SELF-RELIANCE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LV, Issue 81, 4 March 1935, Page 6

SELF-RELIANCE.

Many are the calls on the State purse—in recent years they have grown considerably in number, the principal cause being the lack of independent action by individuals and organisations where such is possible, and the tendency to look to the State to furnish every means of assistance where a little more enterprise in a private capacity would perhaps have served better. It is granted that in some of the requests made of the Crown for help there is real merit; but many will ask the question as to whether there is not growing at an alarming rate a complex that should be checked ere a false impression of the Government’s powers and the capacity of the taxpayer is given both at home and overseas. The latest incident to come under notice is the flood damage in New Plymouth. The flood waters which inundated that town just over a week ago did considerable damage to business premises and stock, as well as to farm lands, public roads, and the railways. With an estimate of the damage assessed, business men of New Plymouth have decided to make application to the ,Government for assistance to overcome theii flood losses. These in some cases run into more than a thousand poundb All regret the unfortunate visitation which caused such loss and will sympathise with those who suffer most, but it is questionable whether it is prudent —it certainly is not self-re-liant —to rush to the Government with a plea for help before every avenue of private commercial accommodation has been exhausted. There would appear to be undue haste in the appeal to the State. It is granted that in any emergency approaching calamitous proportions the State should afford help, and even in the matter of the damaged farms it will be expected to make a grant in necessitous cases to enable the farmers to carry on until they can make other arrangements. But there will be many who will ask is it necessary for the State to extend financial aid to the New Plymouth business community. It is unfortunate that the request has been made, for it must reflect on the capacity of business interests to overcome such difficulties by private initiative. Should the latter in the main fail, then there would be cause to seek State help.