POST-WAR EXTRAVAGANCE

Taranaki Daily News, 9 August 1930, Page 14 (Supplement)

POST-WAR EXTRAVAGANCE

AMUSEMENTS AND LUXURY. “Since the war there has been a most regrettable indifference and apathy on the part of the public concerning State or local affairs,” said Mr. A. H. Allen, in his presidential address to the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday. “The lack of a proper sense of proportion and responsibility has become most marked. Until the people sufficiently interest tliemse’vcs again in matters of Slate and local government we cannot expect the improvement and reform in the administration of public departments that is so essential for sound progress. “Since the war we have gone from grave to gay,” said Mr. Allen. Picture shows, horse racing and an. excess of amusements of all kinds seem to be the national tendency of the age. Tastes have become luxurious, standards of living and of economy have altered, and habits that once would have been thought to be very extravagant have become commonplace. “It is incomprehensible, when regard is paid to the finances of the country and the demand upon taxpayers to provid? revenue to meet the high cost of Government, that members of Parliament should have shown such an utter disregard for the interests of those who have to find the money to carry on the Government that they raided the Treasury and voted themselves a sum of £lOO in addition to the honorarium of £l5O a year, plus allowances.” ‘‘The only thing that will restore New Zealand’s industrial and financial vigour is a live public interest, self denial and co-operation by Government and public alike.”