OUR POST – WAR OUTLOOK

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 239, 3 July 1919, Page 5

OUR POST - WAR OUTLOOK

MR MASK'S VIEWS AN INTERESTING ARTICLE (By Telegraph-Press Association-Copyright (Rec. July 2, 11 p.m.) London, July 1. In the Empire number' of the "Financier and Bullionisf," Mr. Massey. has a special article on New Zealand, its present position and prospects. After detailing the strength of the Dominion's Porces, and nothing their excellent record m the field and in camp, the Prime Minister states that the Dominion's financial responsibilities as the direct- result of the war are veiy heavy. They _ include the capitalisation of pensions. "Tho war has cose the Dominion little, if anything, less than two hundred millions," lie says. "It is estimated that tho annual cost of the pensions, which are tho most generous in the world, will bo not less than two millions. This charge will be accepted as a' debt of gratitude. Them is no lack of confidence on the. part of New Zealanders in tho future. They' have a sturdy faith in the strength of the country to carry its heavy "burden. The Dominion's resources, especially as regards the primary industries, are still capable of enormous development. "The best is yet to be. There will within a comparatively short' time be room for industries which hitherto have been scarcely thought of, far less explored. The iron industry is an example, there being huge deposits both of iron ' oro of first-class quality and ironsand on the west coast of the North Island. Esi perts have expressed the opinion that there is nothing better in the world. There is immense scope for the development of our unique resources. As regards -water power for generating electri- ' cal energy, it is intended to put these works in hand almost immediately as art important part of the reorganised activities of the Dominion after the war and following the lessons of tho -war, which have shown the necessity for each part of the Empire to develop. its own resources. Plans arc in preparation for a wide development of New Zealand's enormous water power in order to provide all the centres and many of the smaller centres with electricity for domestic and . industrial purposes. There is no scarcity of coal in New Zealand, but the cost of handling and transport make it necessary that we should ' economise our consumption of coal supplies by the extensive use of electricity generated bv natural water power wherever practicable. That is the aim of tho Government, and the prospects of a profitable extension are very good. Tbo experimental stage has been passed, llio value of the development of water power is already proved by the State at Lake Coleridge, where the scheme has been marked by success. The results cry aloud for wide extension, and tho response will be practical. The estimated cost of the proposed works is about 60ven millions. , Railway transit is also to bo developert. It is intended to complete several railways under construction as soon as labour and material are available, time maintaining a steady supply of employment. Road-making and bridge-building will r.lso be carried on vigorously m order to open up new country for settlement. New Zealand will not be a manufacturing country for some time to come, and must relv principally on her primary industries," but that is no reason why the development of'secondary industries for which we have raw material, should not bo encouraged in every possiblo way., "Tho principal business in hand now in repatriation, which will bo less dimcult than many people imagined it would be, because tho great majority of the men have homes or businesses to return to, while employment awaits most of those who require it. It must be said, with satisfaction, that our men are settling down with credit to themselves and the' Dominion. The Government is finding suitable land for the settlement of returned soldiers with.agricultural oxnerionce who desire to secure holdings and win success on the soil of the country which rewards industry. Encouragement i« freely given those likely to bo successful settlers. To enconrago men who, for lack of experience and other reasons, aro unlikely to succeed, would mean misery and failure for them, and certain loss jto tho State. Great care, therefore, is being exercised as Tegards the selection. Tho latest official Teturns show that twelve hundred returned soldiers' hayo been placed on the soil, and a large percentage of these are practically certain to do well.-Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.