A THRIVING STATE

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVII, Issue 10898, 12 May 1921, Page 6

A THRIVING STATE

VICTORIAN PROBLEMS SETTLEMENT. OF EX-SERVICE MEN. HELPFUL SPEECHES. By Telegraplp—Press Assn.—Convrj.ght. Australian and N 7. GnbTe Association LONDON. May 10. Sir Peter Mcßride (Agent-General for VictoridT gave a luncheon to Mr W. McPherson (Treasurer of Victoria), at the Stationers’ Hall. Mr Winston Churchill, in proposing tho health of the guest, said that he rejoiced to see Mr McPherson in London. He represented what was called a small State of the Commonwealth, but Victoria was nearly as large as Great Britain. Australia had sent many /distinguished men to this country, including the guest, and some of its great men were encaged in playing cricket. Mr McPherson was Victoria’s Chancellor .or the Exchequer, and in that capacity he had seen the rise and fall of several fiscal dynasties in this country. He compared more than favourably with his contemporaries, in that he had not imposed any new taxation. Victoria had exerted herself admirably in the matter of settling ex-sorvice men. The work done in this respect was most invaluable in the British Elmpire’s polioy. It taxed Britain to let the men go, but she knew they would come ack when the need arose, as they did the last time .when the Motherland called. Britain could not . build on foundations more deep than, in sending the best out of its patriotic manhood to form homes far away from this small island, which skill was the main prop of the civilisation of the world. Aa long as Victoria sent representatives as competent as Mr McPherson, so long would its credit stand high in London. , . Mr McPherson, in replying • congratulated Mr Churchill on becoming Colonial Secretary, which was jure to be advantageous to. the Dominions. He assured Mr Churchill of a cordial welcome if ever he was able to visit the Dominions. The Prince of Wales’s visit and the symptliy so manifested went a long way to bind ut> the wounded spirits of those who suffered through the war. Mr McPherson generally. . outlined the .Victorian finances, and pointed out that the increased revenue of the State was the result of the people’s prosperity rather than increased taxation. He believed the taxable limit had been reached, and to go farther would retard industrial development. The fact that in the past few years they had raised loan moneys locally was evidence of the people’s desire to help themselves. This process, however, in . a country needing development had its limitations. They spent six millions in settling soldiers on the land. Of thq 9000 provided for only 1. pot cent, had turned out failures. Despite contrary reports, "the Australians did not win the war, but did just as the Britishera did —their duty—and did it well. The Government desired to. interfere as Little as possible with private enterprise except where public interest was imposed on. Victoria’s industrial policy was to supply its own requirements as far as possible and become self-reliant. There was ample room for millions m additional population. .The duty, .of the Imperial and Colonial authorities was to keep the emigrants within the Empire. His Government appreciated the liberality of the British authorities over the good wool purchases In war time. He thought the bankers, .though adversely criticised, had taken the correct view with regard to the exchange difficulties. He hoped the authorities in Britain would do their utmost to secure for Britain as much as possible of the trade now flowing from America to Australia.