SOUND FINANCES.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXXI, Issue 5595, 4 July 1930, Page 4

SOUND FINANCES.

UNITED GOVERNMENT’S AIM. & A FARMER’S TALK TO FARMERS. PRIME MINISTER’S “GRIT AND FRANKNESS.” A very interesting and instructive speech was delivered by the Prime Minister (Hon. G. W. Forbes) to the annual Dominion Conference of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union. In welcoming Mr. Forbes to the conference, the President, Mr. W. J. Polson, M.P., said that, on behalf of the farmers of New Zealand, he congratulated Mr. Forbes on his elevation to the Prime Ministership, and on the grit and frankness he had shown in placing before the people a full statement of the affairs of the country. It was very gratifying to have a native of New Zealand as Prime Minister. “A Farmer All His Life.” Mr. Forbes said that he realised his responsibility both as Prime Minister and Minister of Finance. At a gathering of farmers he felt at home. He had been a farmer all his life; and had been married on the farm; his family had settled on the farm, and were still farmers. When he assumed office t he had considered it his first duty to place the balance sheet and estimates of what they could do during the coming year before the people. No farmer could be successful unless he balanced his expenditure’ with his revenue, and this was also true in regard to national finances. He thought hat when the people of the country saw the true position they would realise that some of the services they had been accustomed to in past years would have to be curtailed. There would be disappointments and resentments, but he hoped that the position would be quickly realised when a full survey had been placed before them. “National Budget Must Balance.” Not only was there a call for national thrift, but also for individual thrift. In speaking to an audience which included so many ladies, he realised what an influence they had on the domestic finance, and he was sure that they would do their part. If the Dominion went beyond its income it would, head for disaster. The credit of the Dominion stood perhaps higher than any other Dominion, and anything that would shake or destroy that credit would be disastrous. The Government was determined that the National Budget should balance, and as far as possible the individual budget should balance. It was only by these 4 means that the country could be placed in a sound position and the position of the farmers made secure.

The Unemployment Problem

One of the biggest difficulties at the present time was unemployment. This was world-wide, and has been put down to different causes; but one of the chief causes was the imrpovements in labour-saving devices. The best brains in the world had been striving continually to find means of cutting out labour. These labour-saving devices had been introduced in nearly every country, and it was now difficult for many people to obtain regular employment. Thus they- were reminded of the Biblical quotation: “Bear ye one another’s burdens.” Unemployment was a responsibility for all, and all would have to assist in solving, the problem. The Commission appointed in New Zealand to investigate the problem had made a very thorough and valuable report. They had faced the position, and the Government intended this year to introduce legislation this session to. deal with the position. Relief works were only palliatives. They were necessary because they could not allow people to suffer from hardship or starvation, but it was their duty to place tlje problem on a more satisfactory footing. One of the difficulties was the bringing of land for improvement and idle labour together, and anything the Farmers’ Parliament could suggest for the solving of the problem would, be gladly received and Carefully considered. ' *■ No Need For Pessimism. There was no need for pessimism. They had' a wonderful little country, and as far as production was concerned they had by no means reached the limit. While he had been Minister of Agriculture he had been most hopefill of great progress that could be >made,‘ and in the last five years substantial progress ■ had been made. Further applications of improvements gave opportunities for almost unlimited scope. In regard to the lower prices for produce, they should endeavour to get the most out of their land in order to counteract these. The New Zealand farmers were considered -to be the most progressive in the world, but that did not mean that they were perfect. -It meant that they were going along strongly, and, although improvements were being made, there was no reason why greater attention should not be paid to these matters. The best answer to the temporary depression was increased productibn, but he hoped for an increase in the price for the Dominion’s products in the future. He had placed the statement of the country’s position before the people in the hope that they would do.all they could to assist the Government along the lines he had indicated, and he is sure they would do so. Referring to taxation, the Prime Minister said that it was the duty of the Government to govern and legislate for all classes (not for any particular section), and the more the Government could do this the better the government would be. “One likes to feel that, in the interests of the country, you will assist the Government in its difficult task, and in facing the position, realise that you are New Zealanders first and farmers next.” (Applause).