SESSION’S WORK

Dominion, Volume 23, Issue 219, 12 June 1930, Page 15

SESSION’S WORK

Speech by Mr. Ransom CARDS ON TABLE Praise for New Leader By Telegraph.—Press Association Paliiatua, June 11. A number of matters that will occupy tlie attention of Parliament during the coming session were commented on last evening by the Minister of Lands (Hon. E. A. Ransom) in one of a series of pre-sessional addresses in his own electorate. The meeting was at Pahlatua, and there was a large audience. In the course of his speech Mr. Ransom made feeling reference to the illness and resignation of Sir Joseph Ward. He expressed pleasure at Sir Joseph’s reported improvement ‘ in health, and at the prospects of the Government having the benefit of his help and valued advice as member of the Executive Council. f The New Leader.

Referring to the appointment of the Hon. G. W. Forbes as Prime Minister, Mr. Ransom staled that the country was fortunate in having a man of his calibre for that high position. Mr. Forbes by his ability, sound judgment, and long experience as a Parliamentarian, commanded the respect and affection of all his colleagues, who were happy and proud to serve under him. Mr. Forbes was a strong man physically and mentally, and was endowed with sound common-sense. He was not easily, discouraged or stampeded by criticism or opposition. He was, in fact, in every way well equipped to deal with the problems inseparably associated at this time with the office of Prime Minister. That he was a courageous man had already been exemplified in his first action as head of the Government, in taking the country into his confidence regarding its financial position. Winning a Majority.

Some apprehension had been expressed as to the ability of a minority Government to get the necessary legislation through the House; but in Mr. Ransom’s opinion such a Government was, from the point, of view of the country, in a sounder position in that respect than a Government with a huge majority. Of necessity it had to bring down constructive legislation based on sound economic and humanitarian principles that would command the respect of a majority of the members, of the House. The Government’s legislative programme was being prepared accordingly without any regard to party considerations.

£3,000,000 To Make Good. Referring to the financial position, Mr. Ransom stated that the Prime Minister had placed all his cards on the table. Tbe country was fully aware of the difficulties with which he was confronted. There was an estimated shortage <>t £3,000,000 on the current year’s operations. This would require to be made good by savings in public expenditure, by increased revenue, or by both, ouch a position called for all sections of the House to put aside party bickerings and co-operate in an earnest endeavour to meet the country's needs. Dealing at some length with the position of tbe railways and. the loss on the year's working of £1,250,000, Mr. Ransom explained that tbe. previous year’s actual loss had not been so apparent for the reason that the department had called on its reserve fund. That fund was now exhausted. The actual position was apparent to all, and the time had come to investigate the whole matter, and, as bad been announced by the Prime Minister, a commission of inquiry which had been set up would submit its report to the Government in due course. Use of Mineral Deposits. Some exception had been taken by the Opposition Press to the statement of the Prime Minister that the Government would redouble every effort to tap the potential wealth of the Dominion. It had been suggested that such a statement was meaningless, because it gave no indication of the actual intentions of the Government in that respect. Obviously in a short review the Prime Minister could not go into details, but all interested in such matters knew that the Dominion’s mineral deposits were capable of great development. Possibilities existed for the production of pulverised coal, carbonised coal, coal byproducts, nitrate from the air, quicksilver, iron, slate, and copper, and every encouragement would be given such industries, also to the establishment of secondary industries generally. Mr. Ransom said he believed the portfolio of Land was the most important of all, as the development of lands was the major question in New Zealand to-day. He firmly believed that the further development of the country was the only solution to absorb the unemployed and help to assist ail other industries and commercial interests. After all, he concluded, 90 per cent, of the wealth of the Dominion came from the soil.