AUSTRALIA’S WAY.

Waikato Times, Volume 108, Issue 18076, 21 July 1930, Page 7

AUSTRALIA’S WAY.

MONEY SPENT LAVISHLY. NEW ZEALAND FOLLOWING. Like practically everyone else who returns from Australia at present, Mr S. G. Fein, an American skin buyer, who arrived at Wellington on the Makura, said that Commonwealth affairs were in a very bad way. He attributes this mainly to extravagance, private as well as public, and sees no immediate relief for the present situation. “They spend their money pretty lavishly,' 1 ’ he said. “No wonder they’re broke!” Mr Fein had noticed in Australia that the system of government seemed to be an expensive one. One person out of every seven, he said, seemed to be in the employ of the State, and money was often frittered away, apparently with no thought of economy. He had noticed one small thing, and had remarked upon it, as the Makura lay out in the stream. It was too trivial a thing from which to make comparisons and draw conclusions but it served slightly in showing the difference between New Zealand and Australia. • When his ship Australia, he said, it was met by several launches, each with one or other of the officials who visit a ship before pratique is granted. However, in Wellington harbour, only one vessel went out to them with Government servants on 'board. The difference in cost might not be very great, but it illustrated the point he wanted to make.

American View of Dominion. It had surprised him, however, to learn in a communication sent to him from the American Credit-men’s Association while he was in Australia that they expected the same conditions that Australia is experiencing now to prevail eventually in New Zealand. He did not know how true it was, said Mr Fein, and from his own point of view he did not quite see how the same conditions could arise here, but it was, nevertheless, a fact that the American organisation had expressed this opinion. Things would have to be pretty bad here before they could get near to the present Australian situation.

“It’s a mighty good thing they’ve got cricket over there to take their mind off it,” he said, with a smile.