SPEECH BY MR M'NAB.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 253, 19 October 1908, Page 4

SPEECH BY MR M'NAB.

TIIE DAIRY KI'OULATiOXS. Speaking at the banquet to Mr. C. K. Major, M.R, at Knponga on Friday, the J Lou. M. McXab .said he was a linn believer not only in Ministers but in members moving about l-lte country, ami thus becoming acquainted with the various needs of the Dominion, lie had always held the necessity of city members becoming acquainted with the conditions -existing in the county and backblock districts, and also for the country members to become familiar with town conditions and needs. If this practice were more widely followed the better understanding that would result wou.d lie of inestimable value and would ]ea\e its mark on the legislation of the Dominion. He compared the present work of a member of the House with that of some years ago, the work now being far more strenuous. He- approved of members having aspirations ior higher positions in Parliamentary life, and if a member bad not such aspiration it would be better for the country if he did not seek re-election. Keferring the Government's past legislation, the Minister claimed great advantages for Second Ballot Act. which lie explained in detail. Me strongly eomlwtted Ihe -statement that appointments to tlw civil servicestt'eiv made from their supporters and friends, and showed that such had not'been the case. On the question of land legislation, he knew tlial Sir. Major had I'oughi honorably and fairly on the question, but had to give way to the look- 0 f the majority of the members of tin* House. Mr. McN'ab believed thai the. present land laws—whibj iinalily was not yet readied—would! continue for many years betore an at-' tempt was made to change them. He believed that we had jiot yet reached finality in any of our laws, for this would mean ceasing to progress. Wo

could not know now what s ysteui would -be in the minds of the people ten or tifteeu years hence. After that lapse of time it would be possible to see wliether ,the opinion of the country was towards freehold or leasehold, as some people say.

In connection with agriculture, for which he was .Minister, .Mr. .McXab said there was less political feeling and less interference than in any other department, although agriculture was one of the gryat problems of the day. llelorring to the dairy regulations, lie said they had exercised people's minds very much and had been discussed from ons_ end of the country to the other. lie thought that everyone would admit that the dairy industry was one of the. greatest industries in this country at the present time. During the past what had been our experience'/ When wool I was high the country was in a good condition, hut having nothing else to hack it lip if a slump in, prices took place depression followed. Wool was down now, and the present prosperity of the country rested on the shoulders of the dairy industry. We would have been in an unfortunate condition with the low price of wool but for the high pric-es for dairy produce. The Minister s howed the necessity for introducing regulations to govern an i- 'iisiiv of such nil' portance if Xew Zealand were to compete successfully in the markets of the world. He said that GO or 70 per cent, of the milk was all that could be desired, but the poor quality supplied by the minority detracted from the value of tliiit supplied by the majority. He said the regulations would not come ir,t<> operation until next season, which would give dairy farmers ample opportunity to become acquainted with tlicM. When in operation it was expected thai, the penal clauses would very rarely have to be exercised. The duties of the inspectors were more educative tlun, punitive. He vlaimtd that the regulations would be of the highest vain- to the Dominion.