LEGISLATORS & FINANCE.

Waikato Times, Volume 108, Issue 18158, 24 October 1930, Page 7

LEGISLATORS & FINANCE.

LACK OF KNOWLEDGE. A STINGING ASPERSION. i —— j THE INTELLIGENT FEW. (Special to Times.) WELLINGTON, Thursday. The Evening Post which does not Aften speak harshly of the country’s legislators, treats itself to a candid paragraph concerning their lack of financial knowledge.- “At this time,” It says, “.when the importance of economy is evident, the weakness of Parliament as a controlling power, is lamentably clear. Intelligent and constructive criticism is given by one or two members, but the majority cover their Incompetence as financial critics by generalised statements, and are definite only in dealing with expenditure or taxation which affects their districts or constituents. They have not that ‘clear and comprehensible picture of the financial position’ which Sir Otto Nlemeyer holds to be essential, and they are quite incapable of giving the lead in public economy which should c.ome from them. The failure may be corrected in part by alterations in financial methods, but for a complete correction there must be a higher standard of attainment in Parliament.” The sting about this aspersion is that it is mainly deserved.