INCREASED PRODUCTION.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 2015, 14 August 1919, Page 3

INCREASED PRODUCTION.

WHAT NEW ZEALAND NEEDS

PRIME MINISTER’S VIEWS

Speaking at the ceremony in connection with the laying of the foundation stone of the new State Fire Insurance Office, in Lambton Quay, Wellington, on Alonday, the Prime Alinister (the Rt. Hon W. F. Alassey) said: “We have got through the war period successfully, but I think you will agree with me that the problems- of peace which have to he taken in hand now, without any delay, are in many respects just as important as the problems we have tackled and solved during the war period. The new office of the State Fire Department is merely one of the important works that have had to stand over during the last five years. There are hundreds of works to he taken in hand, including'school buildings in many parts of the country. Some country children are being taught in tents at the present time. I am glad to he able to say that as far as indications go there will, he no difficulty in finding the necessary cash for school buildings and other public works. “We are face to face with serious difficulties, though not so serious as the difficulties of many other countries. Our difficulties will be more easily overcome during the next two or tlirpc years than the difficulties of many other British countries. We have a splendid country, a highly productive country, and a splendid climate. The possibilities of production in this country were proved during the war period by the enormous quantities of produce we were aide to send to the Mother Country. Bat we cannot stop where we are in the matter of production. We have taken up enormous liabilities. We have practically doubled our Notional Debt, which has increased from one hundred-millions sterling to two hundred millions-sterling. We have got to increase production in every way possible if wo are going to carry that burden without very serious inconvenience to the whole of the .population. That we can increase production Ido not doubt. We have vast possibilities of expansion, but we must face those possibilities energetically and with determination, just as we did during (he war porid. Wo have the great hydro-electric schemes, whiefi I hope will ho of immense benefit to Wellington and all the other centres. Wo have to complete those railways which were suspended during the war period, make roads, and do all we can in connection with soldiers’ land settlement. Afy colleagues have done splendid work in this matter during my absence. Their efforts will stand looking into, and arc worthy of commendation quarters. “That is only part of the great work that is ahead- of us. Wc have to increase production and keep down unnecessary expenditure. I say ‘unnecessary,’ because there is expenditure contemplated and suggested that we cannot do without. We cannot increase production without increasing expenditure. We have to increase expenditure in order to provide facilities required for Hie increase of our exports by at least 50 per cent.” The Prime Minister added that he hoped the stopping interests would play their part fully in the era of development that was before New Zealand. The Dominion required increased supplies of shipping, and for that it must look to companies controlled generally from other countries.