WAR AND FINANCE.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 March 1916, Page 4

WAR AND FINANCE.

■ NO-SHORTAGE OP MONE!ft , AX APPEAL FOR MEK. By Telefrapk.--Preia Association Rotorua, last Nigl " Sir Joseph Wart opened a new Hurt Office at Mamaku on Saturday. There was a large gathering of settleri. The Minister was welcomed by Mr. R. A. Jackson, chairman of the' Settler*, and Ratepayers' Association, and Mr, B, M. Martin, chairman of the Rotorua County [Council, The latter congratulated- Sir Joseph Ward en the progressive ppllcy which had led to the erection of the Mamakn Post Office, which was the largest building in the comity outiide Rotorua. He stated the rateable value of the county had risen from £85,000 to £481,000 in ten yean. The settlers expressed their high appreciation of Sir Joseph Ward's action in performing the ceremony when he had such important duties to perform as Minister ot Finance.

Sir Joseph Ward sa,id the people who went into the backblocka and underwent the hardships incidental to the opening up ef new "country deserved every encouragement. State ownership of eaw mills in their district was going to hasten that desideratum. His boyhood's r-xperienee had been gained in bushlands that were afterwards cut by the sawmiller and were now bearing uour. ishing homesteads.' Twelve/ years' .ago he predicted that dairying woi>ld be the foremost industry in New Zealand, and it was now second only to the meat industry. As the bush disappeared dairy farms would take its place. As Minister of Railways he had authorised daily expresses to Rotorua and pestimists said they would never last, but they had been woefully mistaken. He had created the Tourist Department and strongly advocated the development of Rotorua. ; He wanted to assure them that there was no shortage of money in New Zealand, but the question before them Was the responsibility for liabilities after the war was over. He urged the need fer economy. He was trying to prevent money rising to a high rate of interest. The Minister made a strong appeal, on behalf of recruiting saying, if we are beaten not one man of those More him would own his land for a month. Everyone physically capable must come .forward to help to secure victory for England and her allies. New Zealand was worth working and fighting for. They should not wait for the pressure of compulsion, but should come forward to defend their homes and families. There waß no more noble sacrifice than for a man to lay down his life for, his.friend. After the opening ceremony tlie Minister was entertained by the Settlers' Asiociation at luncheon in the Mamaku Town Hall. A few short speeches were made. Mr. W. Crooke, secretary pf the Settlers' Association, referring to Sir Joseph Ward's recruiting appeH, said the whole of the married men of the district were ready to come forward if required. The remark was rectiyvi with enthusiastic applause.