THE NEW YEAR.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XLVI, Issue 10685, 31 December 1925, Page 6

THE NEW YEAR.

A HOPEFUL OUTLOOK. MESSAGE FROM MR COATES. (For Press Association.) DARGAVILLE, Dec. 30. The Prime Minister of New Zealand, Mr J- G. Ooates, has issued the following New Year message:— "At the dawn of another year 1 take the opportunity of addressing a rew words to my fellow-citizens "First of all I desire with a lull heart to say how deeply sensible I am of the unbounded expression ot confidence which the great majority of the community gave me as Prime Minister at the General Election last month. 1 can only say that with the help ot Providence mv earnest endeavours will be to promote the progress and prosperity of our country and the well-being of its people. . , "The guiding principles of my ao> ministratian will be the safety and stability of the State and the Empire, the security of the individual, toleration, with equal opportunity for all, and peaces and order in the community. We shall strive to abolish all causes of class warfare and bitterness, and increase the o-eneral happiness of our citizens. "It was inevitable that in the years of reconstruction following the war individual' losses would be incurred. In many cases these have pressed heavily on £hoee engaged in the primary industries, There are also others of our citizens who are having a hard struggle to make both ends meet, especially the family man. "It will be the earnest endeavour of my colleagues and myselt to render in such cases some manner oi assistance towards lightening their burdtena. , T . « "With health and strength I shall rtve of my best to prove worthy of the greal> trust which has been placed in my keeping, and I am profoundly grateful to the people for the great honour which they have conferred upon one of themselves."

Notable Figures off the Stage. ■" As wa look back upon the year now ending, we cannot but recall the many notable figures in the Empire's public life who have passed away. May I mention just a few of these: Her Majesty Alexandra, the Queen Mother, Xiord Curzon, Lord Milner, and, last, but not least, Mr Massey, whose splendid service to New Zealand and the Empire is so fresh in our memories. The Empire is the better and stronger to-day for their works, and they have left behind them an abiding inspiration for loyalty, patriotism, and service. Ground for Optimism. ".I should like to tell my fellowcitizens that in my judgment there is solid ground for looking forward with confidence to 1926. Last season remarkably high values ruled for our principal primary products, particularly wool. It would appear, however, that these high prices will not be continued. Nevertheless present values cannot be regarded as unsatisfactory when viewed from a normal standpoint. There is every reason for hoping that prices will remain at a steady basis, ensuring a payable return to the producer. " Butter has recently experienced a eharp decline in value, but this is rather due to a temporary disturbance of normal flow of produce on to the market, and as the season ' advances values for this commodity should settle down to a remunerative figure. "The wetness of the winter season and the late spring have caused a less quantity of feed to be available, resulting in a falling off in the output of dairy produce in the first few months of the present season, and has retarded somewhat the coming forward of prime lamb and mutton in some districts. Sowing operations in some of our farming districts have also been hampered by unfavourable climatic conditions, more particularly in the case of wheatgrowing.

Will Win Through. "However, the wonderful recuperar tive qualities of the Dominion, combined with the industry and energy of Our producers, have always proved equal to any such happenings!, and we need therefore have no misgivings on this account. In the time of our prosperity 'we should learn to practice thrift and «iconomy, and thus be the better pre- ; pared to stand the test should any emergency arise. Financially, the outlook is healthy, and by exploring all avenueß by which our primary industries may be intensively advanced, I feel sure that another satisfactory position will be disclosed when the public accounts for the current financial year are made up. "The Great Exhibition in Dunedin, which has already been visited by many thousands of New Zfealanders and people from overseas, bears striking testimony to the development of our secondary industries. The undertaking ie a wonderful tribute to the enterprise of the Ota go people, and to the throughout the Dominion. I hope the Exhibition will continue to meet with the success it deserves. It should be an important influence in promoting the trade of our country, and in encouraging the use of New Zealand-made articles.

Era of Peace. "It is with pleasure that we have witnessed the great advance recently made toward a better understanding among the Powers of Western Europe. We can confidently hope that the Now Year will enter upon a more enlightened era of peace amongst the nations, bringing greater prosperity and happiness to all. "Let us do all we can to strengthen Empire unity, and destroy those influences which, by promoting class conflict ara subversive of social order and good-government in our community. I ask my feilow-eitizens to sink petty and sectional strife and pull together for the common good. We can then bo well assured of a further period of prosperity for our fair land. "To one and all I wish a bright and happy New Year. . "J. G. COATES. Prime Minister."