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Hokitika Guardian, 2 May 1931, Page 4

Tun social ,services of the country have been expanding considerably of late years, and the cost, necessarily, mounts higher rml higher. During the recent discussion in Parljamct over the props,sod reduction of maternity bonuses, an ooportunity was afforded the Prime Minister for emphasising the Dominion’s heavy expenditure on various forms social of service. Everybody must regret the need for curtailing this particular vote; hut it must he remembered that thuse bonuses are not made up of subsidies and contributions, but are paid straight from the Consolidated Fund. Also, it is well to re. fleet that, as Air Forbes reminded the House, the country’s revenue when

thc.se bonuses were granted was between twenty and thirty millions higher than H is to-day. Expenditure on social services is-necessary and desirable. inn sooner or later limit must he ivache 1 beyon 1 which such philanthropic activities cannot safely be carried. 111 Britain at the present time the burden of these annual charges amounts to 78s 8.1 per head ot population, which is mure than twice Germany’s expenditure and six n.-n-es Frame’s expenditure on such objcits. Sir Hubert Horne, an ox-Chancellor of the Exchequer, he,, declared that persisteine in this course means inevitable disaster to the national fi mures. 01 course, those who hope for “Socialism in our time” applaud these generous contributions to the needs of the masses, an 1, like Air Nash in the l’ai’ll:. mem deflate, talk about- “thrown,-, it on file taxpayer,” We can only repeat that there is a limit beyond which repeated increases in general taxation become simply suicidal, and that limitlias been nearly readied here. This bus been emphnr.ised over and over igaiii by the Prime Alin.i-tor who real isos that tlie country cannot honestly attempt to hear the burden with declining revenue. To meet and handle the situation, adequately is one of the main reasons to-day for a National Government to control the whole business of the Dominion.