WEIGHTED BALANCES OF

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 148, 26 June 1933, Page 8

WEIGHTED BALANCES OF

TRADE

• (T» tht Editor.)

Sir,—The remarks of various speakers at the annual meeting of the Bank of New Zealand were ■ extremely interesting and caused one furiously to think. I was particularly intrigued wit*, the forceful speeches of the chairman and Sir George Elliot in relation to our trade balance with Great.Britain, and such sentiments freely expressed in an open meeting of such an institution are the more telling in their obvious sincerity and 'plain speaking.' Coming.from men who by virtue of their long financial training are best qualified to'speak, the pertinent questions asked of us as New Zealanders cannot be answered lightly. I, sir, was born in New Zealand; my life and thoughts are wrapped up in her welfare, and Jn my inner feelings I am deeply proud of her attainments, but— here I-pause—are we not in danger of -becoming a self-righteous, egotistical, and impertinent people, puffed up with our importance in the scheme of things? I. think every New - Zealandei1 should read the pointed. remarks of t,he two speakers 'mentioned above and quoted in your columns on Friday evening last, and have these remarks in mind when some of our pseudo statesmen farmers go ranting on about not accepting this or that from Great Britain. 'Let us, at least, be honest with ourselves and try and answer this question as put by Sir George Elliot: "I ask.you in the face of those figures, have we a legitimate claim for any sort of preference?" To Sir George my honest answer could only be "No!" but I wish to heaven that it could be "Yes!" Now, what were the salient and bitter points of the.figures quoted at the bank .meeting; pointsl to bo set against our overweening conceit in what we are and what we want when approaching the (Mother Country. In short, round figures we bought from her in 1931 £12,000,000 Value. We sold to her £38,000,000 value. But "here's the rub," with the except tion of five foreign countries ,our percentage of purchases from the United Kingdom in comparison with what sha purchased from us ate lower than any other nation on the list. There were many more facts in. the remarks which had the same "dark brown taste," but in the name of common fairness how long can such a state of affairs be kept going? Sir George Elliot would himself be diffident in answering this last question, but I think I know why. Because he would realise like some of "us do in our hearts that the term "Mother Country" as applied to Great Britain is the "whole truth and nothing but, the truth." We have been suckled, reared,' and raised to manhood (perhaps) by unremitting care and attention, gently led along the way, not driven, and it makes me boil at times to read the utterances of some self-centred person who states what '"we" want and what "we" will have in an international squse. Surely, sir, the warnings have been many .and pointed for us to see thetu'ror of our ways in-out- trading with ,Gceat Britain, and when strength is added to these by such pointed remarks from those of our own people whose lifelong: training fits' them to judge in such matters, these warnings' should strike home. Let us at least weigh" them in the, balaaee against the statements and errors of judgment made- by those who are "clothed in a little brief authority." I-feel, sir, that this question is so serious and has such an 'important bearing on our relationship, with1 our best (and almost our only) customer that your editorial comments arid influence would be " wclco'med by many. Can we as a young nation —and a very tiny one—bo sufficiently honcs't with" ourselves to search our hearts a little and see1 if we aro playing the game, now, and over the past few years. I cannot but think that we have not) and it is a bitter thought. We have taken all, but what have we returned?' Much has been done for us and how little has been asked of us. Could we not cony mence to alter this unbalanced state, of affairs? As I write, and I speak from some knowledge of the subject, I cannot help but thiuk of the warmth of good feeling and subsequent effect on our exports which such a change of heart in even a small way just now .would cause in Great Britain, and it would co a little- way at least towards, some return, for the past 95 years 'of mothering, "A little more, and' how much it is, A little less,, and what worlds away," —I am, etc., .' JUSTICE.

Exception is taken by E(L 'Boocock to the statement in an article in "The Post that "it "is common , knowledge that low prices are at the bottom of Naw Zealand's difficulties.'" The writer holds that high prices of land are at the bottom of the difficulties, and that this is proved because farmers have existed in the past on lower produce prices, and thousands are making Comfortable incomes even at present prices. It is admitted, however, that low prices and high taxation are contributory causes.

"May I draw your attention tc* "yrhat I think is a very unnecessary menace to health, namely, the expectorating of _ indifferent persons on our footpaths (writes "B Clean"). "Quite a few times lately I have felt quite sick at fteing same on our otherwise clean streets, If a grownup person feels so sensitive, how much more it must affect the health of young children who do not see the dangers, lurking about as their elders do, ai\d at this time of year especially should wo guard as much as possible against anything that will cause sickness. Perhaps .a few spittoons placed in the gutters would induce people to be more considerate for other people's feelings and health."-1