"INSIDIOUS FOES”

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25134, 15 March 1947, Page 2

"INSIDIOUS FOES”

PROBLEMS FACING NEW ZEALAND

VIEW OF CHAMBER OF COMMERCE LEADER

(P.A.) NAPIER, March 14. A belief “that the rugged individualism in free enterprise which had made the country what it was to 1938,” had slipped back since then was expressed by Mr Haskell Anderson, the newly-elected president of the Associated Chambers of Commerce, addressing the concluding stages of the conference last night. “We have begun 1947 with many labour problems,” said Mr Anderson. “Labour is short, and increased production is greatly needed ”

The war had left the country very unsettled, and it was now engaged in a battle against most insidious and tireless foes —wishful thoughts, an easy way of life, tempting short cuts, shallow assumption, the evasion of responsibility. and the surrender of independence and integrity. These were at the bottom of most of the troubles, said Mr Anderson.

“Industrial blackmail is now rife,” he continued. “This disturbs industry and production, and is attacking our standard of living. I would say to the people of New Zealand, be wary of benefits that do not benefit.” Election of Officers Mr J. R. Dench (Canterbury) was elected vice-president to succeed Mr Anderson, and the following were elected to the executive: —North Island: Messrs F. G. Baskett and H. J. Lichenstein (Auckland). H. E. Schofield (Matamata), E. J. Phillips (Hastings). F. G. Onie (Palmerston North) Barton Ginger. Stronach Paterson, S. W. Peterson. G. D. Stewart, and F. Wilson (Wellington). South Island: Messrs H. C. Hurst (Canterbury). A. C. Stephens and C. J. Wood (Dunedin). R. H. Clark (Blenheim), and A. H. J. Wyatt (Invercargill). Mr Stronach Paterson was elected a vice-president of the Federation of Chambers of Commerce of the British Empire.

A remit was carried advocating drawing the attention of the Government to the need of a definite plan to provide for the future defence of New Zealand and for appropriate training of the country’s youth. Mr C. D. A. George (Wellington) said the speed with which war could be launched on distant countries with modern weapons and missiles left no time for training after war had been declared.

The conference reaffirmed the urgent necessity of the Government forming and augmenting plans to assist suitable immigrants—particularly young people and families in order to balance the rapidly ageing tendency of the population—to settle in New Zealand as soon as possible.