STRAIGHT TALK

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 139, 16 June 1927, Page 8

STRAIGHT TALK

CLEAE THINKING.

Sir Archibald Boyd-Carpcnter, M.P., Mr. Alan E. ITenn, and Lieut.-Colonel Hacking, who are touring the Dominions in the interests particularly of tho British motor industry, were the guests at luncheon yesterday of- the Wellington Chamber of Commerce. Mr. C. M. Bowdon presided, and briefly introduced the guests.

It had been the custom in recent years to engage in community singing, said Sir Archibald Boyd-Carpenter. Why should they not have a little community thinking? It would be extremely valuable, because as things were to-day thero was riot anyone who had British trade and industry at heart who could not but feel that, without a right understanding ot matters, the positieh which was drifting might become worse. Such a position might arise unless we got into closer contact and understood our community interests by community thinking. He noticed from the Press that there had been an interview ou the subject of unemployment—a terrible tragedy in any community. They had I had it at Home, but one remarkable thing was that there were just as many people employed in England to-day as in 1914. The natural increase of the population had built up a measure of the unemployment in England to-day. We had to consider how best to promotes our own interests as a nation, and by community thinking means might be devised for maintaining our position in the world and for maintaining our standard of living. The interests of the manufacturer and of the employee were mutual. They should not be too harsh in their judgment on what had gone on in England during the last few years. , MUTUAL BENEFITS. It was essential that the true position should be understood by all. "When you talk of the high price of British products," be said, "please remember that even the biggest manufacturers in England are not able to be in the same position as they were prior to the war. They are producing articles under difficulties. They are burdened with taxation. For years before the war there was increased taxation—taxation which seemed at that time to be overwhelming. The increase in the Public Debt and rates following the war constitute an intolerable burden on industry today." Thia meant increase in the cost of production. This additional burden rested on the shoulders of the people of the Dominions as well as on the people iin Great Britain. The people, of the Homeland and of the Dominions must take counsel together. They knew perfectly well that in 1922 New Zealand purchased from Home more per head of

the population than did other Dominions —particularly of manufactured goods. That showed that the people of New Zealand had that spirit of comradeship which they showed during the war. "That spirit," he added, "must bo fostered, because your success is our success, and our success is your success." That spirit must be fostered, and it could be promoted if we believed sincerely in the destiny of the British Empire.

There was no time more; than tho present when there was required straight talking and clear thinking. Tho community thinking he had urgod would be for the benefit of Great Britain and the Dominions, and it would lead to increase of commerce between them, would restore the balance of trade between 'the Dominions and Britain, and would give hope; to. the working people of certainty of employment and of'the maintenance of the standard of living.