"MORE ECONOMY WANTED"

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 11, 13 July 1931, Page 8

"MORE ECONOMY WANTED"

There was one : dissentient from :i resolution of, the Farmers' Union Conference which-'affirmed it to be essential ; ;

that the Budget should, bo balanced by further economies lather than by additional charges and taxation.

"Don't you want economy?" asked the president. "I want it defined," was the reply. We are inclined to agree with the request for a definition. On general principles most people, will agree that economy in this time is preferable to taxation, which will retard recovery; but most of those who agree to'this will make exceptions of services and voles in which they are .intcresLcd. "Economy (they will say), is wise, but not parsim6ny, nqt starvation of essential services (essential to'us), not savings which will make us pay for tilings which are now provided at the cost of the general taxpayer." It is amazing how wide a field is covered by this "but." Because we recognise this, we would urge all advocates of economy to endeavour to define the term, not merely'tosay thai "a great deal more could be done in the way of economy," but to show where and how it could be done. All suggestions will not be acceptable, but a constructive method will be more helpful to all concerned. It will lead all sections of the community to understand that there can be no economy without sacrifice for someone; and such an understanding will bo a great advance towards equality of sacrifice^