PRIME MINISTER'S APPEAL

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 82, 16 October 1928, Page 6

PRIME MINISTER'S APPEAL

FOR A FURTHER MANDATE PREELEOTIQP* RLEPGES CARRIED OUT "A mandate from the people to the Government will be a safeguard of the national welfare," declares the Prime Minister (the Right Hon. J. G. Coates) in his Party manifesto issued to-day. Reviewing the three years of his Premiership, Mr. Coates states than an impartial study of the facts will satisfy the! electors that the (Government has be& faithful to its pre-election pledges, and that the administration of the Dominion's affairs has been thoroughly safe, yet vigorously progressive, "The Government's recbrd,1' briefly stated in the manifesto, proves that it has worked consistently iri the interests df all the people," the Prime Minister states. "In 1925 the Government made no fantastic yote-catching promises. It,■set out a.programme of necessary work for New Zealand as a whole, and it has tackled its tasks effectively. The ■ Government has been tested during years of exceptional difficulties, and on its achievements it asks for a mandate to develop still further its liberal and self-reliant policy." / ... ■

At'this General Election of 1928 I ask the public for a continued expression.'of confidence, in the Government, which, during tho last three years has successfully carried out a heavy pro-. gramßie Of social and administrative rer form, ,aridi has helped our people to maintain a standard of living Which is probably, the best in the world. During the year 1926 some people, dismayed by a serious drop in the world . prices! of our principal exports, were constantly-preaching pessimism, as if the Dominion would never again have prosperity and happiness. On my return from the Imperial Con- , f erence, .my colleagues and I did our I utmost to counteract these baneful influences by emphasising our confidence in the country's wonderful natural resources and in the self-reliance of our people. .Our prediction of better times is now being fulfilled,- and New Zealand is steadily regaining her position of economic Stability which is the envy of many, other countries. . . ; ' FACTS v. FICTIONS. In 1925 I issued on behalf of the new Government a manifesto which was1 * necessarily limited to a statement of policy. T|he Government was then looking forward to a busy period of three years. - That time has now passed, but its achievements amply justify a re-. uewal of confidence; in the Administration. ;" By persistent misrepresentation attempts: have been made/to create in the' public mind --an impression that the Government in;i(s policy'and administration has disappointed reasonable- expectation. Th'e-'proniise of the Government was expressed in the forefront; of-the manifesto of 1925 in these words:—s- i: "No spectacular programme, no fanciful /promises., .National safety and progressive ■'development. '■>'■ '.''• ' . To that; promise ihe Government adheres tftrday,.*".; Those .ijyonls denned its course' duritig' fchVpa'st/'and* tliose'-words express!^^its_pp,licryv:£ojth;a,'futurp-.,.--^;,/.. .i By " ciiref inl■'■'management'' 'of ''■ilie'' national finances, tho ,Governmen.t has held the' confidence of the world's chief money market, London, a confidence which was strikingly shown on the raising .of the recent loan of £5,000,000. This'loan, which was greatly over-sub-scribed, was remarkable for the fact that;the nominal rate of interest, whichfor some time past had ruled at 5 per cent., was on this occasion reduced to 4} per cent. The flotation was positive proof that the world's keenest financiers regarded New Zealand as ft very solid country, with'a Government working on Bound' principles, ': The various obligations due; to the Great War and the continuation of a progressive Public! Works programme must figure largely in tho national expenditure, but the Government will' continue to effect economies wherever practicable, ( The results are seen in the relative reduction in the administrative costs of. State Departments during recent years. The Government's policy has kept the net burden on the taxpayers on a very favourable basis when compared with the position in. many other countries. The Government hopes that the improvement in the Dominion's financial position will continue to such am extent as will permit of some measures of relief in the matter of taxation. mCEBASIKOTHE NATIONAL DIVIDEND. By extending the servieos of the Deipartment of Agriculture, by a progressive, transport'policy with railways and roads, and by the provision of cheap hydro-electric power, the Government is entitled to duo credit for assisting increased production from the land. The reduction in railway freights on fertil- , ise*s haa been a boon to primary producers, and has materially helped to increase the output from their farms. The assistance afforded by the Governtnent to fruitgrowers and to pork producers, the pi'otection extended to the wheat-growing industry, and the development of tobacco-growing, constitute tangible evidence of the earnest desire of the Government to encourage all .^ranches of primary production. health from Timber. —The Government's afforestation policy is destined to make New Zealand an important supplier of soft woods, of which the ■woTld is facing a dwindling supply. On the initiative of tjiose' directly concerned in timber-milling, proposals are. under consideration for a reorganisation of this industry on a basis of greater efficiency to tho advantage of producer and consumer alike. Beliable experts are of the opinion? that.New Zealand possesses a valuable, potential asset in the development ;0,£.: the wood-pulp industry. I Besources.—Apart from gold, coal, and kauri gum, there has been little development of our mineral rosourees which can offer opportunities for the investment of capital. The geological survey is being continued so that: reliable information will be available' for investors. Moanwhile, the Government is assisting prospectors. Oil experts who are testing the New Zealand fields are confident that the Dominion will yet become an important producer of petroleum. Constructive Scientific Research.— The new Department of Scientific and Industrial Eesearch, established to assist all our industries, both primary and secondary, has made a good beginning, and its activities will eventually benefit all branches of our industrial life. MOKE FINANCE FOB FARMERS. When our primary producers were faced with the serious problem of falling prices, tho Government deemed it most important to strengthen tho position of the man already on the land. Thousands of producers, particularly small farmers, felt the heed of additional facilities to obtain loans on reasonable torms. The Government, by means of the Eural Advances Act of 1926 and tho: Bural'lntormpdiate ■ Cred-

