Page 4 Advertisements Column 5

Taranaki Daily News, 23 November 1915, Page 4

MORE SELF-RELIANCE. When we consider the financial burden upon the Mother Country—or try to consider it, for the figures arc too huge for the mind to grasp—can a fortunate Dominion like ours, far separated from the war zone and revelling m unparalleled prosperity, regard itself as being quite beyond reproach' This question is asked by the Lyttelton Times, which continues: In the September quarter over thirty millions of money was deposited in the banks, including the savings banks. Last week over three hundred thousand pounds was passed through the totalisator at Tticcarton and Addington. The other day the Government asked for a loan 0/ two million pounds. No pressure was put upon anybody, no persuasion used, no special appeal made. The loan was very modestly advertised, in fact; and yet investors offered over four millions Tn the nine months ended September, the value of our exports—our surplus of production over requirements—was well above twenty-four millions sterling. Yesterday wool was sold in Wellington at .two shillings a pound. Meat, butter, cheese, tallow, hides, sheepskins—all are bringing prices that are abnormal where they are not exactly sensational. And yet we are nut attempting to finance our part in the war. On the contrary, we are borrowing from the principal customer who is paying fancy prices for our products, every penny that we spend on the war—and even the policy of paying for our own public works, instead of asking the over-burdened Mother Country for the money, was scouted in some quarters when it was first proposed. Are we pulling our weight? Is New Zealand doing what It should la the matter