SELFISHNESS V. THE STATE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 100, 29 April 1937, Page 6

SELFISHNESS V. THE STATE.

"There is a real need for those who believe that the State already ovens and controls too many services in this Dominion to discover and define the line beyond which the State should not go." As far as it makes people think, the suggestion in your sub-leader 011 the proposed socialisation of road services may be all to the good. A great many of m are in a very muddled state of mind on this subject. Even the "Star" seems uncertain where the line should be drawn. In your sub-leader on "Forest Conservation" you rightly point out that "a National Forest Council will be able to take a broad view of the vast problems connected with our native forests and streams.'" True, but had State control of forests been established earlier and the destruction of hillside forefts prevented there would have been no flood menace to deal with. But that, of course, would have been "unwarranted interference with private enterprise"! So is. anything that protects the community as a whole from the greed of the individual in a position to exploit it. Let those who think private enterprise always the most efficient consider the question again when they have to pay taxes to provide the millions now necessary to control rivers and replant forests destroyed by all-wise, efficient and benevolent private enterprise. THE GREATEST NUMBER.