THe Dominion. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 1917. NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 56, 29 November 1917, Page 4

THe Dominion. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 1917. NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

■ Speaking at tho annual meeting of the Associated Chambers of Commerce yesterday, tho Prime Minister observed that our first duty after winning tho war would bo to go in for a policy of development not only from the point of viow of our own country, but from that of the Empire. The statement is unexceptionable as far as it goes, but. is perhaps open to tho criticism that it does not go far enough. It is self-evident that a policy of enterprising development within tho Empire is essential if the colossal burdens imposed by the war arc to be comfortably borno and provision made for future prosperity. Britain is adding thousands of millions to her national debt, and is incurring obligations under all heads which will demand an annual revenue greater by at least 150 per cent, than she raised before the war. Making allowance for tho smaller population and _ comparatively undeveloped condition of this country, the prospect before it is in all respects similar. The only satisfactory solution of the problems thus raised is to bo found in an enterprising policy of development and organisation, making forgreatly increased prodiuction._ Lufc the admitted fact that a policy on these linos must be inaugurated as soon as the war comes to an end implies that wo should bo doing meantime everything possible to pave the way for its introduction. It can hardly bo said that this plain demand of the situation has been satisfied in Now Zealand. Good work has benn, and is being, clone by the Chambers of Commerce now sitting in conference, and by some other bodies, in their practical consideration of the problems of niter-

war policy, but there is a neglect of these problems for which the Government must be held in some degree responsible. This neglect is most apparent in regard to local problems of organisation and development which call for attention quite as urgently as great questions like that of slapping organisation end control, and others of interImperial scope which arc- now to' the fore. In the determination of these questions wo have our part to play as a partner in the Imperial concern, but tho first and most essential demand made upon us is that we should improve our standing as a producing country. In his speech yesterday, Mr. JJassey rightly emphasised the necessity of maintaining production at the highest possible level. To maintain production and to expand it as rapidly as possible after tho war is the crux of the problem by which we are faced. This is so obvious that it should lead to a much keener scrutiny of our existing economic organisation and consideration of measures making for increased production than has yet been attempted. Public expenditure is for the time being concentrated on tho war and private enterprise handicapped by war conditions, but there is no reason why the Government should not be shaping the policy of internal development which alono will enable New Zealand to tako and keep its duo place as a partner in the Imperial concern. The first thing necessary to cnsuro the prosperous after-war development of this country is that the whole machinery of rural development and settlement should bo exhaustively overhauled. The funds which aro necessary to inaugurate a policy of active and enterprising dovelopment will not be availablo until tho war has come to an end, but it is quite open to the Government to mako a beginning on the reforms bearing on development which are suggested by our past mistakes and shortcomings. For instance, the creation of a non-politi-cal board or commission to contol railway construction and other public works would be a definite step towards expediting dovelopment and so creating the conditions that will make for increased production. It would substitute efficiency for inefficiency in a most important department of national activity and pave the way for other reforms calculated to enable us to make the most of our (undeveloped or partlydeveloped resources. Unless such an authority is created, there is little prospect of the inauguration of a development policy on lines calculated to meet after-war conditions. It is certainly as necessary that tho Government should be urged to act with enterprise and foresight m the matter of rural development as that due attention should bo paid to the questions of inter-Irapenal trade in which we a,ro of course vitally concerned. .