PRIME MINISTER AT HOME

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 114, 17 May 1927, Page 6

PRIME MINISTER AT HOME

COMING LEGISLATION

It was admitted, he said, that wo are. parsing through a very difficult year, but Now Zealand was not singular in ?this respect. New Zealand wag closely, "associated with .the prosperity of Great Britain, and the post-war factors decreasing Britain's purchasing 'power naturally adversely affected the Dominion's prosperity.

The' Prime Minister replied at some length;**) the criticism of the Leader of .the Opposition as to his (Mr. Coates's) action ju connection -with dairy produce control.i - . \,; It must, be conceded by every fairminded^ person, he said, that the financial condition of the country was sound, and .that' our. national credit abroad ,-stood at high-water .mark. ' A little .quiet /stocktaking on the part of the. peopl? would be all'to the good; . and by-the -exercise' of greater thrift and economy "weYwould :r'each the goal of prosperity the sooner. The: Prime Minister.though! there was justification in saying that the^low level mark had been reached, and'that-we.could face the future -with calm confidence. THE OOVJBRNinBNT'B 3POUCY. Mr, .Contes said that the; essential point! of the.Government* policy were: 1. Sound and prudent finance -...-.' 2. Thorough examination into the incidence of taxation. 3. Closer settlement of occupied and unoccupied lands by purchase and sub' divliion,;; ,A Extension of scientific agricul-^ tural education, ■: -■/■ .5. Inyes'tigation'-*into farmers' land banks. ;7; ' . ' 6. Well-being of the .State and the . Empire ;•-, ,■■■-■ •■ ; : . ; T-, Sttppbrt ot League.of Nations. 8. Encouragement of secondary industries and; suppression of trusts. _ 9. Immigration—Selective organisation to be strengthened. ■'-'■•'.■'" 10. Humanitarian,—More houses and fewer, slums; increased compensation benefits; investigation of universal pension scheme, and of aid to parents with large families. 11. Modernised methods of education. „ 12. Extension of public health policy, '■':■ 13. Establishment or" Local Government Board. ... . ;.; 14. No spectacular programme; mo fanciful promises!' . . 15. Rational safety and progressive development. 16. igpre business in Government and less Government in business. Mr. Coatea said that last session the Government proceeded to translate its policy into practical effect by passing the Family .Allowances Act, the Rural Advances Act, the Town Planning Act^ the Local-Government.Loans Board Act; Workers! Compensation Amendment Act, the" Motor "Omnibus Traffic Apt, and the Land Laws Amendment Act.' .■■■.■ v_ I . "There were many other useful Acts passed by the Legislature," said Mr. Coates, "but the legislation I, have particularly referred to gave effect to much of the policy programmo submitted to the electors in November, 1925. Probably not for many years has Parliament passed so much important legislation in one session,, and I venture the-opinion that the Government in its first session amply justified the confidence which the country reposed in it at the election." NEXT SESSION'S PROGRAMME. The Prime Minister' gave an indica-; tion of the work ahad of Parliament. during the coming session. ' A special Tariff Committee, said Mr. Coates, had been sitting in various parts of the country inquiring in regard to the system of Customs taxation, and the report and recommendations of this Commission should be presented to the Government shortly. It would be out of place for him to discuss at this juncture the policy of any proposed legislatioa dealing with Customs revi-, sion; but 4t was intended to submit a Tariff Bill as soon as practicable, in:' the coming session. -.v'-ftv

In connection with secondary iiidiisr tries, the Primg Minister said, the Ppminioii o.ccupied a somewhat singular position because of its being so largely a primary producing country. A fall in the price of any of the principal productg was felt not only by the farmer, but had a much wider effect, thus creating a position of difficulty and hardship. One way of overcoming the dangers in this respect was. the building up of the secondary industries. It wag jjecessaVy, particularly in a young country like this, to have a Customs tariff tor revenue purposes, and this would be the case for many years to come. It Wpuld be to the general advantage of tjie country, in.hig opinion, to continue to take atepq. to build up gradually, but securely, auch industries as would help to relievo us during times when prjceß in the primary products in the world's jnarkets' had fallen to a low and unprofitable level. He did not suggest that every industry should be encouraged, but careful inquiry would disclose the morits'cff industrial undertakings particularly as to whether tney were Jikely to have' security of existence, and what measure of assistance, if any, should be extended to them. The country and the town were, and would continue to be, inter-dependent, and he hoped the primary producers, on whom the community so largely der pended, would in 1 thi* matter of development of essential industries take a broad view, in the interests of the Dominion ■ v » whole, TAXATION INCIDENCE. The Government was also conducting inquiries into the genera] question of the incidence of taxation, continued Mr. Coatei, and' if the investigation was sufficiently advanced, proposals in this connection would be submitted.. Another question which had occupied the attention of; Cabinet was that of qtill further enlarging the opportunity of easier finance for the farmer.' The Government would do air in its power : to make the BuraJ Advances legislation of la»t aegaion. very, successful in its working. Tfce Act came into operation on Ist April thie year. Any necessary amendments to give fuller effect to its provisions, and generally extend its usefulness, would be designed, and would, h« felt sure, be agreed to by Parliament. It was probable that, in conformity with' the report of the Rural Credits Commission last year, proposals would be submitted to give offect to further recomme.ndations.of the Commia-

sion. ... "■'.■ '" '.'■ . ■-: ■"';■-■ ' .'•-; !' In the meahtiine the important question of farmers? finance was under close, investigation and review. ROAD MAINTENANCE. Owing to the great increase in the Tofcuae of motor traffic in rural dis-

. POLICY SPEECH AT DARGAVILLE

WORK OF PAST AND FUTURE

The Prime Minister (the Right Hon. J. G.. Coates) delivered a presessional and policy speech at Dargaville last evening. He outlined the work of list session, and indicated to what extent the legislation then passed has been given effect to.

tricts, the "country settler was called upon-to bear an unduly heavy burden by way. of rates in connection with the maintenance and upkeep of roads. With a view of lightening this load, we hope to be in a position to suggest measures that, I hope, will eventually redure the heavy demands upon ratepayers, and foll|\v tho principle of askiug the user to pay for essential road improvements. The legislative programme for next session, also contemplate measures dealing with mining, shops and offices, education, fertilisers, and agricultural education. "I look forward with confidence to a busy and useful session,'.' added tho Prime Minister. '' It will bo found that the Government's programme of work is well advanced, and there will bo no cause for complaint on the score of delay in submitting our measures." The following resolution was carried:— '"'-. That this meeting thanks^ the Prime Minister for his able and statesmanlike address, and presses confidence in the Govern- • ment of which he is the distinguished leader, and renewed confidence in him as member for Kaipara.