PRIME MINISTER.

Hokitika Guardian, 19 June 1925, Page 1

PRIME MINISTER.

RECEPTIONS IN AUCKLAND. AUCKLAND. June 17 The first visit to Auckland of Mr J. G. Contes since his elevation to the office of Prime Minister was signalised at noon to-day hy a civic reception at ihe. Town Hall, when lie wa- accorded an en! Imsiasl ie welcome. Sulfseqiienllv Mr Coales intended a Chamber of Commerce luncheon. The president of the chamber. Mr Martin, ami Mr Peter Barr, of Dunedin, preYnlcnl el the Association of Chamber'

of Ceutmorc". Loth paid warm tribute* to tile Prime Minister.

In his reply Mr Conte* 'iiid we w re living under the* British ling and ihe st ;i in In i'll of tlm commercial men ol Britain "a- a ■ nigh .me. • no>' the community, and then-tore business might safely be left to go along on its own way. The Government, however. wanted the eo-iqa’ration of business men. Speaking as head of i-b' 1 Government lie could say I bey welcomed their support. The Government wanted the great Slab- instilu-

Eons managed ns business men managed their own concerns. AH' Contes quit.- agreed that commercial matters and polities could mil mix. In his opinion the whole success “I Xi " Zealand's fill tire must depend upon her financial arrangements. She must have a sound system of national finance. and only when mailers had boon put on properly regulated basis would it be possible for the State to maintain its credit. It was just as essential for Hu* Stale t» F"“d credit as it was for business to have a good credit. Quite recently they had sought the assistance of co-opera-tion of chambers of commerce by ashing them to admit departmental ntfieers lo membership of those bodies so that a- better understanding could he created between private commerce and public departments, lie w.sl.e. to extend this movement. IMon ib, to the Railway Department he intimated that- the hoard had just go* out a new tariti'. It was ...tended to circulate this amongst the el.an.be * of emiimerce and other tiat, op. Rations, so that their opinions could be sought, after which H would > dealt with hy the Government. He wished to assure them that so tar as expenditure, on railways. hydro-elet-inj.;tv. irrigation and telephones was concerned he did not expect to have lo cull upon the taxpayers o “ remit: rv With education and public health it was different. The return came in another form, namely. a healthy and happy community.