TOO MANY BURDENS ON PEOPLE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIII, 22 December 1928, Page 12

TOO MANY BURDENS ON PEOPLE

SYDNEY’S HANDICAP ADELAIDE SUFFERING FROM DEPRESSION Sir Arthur Cocks arrived at Auckland this week from Sydney. Sir Arthur was Lord Mayor of Sydney in 10R>, and later was Agent-General in London, and was Colonial Treasurer in the Puller Covernin’eiit. Sir Arthur and Lady Cocks have, hooked through the New

Zealand Tourist Department for a comprehensive tom- of the Dominion. Speaking of Australia generally, Sir Arthur said: “I can tell you the West, is the most prosperous area, in the whole Commonwealth to-day. Over there they are simply forging ahead, and there is a. great future for it.”

‘‘Adelaide,” he said, “is under a cloud; why, T don't exactly know, hut the Federal Government has appointed a Commission of Inquiry to go into the question of finances and to endeavour to establish the cause of the.depression which exists. There is no doubt that Adelaide is getting the reflection of an adverse trade balance.” “Melbourne,” said Sir Arthur, “is no doubt feeling the loss of the seat of the Federal Government, but. despite* that fact, it is my honest opinion that she will rise above it.” “And now for Sydney,” said the interviewer. “Well, Sydney to a degree has not had the prosperity nor the expansion in business that was anticipated this year,” was the reply. “The advent of the new Income Tax Hill, the surcharges existing on the. city towards the North Shore bridge, the very high rents charged, and looming in the distance the collection of children's endowment as a. further charge, have had the collective effect of discouraging people with large interests from pushing commerce and industry. There has been ho limitation; to the burdens placed upon the people I have referred to, and as a consequence only the most optimistic reach out for further .expansion under the unhappy conditions existing. A gleam of light is forecasted, however, in the direction of the conciliation conference which the ‘Big Four’ have managed to initiate, hut it is well for Australians and others to remember that Australia entirely depends on a changed outlook. There is a grave feeling regarding the workers and their relation to capital. I say unhesitatingly that, as long as we have got Labour leaders inculcating a belief among the workers in the slogan, ‘Slower output ancl bigger wages,’ it is my firm opinion that Australia will drift towards ruin and disaster.”