Page 9 Advertisements Column 1

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 17 October 1928, Page 9

What the Coates GoMnment has done IN politics Parties must be judged, not merely by their Promises, but by their Performance. That is a fair test. In the election Campaign now developing, the slogan of the Reform Party might well be: “ POLICY, PROMISE and PERFORMANCE,” for the policy laid down by Mr. Coates at the last election has been successfully carried through, and the promises made have been consistently honoured. The Coates Government record is well summed up in the headline to this page—ACHIEVEMENT. Naturally, the opponents of the Coates Government will attempt to belittle the achievements of the Reform Party. That is their business in life. Happily the facts speak for themselves. Electors who prefer to be guided by accomplished facts rather than by empty talk can judge from the record given] below, what the Coates Government has done for New Zealand. It is a record of sterling performance, of sound and progressive measures carried through without fuss or fluster for the benefit and advancement of all classes. True to his election pledges of 1925, Mr. Coates has proved himself to he a man who gets things done. Developing the Dominion ! Highways, Railways and Hydro Electricity THE Coates Administration has achieved immense improvements in the Roading of New Zealand, a bold policy resulting in vast advancement in length <:nd quality. In just over three years the Main Highways Board assisted in constructing 430 miles metal roads, 240 miles tar and bituminous roads, 2 7 miles concrete roads, and over miles bridging at an expenditure of £2,648,657. Legislation directly to the advancement of highways improvement includes the Petrol Tax (1927), utilised for main highways and roads outside the Main Highways Scheme; the increase of the Tyre Tax (1926), which is paid into the Main Highways , Acc’ount Reserve Fund earmarked for maintenance of Main Highways. _ An Act (1926) authorised an increase of from one-third to one-half of the Main Highways Maintenance subsidy to Local Authorities. , _ , Elimination of level crossing dangers is being gradually effected. 2,700 miles of Subsidiary Roads, and the Main Roads through all Boroughs of under 6,000 people have been declared Main Highways. 10,000 miles of the country roading derived benefits from the operations of the Main Highway Board. Last Session a further Act was passed under which the powers of the Highways Board were enlarged to enable the Board to give still further relief to Local Bodies in the matter of Main Road Construction and Maintenance. The Reform Government recognised the vast importance of Railway construction in developing the Dominion, and on an average every fortnight has seen a mile of Railway built to open up the country and better serve the transport needs of the community. Never in the history of New Zealand has there been such tremendous progress and improvement in road and railway transport facilities. Hydro-electric development has been carried out with thoroughness and expedition, and the schemes under course of construction at the present time afford the fullest possible evidence of the far-sightedness and enterprise of the Coates Government. THE COATES GOVERNMENT HAS GOT THINGS DONE. Education and Industry FAVORING the past three years the Coates Government has erected many L' nc -w schools, expending half a million sterling. Schools of the old type are rapidly disappearing, and in the new buildings great attention is given to hygienic conditions. Where localities desire it experiments are being made with open air schools with a view to ascertaining the beneficial effect on health. A Correspondence School, providing education to over 700 back-block children, has proved most encouraging by results. A large amount of remodelling of old school buildings has been done and this work is being pressed steadily forward. Groups of country schools have been consolidated in several favourable localities where transport can be arranged. By this means country children can attend a school as strongly staffed and as fully conducted as any city school. Though large classes still exist the numbers in each class have been reduced by more than half, which itself shows that the staffing of schools must be more than previously. Students are now being trained in a new system of physical training which, by strengthening the important organs of the body, will conduce to good health in middle and old age. Facilities for giving 'manual instruction to senior pupils in primary schools and to junior pupils in secondary schools and district schools have been greatly extended. Children from country schools are carried free by rail to centres where manual training is provided. Child Welfare has progressed greatly Dental Clinics have heen developed and the health of children specially cared for. The average annual salaries paid to teachers has increased by varying amounts of from £8 1 to £l26,during the past ten years. | Education conditions in New Zealand stand on a par with the mostprogressive countries of the world. Industry The Coates Administration has shown a sympathetic attitude towards industry. It has encouraged production by all possible means, and sought to promote, friendly relations in industry. It has consistently advocated and striven for a friendly spirit of conciliation and goodwill. In 192 5 there were 83 Labour Disputes; in 1926, 59; in 192 7, 40 (of which the Labour Report refers to 2 7 as being trivial), and for 1928 the figures are still less. The National Industrial Conference (1928), promoted by Mr. Coates, ,has brought a greater understanding between employers and employees. Both Primary and Secondary industries have received sympathetic consideration and the Customs Tariff brought down and passed by the Coates Government was recognised to be the most statesmanlike and soundest revision ever framed in this Dominion. THE COATES GOVERNMENT HAS GOT THINGS DONE. Pensions and Social Welfare IT has been the Coates