NOTHING TO FEAR

Stratford Evening Post, Issue 30, 6 February 1929, Page 3

NOTHING TO FEAR

NEW ZEALAND’S FUTURE. PRIME MINISTER OPTIMISTIC. WELLINGTON, February 4. Why should there be any fear about the future 'of New Zealand? Wc have had good years in the past, but 1 believe this coming year is

going to be one of very remarkable prosperity for every section of the community.

This note of optimism was sounded by the Prime Minister (Sir Joseph Ward) during the course of his speech to-night at the dinner tendered his Majesty’s Trade er (Mr L. B. Beale). “Y bu are bound to have unemployment,” the Prime Minister continued, “hut we have to handle the matter as it arises. This country is in a remarkably good position. That we have to be careful is beyond all question. I gave instructions after coming into office to all the Departments to do their best to keep expenditure down. Why? For the reason that I knew that ive could not have anything like as good a financial result this year as the Government had the year before. AVe have the best quarter of the year to come. AVe are looking forward hopefully to a surplus in the ordinary revenue, over and above the expenditure. Not one of us need be afraid of the future.”

Sir Joseph AVard said that since taking office he had hardly been out of Wellington. The reason was that he had been investigating just where the country stood financially. Later on he hoped to he able to visit 1 various parts of New Zealand.