FRESH IMPETUS NEEDED.
Now, I am far from suggesting that, thanks very largely to the efforts made by the new National Government, there has not been an improvement. in the national finances while there has even been some slight improve- ment in the industrial outlook as expiressed in a moderate rise in wholesale prices of commodities. Moreover, thank- ful acknowledgement can also be made of the fact that at the Lausanne Conference and again at the Ottawa Con- ference a disposition was displayed in the direction of international co-operation for bringing about better con- ditions as regards international trade. Nevertheless, the fact remains that whether judged by the numbers of unemployed in this country, the figures of our export trade or of the National Revenue Returns, all the signs continue to point to present " hard-up-ness " on the part of the ordinary individual and to actual- distress in most of our leading industries. And the point I am seeking to reach is this. I believe it would be well that we should recall some of the main features of the great crisis of a year ago for the reason that just as that crisis proved a stimulus to the special effort which was required, so to-day we need the same inspiration derived from a fresh realization of the stupendous task which still lies before us if prosperity is to return to this country.
(Continued on page vi.)
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