The Star. WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 1922. A HOPEFUL OUTLOOK.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16831, 6 September 1922, Page 6

The Star. WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 1922. A HOPEFUL OUTLOOK.

Ihe address given by the retiring president of the Chamber of Commerce struck the right note of optimism, though at the same time it presented arguments in favour of a cautious policy. The improvement which has taken place during the year has been encouraging, and the pessimists who predicted a further descent into the atmosphere of the slump have been agi eeably disappointed. There is every reason to believe that the worst of the depression is over, and that the conntry’s economic life is about to resume its normal course. The cables from Britain recently notified a trade revival —one of the most cheerful items of news sent for quite a long time. With industry looking up in the Old Country there is a reasonable prospect of an increased demand for the Dominion’s products, and markets should improve. The business community does not expect a meteoric rise in the prices paid on the Home market, hut .will be satisfied with the steady progress which brings a fair return. The reference i . the subject of taxation must have struck a responsive chord in man/ breasts. As Mr Orchard pointed out, much of the capital which should be utilised in developing industries and promoting new ventures is passing to the State. The business community feels that it has been working for the Government long enough, and that the money which is extracted from the taxpayers is being frittered away in the maintenance of expensive Departments. A reduction in taxation is one of the crying needs of the hour for the commercial and producing communities, and it cannot be satisfied with the dole just handed out—a decrease in the amusement tax. There i<; some sunport for the suggestion that taxation T.ould he more widely distributed, but the suggestion to increase the primage in 5 per cent should be carefully exnminecl. Already the taxation through ( ns toms is heavy, and it presses ' verely on workers with families. If ‘’•ere must be further taxation it b-ndd be equitably distributed, and ~eoplc who eecapc the income tax should he drawn into the net. The '•■xemption should he lowered in regard tn wage earners without dependents, ho are incomparably better off finanally than heads of families. A plea vns aHo made bv the retiring president for a better understanding and more • operation between labour and Cap-r-d. One of the need-; of the Dominion i« a period of freedom from indufl- ' d dfe hu+ he would be n. bold man who would predict that such in sight. The attacks which are being made on preference to unionists oven in the modified form in which it exists, line aroused a feeling of suspicion among the workers. If the movement is persisted in there will bo rot industrial peace, but warfare.