A CHEERFUL PREDICTION.

Te Puke Times, Volume II, Issue II, 24 February 1914, Page 2

A CHEERFUL PREDICTION.

In the course of his remarks in reply to the toast of his health at the Ministerial dinner in Te Puke recently, the Prime Minister, the Hon W. F. Massey, spoke in an exceedingly sanguine strain as to the future prospects of the Dominion. Never, he thought, in the history of New Zealand had such a favorable year been experienced in regard to the country's marketable products. Not only would the output of beef, mutton, wool, butter, cheese, and other commodities, show a large increase, but the demand, owing to the opening of new markets, principally American, was much keener. Pie confidently predicted that the Dominion's exports, at the end

of the produce year, would amount in value to no less than £25,000,000. Referring to the American markets, Mr Massey said the Government had determined that New Zealand should be adequately represented at the great Panama Exposition to be held shortly, and to that end had decided to spend £15,000 in bringing our resources beneath the notice of the people of that continent and of the thousands of visitors who would flock there. Mr Clifton, of the Agricultural Department, had been appointed to superintend the display of the Dominion's exhibits. In fact, the hon gentleman painted the future of such a roseate hue as to make the heart of the farmer rejoice. May his cheerful prognostications come true!.