The Star. Delivered every evening by 5 o'clock in Hawera, Manaia. Normanby, Okaiawa, Eltham, Mangatoki, Kaponga, Awatuna, Opunake, Otakeho, Manutahi, Alton, Hurleyville, Patea, Waverley. THURSDAY, AUGUST 28, 1919. FESTINA LENTE.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue LXXIV, 28 August 1919, Page 4

The Star. Delivered every evening by 5 o'clock in Hawera, Manaia. Normanby, Okaiawa, Eltham, Mangatoki, Kaponga, Awatuna, Opunake, Otakeho, Manutahi, Alton, Hurleyville, Patea, Waverley. THURSDAY, AUGUST 28, 1919. FESTINA LENTE.

It is frequently said that this country has felt the effects of the war probably less than any country in th« world, and in the main that statement is, we think, true, but, because our country has been so fortunate, there is a danger that our people and political leaders may underestimate the real position. The anxieties and cares of the past five years engendered patience and restraint among the public, and they were willing to make sacrifices in order that the menace to civilisation might be overcome. While the war lasted this young nation was willing to accept legislative measures which, to say the least, "went against the grain." People quietly acquiesced in the National Government's decisions, always feeling that "when the war was over things would be different." The war is over, peace with Germany has been signed, the National Government has come to an end, and to those who do not give thought to the position it may perhaps seem that the country can go back into the "free-and-easy" life of pre-war days; in fact, many people appear to take the view that the nation should hasten to make up for the curtailed domestic legislation of the war period. The national debt is steadily mounting towards .the £20Q,000,000 total, which, when we remember that our population is only a little over a million, is no inconsiderable burden, but this fact does not seem to deter the superoptimists, who are desirous of obtaining all manner of extensions to the State services without delay. Look at our trade, dthey say. True, the output and the returns for our industries have been magnificent, and will, we hope, continue to be so. We are fortunate in being primary producers, but our taxation is heavy, labor is scarce and dear, and there is every indication that there will not be much "cheap" money available on the British market for a long time to come. Then one must bear in mind the great advantages which other countries are enjoying through their not having to go into debt through the war. The Argentine, for example, may find it to its advantage to sell its primary produce on the Old World markets at a cheaper price than during the war, and it is even possible that our produce prices may be forced down by the competitive power of South American products. These are but a few thoughts which come to mind when one tries to look into the future, and thinks of the essential and non-essential tasks for the carrying out of which so many people are clamoring to-day. Some want the cost of living reduced, others think that the heavy burden of taxation should be lightened, others are calling for railways, roads, educational reforms, hydro-electric development, and nationalisation of the coal mines and certain steamer services, to mention but a few of the chief requests, but one hears very little from the public of how the great problem of reducing the national debt is to be solved; rather do the requests indicate that the masses who live mainly on the "eat, drink, and be merry" principle do not mind, if the national debt continues to increase. It is, therefore, very necessary that our legislators should exercise a proper restraint upon the expenditure of public money during the next few years, and make every effort to encourage production. The Dominion has the capacity to develop enormously, but if all the demands for new works were to be acceded to at once, and several millions of money borrowed at a high rate of interest, thus adding to the national debt, the public would probably find

that the burden of taxation in one form or another would become still heavier, and would give rise to more serious discontent than at present is in evidence. A certain amount of expenditure must be faced, and, so long as it is kept within the limits which circumstances demand, there is no need for fear, but any programme, based upon the idea that now peace has been restored the need for prudence has disappeared, should not be countenanced. The country's chief concern should be to increase its production to the highest point possible and to direct its attention to reducing i its debt as rapidly as circumstances permit before embarking upon a long

list of new works, many of which may well wait for a few years. The British Government has wisely decided upon curtailing expenditure as much as possible ; New Zealand will do well to follow a similar course. Let us remember that there is much wisdom in the old Italian proverb "Festina lente."