PRIME MINISTER ON TOUR

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18516, 29 March 1922, Page 6

PRIME MINISTER ON TOUR

VISIT TO NORTH AUCKLAND. A NEW RAILWAY POLICY MOOTED. (Pin United Press Association.) AUCKLAND, March 28. Speaking at the Commercial Travellers’ UluW tie Prime Minister said that he hoped in the near future to announce the new railway policy. Mr Maesey left for Whangarei last night. ASSISTING THE PRODUCER. A QUESTION OF PREFERENCE. RAILWAY IMPROVEMENT NECES- • SARY. (Special to Times.) KAWAKAWA, March 28. The Prime Minister, in acknowledging a toast in his honour at the Moerewa freeang works to-day, congratulated the Farroers Freezing Company and the northern settlers on the establishment of the works. More and more production was necessary. lo carry the burdens left by the war it was necessary to produce more wool, mutton, and lanib. The number of sheep had gone down by two and a-half millions. This was serious, and it should be their aim to ge. back.to what they possessed before the war. The price for their commodities was dependent upon the capacity of the people m Great Britain to buy from them. Early year it was intended to place a loan oh the London market for development. New Zealand’s credit was good. Since Christmas a change for the better had come. Wool was much better than_ it was, and we were not nearly at top price. He made this prediction without reservation. bleat was better, with the exception of beef, which was affected by Argentine s competition. He believed the timewomd cotpe when preference to those withm the §hpire would take practical shape. If Mr oyd George would give _ one farthing a pound preference in snipping freights, he would ask the New Zealand Government for another farthing, and make it one halfpenny. They had strong competitors, and ft was their duty to see that they produced the best quality every time. He was glad to see that our producers were impressed with the necessity of organising, not only here, but also in London. The cost of production must be cut down if they were going jio compete with some of the American States. The reduction during the last three months in storage, freights, shipping charges,' insurance, and storage in London were equal to a saving of £3,000,000 per annum. They had reason to look forward with confidence to the future. .They must, however, be more co-operative in spirit and kea selfish. to new markets, he said thev had them in Manchester, Hull, Liverpool, Glasgow, and Bristol, all of which had invited New Zealand to exploit their .markets. They were a small country, b«t the solid fact remained that New Zealand sent more and bettor lamb and mutton to the London market than any other country. Referring to communications, he said they must have better services to Great Britain and better internal communication. They would have to consider whether it was worth while tb build branch railways, considering the introduction of motor lorries. Thev should have good roads to feed the railways. They must expect the Government in the not very far distant future to improve the railways. In the afternoon the Prime Minister received deputations at Kawakawa, and in thu evening was entertained at dinner. He was. thq guest of Mr Vernon Reed, M.P., •t Fathis, for the night.