AFTER THE WAR.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17665, 18 December 1917, Page 8

AFTER THE WAR.

DEVELOPING THE DOMINION. SIR JOSEPH WARD'S VIEWS. Speaking to an interviewer at Dunedin, Sir Joseph Ward said : As regards after-the-war conditions and enterprises, one cannot yet be too definite in discussing contemplated schemes. Allowance must be made for unforeseen circumstances, hut it is beyond contention that the men who have fought for their country, and their relatives who so cheerfully have borne the penalties of war. must have first claim upon the resources and policy of tho Dominion. With those obligations adequately fulfilled, the question of encouraging development wil. have to be considered and dealt \M-th in a thorough and comprehensive manner- tl I have already referred to the wftdo scope for very profitable development of the Dominion's water power, for the purpose of increasing the country, s industry and productivity. 1 should like to remove a growing impression that thero is an intention of favouring one place to the disadvantage of other communities. Whenever work ot utility, such as the water-power of the Dominion, is taken in hand, it should be done comprehensively and simultaneously throughout the DominionThere is no necessity for any sort o. jealousy among districts. Almost every district is within rango of hydroelectric services, and every district should receive equal consideration. Unquestionably more attention will havo to be given to the matter oj providing roads and transport and transit facilities for remote settl.*ments. I am of opinion that the btato must assume a greater share of the

harden of maintaining arterial roads. The development of motor transport necessitates the improvement of roads, especially in sparsely populated districts With limited railway facilities. Given good roads and motor traction, most of the present difficulties as regards rural development would bo overcome. The question is undoubtelly one for the State to consider. This, together with a substantial increase in land settlement and a determination to add permanently a largo increase in the volume of exports, principallv the products of the soil, will co far to helo to reduce tho enormous burden this country has willingly taken for the purpose of doing its share in the great conflict, and to restore tlio Dominion as soon as possible, to its pre-war standard of secure prosperity. T have everv confidence that New Zealand will face the new conditions bronctht about by the war with an inflexible determination to overcome aII difficulties with courage and enterprise, md keen it one of the best countries in the world.