TRADE RECOVERY

Dominion, Volume 25, Issue 274, 15 August 1932, Page 10

TRADE RECOVERY

Ottawa Stocktaking MR. FORBES’S OPTIMISM Way to Better Understanding FRANK EXAMINATION The opinion that the nations today were beginning to realise the full effect on trade of tariffs and other restrictions, and that one could look forward to a better understanding as a result of the stocktaking now taking place at Ottawa, was expressed by the Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes, when speaking on Saturday evening at a smoke concert given by The Company of Master Mariners. Sir Charles Statham presided over a large attendance, which, besides the Prime Minister, included the Hon. C. E. Macmillan, Minister of Agriculture. The principal toast of the evening, that of the Prime Minister, was proposed by Captain S. Holm, who said that at sea one learnt to value a man for what he did, and, in his opinion, Mr. Forbes was the right man to guide the ship of State through her difficulties. The Prime Minister was carrying out his onerous and trying task with credit to himself and to the country. (Applause.) Prime Minister’s Reply. The Prime Minister, in replying, mentioned his “early connection with the sea and ships, and went on to praise the shipping services of New Zealand for the part they had played in the development of the country. There had been a steady improvement in transport facilities thanks to the enterprise and industry of those at the head of the various companies. Mr Forbes, in referring to the efficiency of the British mercantile marine, deplored the falling off in trade between the various countries and expressed the opinion that the nations were beginning to realise the effect of tariffs and other restrictions. The Ottawa Conference, in his opinion, was a big step to arrive at a definite understanding and to seek a way out of the serious problems of the day. Nothing but good could result from a free and frank examination of the difficulties besetting the Governments of the Empire, Mr. Forbes said.. One looked forward with confidence to the outcome of the deliberations. When an improvement was brought about the mercantile marine would necessarily participate in the benefits, and he hoped that that day was not far distant. In any event, one could justifiably look to the mercantile marine service to maintain its wonderful traditions. Value of the Navy. In proposing the toast of “The Navy,” Mr. Macmillan said that the Navy had •been well described as the first line of defence and one was proud of the fact. He hoped the time would never come when the Navy would be dispensed with. Captain CoUn Sinclair Thomson, in replying, touched upon the great pains taken by the Admiralty to establish a liaison between the Navy and the Mercantile Marine Service, both of which, he said, had very honourable records. The Navy was going through difficult times, but he hoped it would not be long, before the clouds lifted and calmer seas were entered upon. The toast of the “Mercantile Marine” was proposed by Mr. D. Blair, Lloyd’s surveyor. He said there was little the matter with the ships which constituted the life-blood of this Dominion, and he had seen most of them. Captain W. Whiteford, who replied, compared the old school of seamen with the school of to-day, and expressed the opinion that the personnel of the Mercantile Marine to-day was just as good as ever it was. Captain Holmes-Edge. who also replied, said that the Mercantile Marine was in safe hands. Tribute to Shipping Companies. The great debt owed by New Zealand to its shipping companies was stressed by Captain Keane, in proposing the toast of the “Shipping Companies.” The companies, he said, were called upon to give a most exacting service, and it could be safely said that they had not failed. Indeed, they had kept abreast of the times to a remarkable degree. He referred to the prominent part played, by the Union Steam Ship Company in the development of the country, and said that the service between Lyttelton and Wellington was second to none in the world. He pointed out that it was not generally, known that there were only twenty-four ships listed as having a higher speed than that of the Wahlne, and only twelve ships listed In Lloyd’s register as being faster than the Rangatira. Mr. W. H. Price, who replied on behalf of the shipping companies, said that one and all looked to the Ottawa Conference to pierce the clouds of depression surrounding the nations today. It was undoubtedly one of the most momentous conferences ever held. That it would be a success was the wish of everybody. Several other toasts were honoured, and during the evening musical items were. given, the company joining in the singing of the choruses.