WHAT OTHERS SAY

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 266, 4 July 1932, Page 6

WHAT OTHERS SAY

OUR CONTEMPORARIES N.Z. PRESS OPINIONS ON TOPICS OF THE MOMENT. There is noe danger that is evident in the almost universal cry for retrenchment. The need for wise economy is, of course, apparent to all who are conversant with wasteful methods and policies both in government and private business. But economy is something entirely different from retrenchment. Economy implies no cessation of legitimate activity, no eur tailment of industry, 'commerce, education, or social activity; no paring down of i'nvestments in those values which build up useful individual and family life. Retrenchment, however, is a backward step, a retreat from an objective. Retrenchment is negative. Economy is a positive policy applied to a continuance of progressive activity; it is wisdom in spending. It is making "two. blades of grass grow where only one grew," not by euttjng expenses, reducing wages and salaries to the point where financial concern paralyses the spontaneous and free effort of the worker, but by more intelligent work, more productive labour, more conscientious service. — Stratford Post. The Prime Minister, having deemed it undesirable that he should go abroad during the present difficulties confronting hjm at home, it obviously was the right thing that Mr. Coates should take charge of the delegation the Dominion is dispatching to Ottawa. Whether Mr. Forbes or Mr. Coates had, been entrusted with the leadership of the delegation, the inclusion of Mr. Downie Stewart, the Minister of Finance, was inevjtable, since no other member of the Cabi-

net is so well acquainted with the problems to be discussed, and, it is hoped, satisfactorily solved. Some of the critics are taking Mr. Forbes to task for not being more prompt and more exp'liejt in regard to New Zealand's policy at the approaching eonference, but the Prime Minister, poor man, has given all the information that is available and cannot foresea what more may be produced at the other end of the world four or five weeks hence. — Manawatu Daily Times. ag: afe $ fe From the statement of the Minister of Industries and Commerce, it is clear that the consunrar will receive no benefit from the importation of 850,000 bushels of Australian wheat. The monopoly of the South Tsland wheatgrower, jealously guarded by prohibitive duties, is to be preservad. Australian wheat can be bought for about half the price of the local article. The saving to the consumer on the importation of 850,000 bushels of Australian wheat should be about £85,000 to £100,000. It is surely not impossible, although admittedly difficult, to devise means whereby this saving could be passed on to the consumer without causing a break in local wheat priees. It may be that the Government will be glad to collect the heavy duties. The local producer may also wish to avoid any demoralisation of the well-disciplined consumer by the spectacle of cheaper wheat, flour and bread. — Dominion. It is pleasing to learn that the New Zealand delegation has set up a very high ideal to present at the Ottawa Economic Conference. In short, Mr. Forbes says that it is the viewpoint of the Government of this Dominion that the conference should be approached in a spirit of mutual co-ope-ration and not from the point of view of mere bargaining or fine balancing of advantages that can be accorded by one unit of the Empire to another. Too good it is to be true, however, that that will prove to be the spirit which will animate the deliberations at the conference. Mr. Forbes, indeed, tends rather to discount his own government's ideal when he suggests that the fresh concessions which this Dominion is prepared to offer in favour of British manufactures (and in return for preferential tariff treatment in respect of its produce by Britain) "will be sufficient to place New Zealand in a most favourable situation in discussing the matter with the Imperial authorities." — Gisborne Times. ❖ ❖ sfs While thriftiness and the preservation of the nest-egg are always to be applauded, true economy does not consist alone in the hiding of money away in the family stocking, but rather in putting it to some good use. There is not likely to recur again for many years a time at which so much may b'e got for small expenditure. This may be said not only with regard to the direct employment of labour, in, say, starting or extending in a modest way undertakings likely to develop, or in improvements or renovations to homes, or in anythjng of a like character. It may be said also with regard to providing or renewing household and personal requirements of all kinds. It may be taken with absolute assurance that the chances for doing this at small cost are just now such a's do not offer excepting at rare intervals. — Hawke's Bay Tribune.