THE TARIFF ISSUE

Evening Post, Volume CXIV, Issue 97, 21 October 1932, Page 8

THE TARIFF ISSUE

LESSENING THE DEBT

SECONDARY- INDUSTRIES

The firm opinion that nothing should 'be done to discourage secondary industries that have been economically established in New Zealand was ex.pressed by Mr. A. E. Ansell (Government, Chalmers) in the course of the debate on the Ottawa agreement in the House of Representatives to-day. Mr. Ansell said that the secondary industries of the Dominions had been definitely recognised at Ottawa, and there was no suggestion. that Britain expected New Zealand or any other Dominion to cut adrift from secondary industries and remain primary producing countries. Economic industries should be encouraged. He knew it was very easy to use that term and difficult to define it, but New Zealand would not grow to the important country she should if secondary industries were not encouraged. He trusted that nothing would be done to destroy the possibility of the establishment of new industries. Mr. Ansell referred to the silk industry of Christchurch, which he said was a desirable industry and one that should be built up. It could be handled economically, and; he hoped that nothing wbuld be done to retard its expansion. Unless secondary industries could be successfully established the burd«n of debt could not be appreciably lessened. Discussing the attitude of British manufacturers, Mr. Ansell said that much was being done to bring about reciprocal trade with New Zealand. There was no question.of dictatorship on the part of Britain; the British interests were given an opportunity of expressing their views. "One wonders that Britain has asked so little from us," he said. "I am tempted to ask what are we giving in return. We have been treated very very fairly, and we- owe it to Britain to do something for her."