PART OR THE WHOLE ?

Evening Post, Issue 2, 2 July 1932, Page 10

PART OR THE WHOLE ?

(To the Editor.)

I Sir,—Sir. H. D. Acland in his address to the Kcw Zealand Sheep Owners' and Farmers' Federation accuses the' Treasury officials and the Minister of Finance of depriving tho country, which, in his-mind, consists o£ the farming community, of some millions of pounds. Mr. Acland also stated that he believed that the action of the Treasury officials and the Minister'had created deeper resentment and more feeling in regard to this matter than the conduct of the banks. Evidently Mr. Acland only sees one side of this question, he does not seem to realise the, cost to the general public in the way 'of -' increased charges, such as increased duties oft all imports which mighty result in an advance o£ 50 per cent, on-all imported British goods— that is what the high exchange rate will mean. The general public, including the farmers, will have to pay these increased prices, and so add to the already high cost of living at a time:when it is most necessary there should be a big reduction in costs. I can asure Mr. Acland that the feeling of resentment felt by those who are not members of the farming community will be much greater than he can imagine if the exchange rate.is manipulated as he desires, as it is certain thatI'quite a, number of importers will have-to close down, and this means additional •unemployment I would like to aßk Mr.'Acland where-he and his brother farmers will ,be:if -British producers and1 maaufacturers'''demand 'retaliation in the shape of Customs\duties on New Zealand produce? This is not so impossible as it might seem, as' Britain is certainly desirous of freer'and fairer, exchange of .commodities. ,-. V „ • j ■I agree with Mr. A'cland.jwhen he states that the world's troubles were largely due to political interference with trade. Business people all over the world have wakened up to this fact,'and within"the next few years there will be a very decided world-wide movement against Government interference with trade arid commerce, and also with Socialistic schemes generally. These Socialistic and uneconomic schemes of various Governments during the past 30 years "have added materially in bringing the world to its present parlous state. Only when Government leaves business to trained men will the,nation benefit. —I am, etc., FAIR TRADE.