PRIVATE ENTERPRISE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 243, 14 October 1936, Page 6

PRIVATE ENTERPRISE

SUGGESTION TO LABOUR MR G. F. MOORE’S VIEWS HOSPITALITY OF “BUSHY PARK" One of the most pleasant outings the Parliamentary party, which has just concluded a visit to Wanganui, experienced during its stay was a visit to “Bushy Park" homestead to be the guests of Mr G. F. Moore. In a short address of welcome, Mr made a plea for the fostering of private enterprise. “I trust that the Government will Ido nothing that may tend to discourage private enterprise and the free use of private capital," he said. “1 am sure you will all agree with me that private enterprise, working hand in hand with Labour and assisted by sympathetic governments, has enabled New Zealand to accomplish what no other country in the world has been able to do within the short space of 100 years. We have quite a good illustration of this in the lana surrounding us just now. The bush on this (the homestead) side of the road was felled in 1898, and that on the other side in 1897, the whole of this property, previously, being covered in bush similar to that which you see about us here. In those days' capital and labour worked happily and harmoniously together, and it seems to me that there is no reason why they should not do so now. All that is necessary is for our Government to balance the scales between the various sections of the community, fairly and evenly. “It would be a very great mistake for the Government to take over the responsibility which rightly belongs to the individual. Such action could only result in the deterioration of our people and, quite likely, the conquest of New Zealand by some more virile race. “If a sound policy of encouragement to private enterprise is followed by the Government it will be found that sufficient money for the furtherance of the schemes for social betterment which it has at heart will be found available without the necessity of imposing such heavy taxation upon the people as would be likely to cripple the wheels of industry. “It is unnecessary for me to remind you that no Government has ever made a real financial success in business. I think the proper function of Government is not to take a direct part in business, but rather to assist and safeguard it in every possible way. If such a wise policy as this was carried out greatly increased revenue would result to the Stale. “I know of nothing which would, if handled rightly, add so greatly to the all round prosperity of New Zealand than if its Government was to import large quantities of English fencing wire and pass it on to bona fide farmers at, say, half cost, or even less. The present cost of wire and other fencing materials makes fencing almost prohibitive. The greater part of New Zealand is composed oi second and third-class country, much of which, especially in the Nortn Island, cannot be kept in proper order without plenty of sub-division fencing. If cheaper fencing was made available noxious weeds, to a large extent, would be kept down and eradicated by stock. The carrying capacity of the land would be tremendously increased, and the quality ano general health of the stock would bo wonderfully improved. As the erection of fencing entails a great deal of work of various kinds, unemployment would be relieved in a most profitable way. The bulk of the land in the North Island never will be brought into full production until some such scheme as this is inaugurated. “Some people might reply, ‘another subsidy for the farmer,’" Mr Moore proceeded, “but I can imagine nothing that would so greatly add to the prosperity of the community as a whole than this. “The depression through which we have just passed must surely have convinced all thinking people of the absolute dependence of the whole of the rest of the community upon the success of the primary producers,” Mr Moore went on. “I suggest that part of the New Zealand funds now lying in { London as the result of the raising of the exchange could be very profitably used for the purpose of purchasing fencing wire. These funds are now earning, presumably, about a-half per cent. “Needless to say, closer settlement requires that fencing may be carried out as cheaply as possible." The party spent a very enjoyable time at Mr Moore’s. They were conveyed there by the Wanganui Tourist and Development League and were introduced by the president, Mr W. J. Gibson Hughes. Inspection was made of the fine “Bushy Park" Hereford herd and the visitors were greatly taken with the home and surroundings and the lay-out of the property. Thanks were extended to Mr Moore for his proverbial hospitality.