Government’s policy to continue the splendid, -*■ humanitarian and social work of the Reform Party. The latest step, in this direction the Family Allowance was quickly brought into practical shape, and in its first year of operation carried £3 7,514 into the homes of the workers. This Act, which fairly represents the sympathetic view which Mr. Coates has always taken in respect of- the struggles of the family man and his wife in poor or restricted circumstances, assures an allowance of 2/- per week for each child in excess of two, where the average weekly income of the parents does not exceed £4. During the I 6 years of Reform Administration, Old Age Pensions have been increased and conditions of the Aged and Widows ameliorated in a variety of ways. Here are some of the changes showing the generous improvements: A Progressive Policy l Wise Tariffsl Humanitarian Achievements ! Businesslike and Profitable Management! Old Age Pensions Reduction of the pensionable age for women from 65 to , 68 years .... „ .... Widows’ Pensions With one child under 15 Allowance for each additional child Limitation of Pensions for Widows Family Allowances 2/- per week for each child iii excess of two. Income including allowance not to exceed £4 per week plus 2/- for each child in excess of two. A beneficent and statesmanlike Act has been passed by the Coates Government for the protection of the public against risks associated with motor accidents. This Act provides a system of compulsory insurance under which all motorists at a trifling cost are placed in a position to pay compensation to those who may suffer injury through motor accidents. During the past three years the Coates Government has shown its practical sympathy with the workers by making advances to the extent of nearly six and a half million pounds to enable them to buy their own homes. Think of it; over six millions advanced to workers on cheap and easy terms nearly double the amount advanced by any previous Government in the same time. The Child Welfare legislation of the Government, and legislation for the better treatment of the mentally defective, are other outstanding achievements. THE COATES GOVERNMENT HAS GOT THINGS DONE. Post and Telegraph DROGRESS in Post and Telegraph expansion has been as remarkable as it has been sound. All over the country services have been improved and the public afforded greater facilities. The work of the Department has been placed on a sound business basis with commercial accounting in all Departments. The receipts of the Post and Telegraph Department advanced from £2,889,450 (1925) to £3,329,5 I I ( 1928) an increase of £530,061. Payments, which in 1925 stood at £2,416,257, were reduced to £2,299,517 in 1928, a decrease of £3 16,486 to the Country’s advantage. The surplus, which in 1925 was £473,193, increased to £1,029,940 in 1928, a difference of £656,747, due to sound and businesslike Administration. During 16 years the Reform Government has erected new Post Offices on an average of one every three weeks. Telephone Stations in 1925 amounted to I 15,549. These have been largely extended, and in 192 7 numbered 132,089. , The number of Depositors in the Post Office Savings Bank is 804,725, with a Deposit Total of £47,758,726. THE COATES GOVERNMENT HAS GOT THINGS DONE. Instruction and Research THE Scientific and Industrial Research Department was established by Act in 192 6 to work in co-operation with'the Minister for Agriculture. It has already- rendered valuable assistance to the primary producers in the control of noxious weeds, assessing the nutritive value of pastures, values of top dressing, seed and plant breeding, selection and disease control and the developing of new processes for the better utilisation of by-products in the meat industry. Much help has been given to the flax industry. The Massey Agricultural College Act was passed in 1926, enabling Degrees in Agriculture to be obtained. Authority for an annual grant of £3,700 for Research purposes, approved by the Minister for Agriculture, was sanctioned in connection with Canterbury Agricultural College in an Act passed in 192 7. The Institute of Horticulture' Act. (1927) was legislated to encourage Horticulture and Scientists to undertake further study in Horticulture. Medical Research in connection with the Health of the Nation has received much impetus from the helpful attitude of the Coates Government. Investigations into Endemic Goitre, Infantile Paralysis, Hay Fever, Still Births and the first month mortality of infants, have been carried out. Preventative measures for certain diseases have been made the duties of Medical Officers of Health and School Medical Officers. The Child Welfare Department has won the praise of practically the whtfle world. THE COATES GOVERNMENT HAS GOT THINGS DONE. Finance and Taxation nPHE Coates Administration has maintained the National Finances af fv. * country on a sound basis that has wan the approbation of the London financiers and established the credit of New Zealand on an equality with that of the Mother Country with all., her vast resource®. The £5,000,000 loan raised this year was subscribed six-fold and quoted at a premium viithin a day of flotation. The Public Debt of the Country has received great consideration, particularly that part of the Debt that is unproductive. Realising that it , is the unproductive debt which handicap* a nation, the: Coates Administration - has . redeemed this portion of the Public Debt by £6,854,039 in three years. The War Debt has been, reduced by £3,000,541, the Government having redeemed the War Bonds and Stock falling due or coming into the open market. In 1926 Taxation per head amounted to £l2 7s. ltd.; in 192 7 it Was £I 2 ss. 6d.; and in 1928 it has reached the comparatively lower level of £I 1 I 7s. 7d. The latest figures available show that the Taxation per head in Australia is £l4 ss. per head. New Zealand being 16.6% lighter taxed than her immediate neighbour, who is mainly under Labour Administration. Here is a most significant fact and one which has not been clearly understood or properly appreciated. If the charges arising out of our War obligations are excluded tbe taxation' per head of the population Applying Science to Everyday L iii ! Lighter Taxation than Australia ! to-day is actually »ower than it was in 19 14.” llii.