OUT OF THE DEPRESSION.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LV, Issue 303, 20 November 1935, Page 10

OUT OF THE DEPRESSION.

MINISTER RECALLS TEAMWORK

Per Press Association. NELSON, Nov. 19. A crowded theatre, with 100 loudspeaker listeners on the pavement outside, greeted Air Coates at lunch time when he gave a political address in the Theatre Royal. The speaker referred to the position facing the Government four years ago and traversed the legislation undertaken to deal with the situation. He then outlined the future policy of the Government. The large audience listened intently and there were no interruptions or interjections. At the conclusion a vote of thanks to Air Coates and confidence in the Government was carried unanimously. The Alayor of Nelson (Mr G. Page) said Air Coates had taken a big risk in attempting to cross Cook Strait in the boisterous weather prevailing to keep faith with the Nelson meeting. He extended him a warm welcome to Nelson.

The world prices for our exports had dropped, and unemployed numbered 40,325, the value of our exports dropped from £56,000,000 to £35,000,000 said Air Coates. Drastic measures were necessary and as the result of immediate action the deficit was reduced to £3,500,000. A crisis had been reached and the Government had an unpleasant task. The speaker explained that in 1931 the Government was faced with an estimated deficit of £8,000,000, and with the dairy farmers in financial difficulties the Government realised that something had to be done to bridge the gap between production costs and prices. It called on a committee from the report of which the Government chose what would be essential in the interests of the country. When the proposed programme was i issued it would have been a miracle to find a Government supporter on Lambton Quay. That was the immediate reaction to the proposals. “1 am described in some parts as a terrible person,” Mr Coates continued, “but I am only one of you, a citizen of this country, and I ask you to place yourselves in our position. We were a team of men using our initiative and resourcefulness so that we might bring back the Dominion to the position where all would have work and where the facilities for work would be provided.”