PRIME MINISTER’S NEW YEAR MESSAGE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 2981, 31 December 1925, Page 2

PRIME MINISTER’S NEW YEAR MESSAGE.

LOOK FORWARD WITH CONFIDENCE TO 1926. BETTER UNDERSTANDING AT HOME AND ABROAD. Dargaville, Last Night. “At the dawn of another year 1 take the opportunity of addressing a few words to my fellow citizens. “First of all. T desire, with a full heart, to say how deeply sensible I am of the unhounded expression of confidence which the great majority of the community gave me as Prime Minister at the general election last month. I can only say that, with the help of Providence, my earnest endeavours will he to promote the progress and prosperity of our country and the well-being of its people. “The guiding principle of my administration will 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. We shall strive to abolish all causes of class warfare and bitterness and increase the general happiness of our citizens.

“It was inevitable that in the years of reconstruction following the war, individual losses would be incurred. In many cases these have pressed heavily on those engaged in the primary industries. There are also others of our citizens who are having a hard struggle to make both ends meet, especially the family man. It will he the earnest endeavour of my colleagues and myself to render, in such eases, some manner of assistance towards lightening their burdens. “With health and strength, 1 shall give of my best to prove worthy of the great trust which has been placed in my keepink and I am profoundly grateful to the people for the great honour which they have conferred upon one of themselves. “As we look back upon the year now ending, we cannot but recall the many notable figures in the Empire’s public life who have passed away. May 1 mention just a few of these: Her Majesty Alexandra, the Queen Mother, Lord Curzon, Lord Milner and last, but not least, Mr. Massey whose splendid service to New Zealand and the Empire is so fresh in our memories. The Empire is the better and stronger to-day for their works and they have left behind them an abiding inspiration for loyalty, patriotism and service.

PROFITABLE SEASON PROM ISED.

“I should like to tell my fellow citizens that, in my judgement, there is solid ground for looking forward with confidence to 1926. Last season, remarkably high values ruled for our primary products, particularly for wool. It would appear, however, that these high prices will not he continued. Nevertheless, present values cannot be regarded as unsatisfactory. When viewed from a normal standpoint, there is every reason for hoping that these prices will remain at a steady basis, ensuring a payable iel urn to the producer.

yßutier has recently experienced a sharp decline in value, hut this is rather due to a temporary disturbance of the normal How of produce on to the market and as the season advances, values for this commodity should set lit- down to a lemuneiative figure. The wetness of the winter season anti the late spring have caused a less quantity of feed to be available, resulting in falling off in the output of dairy produce in the first few months of the present season and this has retarded somewhat the coming forward of prime lambs and mutton. In some respects, sowing operations in some- id' our farming districts have also been hampered by unfavourable climatic conditions, more particularly in the case of wheat-growing. However, the wonderful recuperative qualities of the Dominion, combined with the industry and energy of our producers have always proved equal to any such happenings and we need, theiefore, have no misgivings on this account.

“In the time of our prosperity, we should learn to practice thrift and economy and thus lie the better prepared to stand the test, should any emergency arise. Financially, the outlook is healthy and by exploring all avenues by which our primary industries may be intensively advanced, I feel sure that another satisfactory position will be disclosed when the public accounts for the current linancial year are made up.

THE GREAT EXHIBITION. “The great Exhibition in Dunedin, which has already been visited by many thousands of New Zealanders and people from overseas, hears striking testimony to the development of our secondary industries. The undertaking is a wonderful tribute to the enterprise of the Otago people and to the public spirit of our manufacturers throughout the Dominion. I hope tlie Exhibition will continue to meet with the success it deserves. It should he an important influence in promoting the trade of our country and in enoouragig the use of New Zealand-made articles. “It is with pleasure that we have witnessed the great advance recently made towards a better understanding among the powers of Western Europe. We can confidently hope that the New Year will enter upon a more 'enlightened era of peace amongst the nations, bring-

ing greater prosperity and happiness to all. ,T ' “Let us do all we can to strengthen Empire unity and destroy those influences which by promoting class conflict are subversive of social order and good government in our community. I ask my fellow citizens to sink petty and sectional strife and pull together for the common good. We can then be well assured of a further period of prosperity for our fair land. To one and all I ivish a bright and happy New Year.” (Sgd.) J. G. Prime Minister. "