BRIGHTER OUTLOOK.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 1 August 1927, Page 9

BRIGHTER OUTLOOK.

DOMINION’S ECONOMIC POSITION.

“EVERY MAN MUST PULL HIS WEIGHT. ’ ’

“To anyone who studies the course of the Dominion’s overseas trade and its effect upon the prosperity of the country, the indications point, I think, to a gradual return to equilibrium,’’ remarked Mr. G. Shirteliffe, chairman of directors, at the annual meeting of the Wellington Investment Trustee, and Agency Company, Ltd., at Wellington, says the “Dominion.” “The excess of imports over exports that was so apparent a year ago,” proceeded Mr. Shirteliffe, “has steadily been reduced, pointing to the fact that a wise measure of economy is. being exercised by the community, and that the excessive importation of luxuries is being curtailed; on the 'other hand, the volume of production of the pricipal staple products shows a steady and satisfactory increase, while their values appear to be fairly well stabilised. “Land values are being steadily reduced to a productive basis, and generally I think the outlook is somewhat better than it was a year ago. Without being unduly optimistic, I feel that given industrial peace for the next few years, with every man in every walk of life, ‘pulling his-weight,’ we should before long see such an increased volume of production that costs of commodities will be lowered, and a welcome reduction in the cost of Jiving brought about, while the cry of the unemployed should no longer be heard in the land. “But the strictest economy in Government, municipal, and private expenditure will still be necessary for some years to come if the prosperity of the country is to rest on a sound economic foundation,” concluded Mr. Shirteliffe. “This aspect has, however, been so much stressed of late by the highest financial authorities that I feel I need not further enlarge upon