NOTES AND COMMENTS

Dominion, Volume 35, Issue 171, 16 April 1942, Page 4

NOTES AND COMMENTS

Although the British Chancellor of the Exchequer (Sir Kingsley Wood) is confronted with an expenditure in 1942-43 estimated to reach the truly astronomical figure of £5,286,000,000, his Budget proposals for the coming year are much less drastic than might have been feared. This is thanks partly to the buoyancy of revenues in the past year, which exceeded the Chancellor’s estimate by £288,000,000. But it is also due in great measure to the magnificent response by the people of the United Kingdom to the various savings and loan schemes with which the Government supplemented the national funds. For example, personal savings rose from £640,000,000 in 1940 to more than £900,000,000 in 1941—indeed a remarkable increase to have been contributed by a people who, at the same time, Mere meeting unprecedentedly heavy demands by way of taxation. The result of the 1941-42 national financial effort is, as the Chancellor points out, decidedly encouraging f0r'1942-43, notwithstanding an estimated increase in total expenditure of £510,000,000. It means that the necessary revenue increase by way of taxation will be in the neighbourhood of £170,000,000, which compared with the present taxation total of more than £2,000,000,000 is not a staggering prospect. Indeed, as shown by the Chancellor s proposals set out in this morning’s cable news, it is hoped to find this extra £170,000,000 largely by increased taxation on luxury commodities and entertainment. The additional burden on these lines will undoubtedly be heavy, and the sacrifice involved very substantial. But the British people are in a mood for sacrifice of this kind. With the knowledge that their means of providing the essentials of life, and of maintaining their contributions by way of savings loans to the Exchequer, will not be further impaired, they can be expected to face the new financial year resolutely and cheerfully. National industry and savings effort in Britain presents a timely object-lesson to the rest of the British Empire.

It is now going on for a year since the Minister of Lands, Mr. Langstone, left the Dominion, in company -with Mr. Coates, on a mission to Washington. Mr. Coates has been back in New Zealand for many months

but Mr. Langstone is still abroad. It was reported that he would prolong his stay in the American capital in order to confer with the Prime Minister, * when he arrived from London, on his way back to the Dominion. Then there was a reference to some business in connexion with the purchase of a residence for the New Zealand Minister to the United States. But the Minister appointed has himself been in residence there for some time and still the Minister of Lands extends his visit. There is a good deal of curiosity as to what purpose—if any—is Mr. Langstone now serving. It is a considerable time since anything was heard of him or his activities, and a mission that necessitated the absence of a Minister of the Crown for nearly 12 months should be of sufficient importance to warrant some statement of its purpose. Is lie assisting Mr. Nash at Washington or continuing tlie work which had been so far advanced that Mr. Coates was able to return to the Dominion last August?

Commenting on the present provisions for equipment for the Home Guard, the mayor of Lower Hutt, Mr. Andrews, lias pointed out that while thousands of pounds have been spent on furnishing the E.P.S., a recent request for haversacks for the Home Guard had brought tlie reply that members must purchase their own. There is no suggestion that too much lias been spent ou equipping tlie E.P.S. The importance of tliis service in emergencies is too great for any stinting that might impair ils usefulness. But if Mr. Andrews's point about the niggardly treatment the Home Guard is receiving by comparison is generally true it suggests an inadequate appreciation somewhere of tlie great importance of doing everything possible to raise the efficiency of the corps, improve its equipment, and encourage its members. Tliis branch of the country’s defences is carrying a gie.it responsibility, ami preparing itself for its duties by serious ami constant training in all weathers. It should not, therefore, be made to feel that its legitimate requirements are a secondary consideration with the authorities.

If suitable arrangements could be made tlie recommendation of the education committee to the Labour Party conference, that first aid should be taught in the schools, would serve a very useful purpose. Competition between schools could be organized and probably a high level of efficiency readied. The instruction amt practice would afford a pleasing change in the weekly routine of tlie average senior class. Many people who have been attending classes in first aid have expressed regret that they were not given tliis valuable instruction when at school. It is certain that many of tlie children would become .sufficiently interested to continue their training. when they left school, in order to become really efficient in the work. Tlie annual toll of accidents in the Dominion is high and first aid, skilfully applied, would prevent much suffering and possibly serious after-effects. It. might not be possible to have the instruction given in all schools, but where they can be arranged first-aid classes would constitute a valuable addition to the education of the young.people.