MR. MASSEY AT LEVIN.

Taranaki Daily News, 19 January 1920, Page 3

MR. MASSEY AT LEVIN.

PROSPERITY OF NEW ZEALAND. TRADE LAST YEAR A RECORD. When speaking at the Horowbenua Show on Thursday, the Right Hon. the Prime Minister (Mr Massey), after congratulating the association on the tine display of stock, which, he said, was a credit to the district, pointed out the great part the producers had taken in the prosperity of New Zealand during the war period, and urged the necessity of further efforts on their part during the period of reconstruction upon which the country had now entered. The arrangements for the purchase of our products by the Imperial Government was drawing to a close, he said, but it might probably be extended to June 30 next. He mentioned as showing the manner in which New Zealand had done its duty during the war period that during that period it had sold to the Imperial Government and exported 1,922,039 bales of wool, of a value of £47,C54,542. In frozen meat it had exported 12,925,399 carcasses of lamb, 11,575,950 freight carcasses of mutton, and 2,890,924 quarters of beef, the total payments for which reached £41,597,924. In cheese, 2,432,061 crates, valued at £•15,554,756, were sent away, besides 1,549,385 boxes: of butter, of a value of £6,81'5,105. The total payments made by the Imperial Government up to December 31 last amounted to £118,353,802. There ware at present awaiting shipment 3,954,389 carcasses of mutton, 172.568 crates of cheese, 149,519 boxes of butter, and 272,842 bales of wool. The imports into the Dominion for the eleven months ended last November were £28,089,677, and on this basis they might expect £2,500,000 for December, which would bring the total for the year up. to £30,589,677. The exports for this year were £53,220,000, so this would leave a surplus of £22,637,000, which would go to pay the interest on loans, and heip in the reconstruction of the country. This meant that the total trade of the Dominion for the year was £86,803,000, a record for the'country, and equal to £77 per head of the population. He believed that New Zealand was the only country in the world which, for its size, had put up such a record for the twelve months. During the war period, the Dominion had never had enough shipping to take its produce away, but to-day the outlook was much better. Re had received information that Hie shipyards at Home were engaged in turning out suitable vessels for carrying the trade to and from New Zealand by way of the Panama Canal, and this new route would quite revolutionise trade between the two countries. Mr. Massey mentioned the fact that although large quantities of hemp had been got away from that district, the scarcity of tonnage and the high''freights had hampered the industry, but he was glad to say that news had been received of a considerable rise in the price of this product in the Old Country, while the prospects of an early reduction in freights were good. The Prime Minister said flirt there was a good deal of misapprehension amongst wool-growers as to the position of the excess profits from the sale of wool in England. He expected in the course of a few days to be able to make an announcement on the matter, and from the information he had already received he believed that the finnl settlement would result in a very substantial amount being returned to the flock owners of this country.

As showing the prod not i von ess of the Dominion, Mr. Massey pointed out that, in spite of the heavy export of meat, the numbers of cattle had increased last year by 100,000. In sheep, however, the disastrous snowstorms in the South Island during lost winter had been responsible for heavy losses, so that these did not show any increase on last year's figures, "n referring to the acquisition of Nauru and Ocean Islands, and the importance of the phosphate supplies from there to the farmers of New Zealand, the Prime Minister mentioned the fact that he had received cable advice to the effect that in the course of a few weeks at the latest, negotiations would bo concluded with the companies which owned the phosphates, for handing over the islands to the three countries to which they had been allotted. In referring to the repatriation of soldiers, Mr. Massey said that he was glad to hear that the settlements of returned men in that district were turning out successfully, and he bespoke the interests of fanners generally were established on behalf of the men who had done their duty to the country in her time of stress. He asked the people, who he mentioned had done their duty in a marvellous manner during the stress of the war period, to continue their efforts during the important period of reconstruction which they were now entering upon.