THE New Zealand Herald AND DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 1932 THE SESSION'S TASKS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21295, 23 September 1932, Page 8

THE New Zealand Herald AND DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 1932 THE SESSION'S TASKS

As is customary, the speech with which the Governor-General opened Parliament yesterday gave a general review of world and domestic conditions. The two are closely related. The survey recognised the continued difficulties of the outlook, but pas'sed to a more cheerful note in remarking those signs which offer a promise that the depression is passing. It is well that they should be given due emphasis, for the spirit of rising confidence must be encouraged in every possible way at the moment. This will help to conquer that very substantial part of the depression which exists solely in the public mind. So long as its programme is regulated by a due appreciation of the difficulties which have still to be conquered, it is right that the Government should look resolutely forward to the coming of better times. It was formed just a year ago when the troubles of the country seemed at their zenith. It has had a stressful year, a great part of which appeared to be spent simply in a struggle to maintain the existing position without it being possible to gain any new ground. Now, if ever, is the time when it should be possible to begin the process of recuperation that will restore the country to the position from which it was forced by the onset of worldwide depression. The chief necessity, as already suggested, is that there should be no easy assumption that conditions will remedy themselves. Every effort must be made to encourage rising confidence and to justify its existence. There may be the promise of calmer waters ahead, but the Government must not be content to rest on its oars and merely drift toward them. Passing from general circumstances to the actual affairs of the country, the speech, after touching upon public finance, says that every effort is being made to avoid the necessity for any increase in taxation during the current year. The assurance that there would be no increase has been given in more definite terms by the Prime Minister himself. In fact, the possibility that the onerous special taxation for unemployment relief might be lightened has been mentioned. It is essential that an increase should be ruled out of account altogether, indeed, that the Government should work for a reduction at the earliest possible moment. In Australia, where the difficulties have been much greater than those of New Zealand, where a formidable legacy in the shape of a huge floating debt remains, they are talking hopefully of a possible reduction before long. Even if the Government prefers severer caution than going to that length, it requires to do more than speak merely of trying to avoid an increase. It should say that no increase will be permitted in any circumstances. The speech states, further, that conditions have impelled a cessation from the purchase of estates for subdivision. There need be no mourning over this, for the history of purchases in recent years has not been happy. Land settlement is an important need, but there should be ample opportunity, in addition to the development of Crown land as relief work, for fostering settlement without the cash purchase of estates. Has the State Advances Department, for example, no property on its hands for disposal before the Government goes into the market as a purchaser 1 The reference to native land development is not altogether happy, because more questions have been asked than answered about the cost of these schemes in relation to the results obtained. A detailed report on the 41 schemes is badly needed to throw more light on their progress and possibilities. The sketch of the session's legislative programme brings definitely forward several things which have been mentioned in an inconclusive way previously. Reform of company law is certainly needed, but it is a complicated and difficult task, requiring to be handled very carefully. The reference to banking legislation is interesting. Certainly it has been discussed lately as being necessary before very long, but this is the first 'positive intimation that it is to be attempted this session. Again, the State superannuation funds find mention as a subject for legislative action. The decision to attack this •thorny problem before the end of the year is here definitely announced for the first time. From what is known about the condition of the funds their claim to attention has been widely recognised. There will be considerable anxiety to discover what the Government is prepared to do to stop the drift toward virtual chaos which undoubtedly menaces the various funds. They have been loaded with obligations apparently without enough thought for the consequences. The task of rehabilitation will not be either easy or pleasant. Again, the law governing hospitals and charitable institutions is marked out for attention. That it needs amendment can be accepted without any argument, but what remains to be discovered is the method by which a problem of undoubted difficulty will be approached. There are various other items on what, in point of bulk, is not a formidable programme. Its weight cannot be assessed by its apparent size, and from the subjects already mentioned it need not be concluded that a session without difficulties lies ahead. This is not a time for overloaded programmes. It is better to attempt a few things and do them thoroughly than, by trying too much, to endanger the quality of the whole output. Urgent work should be done promptly, that which is not urgent should not be allowed to interfere with the chief need of the day, which is so to shape the business of the country that the process of recovery, now in its earliest stages, shall in nowise be hindered, but be encouraged and stimulated by every means possible.