THE MAIKATO TIMES TUESDAY, AUGUST 27, 1935. PRIME MINISTER’S SPEECH

Waikato Times, Volume 118, Issue 19665, 27 August 1935, Page 6

THE MAIKATO TIMES TUESDAY, AUGUST 27, 1935. PRIME MINISTER’S SPEECH

At Rangiorn last night the Right Hon.. J. G. W. Forbes, the Prime Minister, delivered a pre-sessional speech, in which he outlined the intentions of the Government, as well as defended the po icj they had pursued in dealing with an unprecedented period ot depression.

The Government have been faced with a difficult task, and they can rightly claim that they faced it courageously. They ha o grope their way through a maze in which there was no blazed trai. Under such circumstances mistakes were inevitable. It would a ' e been marvellous had it been otherwise. The Government ha o resort to measures that were unpopular. They have it to their credit that they did not flinch, and, all things considered, they have emerged from the ordeal with considerable credit.

Speaking with regard to the future, the Prime Minister is no too optimistic in view of the international outlook. He hopes, as all must, that the ominous clouds will disperse without thunderclaps, but the positioii he admits is ominous. If the worst does come this country must feel the effects, as it probably will plunge the world into a vortex as horrible as that experienced in 1914-18, and from which it has not yet recovered. A recurrence of such a calamity would undoubtedly retard progress and upset all plans regarding the future.

Looking at matters as they at present stand, the Prime Minister is definitely of opinion that the Dominion has seen the worst of its troubles, and can look forward with confidence to brighter times and improving conditions.

In the Government’s plans for the future there are no sensational proposals. The unemployment problem still looms largely on the political horizon, and in view of the better outlook a special effort is to be made to find a solution in the direction of absorption of workers into their usual channels of industry. Amongst other matters that the Government has in view are measures dealing with housing, social and health insurance, and these, no doubt, will be more fully outlined in the speech to bo delivered by His Excellency the Governor-General at the opening of Parliament on Thursday next.

The Prime Minister’s speech may not have been illuminating. It is evident that he spoke with the restraint incidental to an oppressive atmosphere, an atmosphere which none can disregard.