NEW YEAR'S PROSPECTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 19214, 31 December 1925, Page 10

NEW YEAR'S PROSPECTS.

p FRIME MINISTER'S MESSAGE. 3 ?||; * CONFIDENCE IN THE FUTURE. OUR RECUPERATIVE POWERS. ''7 ' i. i A CALL TO UNITED EFFORT. i . !■ [by tei j?g raph.—preps association.] DARQAVILLE. Wednesday. The following New Year message to [: the people of the Dominion has been •.issued by the Prime Minister, Mr. Coates: " At tho dawn of another year I take the opportunity of addressing a few words to my fellow citizens. First of all, I r desire with a full heart to say how deeply sensible I am of the unbounded expression of confidence which the great majority of the community gave me as Prune Minister at the general election last month. I can only say that with the help of Providence my earnest endeavours will be to promote the progress and prosperity of our country and the well-being of its people. The guiding principles of my administration will be the safety and stability of the State and the Empire, the security of the individual, toleration with equal opportunity for all, and peace and order in the communiiv. We shall strive to abolish ail causes of class warfare and bitterness, and increase the general happiness of our citizens. " It was inevitable that in the years of reconstruction following tho war individual losses would be incurred. In many cases these have pressed heavily on those engaged in the primary industries. There are also others of our citizens who are having a hard struggle to make both ends meet, especially the family man. It will be tho earnest endeavour of my colleagues and myself to render m such cases some manner of assistance toward lightening their burdens. With health snd strength, I shall give of my best to prove worthy of the great trust which has been placed in my keeping, and I am profoundly grateful to the people for the great honour which they have conferred upon one of themselves. Great Figures Have Passed. " As we look back upon the year now ending we cannot but recall the many notable figures in the Empire's public life who have passed away. May I mention just a few of these ? Her Majesty Alexandra, the Queen Mother, Lord Curson, Lord Milner, and last, but not least, Mr. Massey, whose splendid sen-ice to New Zealand and the Empire is so fresh in our memories. The Empire is the better and stronger to-day for their works, and ifaev have left behind them an aniding inspiration for loyalty, patriotism and service. ' " I should like to tell my fellow-citizens that in my judgment there is solid ground for looking forward with confidence to 1926. Last season remarkably higk values ruled for our principal primary products, particularly wool. It would appear, however, that these liigh prices will, not be continued. Nevertheless, present values cannot be regarded as unsatisfactory when viewed from a normal stand' ? point,* There is every reason for hoping that prices will remain at a steady basis, ensuring a payable return to the producer. Season's Early Set Back. "Butter has recently experienced a sharp decline in value, but this is rather due to a temporary disturbance of the normal flow of produce on to the market, and as the season advances vab "e for this commodity should sgttle down to a remunerative figure. The, wetness of the winter season and the late spring have caused a : lessened quantity of feed to be available, resulting in a falling off in the output o,f dairy produce in the first few months of the present season, and has retarded somewhat the coming forward of prime lamb and mutton.' In some respects sowing operations in some of our farming districts have also been hampered by unfavourable cb'matic conditions, more particularly in the. case ot wheat growing. However, the wonderful recuperative qualities of the Dominion, combined wi: ' : the industry and energy of our produce; . i have always proved equal to any sucn happenings, and ■we need therefore have no misgivings on this account. In the time of our prosperity we should learn to practice thrift and economy, and thus be the better prepared to stand the test should any emergency arise. "Financially the outlook is healthy, and by exploring all avenues by which our primary industries may be intensively advanced I feel- sure that another satisfactory position will be disclosed when the public accounts for the current financial year are made up. Exhibition and Industries. "The great exhibition in. Dunedin, which Las already been visited by many thousands of New Zealahders, and people from overseas, bears striking testimony to the development of on? secondary industries. The undertaking is a wonderful tribute to the enterprise of the Otago people gnd to the public spirit of our manufacturers throughout the Dominion. I hope the exhibition will continue to meet with the success it deserves. It should be an important influence in promoting the trade of our country, and in encouraging tho use' of New Zealand-made articles. "It is with pleasure that we have witnessed the great advance recently made toward a better understanding among the Powers of Western Europe. We can confidently hope that the New Year will enter upon a more enlightened era of peace among nations, bringing greater prosperity and happiness to all. "Let us do all/ we con to strengthen Empire'unity, and destroy those influences! which, by promoting class conflict, are subversive of social order and good government in our community. I ask my X fellow citizens to sink petty and sectional strife and pull together for the common good. We can then be well assured of a further, period of prosperity for our fair land. "To one and all I wish a bright ai;:J happy New Year."