DOMINION’S FINANCES.

Otago Witness, Issue 3972, 29 April 1930, Page 61

DOMINION’S FINANCES.

SURPLUS OR DEFICIT? COMMENT BY MR A. E. DAVY. ~, . AUCKLAND, April 23. Mr A. L. Davy, formerly chairman of the Dominion Executive of the United I arty, writes as follows:—“I note with considerable interest that the Prime Minister (Sir Joseph Ward) has made a somewhat overdue announcement that he will shortly give a statement of the country s finances. In this he indicates a small surplus. In view of the very great expenditure and the extravagant programme ot the Government during the last year this is rather surprising. I rather expected confirmation of the Wellington rumour that the Government was anticipating a deficit of £3.000,000, but doubtless the Minister of Lands and Deputy Leader of the Grovernmcnt (Mr G W. I'orbes) may be able to elucidate this as He is at present in Auckland. It may be merely idle rumour, but the most surprising thing about it is the fact that several details are mentioned. Is it a fact that a circular has been sent to departmental heads in vvellington announcing the probability of a £3.000,000 deficit and asking tor all retrenchment in expenditure possible’ In regard to this the Post and telegraph and Defence Departments particularly are expected to reduce their costs by about £250,000—t0 be exact £260.000. Should this be true or even should such a circular have been sent, the position calls for some very pointed comment and serious consideration. In fairness, however, it would be as well to hear from Mr Forbes regarding this, as the question is too serious for party consideration, and must be faced by the country as a whole as of national import. I deplore the mysterious attitude the Government has found it necessary, for party considerations, no doubt, to adopt with several things, notably unemployment figures and land purchase prices. It is the duty of the Government to cease this and most certainly to let the country know honestly the state its finances are in.”

What I like about Canterbury is the foresight of the pioneers who settled here, 3 said Mr J. R. Stopford, a member of the Queensland Parliament, and forinerly Home Secretary for Queensland. I see their statues about the city, and I think their work is worthy of such statues. They showed fine foresight in allowing such magnificent open spaces. Your great open parks—l believe you have one here of over 400 acres—show not only foresight but an undoubted trust and belief in the future.”

“What a Rotarian can do for a boy was the subject of an address to the Wellington Rotary Club by Dr F. Bowerbank. Men should not play the heav.v father with their boys, he said, but should take an interest in what they did, even to entering into their games. Boys naturally liked boy companions, although they liked to have a man around for advice and help, but this did not mean that the man should try to take the place of the boy friend.