NEW ZEALAND'S PART

Evening Post, Volume CXIV, Issue 69, 19 September 1932, Page 6

NEW ZEALAND'S PART

AT CONFERENCE TABLE

TRIBUTE TO DELEGATES

Observers at the Ottawa Conference who have returned to New Zealand agree that the Dominion representatives played a very important .part in the deliberations of tho Conference: Both Mr. Coates and Mr. Stewart wore outstanding figm-es, both at xho Confer ence table and in tho committees, and the views which they expressed often proved to be the basis of decisions subsequently made. Mr. Coates's knowledge of tho primary industries enabled him to present New Zealand's case in, a very clear manner, and Mr. , Stewart's special knowledge of financial problems was invaluable. Tho chairman.'of.the''Meat Board (Mr. D. Jones), who was at Ottawa, stated on his return by the Monowai yesterday that New Zealand was particularly fortunate in being represented by Mr. Coates, not only because of his intimate knowledge of New Zealand's problems, but also because of the fact that he was personally acquainted with most of the British representatives. Mr. Jones said that New Zealand's advisors wero unanimous in, the opinion that Mr. Coates dealt with all the problems pertaining! to the Dominion with great skill and judgment. ' . I Those' who were closely associated with the work at Ottawa state that an impression might have been gained from reports sent to New Zealand that the Dominion was subservient to the other Dominions -in the matter of negotiation, but this was far from being the case. Whiie there was1 a spirit of co-operation, New Zealand carried on her negotiations in the-light of-her own.needs. In fact, it was Btated;that New Zealand was in a favourable position on account of the important preferences she had already granted to Great Britain. "New Zealand played ayeiy important part all through," said' oiie gentleman yesterday, "and very often 'had the satisfaction of iseeing its proposals adopted by the Conference." ) In an interview with a representative of "The Post" yesterday afternoon, Mr. Coates, while, unwilling to dwell on the part played by himself and Mr. Stewart, paid a warm tribute to the assistance which had i.been given byVthe various trade' representatives.: "There is/'n.o doubt," said Mr. Coates, "that New Zealand?^!primary industries are well -ofganis^di: It was shown very definitejyvthat New' Zeal land is better organised so far as?her primary industries are, concerned than any other Dominiop." Mr. Cosites'also paid ; 'a high tribute to the services of his,secretary (Dr. B. M. Campbell). He said Dr.: Campbell's work had been'ini valuable to the New Zealand delegation. ' ' ••'■■■•. ,•;,-■?;