its Act of 1927, has assured for farmers all the advantages of an Agricultural Bank. .'... . , A SOUND POLICY OF LAND SETTLEMENT. The world-wide decline in the prices of primary produce during recent years naturally checked the demand for farming lands, and the Government wisely refrained from undertaking any risky settlement schemes during that unfavourable period. 'However, official figures show that, subdivision of Crown Lands has been steadily proceeding. Careful • calculations based upon soldier settlement revaluations indicate that not' less than £3000 is required for the effectual, settling of each farmer on a self-supporting basis. Tlie Government has been „ carefully preparing for measures of progress along safe lines,' and feels confident that legislation of the recent session, providing for group purchases with Government assistance,Uombined, with a carefully-pre-pared scheme already .in hand^for a large-scale decelopment of pumice coun s try and other land not at present oc-. cupied, will facilitate further ■ settlement. ■ ■ ■ '■ In the pumice region the Government will begin with the development'of a block of about 10,000 acres. The successful treatment of this demonstration area will make it a centre of prosperous settlement, and so open up the way for extending the scheme to other blocks in the>■ vicinity., ■'■'•" HOMES AND 'SMALL FARMS FOR ; . COUNTRY WORKERS. To enable xpuntry! workers, to purchase homes .of their; own, ..the Government has io acquire small areas of land in rural districts where the occupiers, when not fully employed on' other work, couldVdeyote their .time to their own holdings.... Thesa' small farms, of from 10 to 15 acres, would enable the purchasers, with financial assistance . from -the'" State"!'1' to establish themselves on the land in homes,of their own. „ .. . ADVANCES FOR, SMALL HOLDERS :■; 'v ;/v';V.; .^EA^;;;CITiESy/:•"•;■/ c-;.. i; Supplementing the" system of finariciSl' assistance :to.Vw6rkorSr:-the GoveriiT; ment has.in mind;the small holder who, ■living on the^ outskirts' of a town, finds time to keep a cow or two, some poultry, and a few pigs to add to his earn- ; ings in another occupation. Somo assistance advanced would help an industrious man to establish himself not only to his personal benefit but also to thij advantage of the community. By this means, production would be increased, especially with the development of new markets for pork, eggs, and honey. FULFILLING OUR TRUST TO MAORI RACE. . The; G^vernirienti'ia;, makingvigorous progress with consolidation'schemes in Maori'land' district's, especially in the Poverty Bay, Bay of Plenty, King Country, and North Auckland areas; in settlement of the Native rating' problem on, an equitable basis; in the opening up "of Native lands for settlement ■by Natives and Europeans; and in the promotion of farming by the Native owners, ■ . ■ Sympathetic consideration is also being given to the claims and grievances of the' Natives reported on by the Native Land Claims Commissions of 1920 and 1926. Alleviation of these old griev. "ances is essential if all sections of the Native race are to move forward on dosirablo lines. The Government is, still further extending the activities of tho Health Department in matters affecting the health of the Maori people, . PROBLEM OF LOCAL RATES, Producers in many districts arc adversely handicapped by the burden of local rates. The deflation of land values and the revaluations now talcing place in many counties reveal a serious position in somo ■■. districts. The Government is' closely studying this problem,' arid is confldont that a satisfactory solution can be evolved. IMPROVED RAILWAY SERVICES. During the • past tthree years a reorganisation of the railway system has been effected on a basis which will prove increasingly beneficial to the publio. The working expenses will be sub-! stantially reduced by the operations of the new modern workshops. To assure the most economical and convenient services, the Government is .actively Working for the best: possible co-ordination of rail and road transport, the whole cost of which must .be'borne by the public, directly or indirectly. BETTER ROADS POLICY. Tho "Better Roads" policy, which I formulated as Minister of Public Works somo years,ago, has.been developed iff the direction of easing the bur-j den on tho ratepayers, particularly in-1 'country districts) where the growth- of { motor traffic has created serious prob- i lems. Tho petrol tax now enables tho Main Highways Board to provide liboral subsidios fov local bodios. Tho principlo that the user must pay is now generally accopted. The Government has pushed on vig» orously with its programme of hydro-1 electric enterprise. These facilities have added to the comfort of. home life, and_ havo also assurod cheap and convenient power for our primary and secondary industries. • . ENCOURAGEMENT OF INDUSTRIES. The Customs tariff protects the primary producer and, at the same time, admits free of duty a great many implements, machines and. appliances that ho requires for nse'.bn tiisfarm. .■'.':■ A further measure of .assistance has also been given to a number of our manufacturing industries. The Government has actively encouraged tho "Made in Now Zealand" movement, and will continue to do so in every possible way. The activities of the Department of Scientific and .Industrial Research and of ■•Tndustrins -I rind Commerce will be always available for manufacturers. The tariff of 1927 has further lessened, the cost of living by admitting

