BETTER OUTLOOK

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 299, 12 August 1932, Page 4

BETTER OUTLOOK

An encouraging and reassuring note was struck by the Prime Minister in a Wellington interview during the week when he indicated that it would not be necessary for the Government to impose further taxation during the coming session and that the infliction of further. emergeney measures upon ihe eommunity was a remote possibility. It is apparent that Mr. Forbes is taking a more optimistic view of genekal conditions than he has done for some time, and this unusual development is, in itself, worthy of attention as indicating better things. It may be that the Prime Minister has at last realised the unfortunate elfeet of unnecessarily pessimistic utterances at a time like the present, or it may be that he is developing a more cheerful outlook ; in either case he has given a much more heartening lead during the past two months than was previously the case. Unjusti-

fied optimism of course, is not only out of place but definitely harmful. There have, however, been a number of occasions since Mr. Forbes assumed office, on which his predeliction of contemplating the gloomy side of the picture has had equally harmful effects. All classes of the community will derive very real satisfaction and a measure of relief from Mr. Forbes' assurance that additional taxation is not contemplated for the present, and it is most earnestly to be hoped that conditions will permit the Government to hold its : hand indefinitely. Further taxation, under present conditions, ; would be the shortest route to ■ calamity and the Government j will best assist recovery and its own task/ by exploring every possible avenue of economy and reorganisation in order to avoid placing a further burden upon the taxpayer.