly a huge surplus m a young progressive country is not looked for, but it is hard to reconcile Downie Stewart's view with, say, an equitable system, of taxation. Neither can one look. at any figures prepared by the' Government without a growing sense of uneasiness at the fearful proportions being, assured by the mon-, ster Administration. Economy is 1 —or should be — as economy does. ' There may be points about the financial statement, which, as distinct from catch-penny pasts, are calculated to paint "safe" futures, and, m being delightfully non-'joramittal, Stewart has not risked drawing the fire of public censure so close to an election. ' However, the present Governri^ent is still-tainted and painted with the same, brush of stupid disregard for vital issues. Downie, as a showman, is certainly 1 net showy or "flash," but he asks us, nevertheless, to flock round and see him do the sword-swallowing; act without damaging the inner man. . * Talking comparatively with Australia, political front-rankers have prated long and tediously about the high standing of New Zealand on the London money market,^ but that is some of the good which has, providentially survived the late W. F. Massey. It is abundantly' clear that Gordon Coates does not count one jot m the political scheme of things m this country and if good fortune keeps him m the big .chair,' it will merely be, that there is' nothing better offering. ,: And 'this would show how, low oiir politics had sunk m public £fctimatioh. •■' ' ■■ '■'-•' •' .■'