DOMINION AFFAIRS.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume XI, Issue 3426, 4 March 1920, Page 5

DOMINION AFFAIRS.

REVIEWED BY PREMIER.

A GOOD OUTLOOK.

WELLINGTON, March 3.

In a review of the general situation, ‘with some pointers for the future, the Prime Minister made an announcement to-day to delegates at the conference of Chambers of Commerce, ‘that the trade of New Zcaland was the gteatest per head of population of all countries of the world. The outlook for the year was good, and the season had been satisfactory as far as the producers were concerned. The commandeer was coming to an end, but he doubted whether stores would be empty before the end of the year. He believed ‘the commandeer had been of great benefit to the people of -the Dominion in stabilisng production during the War onacertain footing The total amount which had come to this country by "the end of the eommandeer Would be some hundred and fifty million sterling for ‘the produce transferred to the Imperial Government. No doubt a free market had its advantages, and new the war was passed the country would benefit. New Zealand could produce as much per head of population as any country could, and of as good quality. The f.:‘.'::2'e depended upon ourselves. We had to exert ourselves and do our best under whatever circumstances might prevail. ,

Rqgarding taxaztion, Mr Massey frankly admitted that the present system was very far from perfect, being full of anomalies. It Was the intention of the Government to put it right at the earliest possible moment, whether through a royal commission or a financial committee had not yet been decided. Somethingwould have to be done before the House met, and a report would be placed before a Parliamentary committee composed of members who had made a special study of financial questions. | He would be very glad to have the assistance of members of Chambers throughout the Dominion. As far as he was personally concerned, he believed it was right and proper for the Finance Minister to take no more money from the people than was absolutely necessary to carry on the business of the country. As compared wiih the period before the war, they had to pay five million more per annum for interest and sinking fund, and in addition there would be two millions for war pensions. It would seem that there was very little opportunity of reducing taxation just. yet. He thought there would be a very satisfactory surplus this year, but whether there would be a. sufficient surplus to reduce taxation remained to be seen. The only chance of reducing taxation would be when production increased both in quantity and value. That should be the aim of ‘the people -“to increase production by whatever means lay in their power. That was the only wise policy at the present time.

The Prime Minister then dealt with other problems of reconstruction. As to domestics, he understood that about 200 were ‘on their Way out now at a cost of £4O each for passage. The Gov. ernment had arranged for the converg'~vl of cargo steamers for tfie carrying $229 ‘rants on the voyage out, and thefifimer Mahana would bring about 1100, vu-;‘i7ing here in April. Mr Mas. sey added that he had had many ap. plications for positions as immigration agenfs in England, but Ihnro was no need for them now.