NEW YEAR MESSAGE

Feilding Star, Volume 3, Issue 554, 31 December 1925, Page 5

NEW YEAR MESSAGE

FROM Pitn/HER TO- PEOPLE . ■ •. .... ■ - / ./ • SAFETY AND STABILITY OF STATE AMD EMPIRE PLEA FOR ABOLITION Q.F SECTIONAL" STRIFE & ' ■ ' ' ' •v- “* The Prime Minister, Mr Coates, lasi night sent, out the following New Year message to- New ZealandersAt the dawn, of another year, I take the opportunity of addressing a few words to my follow citizens. first, ol all I desire with a vei\ lull heart to say how deeply sensible I am oi the unbounded expression of confidence which the great majority of the community gave me as Prime Minister at the General Election last month. I can only say that, uilh the help of Providence my earnest endeavours will bo to. promote the progress a'nd prosperity of our country and the well-being of its people. The guiding principles of Oiy administration will be in the safety and stability ot the State and the Empire; the securilty of the individual; toleration With Dqual opportunity for all, and peace and order in the community, We shall strive to abolish all causes of class warfare and bitterness, and increase the general happiness Of our, citizens. HELP FOR THOSE IN NEED. - i ■■■'.' ].t was inevitable that in the years of reconstruction following the war individual losses would he incurred In many cases these have pressed heavily on those engaged in the primary industries. There are also others of .our citizens who are having a hard struggle to make both ends meet, especially the family man. It will lie the earnest endeavour of my colleagues and myself to fender in such cases some manner ol assistance towards lightening their burdens. With health and strength I shall giVe of niv best to prove worthy of the great 4rust which has been placed in my keepin, and lam profoundly grateful to .the people lot the giea.t honour which they have conferred upon one of themselves. > ' - " t . , THE INSPIRATION REMAINS. ■' As we look back upon the year now ending, we cannot but recall the many notable figures in the Empire's public life who have passed away. May 1. mention, just a few of these: Her Majesty Alexandra, the QueenMother, Lord ( urzon, Lord Milner, and last, but- not least. Mr Massey, whose splendid service to New Zealand and the Empire is so fresh in our memories. The Empire is the be tier, and stronger to-day for their work nod i-hev have lelf'hehind them an abiding inspiration tor loyalty, patriotism and service. OUTLOOK FOR 1926. I should like to tell my fellow-citizens that in my judgment there is solid ground lor looking forward with confidence in 1926. Last season, remarkably high values ruled lor our principal primary products’, particularly wool. It- would appear, however, that these high prices will not he continued. Nevertheless, present values cannot be regarded as unsatisfactory who’ll viewed from a normal standpoint. J here is every reasOn lor hoping that prices will remain at a steady basis, ensuring a payable return lo the producers. Rutter has recently experienced a. sharp decline in value, but this is rather due to a temporary disturbance ol the normal flow of produce on to the market, and as the season advances values lor this commodity should settle down to a remunerative figure. RECUPERATIVE QUALITIES. The welnejig -of the winter season and the late spring have caused a, Jess quantity of feed to he available, resulting in. a; talling-off in the output of dairy produce in the first few months ol the present season, and has retarded somewhat the coming forward of prime lamb and mutton. In some respects Sowing operations in some ol our farming districts have also been hampered l.»v unfavourable climatic coTidil.i<jiis, more particularly in the case of wheat growing. However, I lie wonder) ill recuperative qualities of the Dominion, combined with the industry and energy ol our producers, have always proved equal to any sucli. happenings, and we need, therefore. l*ave no misgivings on this account. THRIFT AND ECONOMY. In the time of our prosperity wo should learn to practise thrift and economy, and thus he hotter prepared to stand the tost should any emergency arise. Financially, the outlook is healthy, and by exploring all avenues by which, our primary industries may lie intensively advanced, I feel sure that another satisfactory position will lie disclosed when the public accounts for the current Jinnneia! year are made up, TRADE WITHIN THE DOMINION, * j , The Great Inhibition in Dunedin, which lias already been visited by many thousands of New Zen la rulers and people from overseas, hears striking testimony to the development of our secondary industries. Tlu v undertaking is a wonderful tribute to the enterprise of the Otago people, and to the public spirit of our manufacturers throughout the Dominion. I hope the Exhibition will continue to meet with the success it deserves. It should he aii important influence in promoting the trade-ot our country, arid in encouraging the use of New Zealand-TnsTdo articles. STRENGTHEN EMPIRE UNITY. It is with pleasure we have witnessed the great advance recently made towards a better understanding among the Pofvers of Western Europe. We can confidently hope that the New Year will enter upon ! a more enlightened era of peace amongst nations, bringing greater prosperity and. happiness to all. Let us do all We can to strengthen Empire unity and destroy those inHlienees which by promoting class conflict are subversive of social order and good governm'en't: in our community. FOR THE COMMON GOOD. I ask my fellow citizens to sink petty and sectional strife, and pull together for the common good. VVe can then be well assured of a further period of prosperity for our fair land. To one and all, : l wish a Bright and Happy New Year. PRIME MINISTER.