THE NEW YEAR

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 31 December 1927, Page 5

THE NEW YEAR

PRIME MINISTER’S MESSAGE.

BETTER PROSPECTS AHEAD. DOMINION’S TRADE BALANCE* (by telegraph—PßESS ASSOCIATION.) DAR’GAVILLE, Dec.. 30, Tlhe Prim© Minister,, the Rfc. Hon. J. G Cbaites, lias issued the following New Year message to the people of tlhe Dominion:

“Another year is ©losing, and I take \ the privilege of addressing " a short message to my' fellow-citizens in the Dominion.

“Foillowing upon the general election itw© years ago, when the people, expressed their confidence in myself as.. Prime Minister, I stated that the guiding principles of my administration would be the isafety and stability of tho ■State ■ and the Empire, the security of the individual, toleration with equal opportunity for all, and peace* and order in the community. These principles since that time I have endeavoured to the best of my ability to promote. “During tins period the country has passed* through a time of difficulty wliioli h)a» proved embarrassing to many of our people. The reasons were mainly economic in their character, and were not confined to our own Dominion, but were world-wide in their cause and effect. New Zealand is dependent very largely for her prosperity upon external markets for the satisfactory disposal of her primary Most important among these markets is of course Great Britain, and any depression in Great Britain, combined with a decreased purchasing power on the part of our kinsfolk ill the Homeland,, is immediately reflected in tills country by diminished returns to. our producers. These factors unfortunately existed, with the inevitable 'result that the Dominion suffered the experience of an adverse- trade balance.

“The Dominion has undergone similar times of depression in the past, and the virility and industry of her people have enabled (her to surmount these obstacles. But there' is a lesson ■to be learned from these happenings. Greater attention must be paid to economic tendencies in relation to our oversea reading, and our imports should be regulated by the value of our exports. I am glad to say that the trading position of the country has greatly improved as compared with last year. Our imports' have decreased, while firmer and more stable prices are being obtained for our exports, bringing much-needed relief to the primary producer, upon whom the country is iso largely dependent for its prosperity. “With the prospects of a bountiful season, the outlook for the New Year is bright, but we must not. for this reason, be led into a false feeling of security. Pirudenoe in administration, thrift and industry on the part of the individual, and greater production are still essential, if we are to reap the full benefits of returning prosperity. “It is pleasing to note that trade conditions in the United Kingdom have .shown an improvement, and that there are signs that many of the economic disturbances, of the Old Land are being more or less settled.' IMPERIAL ASPECTS.

“When 1927 dawned i was* absent from the Dominion on account of my attendance at the imperial Conference, which marked an important epoch in the history of the Empire. Already good results have arisen from it, in the strengthening of the ties of unity; and the fostering of inter-Empire trade. . 1 say again that it is our duty to' do all we can to strengthen this unity and to destroy those* influences which are likely to promote class conflict, disturb the social order, and hinder good government.

“One of the most outstanding events during the year was the visit to New Zealand o.f Their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of York. Their stay amongst us has endeared them to all our citizens and will be long remembered.

“I must also make mention of another notable event, namely the visit to the Dominion of the Right Hon. JL. O. M. S. Amery, Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs, 'and Airs' Amery, who have so recently taken their departure from our shore. This has marked the first occasion when a British Cabinet Alinistor in office has visited this faroff land, and Air Amery’s tour of the overseas Dominions muse give a great impetus to the cause of Eimpire co-op-eration Which is so essential to our national unity. It has been truly written “What do they know of England who only England know.” The more frequently responsible statesmen of the Alother Country can leave the Homeland and acquire first-hand knowledge oif the Empire’s territories, the greater will Ibe the opportunity of bringing about better understanding of its peoples and its problems, and of more firmly consolidating those links which bind us all together under one Crown.

“It is a source of .satisfaction to see the efforts which aire being made by those in authority at Home to got into close and sympathetic touch with the outlook of the various Dominions of the Empire. Id is therefore incumbent upon us to do our part in promoting mutual counsel and common understanding. Bv so doing we will help to maintain the spirit of idealism which we have inherited.

“Not le-ast in this spirit of idealism is the effort to promote peace among the nations with a view to bringing prosperity to all mankind. It thus behoves all classes of our people to work together, to bury as fur. as possible petty and party difference, and' to strive earnestly for the common good. “I congratulate my fellow citizens again upon the bettor outlook with Which we face the New Year, and in its prosperity I sincerely hope that all may share.”