PREMIER ON TOUR.

Hokitika Guardian, 9 October 1925, Page 3

PREMIER ON TOUR.

WELL RECEIVED AT OAM VltC. lIY TTII.KUItAI'H —I'IIKSS ASSN., CTII'YRIOIIT. OA.MARU. Oct. 8. i loii. .1. O. Coates, Prune .Minister, addressed* a crowded meeting in lie Opera House tn-niglit. the cmiir being (.el iipieil by the Mayor. 'I lie Prime .Minister, who was well received, sael the National Government bail scored during the Great War. 'lke post-war problems were inevitable but they wei'e now in the process of settling down. He slid I lie credit of New Zealand waliigli. and that she stood well in I lie eyes ol I lie world. ’lnc i;M of living, be said, was lower Here than in any other country of the world, when taking into consideration the standard ol comfort. •‘The policy I propose lo pillow." said Mr Coates. "ami in respect of which I ask the approval ol the iouiitrv. is set on i in my manifesto. I ran appeal to those sentiments ol tar1H (»f-, 111 I* Ii I lllc ( Dllllllllßlt V I 4 '

lianslal" in,' principles ol political economy and progress into practical effort. In doing so 1 may explain that it is not my intention to put lorwnrd a lengthy programme ol legislation appealing to the expectations of every class, and then, on being returned to office, to drop much of such programme till another election comes round. Ihe need of the moment is not so much a mass of new legislation, as a development of what already exists on the Statue Book, an efficient and business like administration of it, and the amendment of it from time to time to meet ever-increasing conditions. ’ Mr Coates proceeded to speak ol a necessity for strong and sale Government.’' Dealing with Imperial politics, fie S aid the Government would stand to uphold the highest traditions of that interest in imperialism for which the late Mr Massey so loyally and courageously strove. Financial problems arising out ».f the war. with difficulties ol piist-war construction and financial deflation made it necessary that the first and most important plank in the policy of the Government should be economy in national expendit lire. Borrowing was necessary for hydro-electricity, irrigation, roads and railways. Dealing with revenue, the Prime Minister said Hie net revenue for the sis months outline September 30th. was £12.0 19,1t'11. compared with C 10.923.920 for the same six months of Inst year. Ihe lotul expenditure amounted to Cl2_549.101. compared with £12.549.33, . The principal increase in expcnditine was railways (C317.990L mostly due to increased wages and the purchase ol stores anil material. There was an excess of expendit are over the revenue in the first, -is months of this year, ft was usual. This year it was £!)ol.321. compared with £1.023.419 of last vear. The Prime Minister reterreil to economies effected during the last ietv veals which had resulted m a saving m nearlv £4,000.C00. These made it possible- to grant much needed reduction in taxation. 11l respect to borrowing, he ‘■aul the problem of reducing taxation resolved itself lapM'lv into; (1) Borrowing only for purposes that will earn interest so as not. to increase charges on Ihe taxpaver; and G2) the reductioni ot the deadweight war debt. Regard, hr the administration of Hie Government Departments. the aim of the Government would In' to provide |>eupU* will) oineieut service in general administration and in particular in those undertakings which were actively earned on h> tl" Government, and at the same time in the matter of expenditure to maintain

ernnomy. . Mr Coates dealt briefly with the taxation question. He stated in regard to the Advances Office that it was proposed to extend the canital ol the otfioo considerably. It was proposed to thoroughly organise the Advances <> - lice so as to extend it- use! illness. He proceeded to deal with loan hanks and land settlement, education., secondary industries, immigalion. alloiestation. and social reform, to all ot which ie promised the best assistance of the Government. He also dealt at length with the Public Works administration and railway administration in both ol these departments of State, he '■ “recast ed important improvements. -Mr Contes concluded a vigorous speech amidst applause, and was accorded a hearty vote of thanks and confidence.