MEETING THE DEPRESSION.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 27, 2 February 1932, Page 10

MEETING THE DEPRESSION.

AUSTRALIA'S FIAHT. PROFESSOR COPLAND'S ADDRESS. A large audience- in the--'University College Hall last night gave close attention to an address by Professor D. B. Copland on "How Australia is Meeting the Depression.". The address was given under the auspices of the Economic Society, and Mr. W. H. Cocker presided. Professor Copland, who was chairman of the economists' committee which prepared the plan for Australia's rehabilitation, dealt exhaiistively with the factors which caused a partial collapse in Australia, and the steps taken to enable the Commonwealth .to recover. His address was similar to others he has given in" the South, including that at Dunedin, which was reported in the "Star" last night. He made clear his opinion that New Zealand is in a position similar to that from, which Australia is emerging, that the Dominion' 3 position has never been, and is not how, made clear to the public, and fully understood, and that the remedial measures so far adopted to meet it are far from adequate. In effect, he said that New Zealand was following the methods of the United States, while Australia was following Great Britain. He vigorously defended the high exchange rate, on the main ground that the farmers, as one of the most distressed sections of the community, needed help most and needed it first. Incidentally, he remarked that the notion in New Zealand that Australia's difficulties were due to past extravagance was only 10 per cent correct. Professor Copland answered ques-' tion'S;. after his address, and he was leartiiy thanked.