The Daily News. THURSDAY, AUGUST 24, 1922. “WELL ROUND THE CORNER.”

Taranaki Daily News, 24 August 1922, Page 4

The Daily News. THURSDAY, AUGUST 24, 1922. “WELL ROUND THE CORNER.”

The cheerful optimism exhibited by Mr. Massey at Foxton on Monday night was quite in accord with his more recent expressions of confidence in the approach of better times, and there seems to be justification for his statement that “the country was now well round the coriier in its recovery from the depression which has afflicted it, in common with every other country.” There are signs of welcome improvement in the outlook of dairy produce and wool, and the Premier rightly emphasised 1 that the returning prosperity was: largely due to the energy and! hard work of the people on the , dairy farms of the Dominion. It was the dairying industry that saved the situation when the collapse of the value of meat, wool and other primary products made the financial situation in New Zealand far more acute than many people realise, and it is the dairy industry that has now become the chief factor in the Dominion’s prosperity. Climatic conditions favored that industry last season, and went a long way to counterbalance the drop in prices of the manufactured articles, and the favorable start the new season has made should materially help towards a continuance of last season’s success. What has already been accomplished is not a tithe of what is possible if the right steps are taken to place dairying in the position it should occupy as our leading industry. To do this it is necessary that all cows which fail to yield a satisfactory percentage of butter-fat should find their way to the meat works, and be replaced with those of proved worth. This process necessarily involves time and money. That no time should be lost is as obvious as that required finance should be available, hence the necessity for encouraging the establishment of agricultural banks, the business of which would be to help farmers to improve their farms and improve their herds by purchasing highgrade dairy stock. It would be sheer folly for dairymen to have good butter-fat cows and not be in a position to supply them with the proper feed throughout the year. Having admitted that dairy produce is the Dominion’s chief mainstay, it may fairly be claimed that the Premier is morally bound to foster and stimulate that industry to the utmost, and it is beyond question that any support accorded such a scheme would be a most valuable asset. It is quite possible that the movement in favor of part skimmed milk for cheese may make a considerable difference in the profits of dairymen, so that it appears desirable the project should receive careful investigation, for if it materialises, it would enable the producers to place on the overseas markets good, wholesome cheese at a price below the full milk article, and thus appeal to a much larger class of consumers of limited means. Assuming that Mr. Massey’s contention that the country has well turned the corner is justified, it has to be remembered that the Dominion’s prosperity depends chiefly on the prosperity of the Motherland, and, judging by the latest review of British trade, it would seem that, in spite of the failure of the Reparations Conference, there are decided indications that Britain has also well turned the corner, and is exhibiting a gratifying solidity. Probably the people of the Empire are growing weary of the reiterations as to the need for economy, yet there is some satisfaction to be derived from the evidence now existing as to the beneficial effect of reducing national expenditure and concentrating on production. With a heavy falling off in revenue it is imperative to cut down all expenditure that is not absolutely necessary, though it would be manifesting the height of incompetence to refrain from outlay on highly reproductive operations, such as assisting the dairying industry to become a greater financial bulwark for the country than is the case at present. Every country affected by the late war needs increased earning power, and from a business point of view that should be the chief consideration. It is to be hoped, therefore, that the Premier will justify both his optimism and his forecast by taking practical steps that will tend to a restoration of the country’s finance. It is no use stressing the need for greater production unless there are ways and means for securing it. The economies already made are an earnest of good intentions, but wise, practical encouragement will go a long way to make revenue meet expenditure—and leave * something to spai'%-

ANOTHER BLOW TO IRELAND. I The news of the death of Mr. Michael Collins at the hands of De Valera’s rebel forces will be received throughout the Empire with intense feelings of regret that Ireland should be deprived of the services of yet another of the leaders on whom that unfortunate country placed its hopes of a bright and peaceful future. It is only a very short while since Mr. Griffith was cut off in the midst of his great work on. behalf of his country, and now his colleague, Mr. Collins, has been sacrificed by the guerrilla rebels who are wantonly destroying life and property. As chief of the Free State Government, Mr. Collins had proved a man of outstanding courage and resource, and since he was appointed Commander-in-Chief of the Free State forces, little more than five weeks ago, the greater part of the activities of the Irregulars have been crushed, and the end of the deplorable rebellion against authority appeared to be almost in sight. The new Free State Government had to face all the enemies of order, and its task became mdre obvious and its duty more urgent because of thfe conspiracy of riot and misrule. For this task both Griffith : and Collins were particularly fitted, but ■ both have passed to the Great Beyond. '' All true lovers of Ireland will mourn i I for the latest victim of the forces of ■ I disorder. Happily both these patriots I have left an example of purpose as an inspiration to their colleagues, and '■ there can be no doubt that it will be ■ effective. Ireland appears to be fated to pass through great tribulation before ! coming into new nationhood, but the r lives of her patriots will not have been ” in vain if the people now rise in their might, and put an end to the evil of : rebellion against good and ordered gov--5 ernment.