PROSPERITY

Hokitika Guardian, 18 September 1929, Page 8

PROSPERITY

HOW IT MAY BE ACHIEVED

HIS EXCELLENCY’S ADVICE

WELLINGTON, Sept. 14

While regretting that immigration was suspended as a means of increasing the population and increasing the iproduction of primary produce in New Zealand, His Excellency the Governor-General, Sir Charles Fergusson, last night urged that continued prosperity could only come by increased production,, and that something should bo done in the direction of training our hoys and giving them a desire to go on the land. He also mado some pointed remarks on the subject of unamplomcnt. His Excellency was proposing the toast of “The Day We Celebrate” at the annual gathering of the Wellington Commercial Travellers’ Association. Last year they twere congratulating themselves that things were brightening, and it was just as well to'make a hasty survey of the conditions as they were now. Speaking generally, they had much to ..be thankful for, as the past year had been one of prosperity in many ways. Primary production had increased, and the export of butter had in erased by 9 per cent, cheese by 1.4 per cent, wool by 3 per cent, and there y r ere bigger exports of lamb, and so on. The trade balance was also more satisfactory, and in the banking accounts prosperity was shown in many respects. While big deposits might indicate prosperity, there was the proviso that there was reason to. believe in the last few months that those largo fixed deposits were not going to be entirely a gain to Now Zealand, because it looked as if a considerable portion of that money was going out of the country. Whether that was a good tiling or not lie would not say.-

On the other hand there weic things' which were not so satisfactory. Take one thing only. They still bad the spectre of unemployment, and so far from diminishing it, showed no signs of diminution at present. TT« sympathised with the ’numhcis of really excellent men and women who were out of employment, quite apart from the unemployable, of wneui there were always some. Thinking of. the bright prospects and apparent prosperity, it was very sad to stm 110 sign of unemployment ending. The alleviation did not touch the problem itself. Relief work, unemployment insurance and other such remedies were only palliatives. From what he had been reading'in the papers of late he thought, the people of the country were not looking the facts in the face, and acknowledging what was the root cause of unemployment. He suggested that it was because they did not produce cheaply, for certain reasons, but he was sure they could procure more, given two conditions, 100 per cent efficiency, and 100, per, cent energy, which you Id increase production, and reduce cost of production. To cure unemployment they must have people engaged in production. What had they lo sell? They had their primary products, for the secondary industries could only thrive while the pastoral was thriving. They had a limited population, and he regretted the necessity for limiting immigration. What New Zealand wanted was population employed in developing the country to its fullest extent, but if they could not bo brought from overseas why could they not produce them in New Zealand? They had some of the finest boys in the world in their schools, and what wore they going to do? While in the last two or three years, there had been some increase in the number going on the land or taking up trade, there was still an enormous proportion calculating on what lie might call “cuff and. collar” callings. Could they not persuade these boys to take up the old cry, “Lack to the land?” He. was glad io think that the Government was doing something towards this. The boys must be trained, cautioned against loafing round the towns looking for work which did not exist. Let them turn their hands to the work which was waiting for them, work which would make them happy and prosperous, and would bring returns to the country. 'The commercial travellers could do much to help this movement, as they went up and down the country, and as the Prince of Wales once electrified the people at Home when lie cried “Wake up, England,” to they might as they went''round say “Will e up, New Zealand,’’ and show them which way they should sec their duty by taking on work which would benefit the country.

In conclusion, if he might give them a slogan it would be the four words from a speech made by Mr Baldwin, who said that the English langauge was very rich in thought and expression, and there wore lour words of one syllable each which to his mind spoke a gospel for every government in every country. I hey were faith, hope, love, work. No government could ever succeed wl ich had not the faith of its people, hope for .the future, love of the country, and a passion for work. Bet them think of these things, the traditions of the old pioneers, love for their fellow men, and work, work, work 1 00 per cent. That was the gospel w.iieh would save this [country. (Applause)