The Northland Age WEDNESDAY, OCT. 26. NEW SOUTH WALES DEBT

Northland Age, Volume 27, Issue 41, 26 October 1927, Page 4

The Northland Age

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 26. NEW SOUTH WALES DEBT

I ficial organ of the ■ FARMERS' UNION. H Published Twice a Week. Wednesday and Friday H Price Twopence.

I Our telegraph news to day disposes a condition of affairs i n New South Wales which is parlllel to that existing in New Eealand. If we take the two hundred odd pounds of funded Idebtandadd toil the indebtedness incurred by local governing [authorities we will find that the indebtedness under these two headings runs to well over the 'stupendous sum of five hundred millions of money. New Zealand is very little better and we have not the people to bear the strain that New South Wales has. In either State the burden is enormous and in New Zealand it is crippling in the extreme. Mr George Wilkinson a few days ago raised the important point of limiting the drain made upon the community by local body borrowings and its consequent tax upon the people. The time has come for a review of the burden borne by the people in every British country and it cannot come too soon. If we take the Mangonui County as an example the indebtedness,works out at the enormous total of £BO,OOO and rt, can scarcely be contended that the mileage of good roads represents anything like this expenditure, This, however, is by the w y. To return to the position in New South Wales, the new government installed there within the last few days is faced with some very difficult problems and it remains to be seen how it will solve those problems. It is by no means in an enviable position, and it deserves the sympathy of everyone who wants to see this btate prosper.