"Prosperity Still Rests On Farming Products”

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30190, 23 July 1963, Page 20

"Prosperity Still Rests On Farming Products”

“The Press" Special Service

WELLINGTON, July 22. New Zealand’s future as a trading nation depended primarily on the economics of the farrhing industries and particularly on their ultimate costs, said the president of the National Party (Mr J. S. Meadowcroft) in an address to its Dominion conference in Wellington today.

While diversification of exports beyond traditional products would be of great help, Mr Meadowcroft said, dependence on the soil would remain the principal factor in determining future prosperity. “We know we will be facing highly competitive markets. Therefore, efficiency in all its aspects must be the keynote of our forward plan-

ning.” This applied especially to farming and to industries with export potential, Mr Meadowcroft said. “The record of our National Government gives me renewed confidence in our ability to meet this challenge. “Because of the wise management of our country's economic affairs during the last two years and a half, an ugly prospect has been translated into a firmly-held, yet moderately buoyant, economy. “True, our export receipts have been better than many dared to hope,” Mr Meadowcroft continued, “but great credit, I think, is due to the Government and especially to the Prime Minister and the Minister of Finance (Mr

Lake). Their courage and sagacity enabled them to maintain confidence in our economic future while administering the curative treatment which the economy so much required after the short-lived Labour Government's shock treatment.” The National Government, said Mr Meadowcroft, was regarded by producers and manufacturers as an in-centive-giving, tax-reducing administration, combining imaginative planning with gogetting initiative.

“On these grounds alone, a second term for our Government seems to be more than justified. If people hav? confidence in good government and if they believe the best is being done here and abroad to make the way

easier for traders, a tremendous fillip is given to those who must risk and work and save to earn the nation’s prosperity.”