“SANE OPTIMISM”

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 88, 12 January 1928, Page 9

“SANE OPTIMISM”

PRIME MINISTER ON OUTLOOK CLOUDS DEFINITELY PASSING AWAY B? Telegraph.—pelss association. Whangarei, January 11. Reference was made at to-day’s county jubilee celebrations to the work of local bodies. • The Prime Minister (Hon. J. G. Coates) said that it was not the purpose of the board to hamper or Cripple local bodies,' but to exercise supervisionary power and take the long view of what was in the best interests of the county communities concerned. They had passed through a difficult period, but administrative action had not been the cause. The causes, continued Mr. Coates, were world-wide. Every exporting country like New Zealand _ depended on the world markets, which, when disturbed, affected the whole community. During the war millions had been thrown away, but the Empire had accomplished a wonderful feat since. Britain was paralysed at the conclusion of hostilities, and there was hardly a manufacturing concern in the country intact and ready to meet its markets. All their resources had been diverted to .war purposes, while countries on which war had had very little effect had gathered in trade. The manufacturing concerns of the Homeland had reconstructed and reorganised, and were again pouring their products on the world’s "market. Was it not reasonable that at different stages there must be checks ? Difficulties of the last 18 months in New Zealand, he said, were not due to the Government, but to these external influences for which they were not responsible. The clouds, however, were definitely passing away. That was not optimism for the sake of optimism, for every bit of it could be based on facts.