Greymouth Evening Star. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 1945. LEGATIONS FARCE.

Greymouth Evening Star, 15 September 1945, Page 4

Greymouth Evening Star. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 1945. LEGATIONS FARCE.

piSCUSSTON in the House of Representatives of the annual estimates of expenditures gives an opportunity for revelations as to how the money goes. It is not surprising that the Treasurer resists reduction in taxation when extravagant spending is so rampant. Labour finance is, indeed startling, and if the Party’s control of . the national purse lasts much longer, New Zealand will be in a sorry plight. These amateurs, or wizards, of finance are unashamed, leaving the country to be naked, and they propose to attempt showing life-trained experts how the Bank of New Zealand, for instance, should be run. The whole affair would be laughable to New Zealanders —if it were happening in some other country. If ever the Dominion was “sold a pup,” it has been in connection with its representation abroad, mostly unnecessary and invariably costly. With these legations, expenditure is on an extravagant scale, and just what benefit does this country derive ? The latest disclosures concerning the large sums spent at Ottawa and Moscow, must cause misgiving, even amongst Labour supporters. Mr. Fraser made the naive appeal that the Opposition should be careful in their criticism not to impair the goodwill between New Zealand and other nations. That plea should deceive none. If any Power feels hurt because New Zealanders criticise the expenditure of their own money, a remedy for that sensitiveness should be sought. Russia. for instance, docs not care a rouble what is said in the Dominion about the Moscow Legation, and, apparently, is not concerned with the Legation itself, otherwise steps would have been taken by the Russian authorities to see that the New Zealanders received belter treatment. The Soviet does not take the N.Z. Legation any more seriously than do those who aie taxed to maintain it.

Mr. Fraser’s defence of Mr. Boswell’s silent service teas far from convincing, especially at the price. Nor was his explanation of the Ottawa premises purchase altogether satisfactory. Mr. Langston seems to have done his best, but, inexperience in dealing with large sums, or important property, caused a poor bargain to be thrust oil New Zealand. Good faith was lacking somewhere in Canada, and it is to be hoped that Dominion diplomacy in other matters shows to greater advantage than in this property deal. Mr. Wilson, has not been much heard irom since his return to Ottawa, so far as the public are concerned, but then from what Ministers abroad does any information come? It may be of' course, that New Zealand representatives are kept so busy in furthering the Dominion’s interests, that they have no time to furnish any publicity. It, is inferred by Mr. Fraser that their secret reports are invaluable. What would happen if the Washington, Ottawa, Moscow and Canberra . legations were withdrawn? Nothing in New Zealand would be different, and it is probable that the closings would not be noticed in the four capitals mentioned. At any rate, the experiment appears to be worth trying. It will not be, of course. On the contrary, further appointments abroad are predicted.