CURRENT TOPICS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 268, 4 April 1913, Page 4

CURRENT TOPICS.

IS IT WORTH IT? The Otira wilderness, already served by a magnificent road, passable at all times excepting when a fresh unduly swells the rivers, is worthless for settlers, but our East Coast, now without roads or railways, could easily absorb tens of thousands of settlers and produce millions of pounds' worth of produce, if made reasonably accessible (savs the Auckland "Herald.") Again, there is no practicable communication between the markets of the Waikato and the thousands of acres of good land now lying idle between Kawhia and the main line. Further South exactly the same conditions can be seen in that vast tract of almost inaccessible country lying between the Main Trunk and the Province of Taranaki. In the Far North Mr. Eraser has become convinced of the value of the land at present almost unused for want of roads, and as ActingMinister for Finance must have realised that the national treasury would soon be fdled to overflowing if this neglected area were made productive. There is no immediate necessity in the North for such a splendid road as that between Bealey and Otira, which even the Reform Government apparently wants to throw awav. All that Auckland asks for is serviceable roads, passable in winter; and if Mr. Frascr realises, as we think he does, the immense possibilities of the Northern districts, he ought not to hesitate in suspending all expenditure on such monstrous extravagance as the Otira Tunnel and spending everv available pennv upon roads—and railways—which will develop the country, increase production, support population, and enhance prosperity . STARTLING PROPOSALS. Germany's new Armv Rill must be rewarded with misgivings bv every European nation (writes the '"Lyttelton Times"). The causes which have led to the remarkable expansion of German armaments within recent years need not be analysed here, and it is not necessary to attempt to fix the responsibility for the latest development. The fact of supreme importance is tlmt the country which already possesses the largest army in the. world and the second largest navy is making preparations for war on an unprecedented scale, and in doing

so iri assuming burdens which <-ainiol be j borne for very many years without li-1 uancial and commercial disaster. Tin* i Hill which has been placed before the') Reichstag ])rop<>scs a large increase in the peace strength of the German Army at a cost of £!),)0(l.tl0 annually. and provides for non-reclining expenditure to the amount of no les- than on military services, including an addition of £12.1)00.000 to the national war chest. This cash reserve, which contains part of the indemnity paid by trance after the strntiLf!e in 'ISTO. will thin amount, to 'At leVs'. £18.000.000. The enormous | sum of money required tinder (lie ISill ] is to be raised in whole or ill part b\ I means of "defence levies" on property and incomes. Meyer previously haye. such measures been submitted to Parliament except ill 'he P"st stairs of a great war. The Hill has the merit from the point of view of I he German people in placing the larger share of the burden on the shoulders best able to bear it. the one{uilf per cent low on! .property beginning at a yalue of £'M and the two percent, le.vv oil incomes all'ectiii;; only those rising aboye £2">flo. but 'his consideration does not disguise the tie! that for all practical purposes Uerntany is proceeding to impose war taxes in time of peace, The lii'l is bound to strengthen the misgivings which were aroused last year when it was announced that in future nearly the whole of Germany's nayy would be kept continually in full commission, thus »»ttir.g a new standard in naval preparedness.