NEW ZEALAND AND THE WAR.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 December 1917, Page 7

NEW ZEALAND AND THE WAR.

THE SUPREME NEED. ECONOMY, SELF-RELIANCE, AND CONFIDENCE, FINANCE MINISTER'S VIEWa Sir Joseph Ward, Minister for Finance, made an interesting statement to .a Dunedin Star reporter as to war conditions, prospects, and essential preparations for successful peace, The Minister at the outset deprecated any tendency on the part of the peoplo throughout New Zealand to become dispirited over the war situation, or to be dismayed at occ;yonal temporary reverses. There was, in his opinion, no Solid ground for pessimism. The main thing to note and remember—and this should surely be the sheet anchor of the Empire—was the indisputable fact that the men who were fighting the Empire's battles had never •been dismayed nor downcast even'whw. the tide of war seemed to threaten destruction. They had a single purpose in view, and resolutely pursued it against all difficulties. A oheery confidence stimulated their thpughts and inspired their splendid efforts. That being the spirit of our defenders, it was the duty of those who watched and waited to" disperse gloomy thoughts and pessimistic apprehension. It was only to be expected that there should be tinies of grave anxiety in the course of a world war that had swept aside settled convictions. and had changed the very character of ;iatlons; but in bis opinion there was no justification for anticipating anything • Ut a successful result for the Empire and her great Allies. Undoubtedly their tasks and responsibilities bad been increased enormously during this year !by unfortnnatf. defections in the Eastern theatre, but the sum of the united resources against the enemy of freedom had not been materially depreciated. It was quite evident, Sir' Joseph continued, that the tremendous and desperate exertions now being made by Germany and Austria were being put forth fo: th<> deliberate purpose of emphasising the desirability of peace being con sidered In the Allies. It was clear that the controlling authorities were neither dismayed nor despondent. Mr. Balfour's statement in the House of Commons as to i:ih manner in which Germany's overtures for the discussion of peace had bpen received by Britain and the Allies was convincing proof of their determination to win and their confidence in ultimate victory. The war was reaching what must be termed the final round. No one could say when finality would be reached, but it could be said definitely that Britain and her Allies were not staggering under the increased pressure. It would be a plunder worse than a crime for the British authorities and those associated with them to make a halt of any hind to consider peace proposals, unless and until these were baved on the enemy's recognition of the mad futility of attempting to dominate the world and to force upon a peace-loving nation a system that represents a mock» ery of huniar. freedom. We imist endure until we had won an enduring .peace. The present conditions clearly demonstrated the nend for the whole Empire doing its utmost at this juncture to frustrate the accelerated pace of the desperate enemy and to bring success to our aims in the form of a lasting peace. "The supreme need in New.. Zealand at'' this time," the Minister doe'""" 1 . "i s for the practice of economy, serf -reliance, and a common-sense cheerfulness. We have aasumed tremendous responsibilities and far-reaching obligations, and we are confronted with muny perplexing problems, but the«e together are not beyond the strength of the Dominion if the spirit of the people Iwep* resolute, and if the grim lessons of the war are applied wisely to our future activities and enterprises And there is no ground for pessimistic croaking that peace will bring about a sudden collapse of the Domin' ion's prosperity. There is no reason for such a discouraging prediction. Unquestionably peace jwill' necessitate an adjustment of economic conditions in this country, as in all other countries, but this inevitable/adjustment, involving a reduction of the measure of prosperity will be compensated by the removal of the war strain upon the Dominion's resources. The ehange in conditions fan also be counter-balanced by tin; consistent practice of thrift, self-reliance, and cheerful confidence. Even though peace were to come within a few months, there would still be the necessity for an abnormal strain upon the Dominion's economic strength although this pressure would, of course, bp appreciably reduced, from the war standard.

'ln order to meet the continuation of pressure for some time to come, it. is essential tliat the Dominion should now practise rigorous economy without jeopardising reasonable activity and discouraging legitimate enterprise. It is very satisfactory to know how rapidly the country lias recovered from the groat strain ■ put upon its financial resources by the raising of war loans. This was demonstrated by the latest available returns of the business of the Post Office Savings Bank. The statement indicates a rapid return to normal after the very considerable drain due to the raising of the recent war loan. The deposits for October totalled £1,361.201, as against £1,211,453 for October, 1910; while'withdrawals amounted to £1,125,301, as compared with £1,038,302 for the corresponding month in the previous year, the excess of deposits over withdrawals being £100,120, as against an excess of £175,151 the preceding October. "As regardi) after-the-war conditions and enterprise, one cannot yet be too definite in discussing contemplated schemes. Allowance must be made lor unforeseen circumstances; but it is beyond contention that the men who have fought for their country, and the relatives who bo cheerfully have borne the penalties nf war, must have the first claim upon the resources and policy of the Dominion. With these obligations adequately fulfilled the question of encouraging development will have to be considered and dealt with in a thorough and comprehensive mnnnor. T have already referred to'the'wide scope for a very profitable development of. the Dominion's water-power, for the purpose of increasing the country's industry f.tid productivity. It is not necessary for mo aiain to ttmicjsp the question, but I should like to remove the growing impression that there is intentions of f.ivnring one place to the disadvantage of other communities. Whenever the "work of utilising tin- water-power of the nonunion U t.ikcn in hand, it should lie done comprehensively and fimultaiii'ously Ibroii'.'hout the hoiruninn. There is no necessity Tor any sort, of jealousv JBrnon" district* Almost everv' .lUfrip't \U wif'iu rant'c of .hydro-el-ripr *irvicr;, ■am! fvnry dijtrict shouJ'.! receive *.;;>»[ iMMidMWtlut

"Unquestionably more attention will have to be given to tlio question of providing roads and transports and transit facilities for remote settlements. J. am of lite opinion that tlie -State must assume a, greater share of the burden of maintaining arterial roads. Tlie development of motor transport necessitates improvement of roads, especially in sparse-ly-populated districts with limited railway facilities. Given good roads and motor traction, most of the present difficulties as regards rural development would be overcome. The question is undoubtedly one for the State to consider Tim, concluded the Minister, together with substantial increase in land settlement and a determination to add *>ermanently large increase in volume yt exports, principally productj of the soil, will go far to help to reduce the enormous burden this country has v/illjngiy taken_ up for the purpose of doing its share' in the great conflict, and to .r--sfore the Dominion as soon -is possible to its pre-war standard of secure pro» perity. I have every confidence that Now Zealand will face the new conditions brought about by the war with the inflexible determination to overcome all difficulties with courage and '.nterprise. and keep it one of the best countries in the world."