DOMINION’S PROGRESS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIV, Issue 1076, 24 July 1924, Page 4

DOMINION’S PROGRESS.

FIGURES FOR TEN YEARS.

“It is now oppor'tunate to review the decade that has just passed and note the progress made by the Dominion,” said tho Prime Minister towards the close of the Financial Statement, last night. The period covers the Great War. on account of which, both during its continuance and since, the Dominion has passed through greater economic difficulties than ever before in its history. During the period the population has increased by 18 per cent. The total trude, which per head of population is the highest in the world, iiiereased by £50,271,277, or 110 per cent. Export of wool increased in volume 17 per cent, and in value 35 per cent; frozen meat, 18 per cent, in volume and 103 per cent, in value; butter, by 236 per cent, in volume and 418 per cent, in value; cheese, by 136 per cent, in volume and 288 per cent in value. In addition to encouraging- the primary industries the Government nas not been unmindful of the smaller industries. The exports of apples increased in volume by 295 per cent., and in value by 512 per cent., whilst in the case of honey, the increase in. volume was 375 per cent., and in valuo 624 per cent. Every assistance is being given to these producers to establish an export market for their commodities. The total exports for the year ended 31st March, 1914, were £23,471,246, but for the year ended 31st March, 1924, they were no less than £51,652,606—an increase of £28,181,360, or 120 per cent. These figures are a v ' tribute to the productivity of New Zealand, and also an indication of the increasing prosperity of its people. The solicitude of the Government is borne out by the greatly increased social services afforded, as evidenced by the expenditure for education and public health, and in free pensions. The salaries and wages of publio employees have increased from an average of £162.40 to £245.744. New Zealand has led in tho rointroduction of the penny post, and increased facilities are being provided for every section through the Post and •Telegraph Department, There are now 4,174 more miles of telegraph and telephone lines than in 1914 being and increase of 27 per cent,, during the period, and telegraph and telephone wire used increased by 156.990 miles, or 127 per cent. In 1914 there were 37,486 telephone subscribers, aa_ compared with 85,031 in 1924, an increase* of 47,545, or 127 per cent. The progressive policy pursued in opening up the country and improving the means of communication is confirmed by the expenditure on roads and bridges, which in 1914 was £353,836, while in 1924 it was £749,737, being an increase of £395,901. or 112 per cent. During the decade 229 miles of water-races for irrigation purposes have been constructed, representing an inereß.se of 276 per cent, on that in oxistence in 1914. The area of swamp v land drained through the Government drainage operations was increastd from 42.220 to 180.335 acres, ropresetiug an addition during the period of 138,115 acres, or 327 per cent."