While we can Look with a great deal of pleasure upon what we have done abroad, we must remember that Jour continued success in that direction depends upon what we do Jexperience what this grent. burden jis and what it does. No matter what others may want, these, people want a drastic economy. They are opposed to waste. They know that extravagance. lengthens the hours and diminishes the rewards of their labour. I favour the policy of economy, nat because I wish to save money, but because I wish to save people. The mon and women of this country who toil are the ones who bear the cost of the Government. Every dollar that we carelessly waste means that their
meager. Every "dollar that we lite will be s0, much_ the more prudently save means that their life will be so much the more abundant, Economy is idealism in its mos practical form.
"If extravagance were not reflected in taxation, and through taxation both directly' and indirectly in-Juriously affecting the peuple, it would snot be of so much consequence, The wisest and soundest method of solving our tax problem is through economy. Fortunately, of all the great nations this country fs bey: in a position to adopt thas simple remedy. We do not any longer need war-time revenues. The collection of any taxes which are not absolutely required, which do roy beyond reasonable doubt contribute to the public welfare, ly only species of legalized larceny. Under home. Since its very oursd:, it has this Republic the rewards. of i bert found necessary to conduct dusty belong to those who earn Jour Government by means of them. 'The only constitutional tax political parties, 'That system is the tax which ministers to public would) rot have survived from' necessity. The property of the generation to generation if it had country belongs to the people of the no: been fundamentally sound and. country. Their title is absolute. provided the best instrumentalities They do not, support any privileged {for the most complete expression of class; they do nog need to maintain the popular will, It is not necessary. great military forces; they ought to claim that it has always worked not to be burdened with a great perfectly. Tt is enough to know that, Jarray of, public employees. They i-nothing better has been devised. No fare not required to make any con-tone would deny that there should. tribution to Government expendi-be full and free expression and an. tarily s upon themselves tures except that which they volun opportunity for independence of faction within the party. There is ne through the action of their own salvation in a_narraw and. bigoted Peprasantasives, Whenever taxes parermmentp. But if there is to. be burdensome a remedy: can be Fesponaible party' government, the applied by the people; but if they do Party label most be something more not act for themselves, no one can than a. mere cly securing be Very successful weting for office. "Unless those who are elected them. under the same purty designation Reduce Taxes fare. willing to assume sufficient "The time is arriving when we responsibility and exhibit sufficient jean have further tax. reduction, loyalty and coherence, so thal: they. when, unless, we wish to hamper the can cooperate with each other in the people in their right to earn a support of the broad general prin-living, we must have tax reform. ciples of the party platform the The method of raising election is merely a mockery, pede the transact decision is made at the polls, and it ought to encourage it there is no representation of the Tam opposed to extremely high popular will. Common honesty and rates, because they produce little of good faith with the people who revenue, because they are bad for support a party at the polls require the country, and, finally, because that party, when it enters office, 10 they are wrong. We can not finance assume the control of that, portion lof the Government to wi has the country, we can nog, improve social conditions, through been elected. Any other course system of injustice, bad faith and a violation of the attempt to inflict it upon the rich, party pledges.
Those who suffer the mom, harm will "When the country has bestowed ike the poor. This country believes fits confidence upon a party by in prosperity. It is absurd to sup-making it a majority in the Con-pose that it is envious of those who gress, it has a right to exped: such fare already prosperous. The wise unity' of action as. will~make the fand correct course to follow in arty majority an effective inetrataxation and all other economic very clear and definite mandate from the people. The expression of the popular will in favour of maintaining our constitutional guarantees was overwhelming and decisive. There was a manifestation of such faith in the integrity of the courts that we can consider that issue rejected for some time to come. Likewise, the policy of public ownership of railroads and certain jelectrie utilities met with unmistakable defeat. The peopl that they wanted their have not' apolitieal but a determination, and their independ. fence and freedom continued and supported by having the ownership and control of their property, not the Government, but in their own hands. As they always do when they have a fair chance, the people legislation is not to destroy those who have already secured success bu: to create conditions under which every one will have a better chance to be successful. The verdict, of the country has been given on his, question. That verdict stands. We [shall do well to heed it.
"These questions involve moral issues, We need not concern -our~ selves much about the rights property if we will faithfully observe the rights of persons Under four institutions their rights are supreme. Tt is not property but the right to hold property, both great trid small, which oer Constitution guarantees. "Ail owners of propery fare charged with a service, These rights and duties have been reveal-Jed, through the conscience of society, to have a divine sanction. The very ability of our society rests upon production and conservation. For demonstrated that they' are sound]? individuals or for governments to and are determined to have a sound waste and squander their resources government. is to deny these rights and disregard Economy in Administration these obligations. The result. of economic dissipation to a nel'ion is "When we turn from what was always moral decay. rejected to inquire'what was accept-fed, the policy that stands out with "These policies of better inter-the greatest clearness is that of national understandings, greater economy in public expenditure with economy, and Tower taxes Have reduction and reform of taxation. contributed largely to peaceful and 'The principle involved in this effort prosperous industrial' relations, jig that of conservation The re-Under the helpful influences. of beyond tation. No mind can sources of this country are almost restrictive immigration and a pro-active tariff, employment is plenti comprehend them. But the cos, of ful, the rate of pay is high, and our combined governments is like-wage earners are in a state of con-wise almost beyond definition. Not tentmenit seldom before seen. Our only those who are now making transportation systems have been' their tax returns, but those who meet the enhanced cost of existence their monthly bills, know by hard able to meet all the requirements of the service. Agriculture has been. very slow in reviving, but the price
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.