A COMPREHENSIVE ADDRESS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21148, 4 October 1930, Page 6

A COMPREHENSIVE ADDRESS.

DOMINION AFFAIRS REVIEWED. COST OF GOVERNMENT. PRIVATE ENTERPRISE FRIGHTENED. (P>b United Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, October 8. Addressing a representative gathering of the banking and commercial community at the Chamber of Commerce luncheon, Mr O. P. Agar (Christchurch), president of the associated chambers of commerce, outlined a recent extension of the activities of that organisation. 1 Mr Agar, said that efforts had been made by the associated chambers of commerce to get the Government to propose the repeal of the Board of Trade Act, which contained many objectionable provisions. Owing to the unusual position of politics, the Illness and death of Sir Joseph Ward, and other reasons, the repeal of the Act had been delayed, but It was confidently hoped the' the business community and the people generally would receive the relief desired next year. What was the position of this country to-dayV asked Mr Agar. It was this; We found that private enterprise had got frightened, and if people had money to lend they thougbt the safest course was to lend it to the Government. Yet the Government was spending money on works that were unproductive, and that meant in time Increased taxation and greater burdens on commerce.

Touching on the .unemployment problem, the speaker said he did not favour giving the award rates of pay to relief workers. It was estimated that of the money invested In private enterprise onethird was paid in taxation. Allusion was made to the ever-increasing cost of Government and the resultant increase in the burden of taxation. The future activities of the associated chambers would bo devoted to assisting movements and sound legislation calculated to promote the best interests of the country, and all measures presented to Parliament would be carefully scrutinised. In times like the present there was need for reduced taxation and reduced overhead expenditure on the part of the State.