PRIME MINISTER

Hokitika Guardian, 25 May 1927, Page 2

PRIME MINISTER

[by TEt-voitArn —PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.) FEILDING, May 24. Mr Coates to-day received several deputations asking local needs. One request was for Eeikling to he made a stopping place for all passenger trains. The Minister promised consideration. Another request was for a better system of finance for the Hospital Boards. It was pointed out that the country districts paid far more than the towns, while they yet received far less benefit Air Coates said it was a difficult question, and required very careful thought. A perfectly satisfactory system had not yet been found.

A third request was by the Kiwitea County Council for a £1 for £1 subsidy up to £-500 on work on the County roads to help in the unemployment relief. Consideration was promised. At lunch. Mr Coate.s spoke on the present depression, which, he said, was caused by a fall In the prices of primary produce. He said no Government or person could provide a remedy hv waving a wand, or passing sonic hastily conceived experimentary legislation. Every man must put forth his best effort to produce more. He said the Government hoped to assist by providing reasonable finance on rural securities. These securities were suffering by people decrying the producers’ lands. He thought that New Zealand was in for more reliable, stable prices for produce, because the British people’s purchasing power was improving.

Later Mr Coates proceeded to Waitima and opened a new bridge. Ho congratulated the Kiwitea County on its goods roads. In development, this county was making very substantial ' progress. This was shown by such bridges as this one. The County, however, must study the cost'of this development, because he felt that the local rating was a very heavy fax on farmers. He hoped the Government would shortly introduce legislation providing relief for producers from the cost of the upkeep of the roads from which they received no direct benefit, and would put such cost on the users of the roads.

At a later function, Mr Coates gave a short resume of the work of the Economic Conference, which had cleared away many misunderstandings. He said the Empire comprised a happy family, anxious to trade within itself. Mr Coates departed amidst loud cheers.