"SUN WILL SHINE"

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 142, 17 June 1932, Page 7

"SUN WILL SHINE"

FUTURE OUTLOOK

MR, FORBES OPTIMISTIC

BETTER PRICES COMING

A< note of optimism as to the future 6t New: Zealand was sounded by the Prime Minister (the Eight Hon. G.-.-W. Forbes) • when. speaking at the smoke concert of the Manawatu A. and P. Association last night. He expressed the opinion that the country was on the eye of a period of better prices. Mr. Forbes said that New Zealand, in common with other countries, was facing difficult times, and the Government was up against the necessity of 'bringing about a rehabilitation of the national finances. That task had made unpopular actions a'necessity, but the Government was determined to do its duty,in spite of the consequences.- A man who was not prepared to stand up' : to his task at the present juncture was not worthy of the country of his birth. At the last General Election the country was told what the position was,.and the Government was given a free-hand to place the finances on a' sound footing. It had been necessary to ask"'the tax-payers to provide more Teyenue,-but, at the same time, the Government had played its part by bringing!.about an all-round reduction . in.expenditure. ' S There had" been objections to the measures of economy-which the Government had been called upon to put into operation, said Mr. Forbes, but he felt that the people generally recognised that \the_ right course was being taken. ' The aim of the Government was to bring into-effect economies, and at the same time preserve to the fullest possible extent the services which. the people had enjoyed in the past. The Government wanted to cause as little inconvenience as possible to the people of New Zealand.

; v MONEY IS LIMITED. Referring to the unemployment difn- . crilty, Mr. Forbes said that the Government was doing ita best to minimise the- suffering which the depression had brought, in its wake. He knew that the best that could be done fell.short of what one would like to see done, but there was a limit to the amount of money at their disposal. The Government was making a. very big endeavour to cope with the situation, and he was pleased to .be able to say that it was receiving-the. loyal support of local bodies and public-spirited.citizens. The problem, of unemployment could only be overcome as the result of the united efforts of the people. Those who were in employment had to realise that .they •were"their brothers' keepers." The Government was determined to play i,ts. part and lyould continue to provide, relief to the utmost of its financial .-',-.' ■ . . • ■ Auimrio! perform.; ■•■ In facing its task, in regard to unemployment, the Government had been subjected to a lot .of criticism.-,of an •unfair '-'"nature- from members of the Labour Party, who told the people that there was no need for what the Government had done. However, he was sure that, the great majority of the people

■took up a reasonable attitude. Citizen? had a duty to perform, and it was essential -that everybody should live

•within, their income.- That applied to the1 Government just as much as,to anybody else. There was no country in the .world?'which, had enjoyed such prosperous times as New Zealand, and the people.had been able to live pleasantly; .- aiowy-i.there was--a .change^vandla .great many ,of- :the things ■they had^'erijoyed in the' past'had-had to1 be lopped off. ' He did^ not' think it would do anybody any harm- to shorten sail. V The great thing was to "carry on" in the face of' adversity.' ■ ■ ='.

"I don't think we are very far away from" a period of rising' prices," said Mr.- Forbes: "It is> always darkest "before.the dawn. When' the improvement comes we will be in the position to take; full advantage of it. I-don't think this is any time for pessimism. These are difficult times, but at least thejf give' us' the opportunity' to' show our mettle, In prosperous times the country gets slack and it is said that a. Britisher is never at his best until ha: is-up against it. That, is true of New Zealand, and I am sure that there j is. nothing that can keep us down. We are approaching the time when we will Bee the sun- shining again. The lessons we'have learned in this time of defression will be a benefit to us,; and am convinced - that .when., the tide turns W6. will make .progress that will be a record so far. as New Zealand is concerned.',' . . ' .