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Hokitika Guardian, 16 July 1931, Page 4

The! Prime Minister had fair reason for complaining at the interruption to the passage of the Unemployment Bi]l at,the hands of the Labour party. It was! Clear from the outset that the measure was one of great urgency, and the House soon indicated its approval of the proposals. ' Money is the essential requirement to help the unemployed by providing work, yet any delay that could be effected by the Labour party was attempted. The Government made a proper exemption in excluding the wages earned by relief workers up to the amount' of the national subsidy, but because those relief- workers receiving payment above the approved amount are to be taxed foi- the surplus, Labour again attacked the Government. Once more Mr Forbes by his clear statement made a fair explanation of The financial position and the equity of the Government action, but the aggressive Labour party has rather over reached itself again by failing to grasp the equities of the position. One aspect of the unemployment taxation will be, or should be, to make the' general public realise something of the virtues of thrift by endeavouring to provide for lean times as they recur. It is probably realised now that at the present prices for the staple exportable products of the country, that the higher wages possible in the affluent times of late past, will not' recur immediately. Folk will be wise therefore in husbanding their resources where they can, to meet the stringency, and perhaps the force of circumstances will compel the Labour party champions also to realise that there is a limit to what the country can’-do in the way of largess for the many social amenities it has been supporting in the past. If that comes to pass there will be bone for a quicker recovery by the ready adoption of sane methods of economy to meet the difficult times of the present.