AN IMPROVEMENT

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 54, Issue 190, 25 May 1934, Page 7

AN IMPROVEMENT

THE TRADE OF NEW ZEALAND.

A VISITOR'S IMPRESSIONS. (Special to the " Guardian.") AUCKLAND, May 24. A marked improvement in New Zealand's trade and commercial outlook generally lias been noted' by Captain R. G. Briscoe, a member of tho British House of Commons for Cambridgeshire, and a director of Briscoe and Co., Ltd., who has just completed a business tour of the Dominion.

Captain Briscoe said the experience of his ' own firm definitely proved that business conditions were improving, and there were- grounds for believing that New Zealand would shortly, emerge from her difficulties. "It appears to me that the need for replacements 'has become manifest at the same time as the spirit of increased confidence," Captain Briscoe said. "Faced with the uncertainty of the last few years people have been afraid to spent even on urgent replacements. They have put off buying new roofing iron or fencing wire in the same manner as they have put off buy-ing-new-clothes, but replacements cannot be postponed indefinitely. The time must arrive when they are imperative, and in many cases it has arrived now. The people have a feeling of greater security, and the whole trend of affairs indicates that any new movement must be an upward movement. This has engendered confidence, and confidence is the essence of trade. "There has, of course, been an upward movement in, wool prices, and one would expect to find the most marked business improvement m New Zealand in districts which depend chiefly on wool. However, that is not the case. Auckland, we are told, depends on dairying, and although the crisis in the dairy industry is not yet over, the recent business improvement has been as marked in Auckland as anywhere else in the Dominion. "To me it seems that your government deserves some credit tor the part it has played, like prophets, are not without honour, save in their own country, your Government is no exception. It is criticised more than it is praised in New Zealand, but it has played its;part in bringing about the -improved conditions now apparent. "Mv stay has been too brief •• toi me to visit any of your farming districts or enjoy anyof your sportmg attractions," Briscoe said. 'However, I hope to be back in JSew Zealand next year, and to see more of your beautiful country. One thing that has impressed me is the great improvement in your railway travel since myi last visit five years ago. Captain Briscoe will leave toi Sydney by the Wanganella, and will spend six weeks in Australia before his-departure for England He will also spend three weeks in India, studying constitutional P ro f e ™ s ' arid will "travel at least part of the distance from there to England by air.