PROBLEMS OF THE YEAR.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 309, 31 December 1930, Page 6

PROBLEMS OF THE YEAR.

\ A RETROSPECT AND AN ANOMALY (To the Editor.) As is too well realised, this year of -race has been fraught with many problems,* and the nation looks in retrospect with mixed feelings Placing facts squarely for eritS survey, the conclusion is conveved to us tW .periodical depression is as common to con merce as is war to our civilisation. Xotwifchstanding elaborate organisation, accountancy systems ot admitted economic value, a »ener/l expansion of mechanical aid to industry and the concentration of the world's best develop brains to commercial affairs, we have finished the year in subjection. Life will burdensome indeed if the years to come fail to witness a healthier general prosperity However, there is a peculiar sidelight thrust ■ ing itself into the gloom of the 1930 depression and is one which might worthily occupy the attention of our leading economists. As is well known, the sugar-producing area of Australasia has enjoyed for a number * ofyears past the protective legislation of a Government, more as a quid pro quo than reward for industrious endeavours and zeal in honouring the promise given by the growers to satisfy home requirements before availing themselves of the then distinctly better market abroad. Putting the matter baldly, does it not appear anomalous that this same su«ar-' producing area, where production and marketing conditions are mainly identical to those operating since 1918 (excepting that local consumption lias steadily advanced) should also be suffering in the stress and strain of present subnormal times ? Perhaps the banking institutions have changed their respective policies to the sons of the sugar soil; in which case, one may well ask, why?

E. J. ELLIOTT.