WORLD FREE TRADE

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 138, 8 December 1931, Page 8

WORLD FREE TRADE

MEANS TO ACHIEVE IT

ENGLISH TARIFF WALL

LORD BLEDISLOE'S VIEW

(By Telegraph.)

(Special to "The Evening Post.")

PALMERSTON N., This Day.

While he was a free trader, said His Excellency the GovernorGeneral (Lord Bledisloe) in replying to Feilding's welcome yesterday, he said he believed that there was no surer way to world free trade than by England erecting a high tariff wall. He had every reason to believe that the policy about to be adopted at Home would bring a measure of prosperity to New Zealand.

"Let me be frank with you," continued His Excellency. ''Many describe me as being an optimist. (Applause.) So I am. I. would be sorry for anyone in this district who is not. Lots of thoughts are passing, through my mind as to the most suitable' punishment to inflict on pessimists, but I shall not tell you them. The only possible cause for pessimism arises from an insufficient realisation of the present economic position and outlook of this country. Don't let us pretend that the crisis is not serious—call .it great. Our financial position is presenting difficulties, but the financial position of other parts of the Empire is comparably bad —no; say acute. How are we going to face it? We have to stop all extravagance, individual, municipal, arid national. If we do this we shall get through; if we do not, we shall not get through. ' There is nothing to be troubled about in exercising' due economy.

"Great spiritual developments generally take place during periods of economic crisis," continued His Excellency,, "and I. feel that, we are about to undergo a great spiritual, experience. You have in New Zealand a magnificent country—a. country favoured by Nature and . a kind Providence. In my opinion you are better off in every way than any other Dominion in the Empire, but you have, been spending too much .in good times. You have to tighten your belts, individually, municipally, and nationally. You will have to practise hard work and resourcefulness."

'■'SEND HOME THE BEST."

Later in the afternoon, when replying to the icounty's welcome at Parorangi station, Lord Bledisloe stressed the need for marketing only the highest quality produce. His Excellency said that the standard of, two-thirds'of the food put on the British market was below New Zealand's best, and he urged the farmers to-seo that nothing but New Zealand's best was sent forward to the Home market; to go in for greater, co-operation, systematised marketing, and for grading—to sacrifice individual interests for the community as a whole. Concluding his address, His Excellency expressed the opinion that if New Zealaud produced the right kind of pig she could compete with Denmark on the Home market. He added: "But you cannot get the firm, lean flesh the British market demands on slops and farm, by-products. As an alternative to a cerca] you should feed your pigs with, lucerne and clover hay." '• ■ ■ • ■ "■■ ■' ''