NEW YEAR’S MESSAGE

Hokitika Guardian, 31 December 1927, Page 1

NEW YEAR’S MESSAGE

FROM PRIME MINISTER. Another year is closing, and I take the privilege of addressing a short message to my fellow-citizens in the Do-

min ion. Following upon the general election two years ago, when the people expressed their confidence in myself as 'Prime Minister. I stated that the guiding principles of my administration would he the safety and stability of the State and the Empire, the security of the individual, toleration with equal opportunity for all, and peace and order in the community. These principles since that time I have endeavoured to the best of my ability lo promote. During this period the country Tins passed through a time of difficulty which has proved embarrassing to many of our people. The reasons wore mainly economic in their character, and were not confined to our own Dominion, but were world-wide in their cause and effect. New Zealand is dependent very largely for her prosperity upon external markets for the satisfactory disposal of her primary products. Most important among these markets is of course Great Britain, and any depression in Great Britain, combined with a decreased purchasing power on the part of our kinsfolk in the Homeland, is immediately reflected in this country by diminished returns to our producers. These factors unfortunately existed, with the inevitable result that the Dominion suffered the. experience of

an adverse trade ha lance. The Dominion has undergone similar times of depression in the past, and the virility and industry of her people have enabled her to surmount these obstacles. But there is a lesson to he learned from these happenings. Greater attention must he paid to economic tendencies in relation to our oversea trading, and our imports should he regulated by the value of our exports. T am glad to say that the trading position of flic country has greatly improved as compared with last year. Our imports have decreased. while firmer and more stable prices are being obtained for our exports, bringing much-needed relief to the primary producer, upon whom the country is so largely dependent for its

prosperity. With the prospects of a bountiful season, the outlook for the New Year is bright, hut we must not, for this reason, be led into a false feeling of security. Prudence in administration, thrift and industry on the part of the individual, and greater production are still essential, if we are to reap the full benefits of returning prosperity.

It is pleasing to note that trade conditions in the United Kingdom have shown an improvement. and that there are signs Chat many of the economic disturbances of |lk i Old Band are being more or less settled. When 102“ dawned T was absent from (lie Dominion on account of my attendance at the Imperial 'Conference, which marked an important epoch in (he history ol (he Empire. Already good results have arisen from it. in the jitrenglhening of (he ties of unity and the fostering of interEmpire trade. I say again that it is our duty lo do all we can to strengthen this unify and to destroy those influences which are likely to promote class conflict, disturb the social order, and hinder good government.

One of 1 lie most outstanding events during tlie year was llie visit to Xew Zealand of Tlioir "Royal 11 igl;nesses the Duke and Duchess of Vuk. They stay amongst us Tins endeared them to all our citizens and will he long remembered.

T must also make mention of another notable event, namely the visit to the Dominion of the Right Hon. L. S. Aiuery, Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs, and Afvs Amery, who

have so recently taken their departure from our shore. This has marked the first occasion when a British Cabinet Minister in office has visited this faroff land, and Air Amery’s tour of the overseas Dominions must give a- great impetus to the cause of Empire cooperation which is so essential to our national unity. Tt has been truly written “What do they of England know who only England know.” The more frequently responsible statesmen of the Mother Country can leave the Homeland and acquire first-hand knowledge of the Empire’s territories, the greater will he the opportunity of bringing about better understanding of its peoples and its problems, and of more firmly consolidating those links which bind us all together under one Crown. It is a source of satisfaction to see the efforts which are being made by those in authority at Home to get into close and sympathetic touch with the outlook of the various Dominions of the Empire. It is therefore incumbent upon us to do our part in promoting mutual counsel and common understanding. By so doing he will help to maintain the spirit of idealism which we have inherited.

Not least in this spirit of idealism is the effort lo promote peace among the nations with a view to bringing prosperity to all mankind. It thus behoves all classes of our people to work together, to Imry as far as possible petty and party differences, and to strive earnestly for the common good.

1 congratulate my fellow citizens again upon the better outlook with which we face the New Year, and in its prosiierity I sincerely hope that all miiv share. J. a. COATES. Dnrgaville, JOtli Dee., 1927.

importance. This development is natural ennui'll Inr other reasons. If we compare the League of Nations with the efforts at International Organisation that marked the Middle Ages, or the Holy Alliance, or the nineteenth century Concert of Kurope, wo must he struck by the immense share that economic <|Uestions take in its work and its discussion. The publications of the International Labour Office show that the same kind of task is engaging the Government,and reformers of all countries. 'I he regulation of working conditions, social insurance, pensions, and holidays, these, and similar topics, are now common to the polities of all European peoples. Industrial civilisation is standardising certain relationships, certain problems, certain remedies. It is natural, therefore, and desirable, that historians in all countries should seek for all the light and guidance that a study of the past can throw on our ambitious and our difficulties, and the Economic Society enables them to help each other in that task.—,T. L. Hammond in “ d'lie Contemporary Review.”