JEREMIAHS SILENCED.

Otago Witness, Issue 3864, 3 April 1928, Page 72

JEREMIAHS SILENCED.

PRIME MINISTER IN OPTIMISTIC VEIN. AUCKLAND, March 29. An optimistic view of the economic future based on the improved tone of the markets for New Zealand produce was taken by the Prime Minister in addressing a luncheon in connection with the opening of the East Coast- railwav. The function, over which the chairman of the lauranga County Council (Mr R. King) presided, was attended bv a large and representative gathering. “ We do not hear so much about my Jeremiah friends lately,” said Mr Coates, but they sometimes raise their voices and assure u s that the country is going down. There are always people who want to find fault with everythin'’-, but to those pessimistic gentlemen would say, ‘Go to Tauranga and take one fleeting glance at the district and its people, and you will see something to make you change your minds.’ ” For* the 11 months of the year, instead of the trade balanc e being adverse, the exports were greatly in excess of the imports, while, in addition, the exports of lamb, mutton, beef, butter, cheese, and cereals were exceeding all previous records. This position was due not solely tothe activities of the primary producers, a 3 some people imagined, but was contributed to by every man and woman in the country. “ We can now look forward definitely to better times and better things,” Mr Coates declared. “We have new hopes, fresh anticipations, and . a new vision ’ future. We ar e a little part of the British Empire, but a very important one, and we are all striving towards the same end—to make the,best of our country and giv e the best opportunities to our people. By hard work we should be able to continue to be the most prosperous portion of this great and wonderful Empire.”