FACING THE ISSUE

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 123, 26 May 1932, Page 13

FACING THE ISSUE

AT OTTAWA—WHAT ?

GOVERNMENT'S MIND

The Wellington Manufacturers' 'Association writes:— In an editorial article headed "Preparing for Ottawa," "The Post" of! 27th. April remarked:—"Seeing that before any delegate goes to Ottawa the people of this .country will have to be consulted, is it not time that Mr. Forbes began the process by giving them, at any rate, a general idea of what is happening and,what may be expected of them?" . An astonishing silence still reigns on Parliament Hill. "The hungry sheep look up:and are not fed." Meanwhile representatives of farmers have disregarded ,'tho national aspect and have taken such a "party" view of the situation that they have been justly rebuked by "The Post" in the leading article of 20th May. .In this judicial survey of the Imperial .field ;"The Post" showed its traditional fairness and clearness of vision-r-a vision which is very welcome in these days when community interest ■ must remain of paramount concern. ■ Delegates of the Farmers' Union have practically informed the Prime Minister that they would like New Zealand's delegates to have a. "free hand" at Ottawa; (The attitude of.many of the primary producers ■to manufacturers amounts to the old game of "Heads I winy tails you-lose"). A free hand for farmers', delegates, in common -with controlled exchange, would equal farmers' hopes for sectional advantage. A definite'community disadvantage obviously must' never be allowed to enter into their consideration; PRODUCTION TO AN; ABSURDITY. A full-page announcement of the Government in the newspapers recently had this bold heading (under the Royal arms): "Facing the Issue." Ostensibly the issue was- the national welfare—the farming ■ scheme of the Minister of Employment for absorbing the unemployed. "The Government resolutely tackles the unemployment problem" was the second heading,, followed by these paragraphs,-^-.... "The prosperity of New Zealand depends in the main on the price at which its primary produce sells, in ..the overseas markets of the world. Striking evidence of the reduction, of our national income is shown.by the fact that for the year ended 31st December, .1931, our total exports.were only £35,153,028 as compared with £56,188,481 for the year 1928. - And. this- drop of over £21,000,000 occurs' in spite of a Tiumstantial increase in quantity of production. This fall makes it clear that to meet the situation—to keep up our net returns as near as possible to their former levels, still, .greater, production is needed." / The words "greater production", were underlined: A little thought about that statement shows it as a case of production to bo an absurdity. The plea for greater r production to balance fall' in prices in the world's markets is competent of success provided only that other primary producing centres fail to find wisdom in the. process, otherwise over production and its attendant evils must steepen rather, than reduce the existing position, and -the dog . must •therefore continue to chase its tail. From a practical-, point of view it might reasonably be expected that existing production might be measured against sales. and ways and means located for the developing of markets— therefore sales that will prove consistent with existing and prospective production—may we commend this practical'thought to our political advocate of more and yet1 more production. BRITISH FARMERS ALERT. It is well-known, of course, that New Zealand's farmers rely mainly on the British market (chiefly England).\ Recent cable messages'show that ]£ngiish farmers are "up. and doing.""- Here, is one of those messages which. reached New Zealand on. lgth April last from London:—"An agricultural .Party was formed by 300 farmers who met oh. 16th April in London. -Lord Bothermere was elected President and Lord Beaverbrook vice-Presidentv ' The aims are to abolish 'the free list for agricultural produce and increase existing duties sufficiently' to ensure adequate protection." ....,:. ■■■''~■'".. When it is remembered' that those two lords are very important figures in English newspaper proprietorship, the new movement has to' be regarded very seriously by the Dominion's farmers, and provides another reason why development of markets must progress in line with, if not ahead of, production.; A CHANGE OF FACE. It is hard to reconcile the new facing Of the Minister of Employment (the Eight Hon. JV G.-Coates) j with his stance of last year on the unemployment ground. His signature was attached with those of the Prime Minister (the Eight Hon. Gf. W. Forbes), and the Leader of the Opposition (Mr. H. E. Holland), to this proclamation, published in the daily pr-ess:— .. :: *'. "To the people - of. New Zealand. There are more than 50,000"persons unemployed in f New Zealand to-day. .These Tnen can in a- large measure be re-absorbed into productive work through your personal co-operation in asking for New Zealand made goods. Every New Zealander—producer, retailer, consumer—is called upon to help. By so doing you ■ will re-vitalise industry, create work for idle hands and re-establish out national security. It is in your own interest and in the interest of your country that you should buy New Zealand made goods." SPECIAL DECLARATION OF MR. FORBES. Mr. Coates sponsored similar doctrine in a separate signed' statement, and so did Mr. Forbes, who gave the following message to the public:—; ''The Government can spend millions in relief works but at the best this is only a temporary, measure.. By fostering our local industries, by having every man and woman purchasing New Zea-' land products whenever they buy clothing, footwear, foods or other necessities, we can help towards a permanent solution of the problem. Over fifty thousand men are out of work to-day—and their return to profitable employment is largely in your hands. Buy New Zealand made goods^" VICE-REGAL ADVICE. Memorable support for a solid, policy of local manufacturing has come from His Excellency the Governor-General. "In every modern State that is destined to live and thrivo, business — like charity-—must begin at home," said Lord Blcdisloe. "It is true patriotism and the height- of prudence to support local industries by purchasing their products. If these are not available of the descriptions and quality and at the price desired, then —and then only—is the pnrchase of imported goods justifiable. Your prosperity and the value of your money are materially increased by giving preference to New Zealand- goods." : AND NOW? ■What mean these statements of Mr. Forbes and Mr. Coates in regard to the importance of a development of the manufacturing industries to widen the avenues of employment? • Surely their declarations indicate their belief that New Zealand cannot hope for a restoration of enduring prosperity without a proper balancing of industry jprimarjr and secondary-. "7 .