IN THE PUBLIC MIND.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 236, 5 October 1935, Page 8

IN THE PUBLIC MIND.

BALANCING THE BUDGET. A MOUNTING NATIONAL DEBT. (To the Editor.) How easy to promise, how hard to fulfil. The Democrat party, on the one hand, will reduce taxation and on the other will increase public expenditure. How is this to be accomplished? Loans arc to be raised. This means increased interest charges. Increased taxation is one possible method of meeting this cost, but this is contrary to the party's policy. The alternative is to apply these loans to work which will eventually become self-supporting. Now another point of the policy is that the State will not Undertake any scheme that would interfere with private enterprise. Private enterprise will undertake any scheme likely to show a profit, so what docs this leave the State? Industries which will eventually become self-supporting are to be aided. Yet how can these industries hope to become selfsupporting in the face of specialised British competition created by the raising of the New Zealand pound to parity with sterling? p ro . tective tariffs is one way, but these are to be lowered. Rationalisation would probably enable part of the existing industries to compete, but this would cause an increase in unemployment. An increased export trade at the low existing prices would not counteract these adverse effects. Admittedly public, spending, together with subW-ies to farmers and reduced taxation, would increase, the national income and thereby increase the income from taxation, but I maintain that the causes mentioned in preceding paragraphs would tend to decrease the national income to the same extent. This policy of raising loans supposedly to alleviate present sufferings must end or the interest charges on a mounting national debt will become intolerable. “Posterity' must help to bear these,” says Mr. Hislop. Poor posterity' G. GRAHAM.

THE CLERGY AND DISTRESS. Once upon a time New Zealand was recognised as the most advanced and enlightened country in the world in the legislation it passed for the good of its people. It was held by many that such should be the case, as it was a young country which started business many years ' after the older lands and could profit by the mistakes made by the legislators in these older lands; and moreover, the minds of the pioneers were completely changed by their surroundings, where complete liberty and freedom were enjoyed, which had been denied them in their own lands. They passed these views on to their children, and the consequences were that New Zealand enjoyed a world reputation for progress and humanitarian laws find ideals. Yet these beautiful ideals have become dulled, and during the last ten years New Zealand has produced nothing in the way of social lairs to set the world thinking. After attending the large gathering of clergy in the Town Hall I began to think that New Zealand was beginning to regain some of its' lost vigour and inventiveness when I beheld Archbishop Averill and a group of clergy of all denominations taking up the very important and unsolved problem of the unemployed and poor in our city, who with their dependents run into thousands. It struck me that those in power in this country have certainly not provided a remedy and seem incompetent to do so, as they surely have been in office long enough to prove their ability. This group of clergy have nothing to gain for • themselves, and behind their statements are facts and figures which confirm the lamentable state of affairs 'existing : 5n Auckland lenday ahd show the terrible consequences that are inevitable if such widespread distress is allowed to continue. It seems that the spirit of the early colonists is not dead and the blood that coursed through their veins is again to be set in motion. The nation should be behind them in their work. Strange but true, we read in the. daily newspapers that President Roosevelt, of the great continent of America, has circularised the clergy' over there inviting them to give their help in a constructive programme to bring a certain measure of prosperity back to the people. We should be pleased to know that the clergy in New Zealand, without an invitation from any Government, were the first to come forward and range themselves on the side of the poor and distressed in our city, were the first past the judge’s box in this movement. WALTER F. DARBY.

AUCKLAND’S ONLY AIR BASE SITE. It lias been suggested that a landing ground for aeroplanes be made at Point England, which, of cdurse, has just the same disadvantage as Mangere—it is too far out from the city, so there is still need to build another one -more convenient and central. The 90 odd acres owned 'by the City Council at Point Chevalier reef is the only suitable site, and with the Meola and Motion creeks on each side of it can be used for seaplanes. As long as the aviation grounds are kept out in the country the public will take no notice of aviation, and it is not likely that the “air sense” will ever enter their thoughts. The Point Chevalier site has the necessary stone foundation that is going to be essential for the heavy ’planes of the future, and as already the Navy has started work at Kauri Point there is little doubt that it will not be long before they prepare the Point Chevalier reef as their air base. Both Mangore and Point England will be useful for light machines, but the one site that is within the city is the City Council’s property adjoining-the sea, the tram and the Zoo. SIMPLE SIMON.

R.S.A. MEMBERSHIP. I think that all “Ex-Servicemen” will agree with me that “Tobar’s”, letter in Monday’s “Star” is to the point and not overdue. 1 don’t 'want to suggest that Mr. Kendall or Mr. Ohlson know anything about “two-up,’ but this 1 do know, they give every one a fair spin and many a war-worn “Digger” can thank Mr. Ohlson for his pension. What they and their executive have done for our unfortunate “cobbers” in the mental hospital will certainly not be forgotten by the patients, nor by other “Diggers,” and the public in general. It 1S very gratifying to know that a revival has set in. and it is up to all "Diggers” to join up. Having attended several ‘ club socials recently, I have been struck by the esprit de corps that is shown, every taste is catered for and the old “Digger" forgets his present troubles for the time being, whether he does the light fantastic, plays 5(10 or sings “Mademoiselle from Armcntieres.” NO-BAP-IN DEFENCE.

It is amusing to read ‘•Disgusted Labotll Voter's” criticism of Mr. Lark and I.aiiours pledges. As an old Liberal 1 do not always see eye to eye with Labour, but believe in fair criticism, not under a nom de plume. “Disgusted” will find if he has followed the policy of the City Council that the restoration of the cuts of the man of the small income in their employ has been achieved; also h® will find that applies to the Transport Board, although the new board came into power at a time when the workings of the tr.-iniwa'® have been showing a big deficiency in then taking-. ‘ " T. HENPY.