OPTIMISM IN AUSTRALIA

Taranaki Daily News, 10 July 1930, Page 15

OPTIMISM IN AUSTRALIA

PROBLEMS BEING FACED.

NEW SOUTH WALES RELIEF TAX.

“New South Wales, in common with the refit of Australia, is facing the present period of depression with cheerful optimism,” said the Hon. F. S. Boyce, K.C., Attorney-General in Now .South Wales Cabinet, who arrived at Auckland from Sydney by the Uliinaroa on Tuesday on a short holiday visit. Mr. Boyce added that it was impossible to say when conditions in the Commonwealth return to normal, but he thought the country would learn something of value from the bad times through which it was passing. “A * strong effort is being made in New South Wales to solve problems of finance,” Mr. Boyce said. “A relief tax of 3d in the pound has been imposed on wages and income and the money obtained by this means will bo used to provide work for unemployed; it will not be distributed in the form of doles.

“As for production in the State, the prospects for a good harvest have never been better. There have been bountiful rains and there has been an increase in the area under cultivation. Farmers throughout New South Wales are highly optimistic concerning the new season’s output.” Australia had not yet felt the full effect of the restrictions on imports, Mr. Boyce continued. It was early yet to say- whether the increases in the tariff would build up local industries, but there was a fairly sharp division of public opinion on thia question.