THURSDAY, JUNE 8, 1923. THE DOMINION'S FUTURE WELFARE.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLII, Issue XLII, 7 June 1923, Page 4

THURSDAY, JUNE 8, 1923. THE DOMINION'S FUTURE WELFARE.

The prosperity of a- country can be gauged largely by its trade, and though the inflated prices for which the effects of the war are responsible make it necessary to reduce the figures stating the value of our trade, the fact remains that in the case of New Zealand the volume of trade has grown enormously. The value of our exports stands at nearly double what it was - a decade ago, and for a country with but a small population and very large areas yet to he developed this fact is one of which New Zealand people have every reason to be proud. The dairying industry and wool have been the main contributors to the improvement, and though meat ha.s met with a poor market, •some experts think that the market will recover within two years. The people of the Dominion should realisethe great, value of the primary industries. The country is, we believe, recovering well from the serious effects of the world-wide depression, and given future seasons such as it has experienced during the last two years all trace of the hard times should disappear. The quality of our products is very satisfactory, and though it is likely that prices on the English markets will not be so high in future years, the growing volume of exports ■will help to make good whatever difference there may be in prices. The highest standard of quality and steadily increased production are the main factors for the producers to keep in mind. New Zealand has become the greatest exporter of dairy produce, and if every effort i.s made to encourage preference by the consumers in. the Old Country the demand should become so great that Britain will be prepared to receive and pay good prices for every ounce of butter and cheese that this country can produce for export. We believe that

a great deal can be done to improve the demand in Great Britain, and it is to be hoped that much more will be dons in the way of advertising the produce of this country in Jhe Motherland. The special supplement which we are preparing with the object of placing the facts of the dairying industry before the people may well serve as the starting point of a, great campaign in Great Britain to encourage the people to buy New Zealand products in preference- to the foreign. The Imperial Economic Conference- is the subject of much interest in Great Britain at the present time, and it will probably prove to bo one of the most important gatherings ever held in London. It seems to us that this Dominion should on no account permit the opportunity to pass. The British people are realising as never before the great need for building up the whole Empire into a strong unity, and inter-Empire trade is one of the most important means by which this can be done. New Zealand is the most fortunate of all the Dominions and its future is decidedly bright. The country has the resources, anu as population increases there will be more people to exploit them. The dairying industry will always be one of the great mainstays of the country, and we think that every effort to expand it merits the fullest support of the people. The depression had one good effect —it made the people pay more attention to their work and forced "\n elimination of much of the waste and extravagance that were so much in evidence in the days of false prosperity. No country can progress without consistent work by the people, and we hope that when the tide of prosperity rises again, as it has already begun to do, there will be no drifting back into the stupid practices of "go slow or of idleness on the part of those who have the good fortune to accumulate money. There is work for all and al. must work if the Dominion and the great Empire of which it is a part are to be strong and nourishing.