PRESENT DAY PROBLEMS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18103, 11 February 1922, Page 10

PRESENT DAY PROBLEMS

APPEAL FROM INDUSTRIES.

"EAKN MORE, SPEND LESS."

In July last an " appeal" was sent to tho Government and House of Commons in England, signed by firms representing every important industry in the United Kingdom. In November last the New Zealand Welfare League circulated an appeal in the four main centres in the Dominion signed by firms representing every industry in the country. 'Ihe original has been forwarded to tho Pnmo Minister, 'lhe appeal, which is entitled "lhe Voice of industry," says:— " We, tli© undersigned merchants and nianuiactiuers ol New /.eaianii, uesire to emphasise tho vital necessity of dealing firmly and promptly with the cumcutt situation in which the country is placed. At the present juncture the lollowing problems seem to call most urgently lor attention

"An immediate and drastic reduction of expenditure is of vital importance. " lhe freeing of our trado and industry from the trammels imposed by the war together with a thorough revision of the present inequitable system of taxation is not less -essential.

" The interference with our commerce, whether by Parliament or by the Administration, should be stayed at once, " But it is perhaps even more important that tho inhabitants of this country should be impressed with the absolute need for greater industry and greater thrift and the abolition of restrictive labour conditions, so that the wealth annihilated by the war may be restored. Such restoration can only bo accomplished by earning more and spending less. " By these means alone shall we be able to bear the burdens from which we suffer. " We invite our fellow countrymen to join with us in impressing on the Government, on Parliament, and on the Dominion at large the paramount importance of these great questions, and of the necessity for expert advice in regard thereto.—" There follows a long list of signatures of the representatives of New Zealand firms,