RESOURCES OF THE DOMINION

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 121, 20 February 1928, Page 6

RESOURCES OF THE DOMINION

HOSPITAL SYSTEM PRAISED OBSERVATIONS BY VISITING MINISTER The resources of the Dominion, the development that is taking place, its hospital system, and its child welfare policy, were the tilings that impressed the deputy-Premier of Queensland, Mr. W. F. Smith, during a visit to this country extending a little over a month, he said yesterday, just before boarding the Alarama on his return to Australia. Air. Smith, who is Minister for Agriculture in the Queensland Labour Government, told a Dominion reporter that lie had had excellent opportunities for seeing portions of the country, and that lie had met a good number of representative people. He desired to express his appreciation of the facilities placed at his disposal. Also tlie facilities granted mm by representatives of local authorities and labour bodies, all of whom did their utmost to make his stay pleasant'and instructive. “I have enjoyed my visit immensely,” he said, “and will take away many pleasant memories of the country and the people I met.” Mr Smith said he was very impressed with the resources of the country, the development taking place, the hospital system, and our child welfare policy, which he considered very efficient indeed. He said that in New Zealand lie had seen many well-man-aged farms and stock of high quality, although a number of holdings that came under his notice were capable of improvement. As far as local government is concerned in the Dominion, Mr. Smith said that he found it ahead, in many respects, of similar organisations in Queensland. At Dunedin and elsewhere he had visited the hydro-electric power works. Some of the secondary industries lie saw were weV organised, producing excellent products. “I would suggest,” be remarked, “that those in the retail business in Wei- ' lington should push local products more than is being done at present. The quality is there and the people should support that which is produced by the labour of their fellow citizens.” ’He had found a good-deal of interest displayed in the activities of the Queensland Government. A constructive Labour policy had done a great deal to develop and improve the resources of the country. Mr Smith was present during the morning at the cricket match at. the Basin Reserve between Australia and Wellington. Before departing by the Maiania for Sydney, he lunched with the Prime Minister (Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates).