The Rangitikei Advocate. TWO EDITIONS DAILY. SATURDAY, JUNE 26, 1920 THE GOVERNOR’S SPEECH.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XLV, Issue 12090, 26 June 1920, Page 4

The Rangitikei Advocate. TWO EDITIONS DAILY. SATURDAY, JUNE 26, 1920 THE GOVERNOR’S SPEECH.

AS usual the Vice-Regal Speech at the opening of Parliament supplies very little information in regard to the business the Ministry intend to bring forward during the session. The Speech has, indeed, come to be rather a matter of form than an index of intentions. Still it is po r sible to read between the - lines on ;the present occasion and w e must confess that we find little satisfaction from the process. Before criticising some of the indications, however, we prefer to wait till Ministers declare their intentions or tho Financial Statement reveals them. All readers would agree with tho references to the Royal Visit, which has unquestionably disclosed the loyalty of our people, and helped to strengthen the bonds that unite the Empire, It will also he conceded that existing conditions cause the Ministry anxiety. We cannot agree, however, with the statement that we cannot control the landed prices of imported articles, because our present system most assuredly adds to their cost to the users or consumers, not ouly because of the 10 per cent, artificially added to values by the Customs Department before

duties are imposed, but because those duties enormously increase the cost not only of articles that are imported, but of similar articles made in our factories,. _ .Noe. is it absolutely correct that we cannot materially reduce our public debt, because this could be effected by reducing the cost of administration, which has been enormously and unnecessarily increased during recent years. It is at least certain that we shall never reduce the public debt until economy is practised by the Government. The borrowing policy blmt is indicated will not only increase oa r indebtedness but will burden ns with heavier interest charges. There seems to be an indication that money will be borrowed to spend on other than reproductive objects, but we trust this will not be the case. The experience of in that respect should serve as a salutary warning. It was obvious when the pay for certain services was increased that money for it would have to be obtained from increased charges to the public who use them, and it is indicated that this will be done. There are other services, however, in which those * engaged must be better paid, and as this cannot be passed on direct to the public the cost must fall on the taxpayer. It seems, then that increased taxation is inevitable, but it is to be hoped that it will bo applied so that everyone may be made to pay a fair share. There are very strong reasons why the taxation on land and in* comes should be reduced, rather than increased, but there are still stronger arguments in favour of converting the Customs tariff into revennesproduciag, patricularly as this would mean not onlv a fuller Treasury but als o a greatly relieved people.

THE proposals in regard to coping with a probable shortage of wheat do not altogether commend themselves. It la quite right to encourage production, if sufficient supplies at cheaper cost cannot be obtained, but there is no more reason why the State should pay for the bread of the people than there would be for it to pay for their boots or clothing. The State will be paying a proportion of the cost if it gives a subvention to the millers and this charge will fall on the taxpayers. There is no reason why all the people should not pay the full price required -to make it possible to supply them with bread without loss. This is an interference with the natural law of supply and demand which becomes possible of accomplishment only by penalising the general taxpayer. We also regret to notice that the control of trade is to be maintained, although the recent evidence from Britain was to the effect that removal of Government central was followed by a drop in prices, because competition th en became free to operate. Control here is likely to increase still further the cost of living.

THE proposal to consolidate the statutes relating to local government, etc., is a good on 9, though the necessity for this action ia not very pressing. We cannot, without further information, approve the proposal to create a separate Native Trust Department, for two reasons. Firstly, y because Natives and Europeans should now be treated alike; and secondly because a new and separate department means more expense and more red-tape. If, as stated, certain things are not possible under the statutory powers held by the Public Trustee, the °bvious remedy is to extend his powers without-adding to the pufy lie burdens by creating a new department.

THE reference to industrial unrest was brief and details of intentions will be anxiously awaited. On the face of it the indication is that employers are to be invited to discuss matters with employees, but the employees are to be satisfied. The plea for amending legislation is that “the present provisions are not altogether satisfactory to the unions of workers who refuse in many instances to adopt the settlement proposed.” Then why was a Court of Arbitration established, and’ why should it bo maintained ? The employer is compelled to obey its decisions. Why should the employee he exempt from obedience? Possibly, however, when the legislation ia introduced it may have a better appearance than that indicated in the brief portion of ihe Speech referring to the industrial unrest. We must also defer comment on the increase of the pay of members till some indication is afforded of the amount to be paid to each individual.

WE referred yesterday to the boot ! trade In this conutry, in which the factories take the profits and the | retailers have to bear the grumbling ! against »high prices. Now here are I some of the bargains offered in a i j recent boot shop’s advertisement’'i “Ladies’ tan brogue shoes, 125.6 d;

children’s tan calf boots, sizes 11 to 3,10 s 9d; ladles’ glace shoes, 6s lid; youths’ box calf hoots, sewn. 8s lid; ladies’ very high leg glace boots, 225; ladies’ smart cloth leg boots, very high, 10s 6d; ladies’ glace lace shoes, smart toe, 4s 8d ; very superior gent’s glace welted boots, 30s; men’s heavy nailed boots (toe tips) 14s; children’s glace Gibson shoes, sewn, 55s 6d; gent’s, tan cycling shoes sewn soles, 10s 6d; ladies’ box calf Derby boots, 11s 6d; ladies’ cloth leg house boots, double soles, 8s lid,” Lest the reader who has to pay for the footwear of a family may start, rub his eyes, and wonder whether he is dreaming, we may mention that the foregoing is from an English paper, the advertisement of a tradesman doing business in a land that has to import nearly the whole of its raw material, but still does not erect Customs tollgates to compel its people to pay more for their footwear. In the same paper a tailor advertises suits made to measure for tour guineas. “It’s oh, to be in England, now that winter’s here !”

THE great and rapid increase in the, cost of living has probably been more severely felt by those with fixed incomes and professional men than by any other class, and it is therefore satisfactory to note an instance where this has been recognised and remedied as far as possible. Court Little John of the Ancient Order of Foresters, Marton, one of the oldest in New Zealand, has done honour to itself by its action this week in increasing the medical fees of th e Court doctor. Dr. Warren, who has long been the Court doctor, had applied for consideration, and the members not only voted for an increase of 50 per cent, but expressed their high appreciation of his past services, and to provide the necessary funds voluntarily raised their weekly contributions. Their action testified to their sense of duty to others and to the popularity of Dr. Warren. The Court has set an example worthy of imitation by similar institutions.