AN OPTIMISTIC NOTE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18101, 27 May 1922, Page 10

AN OPTIMISTIC NOTE.

SPEECH BY MR. COATES. NEED FOR CO-OPERATION. GOVERNMENT ECONOMIES. POST AND TELEGRAPHS. [BY TELEGRAPH. OWN CORRESPONDENT.] DARGAVILLE, Friday. Notwithstanding the heavy rain the Hon. J. G. Coates, Minister for Public Works and Postmaster-General, was greeted by a large gathering at the Empire Theatre to-night. Mr. W. J. Robertson, Deputy-Mayor, presided. Introducing tho Minister he recalled the reception given to Major Coates in the theatre threo ' years ago on his return from the war. Mr. Coates had been " doing his bit " ever since and was 0110 of the busiest men in the Dominion.

On rising to speak the Minister wa given an ovation. He said it was nearly two years since ho had addressed his con stituents. They had had a most strenu cms time. Some ]>eople blamed the Gov eminent for 'everything, but the condi affecting us to-day wero world wide. They could never hope to hav< normal times when more than half Europ< was in a state of chaos. Until Europeai conditions were better we must feel the re action hero. Some people were so pressor] in New Zealand that thoy were borrowing money to pay their income tax. This was due to the piling up of commitments and war debts, etc. The New Zealand Government had to draw interest from th< people, but every effort was being mad< to reduce the burden of taxation. Some people %aid the Government did not realise its responsibilities and that they could get rid of more Civil servants. However, there was' a solemn responsibility on both the Government and the private employer not to put men on the street if it could bo avoided. Dealing with the Post and Telegraph Department the Minister said every ex-soldier officer desiring to get back had returned to his job. If there was any isolated case of deferred justice such officer had only to communicate with him. He took no delight in sending officers away from the department. " After Business." As showing how care was taken against dismissing men and yet effecting economy he was able to keep 85 moie men on by allowing time off for overtime. The average salary was £230. It was aßsolutely essential to, go on economising. In the first year an annual saving in post and telegraphs of £150,000 was made, and yet great strides had been made in the matter of improvements and extensions. They had to be continually on the alert, as it was business thoy were after. It never did to be satisfied. They should always desire to accomplish more. ' In 12 years they had put on more telephones than had existed in the previous 32; years. They were accused of borrowing money, bat this was necessary to develop the country and increase production. It was absolutely essential that public men should put themselves in touch with back blocks conditions. He referred to t&e policy of the Government of giving these roadless settlers telephones. There were those who said the Post Office should not pay its way, but otherwise the taxpayer would have to pay, and this was not right. Economies Effected. The Minister said that in reorganising -the department he had had the loyal support of every officer. This year he had converted a deficit into a credit of £300,000. This showed what could be done when they put their Backs into it. Rural mail deliveries had cost New Zealand between £5000 and £6000, and the whole future of rural mails was threatened. With the new system the Government had . extended rural mails, and a great saving bad been effected in mail carriage. On March 31, 1921, the Post and Telegraph Department employed 8535 men, and on March 31, 1922, it employed 8032, a reduction of 603, creating a saving of £98,908. Forty-two positions were abolished making a saving of £17,748 ; 43 positions were also regarded saving £2328 The sum of £9000 was saved In granting time ofl' in lieu of overtime. The sum of £SCIOO has been saved in relieving expenses, and in abolishing certain other allowances a savine of £3811 was effected. Thus a total of £136,831 was saved. The Urewera Country. In connection with the consolidation of interests in the Urewera, he said that within the last four months surveys had been made, and within 12 months there Would be opened for settlement an area of 650,000 acres. This showed what could be done, and set the pace for New Zealand. Several blocks, aggregating over 200,000 acres, wero undergoing a similar process. The Minister had every confidence that in a few years he would be xible to say that they had been perfectly fair to the natives, had settled large blocks with settlers, and had removed ail the existing native difficulties. . Referring to the fact that 5591 soldiers had been placed on the land, the Minister said some were up against it, but he felt

he had the fall accord of the Government when he said that as long as a man was " a tri«r" he need not worry, If he did the best he could then the Government and the people would stand behind him and see him through. Country Race Permits.

Touching on the racing commission, Mr. Coates said Dargaville wanted another raco day. A second day was essential to keep the local club alive. Everybody thought the finding of the commission would be final,, but. Parliament had intervened. He thought the present position very unfair to the country districts. Concluding, the Minister said the whole responsibility to-day was not cmly on the Government, but also on the people. Private employers must co-operate with the Government, and a cheerful optimism was needed .ail round. In a few months they would be over the worst of their difficulties, and things would bo much brighter in the Dominion. There had been no parsimony with the Government—they had done their job. On t.ho motion of 'the deputy-Mayor, Mr. Coates was accorded a cordial vote oi thanks.