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Hokitika Guardian, 10 August 1921, Page 2

Tiik apathy of the (Government in regard to economy in the ])uhlic service is being t'rwl.v commented upon. The Wellington Chamber of Commerce whose are at the seat of government, and who have opportunities of noting the extent to which departments are staffed and the manner in which they are rim, ire criticising tin* (Government indifference very severely. It is high time to speak plainly for the financial position ; s far from pleasant. Not only is there an empty treasury on the admission of the Minister in charge, but the year’s revenue is likely to he'materially reduced. The high taxation is having its effect on enterprise, and it is being admitted now that the burden is becoming unbearable. It will be difficult to successfully increase taxation. There is to he some juggling with the customs tariff, but this will have its dangerous side, even if it increases revenue, by adding to the co.-t of commodities and making living dearer. The country is feeling the loss of return frmi its principal primary e.xrorts which were at the peak for so long, and created such a pleasing condition of prosperous times. The neglect to oe thrifty in those days; (the false notation into which the country drifted while the inflation lasted, has left the Dominion very much poorer and wiser. The situation lias to be grappled with boldly. Unfortunately there is not much sign on the part of the (Government of cackling the question fearlessly. There is a Micawber-like attitude of allowing matters to lake their course, in the hope that something will transpire to save the position. Waiting for the impossible o; ly sees the plight grow more serious and difficulties greater. Disaster is being prophesied. The early session of Parliament will throw some light on matters for the (Government will never he allowed to go on drifting to financial chaos without some test of the position within Parliament itself. It is very satisfactory to find that the various local dairy factories lire disclosing such good returns for the oast season and suppliers will be receiving very good returns for their past arduous labours. There is no doubt that at present the butter and cheese trade of

position in this country. Bad and all as it is through the serious loss on general exports the buoyancy of the market and the trade in dairy produce is the saving factor in the situation. Likewise, with the present slump in the timber trade here, dairying is a good standby for Westland generally. This industry should continue to grow. There is every ground for justifying its expansion. It lias grown up from the smallest of beginnings and is now a flourishing industry. There are many parts of the district in which it can yet he established. In districts where it is established it can he expanded by increasing herds and utilising more land on the farming areas, i tie close inspection of the herds is of primary importance. Mr Ridley of the Education Department, is endeavouring to interest the settlers in the respective districts in a cow testing scheme which if established on the simple lines In lin-s suggested to the different factory companies, should result in great good. Air Ridley is now in correspondence with the managers of the various factories. and none should know better than they what benefits might be derived. It is to lie hoped that the ideas' put forward by Air Ridley will find favour with those for whom the proposal lias been formulated, and in a season or two the marked effect on the gross and individual returns alike, from successful dairying will be very not iceahle.i The adoption of ctireiul cow testing methods is a step in tic right direction, a ltd one calculated to lift the local industry ahead very substantially.