The Grey River Argus TUESDAY, September 10, 1935. NOW AND THEN.

Grey River Argus, 10 September 1935, Page 4

The Grey River Argus TUESDAY, September 10, 1935. NOW AND THEN.

It is reported that the Government is taking soundings as to the feasibility of borrowing a i'e wmillions in th eDominion in order to undertake a number of public works immediately. The loan suggested is one for comparatively a short term, not more than a decade, while the primary object is said to be that of finding standard wages for the unemployed on public works. The public would scarcely fail to note one or two points of significance ina. ny such move. The money, no doubt, would require to be borrowed, but the opportunity to raise it cheaply was easier at any time during the past three years than it is to-day. Tn the meantime, public works as distinct from more or less wasteful relief works, have been ignored, and not only that, but have in many cases where they were •started and then stopped, been responsible for the loss of more money than it now will be necessary to borrow in order to attain the object which the Government has doubtless most partitieularly in view. That object is obviously to lend some colour to the Government claim that the Dominion is rounding that endless 4 4 corner. ’ ’ The reason why facts—denoted by art unions, charity collections, local body works, and increase of unemployment registrations—are being misrepresented in this manner is to give an impression that the Government has been iproving the condition of things. This very loan suggestion is itself a proof of the contrary 1 If it be a sign of improvement, why has it been left until now to propose public works? Taxation has “gone the limit,’’and now it is to be succeeded by borrowing and an addition to the debt burden. As the Labour Leader says, the motto of this Administration is “debt in perpetuity.” But a while ago its cry was not to borrow. Why the “feeler” now about a reversal of that cry? Why were the unemployed, left, for four years on the dole if they are now entitled to “standard” pay? Nobody will be at any loss to reconcile the Government’s inconsistency, because everybody knows something entirely different to any regard for the poor is just now giving the Government much anxiety. The standard rates are certainly as desirable as they are urgent, but it is neither the need nor the desire of the unemployed that moves the Administration to propose them. What is impelling the Ministry to consider the un employed at this juncture is I he

approach of the general elections, the fear of the consequences, and the calculation that a 44 splash” of borrowed funds before December may render those consequences different from what they will otherwise bo. It will be said that the proceeds of the loan, even if they only last a littl e while, are tangible proof of returning prosperity produced by Governmental foresight. What about the capital wasted on all the public works that were suspended? Apparatus, that included costly machinery, was in many cases sold for a small fraction of its true value. 'Cools were in some, cases even buried to get them out of sight, and most valuable public property was al lowed to deteriorate until in many instances it became utterly valueless. On the other hand, the districts thereby ignored are still no less convinced that they should no longer be thus neglected, especially when they see money likely to be elsewhere laid out with no more justification than they had and still have themselves. What financial return is the State to obtain from a. deal of the costly building that is proceeding and is yet to be done in the main centres? What is being done to open up the back country? The policy hitherto has accelerated the congestion of

towns, ami now it may be that money will be spent simply because that condition puts a pre mium on expenditure in the said urban areas. New Zealand, without the industrialisation in ofh *r countries where urbanisation i. the worst problem resulting, is yet exhibiting a similar problem. It is the dole or pauperisation policy that has to be thanked for it. If electoral boundaries are less stable than ever, it is because of lop-sided direction in na tional economy. Nobody will be apt to quarrel with a revival now

of public works, especially if those carrying on such works are paid less inadequately than at presnt, but nobody need be fooled, into the belief that it will bo anything except an electioneering dodge so far as the Government is concerned. They hav ■' simply delayed the thing until in their estimation it would best serve their own. rather than the public, interest.