PROGRESS OF DOMINION.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 2602, 5 July 1923, Page 1

PROGRESS OF DOMINION.

INCREASE IN TRADE. Wellington,, July 4. In the course ol' the Financial Statement delivered in the House of Representatives last night Mr Massey (Minister of Finance) referred to the progress of the Dominion in the following words: — “Notwithstanding that during the past decade the Dominion has been passing through crises of various kinds more severe and trying than any before experienced in its history, a general survey of the'period 191.2-13 to 1922-2.1 proves conclusively that most satisfactory progress has been made in all the normal activities of New Zealand. The total trade, which per head of population is the highest in the world, increased by £37,514,849, or 83 per cent. Exports of frozen meat increased 37 per cent, in volume and 115 per cent, in value; wool by 71 per cent, in volume and 67 per cent .in value; butter by 196 per cent, in volume and 333 per cent, in value; cheese by 101 per cent, in volume and 179 per cent, in value. The total exports of the Dominion for the year ended 3lst March, 1913, were £23,047,296, while' for the year ended 31st March, 1923, they were no less than £45,548,700, an increase of £22,501,404, or 98 per cent. This is a splendid testimony to the productive power of New Zealand. The well-being of the people has been promoted by the greaty unproved social services which have been provided through tlie increased subsidies for education, public health, and free pensions. Greater facilities have also-been provided through the Rost and Telegraph Department : there are now 4300 more miles of telegraph and telephone lines than in 1913, being an increase of 30 per cent, during tlie period, while the telegraph and telephone wire in use increased by no less than 189,601 miles, or 213 per cent. IN 1913 there were 32,252 telephone subscribers, while in 1923 the number is 82,459, an increase of 50,207, or 156 per cent. Continued attention has been paid to the need for opening up the country and improving the means of ocmmunication in country districts. The annual Government expenditure on roads and bridges in 1913 was £337,585. while in 1923 it amounted to i-nJ. an increase of £305,571, or 91 per cent.”