CRITICISM OF GOVERNMENT.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 16 May 1928, Page 6

CRITICISM OF GOVERNMENT.

REFUSAL TO REDUCE INCOME TAX.

MINISTER SAYS HE IS STILL UNREPENTANT.

«I«V rm.KOKAPS-rRKB« association.) AUCKLAND, May 15. The Minister of Finance, Ijjthe Hon. W. • Downie Stewart, addressing the Auckland Chamber of 'Commerce, referred to criticism occasionally levelled at the 'Government, and said this was welcomed ii\ a general sense, as from chambers of commerce and such bodies, but was objected to when it came from the leisured class, who were capable of assisting in public affairs of the country and refused to take their part, content, apparently, to take an occasional trip to the Sydney races and to criticise those who did the country’s work. On the subject of the strong criticism which had come from Auckland to his refusal last year to reduce incometax, the Minister said he was still unrepentant and argued that any one of his hearers, had they full knowledge of all the facts, would have acted as he had done.

Dealing with political conditions generally, he said that ho had come to the conclusion that the democratic machine could scarcely adapt itself "with sufficient promptitude to mdet the changing views ofl the people as a whole. In parts of Europe this discontent had shown itself in the disposition to leave democracy and seek for dictatorships. If democracy was go. ing to be preserved in this country it was necessary that many of those qualified to lead the people and help in the administration of public affairs, who did not at present take any part in the government of the country, ■shQuld come forward and do their part. This was particularly necessary in view of the depletion made by the Great War. No doubt many of his hearers had the idea that they could do his work better than he could, and possibly they wore correct; someone had to do it.