NEW YEAR MESSAGES

Hokitika Guardian, 31 December 1930, Page 3

NEW YEAR MESSAGES

ACTING PREMIER. ON A HOPEFUL NOTE. [By Telegraph, Per Press Association. 1 WELLINGTON, Dec. 30. The year which is just closing ■ recorded many events of outstanding importance, (states the Acting-Prime .Minister in a New Year message). It' is fitting that I make reference to the loss'suffered by this. Dominion and' • the Eifnpire through the death of tlie late Prime Minister. When that eminent Statesman issued his New Year message at the close of last year, liifi financial acumen prompted a note of caution to the. people against uneconomical expenditure and the admonition to industry of thrift. Time has proved the wisdom of his advice, and in view of the present difficulties facing the community, I feel I cannot do better than repeat that advice with added emphasis. With other parts of the world, we find ourselves in a. process of deflation in values, with its ' conisequehtial readjustments, but, notwithstanding this, the economic position of tlie Dominion is sound, and we shall doubtlessly win through. Relative to its size and population, New Zealand is of all in the British Dominions one of the richest in potentialities for the expansion of trade find commerce. ‘ and for the employment of large numbers of people. With her fertile soil, favoured' climate' find industrious population', the Dominion cannot fail to expand ifls primary industries.

The year just passing lias recorded a notable increase in the country’s sheep stocks, a record production of lamb and mutton and a materially enhanced wool clip. The aggregate weight of the frozen meat output has also reached a new peak, while tlm dairy industry has provided a high level record in the output of butter and cheese. Tlie export of apples lias surpassed tliat of any previous season. The wheat crops have recorded an exceptionally ‘ high per .acre average yield. The cereal growers have substantially increased their acreage .for the present season. While it must lie realised that tlie national income from exports is dependent upon tlie purchasing powers of countries overseas, it is however, in our own power materially to assist ourselves by purchasing New Zealand products in oreference to those produced elsewhere, and I would commend this appeal to all my fellow citizens.

From the point of view of finance, the year has been a-very difficult one, and the people have teen called upon to bear increased burdens in order that the [Dominion's' reputation for sound finance may be maintained. While .our difficulties ore by no means behind us/there bre indications that the bottom has been reached so fa r as prices are concerned, and as' soon as a measure of confidence in the-market is restored, it is highly probable that prices will recbyer', though tlie prospect of a return to the level of that obtained prior to tlie depression is somewhat doubtful. Some readjustment will of course, be necessary before the economic machine will again function, smoothly, but, as I have already stated, the natural wealth of the Dominion, combined with that resolute facing of facts which is characteristic of New Zealander's, will enable us to overcome our difficulties.

It means hard work, but there is certainly no occasion for pessimism. In fact, I think we can look forward to the New Year with quiet confidence and' the hope of a return to more prosperous times. The people can rely upon the Government to deal with the position resolutely, and to do its utmost to assist the recovery of the country. Unemployment, which is probably the world’s most distressing problem at the moment, is with ns—a matter of the gravest concern. The special unemployment legislation of last session and the setting up of the Hoard is an earnest of the Government’s desire to.provide a basis for meeting the problem, and it appeals to all loyal citizens to afford their fullest co-operation and assistance After remarking that the Prime Minister had worthily represented us at the Imperial Conference, with a watchful eye to the further development of Empire unity, Mr Ransom continues: “What will count most' in the difficult days ahead will be the spirit in which we face our task. Unselfish co-operation and equality of sacrifice will make the burden lighter for all, and a foundation for more permanent prosperity will more readily be laid if we have a commonsense regard for our mutual obligations and interdependence as fellow citizens. Needless to say, the Government will afford every assistance, in this direction, but the nation must rely for its salvation, not so much upon its Government as upon the character and energy of itw people. : We are still a. young virile nation, and our problems are those of growth, arid not of decay. We should be false to .our, great heritage if we were pessimistic. To be up and doing is the onlv wav to be true to the great traditions of our race. I feel sure that, under the blessing of God. the indomitable pluck and determination of our citizens generally will soon put New Zealand once more on the high road to prosperity.” I Mr. Ransom extends to bis fellow citizens the best wishes for the New i Year. ,

AIR COATES’S MESSAGE.

