The Sun 42 WYNDHAM STREET, AUCKLAND FRIDAY, MAY 17, 1929 A PLEASANT PROSPECT

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 665, 17 May 1929, Page 8

The Sun 42 WYNDHAM STREET, AUCKLAND FRIDAY, MAY 17, 1929 A PLEASANT PROSPECT

MORE in satire than in sorrow, a witty political critic m the South Island recently observed that Sir Joseph brfore the elections ‘‘volunteered to swim the Atlant l, ~ , without wettinhis feet.” This was a bright way of saying that the Prime Minister is much greater in promise than m performance still the veteran leader of a hopeful Dominion and again surprise everybody with the splendour of his ach Most people know what Sir Joseph has done in foitv J eais as „ Liberal. They have been encouraged to expect him to do somethin!? ever so much better in forty months, or even in ±?rty dajs, as a United. So far, in almost half a year of administrative opportunity lie has lagged behind the giant s stride of his p election programme. Since it is always reasonable toallowample 1 ime to politicians, however good and rich m Political J'™,.’ for preparation, it is possible that, during the exerc: s‘ allowance the head of the new Government has prepared a remarkable schedule of quick remedies for all the country s i The working session of Parliament begins next month, and in view of the certainty that none of the minority parties wants another election with the risk of political unemployment for many members, perhaps the legislators will agree to perform notable national service. Tlie record of Parliament in recent years was bad enough to demand a great improvement. T , This community will be pleased to learn that Sir Joseph Ward has decided to come to Auckland on hw first visit as Prime Minister on the morning of the King’s birthday. A splendid welcome is assured. So much is certain for the simple reason that, in spite of differences in political opinion a l ld P ref^® for rival parties, the people not only like Sir Joseph for his personal qualities, but are honestly glad to see him rejuvenated and enjoying good health as the highest fortune m life. Moreover. there is nothing more happily admirable to a sport-loving nation than the triumphant return of an ‘ auld struggler o national arena where hard fighting is inevitable. One does not know whether Auckland’s goodwill and pleasant welcome will find expression in a skirl of pibrochs as at Invercargill t other day. but even if that shrill joy and stimulation he lacking, live reception of the genial Prime Minister will be a gratifying pleasure Ir> all concerned. . . But and admiration will not blind the community to some weakness in the Prime Minister’s thin record of achievement since his glorious “come-back.” It is true that the supreme administrator has discovered a big deficit m the national accounts, a grotesque loss on the railways, and also many difficulties and, no doubt, some disillusionment, but he has done very little to fulfil his promises and make the dreams of a hypnotised people come true. Six months ago in this city Sir Joseph solemnly guaranteed to transform the country from disappointment ana despair to perfect content and happiness. There was then a beautiful vision of the expenditure of 8T0.000.0Q0 of borrowed money on national work and enterprise without adding a ha’penny to the burden of taxation. There were to be increased money supplies for business people and farmers and comfortable homes for workers in the country and in the towns. Haltfinished and new railways were to he rushed to profitable completion in record time. No room for unemployment was to be left, and the tide of immigration was to turn from its ebb to a spring flow. And there was the keenest determination “to remove the shackles disastrously imposed upon traders.” Finally, New Zealand soon was to become a land of strong, self-reliant people enjoying, in security, tbe greatest possible progress, prosperity and happiness. Such were the glowing promises and prospects that made the Auckland Town Hall ring with plaudits six months ago. If Sir Joseph Ward, in the same place early next month, can explain when and how all of his promises may become famous performances, his welcome visit will, indeed, be an occasion for banners and bagpipes.

TARIFFS AND INDUSTRIES

AS time goes on, tlie politicians who rule the country will be compelled to realise that New Zealand manufacturers are very much in earnest about their plan to secure expansion of the Dominion’s present rather modest industrial system. Much progress has been made, hut there is room for much more. Ministers and others are perhaps, however, inclined to regard the manufacturers’ representations simply as a curious and interesting, but yet transitory, phenomenon. Consequently, they have no qualms about promising that “the Government will do all in its power to help,” which is the tried and trusted formula employed on such occasions. Time will show that mere stereotyped replies are not enough. Practical sympathy with the aspiration guiding the manufacturers in their national campaign must take the form of Stateaided research, investigation of materials and plant, and perhaps the despatch of a delegation to study modern methods and trends elsewhere. Possibly, also, some tariff shelter for infant industries threatened by ruthless “dumping” may be found desirable. .But aid of this nature is only a part of what the manufacturers seek. The idea that all the manufacturers want.is a prohibitive series of tariff walls behind which they will elevate prices to the disadvantage of the people is a mistaken notion that has had too big a place in fostering suspicion of the industrialists’ motives. Possibly it is for that reason that people who cling precariously to antiquated Free Trade ideals have sedulously endeavoured to keep the tariff question as it concerns the manufacturers in its wrong perspective. At any rate, it is time the conception of tariff adjustments as a be-all and end-all was jettisoned. The proposition of Mr. G. Finn that the supporting council should take the form of an Industrial Development Board, rather than a Tariff Board, is a much truer representation of the manufacturers’ aspirations. An Industrial Development Board would not necessarily be composed of manufacturers alone. All its members should, however, be fired with the knowledge of what an industrial expansion may accomplish for the general benefit of the Dominion. They should know what growing manufactures are doing for New South Wales and Victoria, where, despite strikes and bad pastoral seasons, the general level of prosperity in recent years has been higher and more uniform than in New Zealand. Equipped with specialised knowledge and the enterprise to apply it, the board could keep in touc-h with Government departments and by doing so give factory owners the pleasant impression that they are not quite so friendless in exalted official circles as they have seemed in the past. On tariff matters the board would be failing in its duty to the public if it did not keep close watch on the progress of tariff-aided industries, preventing exploitation and maintaining an even economic balance. The manufacturers themselves are alive to the need for such provision, and for corresponding reasons do not seek indiscriminate fiscal aid. The idea that they are clamouring for help at the expense of the people and the primary producers is a mistake wrongly sustained.