DOMINION'S POSITION

Southland Times, Issue 18835, 31 May 1920, Page 6

DOMINION'S POSITION

GREAT INCREASE IN TRADE. SPEECH BY HON. D. H. GUTHRIE. Replying to the toast of Parliament at the social gathering at which the Feilding branch of the Farmers’ Union entertained delegates, the Dominion reports, the Hon. I). H. Guthrie said that never before had such great responsibilities been thrust on Parliament as was: the case at the present time, for we were passing through a period of great stress, following on the late war. In spite of this the dominion had come out of it in a better position than she was in when she went into it, and he felt confident that the present members of the House would do the best they could to re-establish the country. The declaration of war had done away with partyship, and both sides had joined hands and had stood side by side during that trying time which had followed. Fie was glad to find no pessimistic note in any ol the speeches, and lie felt that if they were careful and economic they would soon recover from the heavy- financial burden which had been thrust upon them, and would come out on top. There must, however, be increased production and closer settlements. A few years ago they were talking about .tIOO grants. Now the Government was asked for thousands. During the war everything possible was put on one side. Now things were changed, and the demands on the Government were increasing, and millions were asked for for developing the country. When the Home moneymarket was found to be tight, money was raised in New Zealand to the extent of £79,000,000 for war and the development of the country. There was raised in England at the same time 26 million pounds, making in all 105 million pounds. But it was mo.-t satisfactory- to know that the hulk of the money was found in New Zealand. In 191-1 New Zealand had in fixed deposit.-- £24,000,000, which in 1920 had grown to £59,665,0/1

The Dominion had arrived at this position: Wool in 19 K) was worth SA million pounds, and in Dill nearly 20 millions. Frozen meat in 1910 was worth ,£3,8.)1),777, and in 1919 £9,528,292. Butter in 1910 was worth £1,881,075, anil in 1919 £8,080,128. Cheese in 1910 was worth £1,195,373, and in 19i9 £7,790.990. The total trade in 1910 was £59,231,792, and that in 1919 £8.1,305,109, an increase ot £-M ,047,137. lie thought the' result 1 would surprise thorn. During the year 191S alone there had bc-tn an increase oi £30,598,058. The excess of exports over imports in 1918 had been £21,963,252. He had quoted these figures as he feit they would be encouraging. Now that he had been appointed Minister of Lands he intended to give to that branch the very best that was in him. He had immediately called together all the Commissioners of Crown Lands and pointed out to them the importance of settling returned soldiers on the land. He quoted figures which were published in the Dominion last Monday to show what had been done in the settlement of returned soldiers on the land. It had been a most difficult matter to put the different classes of men on suitable lands. He regretted that so few applications had been received for bush lands, and he felt sure that many of the men were making a mistake in declining to go on this class of land, in which there was a good living to be made. After watching the soldiers’ settlements carefully. the commissioners had reported (hat (he failures would not reach 10 psr cent. He had been criticised for not reserving large estates, but the procedure under which they could be compulsorily acquired was so unsatisfactory that it would not mean solid settlements. In response to circulars he had receiver! replies from 73 land holders who were willing to sell to the Government for soldiers’ settlement. It had been a pleasure to him to have a hand in the work of (he Repatriation Department. which he felt was doing good work. They had practically repatriated some 35,000 men, outside of those who had been placed on the land, and with putting men on the land had spent close upon 20 million pounds. The producers of the Dominion" had practically found the money to enable the Government to do this.

Referring to the meat question and the unfortunate position owing to the glut in the cool stores, the Minister said that everything would be done to get ships to take the produce away. At the present time six ships were loading and 24 more' were in sight, and this would do much to relieve the position. He believed that arrangements would be made with the Imperial Government by which some of our own meat would' be got away at the same time as that of the Imperial Government.