NOTES OF THE DAY

Dominion, Volume 26, Issue 124, 18 February 1933, Page 10

NOTES OF THE DAY

In laying upon the State, through its incursions _ into fields outside its proper scope, the blame for many of our economic disoideis. Mr. H. M. Campbell has made a true diagnosis. Not surprisingly he was twitted in the House for holding such views and yet supporting the Government in its manipulation of exchange. Yet his ansAvet was a good one. Having got so far in. he said in effect, the State had to find a way out. It would not help to sit down inactive in the maze. Any and every way that offers an exit must be exploied. Once out, however, New Zealand should capitalise bitter expeiiencc and resolve never again to tread the treacherous ways of State regulation and interference, of State, trading and mothering and muddling. * *

Nothing will be gained and something may be lost by the Labour Party’s policy of blind obstruction to the Sales Tax Bill. Such a measure should be considered in a calm, thoughtful and helpful spirit. In the end the Bill will be passed and, recognising that and having made their protest, opponents should try to assist the Government in making it a good and workable Act. Under the best circumstances a sales tax is bound to prove an irritation, an obstruction and a burden. These drawbacks might be reduced to the minimum, however-, if the House constituted itself a Committee in fact as well as in name, and went earnestly to work on making its operation as smooth as possible. That result will not be achieved in an atmosphere of heat and weariness. Parliament does itself no credit by producing conditions, such as were produced by the Labour Party yesterday, under which the Government is forced to drive in order to make any progress and the Opposition is reduced to barren futility. 1. he country wants all the help it can get from every one of its representatives; it is sick of mere party politics, and of the effort to exploit its difficulties in the interests of factions and sections.