TURNING THE CORNER

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LX, Issue 11201, 25 August 1933, Page 3

TURNING THE CORNER

Definite Signs of ’ Improvement HON. MR AUCMILLAN AT KATIKATI. When speaking at Katikati on Monday night, to an audience of some sixty to seventy, despite the very unfavourable (weather, ■ with Mr D. C. D. Thomas in the chair, the Hon. Mr Macmilljan had some interesting remarks tp make—in addition to those already published—regarding the present (position of the Dominion, and contemplated legislation during the coming session so far as he was concerned as Minister of Agriculture. The Exchange.

In outlining the Government’s reason for the high exchange Mr Macmillan pointed out that Australian farmers, by reason of the Patterson Scheme, and also the 25 per cent exchange, which had been operating some two years, had a big advantage over New Zealand in that they had more money to spend. Since 1928 Australia had increased her exports two and a quarter times, and England was being flooded with butter. If the increase continued England would be forced to resort to a quota. At present she would not break the Ottawa agreement, but when quotas were fixed he would want it fixed with as great an amount

as possible in order that New Zealand could cirry on. The quota would be fixed on the previous year’s output, and tlerefdre the Government could not allow productionNto fall. Exchange however, was only one of the many things the Government, has done to help the farmer. Cost.'of Government. Mr Macm Ban then went on to discuss the cost of Government, and said that he had been told that every added portfolio held by a Minister carried that portfolio's salary with it. That of couise was not so. Unemployment. Regarding unemployment he was pleased to be able to state that we had definitely fumed the corner, and although recovery from the depression would be slow he had figures which had tjieen supplied him which showed conclusively that the bottom had been reached.' Coming Legislation.

Mr Macmillan then outlined some, of the contemplated legislation for the coming l session. He said that he ,\yiy3 going to again introduce his Poultry Bill, which he explained was thrown out by life Upper House, not because it was against the measure, but because it had not time to consider it properly. ' He felt sure it was a step in thd right direction. He also gave an outline of his proposed Stock Remedies Bill, which provide that a competent Board of Scientists be set up to consider the ingredients of each medicine, also the priced Bach preparation would be sold under license, and so guaranteed to do the job it was wanted for. He thought this again #as a step in the right direction. Another Bill which was being gone into at presejnt was the Improvement of Stock Bill. This Bill was very much in thd air at present, hut the main idea behind it was that no beast should be used as a sire unless it had been passed by a board’ or inspector appointed for that purpose. It would mean, if this was brought into.effect, that in a few years, our stock would be improved out of all Recognition. ' ■