HAVANA TRADE TALKS

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 68, Issue 144, 31 March 1948, Page 3

HAVANA TRADE TALKS

REVIEW BY MR NASH Disparities in Living Standards (P.A.) . WELLINGTON, March 30. A statement by the Minister of Finance (the Rt. Hon. W. Nash) at the conclusion of the International Trade Conference at Havana on March 24, 1948, was released to-night by the Prime Minister’s Department. “The objective of most of us in coming to this conference was to try and so organise world trade as to achieve the purpose and objectives set out in Article 1 of the Charter, a purpose to which we all subscribe.,” Mr Nash stated. “It would be good if there was as much agreement as to the means of achieving the purpose as there is on the purpose itself. There were, there are, and there will be real differences of opinion as to the way nations must go to achieve the purpose and objectives. But'if we get our objectives right, it will be easier to reach them. “The world at present is dissatisfied, and in future will be less satisfied with the cruel disparities that art existing in living standards and opportunities to enjoy personal freedom. These disparities must be removed if we are to have personal freedom, which is the rightful heritage of all human beings. More steps have been taken toAvard achieving this purpose during the last 10 years than in any like period of history. It is recognised that the lifting of living standards —a better chance for the people of all countries, a fuller life, an ordered material world in which persons enjoy spiritual and mental freedom —must be achieved. The Havana Charter lays down the principles and possibilities that will lead toward better living standards and greater; freedom.

Part 7 of Dominion %

“NeAV Zealand, as a small country, will endeavour to live up to and take its share of the responsibility necessary to reach that goal of a better world for all, not for ourselves alone, but for all,” he added. “When looking at the conditions of the world there is. room for optimism. E'ven though so much pessimism prevails, there has never been in history a period in which the peoples of one nation in particular and other nations in general have supported others by gifts of the amazing range which have been provided. Lend-lease, the Marshall Plan, Emergency Children’s Fund and Unrra are great and inspiring examples of such aid. This willingness to provide the goQd things of life to enable others to live i? unparalleled in history. May I give credit to the delegation and Government of the United States of America. I believe it is their persistence that has brought us as far as we have reached,” Mr Nash continued. “Whilst a£ this conference they have maintained a strong tenacity for principles, they have nevertheless shown, appreciation of other countries:’ difficulties and willingness to compromise. Credit is due ’to the deputy-chairman and other members of the United States delegation. This does not in any way to me qualify the great attachment of NeAV Zealand to the British Commonwealth and the United Kingdom, but only extends the area and takes in the countries of North America and gives them credit and responsibility for what is to come out of the future. “The present text tends to remove grave dissatisfaction. It was felt by some Avhen the conference began that the industrialised countries were determined to maintain their advantages; that Avas incorrect. The proposals, when adopted, will, in my opinion, give the necessary opportunities to under-developed countries to utilise their resources and raise their living standards to the ultimate advantage to all,” Mr Nash stated. “Many of the raw materials of underdeveloped countries will, within the next decade or so, be processed in their own country if the people have the Avill to do so.

Heritage of AH

“The text is not perfect. There is no such state as perfection. What we must strive for is infinite perfection—an uphill all the way. The result will be dependent on persons and Government to live up to the letter and spirit of the Charter,” he stated. “Domination cannot be permanent. Dictatorship is not fertile; it cannot last. It is freedom that is desired, but it cannot come unless there is food to eat, clothes to wear and somewhere to ’ live in healthy conditions. That is the rightffup heritage for all, and I believe the Charter will help to this end What we require is an ordered material world. Great steps forward have been made toward this goal in Havana —an ordered material world so that Ave /can have personal _ ana spiritual freedom so long as freedom does not interfere with the freedom,of others. “In conclusion, as I see it, the Charter recognises the position of under-developed countries, and pro-* vides ways and means for them to become developed countries, enables them to take their place as complete equals with the alleged developed countries of the world. If the right step-3 are taken, productivity .will be increased and living standards will be raised.

Insufficient Resources

“It is worth while recognising that if parts of the world have not sufficient resources inside their sovereign areas, then we have either to adjust the boundaries of those sovereign areas or make our surplus resources available ... to them so that they may achieve a higher place in the world economy which, I think, in the long run, is the goal of the majority of nations,” stated Mr Nash. “New Zealand has had and may at present have some minor reservations. Our Government and Parliament Avill consider the Charter in its present text not only from the point of vieAV of our own people, or of the people of the British Commonwealth, to which we are proud to belong, but in accord A\ T ith the well-being of the world and the purposes of the Charter,” he stated.