THE WORST OVER

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 195, 21 August 1935, Page 9

THE WORST OVER

DEPRESSION LIFTING 31-1 ALFRED RANSOM’S VIEWS (iSp’.’ciul liepurler). MakiON, Aug. 20. , ‘ * 1 have no in saving we arc uver the worst ul the depression. . mere is no question ui turning corners 1 low. We are well on the up-grade, ;; said the Hon. Sir Alfred liansoin in tuu CG-urse of a reply lo an address oi wviconiu by the Aiuyor of Marton (Mr. E. 1 urncli) this evening. Sir Alfred, accompanied by his private secretary, Mi. A. W. Mulligan, and Mr. 11. \v. MacKiutosli, arrived at Marton this aiteruoou and addressed a meeting in the Civic Theatre to-nigai. Prior to the meeting, however, ne was met by the Marton uoru-ugh Council at a galnering in the Council Chambers. ”1 thin a the process is going to Ire slow,” said Sir Alfred, slid referring to Lie improving conditions. “This slow process, however, is going tc- be to our advantage. JSuddun fluctuations are not good for the country generally. One thing we must consider abov-e ah others is the primary producer. Our country is depending entirely upon tnc primary piouucer and i am convinced the number and quality of our exports should be increased overseas. We should lay ourselves out to produce mure. ’ ’ | The Minister considered that New I Zealand was too advanced so far as | public utilities were concerned. Tilre country had sufficient roads, bridges and such like to serve a much larger population, oi? Alfred contended tout more money could be spent in the d'evelopmcnt o£ the land, in this respect much, could be done in New Zealand. When Lord Nuffield visited New Zealand, Sir Alfred, who, as Minister of . Lands, is particularly interested in tnc question of land settlement, arranged a comprehensive tour for the English visitor. Lord Nuffield was shown land which, live years ago was a barren waste and is now carrying dairy herds which give on an average 24blbs. of butterfat per cow. This land was previously considered to be unproductive | waste. “\\ith perhaps the exception of wool, ’ said Sir Alfred, ‘‘ we could double our primary exports if wo had satisfactory markets. There is a difficulty in finding these satisfactory markets, but we have not exhausted our possibilities. In the past, when we had fairly easy markets, we lacked salesmanship of our prodiicc.” The speaker went on to say that now these markets were not so easy to lind it was to New Zealand’s advantage that she should have mere people selling her products. The Minister said he was interested in the improvement of the Dominion’s primary products. He considered that the time was not far distant when the methods employed jn exporting butter and cheese would be changed. This change would be to the advantage of the products concerned. Butter, for instance, could bo shipped in sealed containers, wrapped with New Zealand's own labels and sold to customers who knew that they were buying the genuine New Zealand article. The Department of Scientific and Industrial Research was endeavouring to find ways other than the present of sending butter and cheese to Eng land. So far as New Zealand’s own wrappers were concerned, the Department was beyond the experimental stage. Sir Alfred congratulated the Mayor upon the clean and up-to-date borough. He had been very interested to know that the council was able to accomplish what it did on so low a rate. He realised the disadvantages of the town being laid out privately, and was impressed with the manner in which, the council had been able to carry on more or less independently and without Government grants. always got what we asked for,” said the Mayor, and added: “ Wc asked for nothing. ’ Air. 1 urnell, while extending a welcome to Sir Alfred, remarked that it was very pleasing to meet Hie Minis ter more or less informally, and while comparing a few notes talk over matters of mutual interest. The Mayor remarked tnat he doubted if there was any other town in New Zealand which spent so little money from Government funds as Marton. Many years ago the town had a grant of £lOO, which was lor Marton Park, and had not received a grant from the Government purse since that date. The Mayor also remarked upon the low rating and state I that a quarter-acre section, with house and all conveniences, contributed only Is per week in rates. This, said Mr. ‘ Purnell, was a good indication of Marton s rating. Fifty pounds per annum was the total cost of the Mayor and i

council. The Mayor subsequently discussed two matters in connection with tire borough, with Sir Alfred.