- outstanding fact 146 clearly proved by the figures given below (on a comparable basis): 1913-14 1927-28 Public Debt Charges .... £ I I 7 3 £ I 7 8 Social Service (Health and Hospitals, Pensions and Education) .... 2 16 6 4 2 8 Defence (Land and Sea) .... .... 0 14 5 0 14 8 General and Administrative Charges 2 f 7 1 13 1 Surplus for Year .... . 0, 10 9 0 2 6 £8 2 6 £8 0 7 Note in the above figures the. gratifying fact that general and administrative charges (that is, the cost of Government? are lover to-day by over ten shillings per head of population than ir, Note also that th* only increase in cost has been for Social Services for the benefit of the people. What better evidence could there be of sound, capaHe and humanitarian policy and administration? In one of the most difficult periods of its histc-y, when a world depression was affecting the finances of all Nations, th* Coates Government was able once more to show a surplus on the year’s account*. During the same period practically all the Governments of Australia showed deficits. Sound finance is not a catch-cry with the Coates Government. It ic a fact. ' THE COATES GOVERNMENT HAS GOT THINGS DONE. Economy in Administration I HE Coates Government has made steady and successful efforts towards affecting economy in Departmental Administration. Annual appropriations for the year 1928 were £240,000 below the amount estimated for. There was also a considerable decrease in expenditure as compared with the preceding year. The decrease in Departmental expenses is the result of continuous and rigid supervision over practically/every item of expenditure subject to administrative control. Sound economies of this nature benefit all classes. They are not showy and spectacular, but they are important to taxpayers , and are evidence of careful and able administration. Many Departmental reforms have been introduced. Modern methods of accountancy have been adopted throughout the Departments of State, and commercial balance sheets are now produced annually for all State activities. Steps have also been taken to ensure that all stores are accounted for in th« same manner as cash, and a Stores Control Board has been set us to arrange for the purchase of supplies in bulk. Where the nature of the Service permits of it, every effort has been made to make Services self-supporting, and no opportunity is lost of introducing better methods, eliminating waste, and preventing extravagance. Experience has shown that in a very large organization like the Public Service, true economy is not attained by spectacular reforms, but by continual and gradual improvements, and this is the course that is being followed successfully. The Departments have now attained a high degree of efficiency and are in a position that ensures good service to the country’. THE COATES GOVERNMENT HAS GOT THINGS DONE. A Saving of a Quarter of a Million on Expenses! Farming Interests Important Agricultural Legislation ! S’ FARMING Legislation of outstanding importance has been achieved by the Coates Government. Crown Lands Purchase on favourable terms of amortization has been arranged with a State advance amounting to 95%: right to obtain freehold granted to tenants of National Endowment Lands (617,000 acres and affecting 1,379 settlers)-; right to acquire fee simple to owners of Renewable Leases of Lands not in the National Endowment. Special Legislation has been passed to facilitate the cutting up of large estates under a system of group settlement financed by the Government. Under this scheme not only’ is provision made for breaking up large holdings, but those desiring to get on the land can do so under conditions most favourable to their .future success as farmers. By tbe Rural Advances Act (1926) advances up to £5,500 (exclusive of moneys advanced under the State Advances Amendment Act, 1926) were made possible, and private investment directed towards farm' mortgages. The Intermediate Credit Act provides additional credit facilities at the lowest rate of interest. Subsidies and guarantees to the Pork, . Poultry, Fruit and HoneyIndustries, and a subsidy of £B,OOO towards Herd Testing. A valuable measure (1926) conferred on the Minister for Agriculture additional - powers for swamp drainage. Wide legislation . to encourage individual ownership. Old system of purchase of Crown Lands has been superseded ; now purchaseable under more attractive conditions on amortization in 34£ years (1926). Right of re-valuation to occupants of Crown Grazing Reins and Settlement Lands (1927). Wheat Industry was safeguarded under, the General Tariff Revision (! 92 7), ?, / . r ... .’ a: slidfngv'sbaLe' 1 of ’tariff according to the world market price of, wheat boing.-agreed-upon: ' . _ f r ’ Advantageous Acts dealiing with- Fertilizers, Fungicides, Insecticide*: Noxious Weeds, Seeds,; Slaughter afid Inspection and St&fcle f h’ave .'become law. o. . In addition, special consideration has been given to the interests of soldier-settlers, re-valuations of their properties and remission of interests, relieving them of hardship. The Coates Government forced this problem boldly, doing justice to the men even. though the loss ran into several million pounds. In the three years 1926-192 7-1928 the State Advances to Farmers, Workers and Local Bodies have broken all records. The total advances at low rates of interest during that period amounted to the large sum of £15,312,195. The amount advanced to settlers was nearly £9,000.00®. To this has to be added over £1,000.000 advanced from April, 192 to August, 192 8. under the Rural Cr-dit- Scheme and monies now bein|{ advanced under the Intermediate Credit Act. THE COATES GOVERNMENT HAS GOT THINGS DONE. hates to continue the flood utorfy, “Our Country First, Last and all the Time.” —Coates