PROBLEM OF GOVERNMENT

Taranaki Daily News, 12 June 1930, Page 11

PROBLEM OF GOVERNMENT

PREPARING OF PROGRAMME DEFICIT OF THREE MILLIONS ■'PARTY FEELING MUST GO’* By Teleffrap’i.—Press Association. I Pahiatua, Juno 11, Continuing his series of pre-sessional addresses in his own electorate Mr. B. A. Ransom (Minister of Lands) spoke in Pahiatua last evening before a large audience. In the course of Ills speecfi he made feeling, reference to the illness and resignation of Sir Joseph Ward and expressed pleasure at the reported improvement in his health, with-the prospect of the Government' haying the benefit of his help and valued advice in the capacity of a member of the Executive Council. ’; - Referring to ithe appointment of Mr. G. W, Forbes as Prime Minister, Mr. Ransom stated that £he country was fortunate in having a man of his calibre. Mr. Forbes by his ability, soujd judgment and long experience as a, Parliamentarian commanded the respect and affection of all his colleagues, who were happy and proud to serve under him. Mr. Forbes was a strong man physically, and mentally was endowed with sound common sense. He was not easily discouraged or stampeded by criticism or opposition. He was, in fact, in every way well equipped to deal with the problems inseparably associated. at this time with the office of Prime’ Minister. That he was a courageous man had already been shown in his first action as head of the Government in- taking the country into his confidence '.regarding the financial position. Some apprehension had been expressed as to the ability of a minority Government to get necessary legislation through the House, but in Mr. Ransom’s opinion such a Government was, from the point of view of the country, in a sounder position in that respect than a Government with a huge majority. Of necessity it had to bring down constructive legislation based on sound economic and humanitarian principles that would command respect from the majority of members of the House. The Government’s legislative programme' was being prepared accordingly without any regard to party, considerations. THE FINANCIAL POSITION. Referring to the financial position, Mr. Ransom stated that the Prime Minister had placed all his cards on the table. The country was fully aware of the difficulties with which it was confronted. There was an estimated shortage of £3,000,000 on the current year’s operations. This would require to be made good by savings in public expenditure or by increased revenue, or by both. Such a position called for all sections of the House to put aside party feelings and co-operate in an earnest endeavour to meet the country’s needs. Dealing at some length with the position of the railway’s loss on the year’s working (£1,250,C00) . Mr. Ransom explained that the previous year’s actual loss had not been so apparent for the reason that the department had called on its reserve fund. That fund was now exhausted and the actual: position was apparent. The time had come to investigate the whole matter and, as had been announced by the Premier,* a commission of inquiry was being set up and in due course would submit its report to the Government. Some exception had been taken by the Opposition Press .to the statement of the Prime Minister that the Government would redouble every effort to tap the potential wealth of the Dominion. It had been suggested that such a statement was meaningless because it gave no indication of the actual intentions of the Government in that respect. Obviously in a short review the Primo ‘ Minister could not go into details, but all interested in such matters knew that the Dominion’s mineral deposits were capable of great development. Possibilities existed in the, production of pulverised coal, carbonised coal, coal byproducts, nitrates from the air, quicksilver, iron, slate and copper. Every encouragement would be’ given such industries and to establish secondary industries generally. , \