CALL FOR SACRIFICES

DARGAVILLE, Dec. 30,

The following is a statement made by Mr J. G. Coates, the Leader of tlie Opposition, at Dargavilie this evening: ‘ut i; with ev-'.y si.uwe tl.o.iglit for the future welfare of my fellow citizens that I extend to them my best wsilies for a happy new year. The economic outlook for 1931 is not so healthy as we would wish it to be. New Zealand is for her wealth and development almost entirely dependent upon the volume of exports of primary produce and the price these products realise in the world’s markets. It should be remembered, too, when using the term “world’s markets” that the Mother Country, Great Britain, absorbs the great bulk of our exports. At the end of July last, values for sale of products overseas, by comparison with the previous twelve months, had decreased by approximately nine million pounds sterling. “Since that date a further serious fall for similar products has occurred, and it is by no means exaggerating the position to estimate a further decline of eleven millions in money foi the sale of products for twelve months ending next July. If this is the position, and I believe it is, it must be obviorjs that there will lie eleven million pounds less circulating this year among our people as compared with last year, when, as at July, , 1929, there was nine million pounds less than in' the previous twelve The position must surely lie that we ns a community must live on a little le.-is. Tt- will mean sacrifice and that experience will he new to many, but whatever this sacrifice, let us be very certain tliat there is equality of sacrifice. The farmer has met the full shock of world deflation consequent on lower price levels for his exportable products. To-day he is fu/htiu" for his very existence. His earnings have slumped. He is facing reconstruction.

“The New Zealand farmer must, in order to survive, compete in the world’s markets. He must survive and carry on if our country is to progress, but it is of paramount importance that lie produce at cost that will give him an equal opportunity with his competitors, many of whom are much nearer to Great Britain than we are. Many of our farmers are asking themselves the question: Can, it be" done? Well, it can be done, and it must be done. Perhaps other members of the community are hoping that something will turn up. Everyone hopes that prices will improve, and improve quickly, but- there fa little to support the hope. “The tendency is rather the othei; way. For this country to win? nut. costs to the . producer must be acljust-od—-all .manner of cost’s, and this applies to all forms of production. When this fc accomplished, and it will be, every incentive must be given to those engaged in our key industry to increase (their volume ,of production. We should never lose sight of the fact that this country is blessed as no other country is blessed. It has climatic advantages and productive capacity peculiar to itself, together with people possessing a will, character find determination that have seen them through past trials, and these same essentials will stand to New Zealand again. Farmers’ earnings have declined seriously. v , ‘/The national earning power of,the nation has been considerably affected. Everyone in the Dominion, commercial and financial, distributor and worker, is feeling the results of lower prices. I hope and I believe that all our citizens will realise the salient features of our present economic situation, and brace themselves to the task ot readjustment that lies ahead for all. Wo can all helo, and if we do, it will not be long before we put our country and its people in a most reliable position, and it is due to our fellow citizens that we be loyal to our own. We should realise that there are many engaged in industries in our own country, and wherever possible it would lx: wise to use our locally-made and produced goods, providing quality and price are right; but let us in 1931 resolve to give pride of choice to articles made by British men and women in British factories, il the required goods are not available in New Zealand. “I would like to say that 1 and those associated with me in Parliament will always endeavour to place the country’s welfare and interest above all other considerations. On their behalf I can say that each mem- ■ lier’s thoughts and action are given, for the public weal. We realise that the trials of the times call for thoughtful, wise and considerate, piloting, and it will be our duty to servo in the *nterests of the ,peoplo. Again I wish all a happy new year, firmly believing that if we tackle the problems of the new year sensibly and reasonably, with a full realisation of the facts, there will follow better times for all, and a gradual but definite absorbing of many of our fellow citizens who to-day are sorely tried and worried on account of failure to find employment.’’