free of duty very many articles in genoral uso. The housewife to-day knows that she is able to shop more cheaply than under the former Tariff. Consistently with a proper safeguarding of the public welfare, tho Government stands for full and fair scope for private enterprise, which is essential to a satisfactory maintenance; of the national prosperity. PEOMOTION OF INDUSTRIAL PEACE. A throe-years' period of . industrial, peace is evidence that tho Government, by encouraging rourid-tho-tablo discussions, has worked steadily for the removal of causes of friction between employers and employees. In furtherance of this "get-togeth-er' 1 spirit and ito prepare tho way for acceptable .and workable amendments of the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act, on which there has been a sharp conflict of opinion, tho Government convened a National Industrial Conference) which was attended by political economists and by representatives of employers asd employees. Although unanimity was not reached on the main question as to whether arbitration should be optional or compulsory, tho delegates made important progress in the mutual understanding of the various difficulties. In.the full confidence that further discussion will evolve a satisfactory basis of legislation, the Government has decided to arrange for another conference next year. CARE OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH. By extending the activities of tho Health Department the Government has helped to keep New Zealand in the enviable position of having the world's lowest general death rate, as well as for children during their first year. The medical, examination of school pupils and the establishment of dental clinics are being steadily developed. The Government is making full provision for the St. Helens Maternity Hospitals and for the encouragement of the Plunket Society's infant-welfare work. More intense research is now being directed into the causes and factors making for difficulties and mortality among nlothers in child-birth with a view to further lessening the incidence of maternal mortality and of child mortality during tho first month of life. With a view to standardising (according to grade of institution) the conditions and hours of duty of nurses employed iir pur public hospitals, tho Government intends to invite Hospital Boards to co-operate/ in a thorough inquiry into ; :this important branch of social service.' MODERN/VOCATIONAL EDUCA- > TION. - In our system of education, which Is now practically free from the primary; school. to the university, care is being, taken to keep abreast of modern conditions, and to fli our young people for careers in farming and trades as well as in commercial and academic pursuits. ■■'■.' , . , ■ • The Massey' Agricultural College and .the, extension of facilities at the Lincoln- College now provide opportunities for a first-class agricultural education, thus affording to our young far- ! mers advantages which hitherto have j been enjoyed almost solely ,by those entering other occupations. '■;''. THE HOUSING PROBLEM, It must be obvious to even the casual observer. that the thousands .'.■ of now houses in town and country are a visible proof of tho material assistance furnished, by the. Government .to homedwellers, and a practical evidence of its goodwill towards working men and women. The housing shortage in many districts has by this means been overcome, and, by the adoption of town- !. planning schemes, congested areas in our larger cities will v bo entirely eliminated..- . . -..- :.■;.-.- 'i" By the Family! Allowance's .Act of 1926 the Government has'made a helpful beginning with '-'"a system-" of reasonable assistance for large families, and .there ia a prospect of larger grants with an increase of the country's prosperity. GREATER COMPENSATION FOR ACCIDENTS. [ The y^.,rkers' Compensation for Accidents Act,. 