PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 63, 8 December 1926, Page 11

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

TO UNITED STATES CONGRESS

COUNTRY PROSPEROUS BUT ECONOMY NECESSARY AVOIDANCE OF COMPETITIVE ARMAMENT URGED President Coolidge, in his annua] Message to the United States Congress, while emphasising the general peace and prosperity of the country, stresses the need for economy, and gives a warning against extravagant new ventures. He also urges the rapid discharge of war debt obligations and the avoidance of competitive armament. By Telegraih.—Press association.— Copyright.

(Rec. December 7, 5.5 p.m.) Washington, December 6. The President’s annual Message to Congress counselled the Legislature not to grant any farm relief that would put the Government into the business of production, marketing, or price-fix-ing of farm products. He also opposed any permanent tax reduction, but favoured a refund next year. President Coolidge again stressed the need for economy, and warned the country against extravagant new ventures. He unrolled a panorama of the Government’s vast business, and emphasised the general peace and prosperity of the country, the absence of major diplomatic troubles, and the desire of America to continue the policy of non-aggressive armament. LIMITATION OF EXPENDITURES. The recommendations for the coming year included the limitation of expenditures to those most urgent, the necessity for discussion on agriculture, for evolving a plan to meet farmers’ needs. The President also recommended the placing of the merchant marine under a single responsible head, and endeavouring to induce Americans to ship in United States bottoms ; the creation of a board to deal with radio problems; the development of the Philippines economically, but ' not to turn them back until the natives are politically and economically _ fitted to assume control; the' continuation of the policy of having the army and navy on a peace force footing, paying special attention to < cruisers, submarines, and aviation.' ' •

DISCHARGE OF WAR DEBTS OBLIGATIONS. President Coolidge also urged the rapid discharge of war debt obligations and the avoidance of competitive armament. He advocated the careful andspeedy enactment of supplementary legislation for enforcing prohibition, declaring that “persons who dissent from prohibition have access to orderly methods of seeking a change in the Constitution, but all should obey the law.” The President urged the promotion of “understanding and good-will between ourselves and all other peoples.” Regarding the general condition of the country, he sajd it was impossible to characterise it as other than one of general peace and prosperity. “In some quarters our diplomacy is vexed with difficult and as yet unsolved problems, but nowhere are we met with ■armed conflict. If some occupations and areas are not flourishing, in none does there remain any acute chronic depression. What the country requires is not so much new policies, as the steady continuation of those which already are being crowned with abundant success.” PROHIBITION REFERENDUM PROPOSED Washington, December 6. Representative Galh’van, Democrat, Massachusetts, introduced a motion in the House of Representatives on Monday proposing a national referendum on prohibition.