The Times. Published on Tuesday and Friday Afternoons. Motto: Public service. TUESDAY, AUGUST 17, 1920. UNFAIR ADVANTAGES.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 9, Issue 558, 17 August 1920, Page 2

The Times. Published on Tuesday and Friday Afternoons. Motto: Public service. TUESDAY, AUGUST 17, 1920. UNFAIR ADVANTAGES.

When quoting- apparently successful Government departments in support of extensions of incursions by the State into new businesses, champions of State control either purposely or innocently overlook the fact that a State department often trades under monopolistic conditions that no private firm can enjoy. Take, for examples, the postal and telegraphic services. No private individual or firm is permitted to compete against the State in these things, as a Christchurch man was made aware of when he talked of instituting a mails' service to carry letters at a cheaper rate than the State department now conveys them. Despite the fact that the business is a monopoly the rates have had to be increased very substantially in order to pay the advancements in salaries, and this is in face of the fact that the department does not make provision for extensions in the way of new buildings and plant as every firm must do. Take also the position when a person proceeds against the State in the law courts. The onus of proof of innocence is on the defendant, and failing his ability to provide this proof he may be found guilty even though he is actually innocent. The Crown does not pay costs even if it loses the case; a man may be proceeded against on a charge of profiteering, but even if he is acquitted he has to pay his own legal expenses and for loss of time, etc. These things are manifestly unjust, but may serve as warnings of how despotic the major ruling authority would almost certainly be were all the means of production, distribution and exchange absolutely controlled by the State and all of us were civil servants. No wonder that attempts to convert the whole nation into civil servants always results in civil war, as in Russia to-day. Just as a judge may administer the law as it is laid down for him, and not be a law unto himself. so the business of the State is to hold the balance fairly between all sections of its subjects without robbing its nationals of the last vestige of personal freedom and equity.