The Daily News. MONDAY, OCTOBER 17, 1921. HOPEFUL PROSPECTS.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 October 1921, Page 4

The Daily News. MONDAY, OCTOBER 17, 1921. HOPEFUL PROSPECTS.

Mr. Massey is a born optimist. It is just as well that he is, otherwise he would be unable to carry the great load he so cheerfully does to-day. No man since the days of Sir Harry Atkinson has been confronted with such difficulties, and, be it acknowledged, no man has shown greater courage in meeting them. If he will only continue to cut down administrative expenditure without reducing efficiency—and there is considerable room for it—his optimism will be justified and the country emerge from its present troubles triumphantly. In his speech in the House on Thursday night, he quoted the trade figures for the eight months of this year, comparing them with the figures foi 1920. The exports for this year were £34,684,000» against £31,087,000 in 1920, an improvement of three and a half millions sterling. The figures for this year, however, include the record prices brought by our dairy produce, besides meat and wool, at values that do not exist to-day. If we could but maintain these figures we would soon be out of the wood, for our imports are decreasing substantially- the drop for the eight months being nearly three millions, a total improvement in our trading position of six and a half millions sterling. The prospects are certainly more encouraging than they have been for the past nine months. Wool is ‘’coming back” again, the recent rise at Home, combined with the reduction in freights, making the product again payable, and there is reason to believe the market will continue to improve. It really must do so as soon as the industrial nations commence working' again, for there are more people requiring wool and less sheep in the world than in 1914. Dairy produce prices certainly are down somewhat, but there is every indication that payable prices will be realised, while the new season has commenced very favorably, and the extra quantity should make up for the lower prices. The hide market is also improving. In fact, there is good reason for believing that we have passed the worst, and that the markets will steadily improve from now onward. Meat is perhaps an exception, though the market for lamb is quite satisfactory, and with lower freights the other lines may also become remunerative. On the whole, therefore, Mr. Massey is justified in sounding an optimistic note, and exhibiting confidence in the future of the country. After all, our troubles are small compared with those afflicting the Homeland, yet the sturdy folk there—our kith and kin— are not losing hope or giving way to pessimism. Listen to Mr. Lloyd George, speaking recently at Barnsley, Yorkshire:— It is calm courage T want us to keep, and then we sh-all get through all our troubles in the end. The whole world is suffering from the results of the war. It is inevitable. You cannot expect a country that spent so many thousand millions in murder, destruction, and five years’ industry of the world concentrated on ruin—yon cannot have that and expect to go on as if nothing had happened, as if we had simply been enjoying six weeks’ holiday and had come back from the, seaside stronger and better, with just a fewer coins in our pockets than when we started, but still with a good bank balance. That is not going to happen. All the world is suffering from depression. America for three years drew the surplus wealth of Europe into her system. She had only about two years of war. Stifi she is suffering from the greatest depression that she has ever witnessed. There are about three or four million out of work. Why? The purchasing power of the world is depleted ancT depressed. The prosperity of a shop does not depend upon the goods inside it. Yon may have the same goods —more goods, as a matter of fact—but there is no one to buy You may have the same staff, the same direction, but that shop is poorer. Why? The people around are poorer—and that is what is happening now. The world is poorer because of the war. We are the «shop of the world, and we are suffering accordingly: but human industry will fill up things not merely here, but through | out the world. The world's needs are great. They were not supplied during the war. They are greater than ever. We may have to pass through rather bad times, but they will gradually get better. They will not get better for growling about them. They will not get better for attempting quack remedies. Do not rush into folly. Do not say, “If you only did this we should be all right, or if you only tried that we should be all right.” That is the wrong way. Keep on the steady path of common sense and experience. keep up your courage, and *he world will come right. 1

This clear statement and courageous appeal should act as an exla mple to us in New Zealand, | whose lot, is happy and fortunate ' compared with that of the people in England and elsewhere. We in j these southern isles have really much to be grateful for—a magnificent climate; rich, productive land; a fair distribution of wealth; and, on the whole, an industrious and contented population. Let us co-operate together lo meet, the changing conditions and do our utmost to realise the possibilities before us. Our fathers and forefathers had infinitely greater difficulties and hardships to contend against, and overcame them all. So can we,if we only meet them in their spirit and that of Mr. Lloyd George and our own Prime Minister.