19.26, increased tho amount of compensation in case of death to £1000, and provision was also niacto for higher weekly payment for injury. INVALIDITY PENSIONS. While* maintaining tho. provision for the. various existing pension . schemes, the Government has recognised the need of a national system of pensions, on a contributory basis, which will assist workers' and their families whon overtaken by illness. In order to evolve a comprehensive scheme, if will be necessary to work harmoniously with friendly societies and similar organisations already in the field. . RETURNED SOLDIERS. I am satisfied that thero are still njany returned soldiers who are suffering from their war service, although they are unable to establish their claim to a pension. I propose to. ask the Now Zealand Returned Soldiers' Association to co-operate with me in finding some method of assisting thoso mon insofar as .their cases cannot be met by tho .efforts of the various patriotic associations and war relief funds. PROMOTION OP TOURIST TRAFFIC During the past three years the Government has carried on an active licity campaign to attract tourists to New. Zealand) and thero-us definite ovidenee that these activities are also effectively bringing ouv industries and natural resources under the notice of many thousands of people throughout the world. .- ' "/'"■ UNEMPLOYMENT PROBLEM. During the period of world-wide economic stross.'New Zealand has-had less unemployment than, any other country in proportion to population. - The Government has taken all practicable measures to assist, and has found work for many thousands of men. Much important statistical evidence has been collected for consideration by a representative committee. The Government will spare no efforts in seeking a solution of this, problem. The practicability of adopting a scheme of insurance against unemployment is also being oxplored. : CESSATION OF ASSISTED IMMIGRATION. ■ Economic -factors have necessitated an almost .complete cessation of tho immigration"':' policy' indicated three years ago, Members of separated families, certain young peoplo and domestics now form tho main personnel of immigrants. As immigration is inseparably linked up with the question of employment tho resumption of an activo policy of immigration will not be considered until the special Unemployment Committee has reported to the Government. ■■•■;■"'.-.■ c IMPERIAL LINK STRENGTHENED. The Government has appreciably im^ proved the means of consultation with the Mother Country, By contribution to th-s <;ust of the Singapore Naval B uaso and by the strengthening of the Now Zcaiand Division of tho Navy, our peoplo are now giving a larger measure of assistance to the Mother Country .in carrying the great burden of Empire defence. ADMINISTRATION OF SAMOA JUSTIFIED. Our administration of tho mandated territory of Samoa, which was approved by tho Eoyal Commission of 1927, has been again favourably commended, not only by tho Mandate's Commission of the League of Nations, but by the Assembly of the League itself. The decision of tho world's tribunal is a complete answer to those ill-informed

critics who sought to impeach tho integrity of the Administration. NO PROGRAMME OF EMPTY PROMISES. I do not hold the opinion that a Government, by continually promoting legislation, can ensure easy prosperity for everybody. Of course, circumstances will inevitably arise necessitating amendments of laws or new statutes, but I believe that tho Government has already sot out the main lines for .satisfactory advancement of the country as a whole, and that the Dominion requires chiefly a steady persistence with the present policy which has been designed in the interests of all classes of tho community. Prom this' brief statement of the achievements of their responsible executive the electors will realise that the members of the Government are in the position of directors of a great enterprise. They are presenting their report of progress. They claim that a change of directorate at this stage of tho country's development will not be to the people's advantage, however well it would suit the sectional interests and the personal aspirations of tho Government's opponents. . The. facts prove that the Government has acted faithfully for the public as a whole, and has the right, on its record of service, to a renewal of the people's confidence. Finally, I desire again to draw attention to what I stated.in my.manifesto in 1925: The Government stands for toloration and for equal opportunity for all citizens; for the security of the individual, and for the stability of.; State and Empire. The Government..^ adherence to those guiding principles has earned for our Dominion a worldwide reputation, for sound government and a steady advancement in social welfare.