TREADING THE HARD ROAD

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 142, 17 June 1932, Page 6

TREADING THE HARD ROAD

In pointing out that the Government has put popularity aside in order to do what it believes to be its duty, the Prime. Minister has established the Government's, claim to the. highest, praise possible under a democratic systern-=-a claim that has seldom been put forward; with justice, in the usually opportunist field, of, party politics. Whatever one may say against Mr. Forbes and his Government, no one can ca}l him. a voterhuntef, and no one can honestly suggest that the Government has selfishly placed an undue burden on the weaker shoulders, for it is per' fectly plain that the weaker shoulders are the more numerical, both now and at voting time. Being no demagogue, Mr; Forbes has not promised to lead- the people along flowery paths that do not exist-r-arid amid all their distress the thinking section of the people recognise that fact. Whether the Prime Minister's forecast of rising prices is correct or not we do not know, but everyone's wishes (at least) will more than keep step with his calculations.

Another speaker with Mr. Forbes

at the National Dairy Show at Palmerston North last evening was the Minister of Industries, and Commerce, Mr.-Masters, who reminded the farmers that New Zealand secondary industries pay annually over sixteen millions in wages. He could have added that' so far this labour is not subsidised, He pointed out also that while 88 per cent, of New Zealand's exports go to Britain (a much higher percentage than 'Australia, Canada, and South Africa send there) about seven millions' worth is re-exported by Britain. Why, asks Mr. Masters, should not New Zealand supply foreign coun-' tries direct? That question opens up shipping, tariff, and selling-fin-' ance problems. It is well worth probing, but the answer cannot be' taken for granted. The position of Canada, as part of the American continent, and as a country that until lately borrowed in New York and not in London, is not parallel with New Zealand's position. At the' same time, it is true that difficulties were made to be overcome. The Mm-! ister implies that New Zealand selling methods could be improved. He ! puts the onus thereof on private enterprise.